Now this is a Super Bowl contender

By Os Davis  |   Sunday, March 04, 2007  |  Comments( 2 )

New England Patriots
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
The New England Patriots have been playing 21st century football since the decade began; this week, their fans are merely ecstatic that the front office has learned about 20th century economics.

To wit, the navy blue-and-silver discovered free agency in 2007 and came away "in principle" with LB Adalius Thomas, two other necessary additions and a fourth awaiting a matching offer. Somewhere, Tom Brady is pleased as punch, and the rest of the league, well, as the tagline for gore-filled horror flick "The Fly" goes, "Be afraid. Be very afraid."

Last week, things in Patriotland seemed they would be as bleak as ever on the open market. When the Beaneaters (correctly) franchise tagged Asante Samuel, they did so to the detriment of Daniel Graham, whom the team appeared to have little interest in re-signing. The ambivalence toward Graham felt bizarre at the time, given the Pats' propensity for running three-TE sets and young Rocky Marciano lookalike David Thomas behind him.

Then of course came the sad news that Corey Dillon wouldn't be back, an inevitability made official on Friday, but made no less disappointing by the optimism surrounding the bright future of Laurence Maroney.

Despite the appearance of business as usual in New England, however, the Pats waited barely a day to make headlines with a big-name (and proper) "agreement in principle," plus rounding up a few of those role players Bill Belichick and friends just love.

Thomas marks a rare big signing in New England, up there in the A.B. (After Belichick/Brady) Era with those of Dillon and Rosevelt Colvin. New Englanders are today thanking the cap-strapped Baltimore Ravens for not making this guy their franchise player after seven years of service in Maryland.

With the retirement of Tedy Bruschi rumored to be forthcoming, the future of Junior Seau in doubt, young Tully Banta-Cain filing for free agency, and the general aging of the linebacking corps, the position was thought to be the Pats' No. 1 concern heading into the draft. As a pass-rushing specialist, Thomas makes a perfect addition for this corps and allows New England to address other needs. (That earthquake-sounding noise was the remainder of the NFL collectively shuddering.)

To fill newly vacated gaps, the Patriots inked RB Sammy Morris, formerly of the Buffalo Bills and most recently the Miami Dolphins, presumably to split time with Kevin Faulk in backing up Maroney. Plugging the Graham-sized hole on the roster will be oldster Kyle Brady, formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars, producing a sweet Brady-to-Brady connection potentially good for a couple of receptions a game but also highly favorable for assisting the quick accelerating Maroney on sweeps.

Finally, in a move that surely made Reche Caldwell's eyes bug out a bit more, the weekend saw reports coming out of New England that read the team would be extending an offer sheet to restricted free agent Dolphins WR Wes Welker. Welker could be considered something of a low-profile signing, with his most productive year of 2006 having him net 67 receptions, but the Patriots' competition has seen many a time what Tom Brady can do with unheralded pass catchers -- Jabar Gaffney, anyone?

The overall message to the NFL out of Boston: Be afraid. Oh, and pencil these guys in at least as far as the AFC Championship game.

Stunned by the suddenly bold New England Patriots all year 'round at RealFootball365.com.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (2)

About Os Davis

Os Davis has taken a twisted route to get to RealFootball365.com in his nearly 17 years in professional writing, working in any number of capacities in the sportswriting, news reporting and film criticism worlds. In print media, Os has served as editor at a few publications, including Albuquerque's...
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report