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Kelley Washington has agreed to remain a Patriot. (2007 file/Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff) |
As of the wee hours this morning, Randy Moss was not an ex-Patriot, but he also didn't have a long-term contract to keep him in New England, while cornerbacks Asante Samuel and Randall Gay appeared headed out of Foxborough via free agency, which officially kicked into gear at 12:01 a.m.
When reached after midnight, Moss's agent, Tim DiPiero, said he had no comment on negotiations and wouldn't answer a question as to whether Moss, now officially a free agent, had the parameters of a deal to stay with the Patriots, who elected not to place the franchise tag on the record-setting receiver.
Samuel has already made it clear he intends to test the free agent market - early rumors point to the Philadelphia Eagles as a possible landing spot - and now he has company in Gay.
Gay's agent, Albert Elias, said yesterday that Gay, who made $1.3 million last year under his restricted free agent second-round tender, and the Patriots were unable to reach an agreement. The sides remained far apart.
"Basically, it's very disappointing that we weren't able to work something out because both Randall and myself really wanted him to remain a Patriot, but we're going to keep the lines of communication open," said Elias.
Gay is expected to start visiting with other teams tomorrow and is regarded as one of the top three corners in a shallow market, behind Samuel and San Diego's Drayton Florence. Elias said several teams are lining up to meet with Gay. Last season, the New York Jets expressed interest in Gay before the Patriots tendered him.
The 25-year-old Gay set a career high with three interceptions last season, tying him for second on the team behind Samuel, and played a 16-game season for the first time. He made three starts during the regular season and started for the injured Ellis Hobbs in the Patriots' 31-20 playoff win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Gay was primarily used by the Patriots as a nickelback last season, but Elias believes Gay has proven he can be a starter. Gay joined the Patriots in 2004 as an undrafted free agent out of Louisiana State and ended up starting nine games. He started at left cornerback in Super Bowl XXXIX, finishing as the Patriots' leading tackler. Gay's 2005 and '06 seasons were cut short by injuries - ankle and hamstring.
But topping the Patriots' priority list is Moss, who in his first season with the team caught 98 passes for a franchise-record 1,493 yards and set an NFL record with 23 touchdown receptions. Moss, who turned 31 Feb. 13, made $5 million last season, including $2 million in incentives for receptions and his Pro Bowl selection.
The Patriots have also been negotiating to bring back wide receivers Jabar Gaffney and Kelley Washington. Late last night, Washington and the Patriots agreed to terms on an undisclosed contract, according to a league source.
Washington made $1.06 million last season. He didn't catch a pass, but was a top special teamer. He had a $4 million option bonus payment that the Patriots did not pick up. Gaffney overtook Donte' Stallworth, whose $8 million in option bonuses weren't picked up, as the third receiving option.
Other New England free agents of note are cornerback Chad Scott, who sat out the season after suffering a left knee injury in training camp; long snapper Lonie Paxton; safety Mel Mitchell; and veterans Junior Seau and Troy Brown, both of whom must decide if they want to play another season. New England has already let safety Eugene Wilson know he won't be returning.
"We are working hard to get this done," Paxton's agent, Paul Sheehy, said via e-mail. "Both sides are motivated to make this happen and we continue to work on it."
Yesterday, the Patriots placed a $1.41 million second-round tender on restricted free agent defensive lineman Mike Wright, who played in nine games last season before being placed on injured reserve with a foot injury Dec. 13. Wright, entering his fourth season, can receive offer sheets from other teams, but the Patriots have the right to match. If the Patriots decline, any team that signs Wright must surrender a second-round pick.
The Patriots did not make a qualifying/minimum tender offer to defensive lineman Rashad Moore, making him an unrestricted free agent.
According to a report in The Daily Advertiser of Louisiana, Patriots running back Kevin Faulk, who was cited for marijuana possession last Friday, passed a drug test and will not have to enter the NFL's substance abuse program.
Faulk said he talked to coach Bill Belichick and immediately submitted to a drug test, which was taken Monday. He said the results of the test were negative.
Faulk was charged with simple possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor, after he was found with four hand-rolled cigars filled with the illegal substance while attending a Lil Wayne concert in Lafayette, La.
Mike Reiss of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
© Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.
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