Here is a link that might be a sign ....

The highly anticipated NFL free agent period has begun (4 p.m. ET) and here are a few thoughts based on conversations with agents and others around the NFL: 

A big part of the Patriots' strategy with their own free agents seems to be to let the market dictate. The club has had discussions with player representatives, but according to a few of them, the team hasn't moved far, if at all, off their previous offers. 

This looks like an indication that the Patriots project a "soft market." This is an approach that comes with some risk because all it takes is for one team to up the ante, and the Patriots could lose the chance to re-sign some of their key players. The benefit to the Patriots is that if prices come down, they can retain players at a cost more favorable to them. 

Specific to personnel, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer tweeted shortly after 4 p.m. that the "Patriots are on top to land Browns [WR] Josh Cribbs right now, followed by Cardinals and 49ers." 

We'll be following along closely on all Patriots free agent targets and reporting anything we find out.

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots

most recent rumors have Cribbs to the Browns.

Pats might be over playing their hand this time around, the way contracts are looking at this point

I think the most recent rumor is Cribbs to the Cardinals

In response to dapats1281's comment:

 

Patriots | Considered favorite for Joshua Cribbs 
Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:06:51 -0700

The New England Patriots are considered the top candidate to sign free-agent WR Joshua Cribbs (Browns) this offseason.

Read more: http://www.kffl.com/hotw/NFL?page=4#ixzz2NMwd2XNt

Pats have to find receivers in the Draft

profootballtalk.com just recently posted that josh cribbs seems likely to land in arizona with lorenzo alexander. seems like pats are no longer the leaders.

 

too bad... cribbs would be a very nice low cost addition

Maybe Greg Jennings here?

greg jennings would be a great fit... with or without welker here (id prefer without) if we could get jennings at the 7-9 mil range for a few years, id be all over it.

In response to LegendofBoston1988's comment:

check the time stamp, your info is 6 hrs old

http://nesn.com/2013/03/report-patriots-are-in-lead-to-land-josh-cribbs-who-is-potential-replacement-for-wes-welker/

In response to kansaspatriot's comment:

Look at the time of the article...there have been reports about the Cardinals after

In response to dapats1281's comment:

Cardinals? He'd be stupid to go to that trash heap

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3469/josh-cribbs

In response to Vladtheimpaler1's comment:

Nice, I wouldn't mind getting Cribbs as long as it isn't for too much money. I think he would be a solid fit here and maybe we could take the ball past the 20 on kick returns lol

He would be a replacement for Edelman...therefore, I hope he doesn't make more than 2 mil a year

I just read that Cribbs has narrowed his choices to new England and Arizona. What I also read and I hadn't realized was that Cribbs hasn't returned a KO for a TD since 2009, and he had 6 fumbles last year! 4 of those fumbles coming on punt returns, so I have cooled considerable on Cribbs. If the money is equal bring back julian Edelman.

In response to Quagmire3's comment:

But he is cheaper.