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Mike,

Any word on keeping Lamont Jordan around? I think Maroney is a bust and does not hit the holes nearly as hard as Jordan. What do you think?

Mike--
Excellent work, as always. A few amplifications, though:
* Trades are NOT banned after the trade deadline, but are subject to waivers. So, clearly, Cassel could not be traded, but a deal involving a back-of-the-roster player could theoretically happen unimpeded.
* The Patriots could give Cassel permission to talk trades to teams now, but, assuming they place the non-exclusive franchise tag (as the Pats did with Asante), once they do so, he is automatically free to negotiate with other teams.
* As I learned from the Globe, a team can actually negotiate lower salaries in case of injury into a contract (the Pats originally did this with Seau last year, but later decided to waive that clause).
* As far as Vrabel as full-time TE goes: BB is a student of NFL history, and, right now, Vrabel is a part of that--10 receptions, 10 TDs. If Vrabel wants to convert to a TE, I don't think BB would say no, but it would have to be a voluntary decision by Vrabel.

Finally, a question--do you expect Cassel to be in training camp this year, or do you see the situation resolved before then?

What about Mike Shanahan as OC if Josh McDaniel leaves? Shanahan and Belichick have great respect for each other. Shanahan's not looking to be a HC anywhere this year, so he could sign a two year deal to be OC, run the offense for a year and then take a HC position elsewhere at the end of next year, if he wanted. Plus, he'd have the chance to work with Brady, Moss and Welker for a year or two. It would also give Belichick the option to focus solely on the defense, as he would probably feel comfortable leaving the offense in Shanahan's hands.

STI: Trades are not allowed. The deadline was back in October. The waiver system is for players that are released. Anyone can put in a claim on a released player and the team with the worst record would get him (and his contract). If no one puts in a claim, the player becomes an immediate free agent. Releasing Cassel would be pointless. How do the Patriots get any compensation for releasing a player?

Feeb: it's an interesting idea. I think the Patriots would prefer to keep using the same system. I think Shanahan would have to be amenable to continuing to use and develop the current system. Continuity is important to the Patriots, and especially since it would be expected that Shanahan would be moving on, they likely don't want to be changing systems again.

Hi everybody,
We only need to look to last year concerning Jared Allen being franchised by the Chiefs. They were able to get a 1st, 3rd and 5th and swapped 6 round choices with the Vikes for a defensive lineman. Only team with 2 first round choices this year are the Lions and judging from their record they are in desperate need of everything.

Mike,

It has been reported by PFT.com that the Seahawks have asked permission to interview Brad Seeley for a similar position. Have you heard anything and why would the Pats allow it?

No need to get greedy. I'd be happy with one 1st rounder in the top half of the draft

Good mailbag, Mike. I agree with almost all of your analysis, but I don't agree that CB is as big of a need as others seem to think. They enter with Hobbs a very effective #2 CB (which is basically what a RCB is). Between Wheatley, Wilhite, and Richardson, I think there's a strong chance that they'll be able to solidify that spot.

With Adalius returning, another year under the belts of Mayo, Guyton, and Woods, and the potential emergence of Crable, I think the linebacking group will be able to compensate for more of the secondary's shortcomings. I also think we shouldn't count out Tank, who I thought looked very good before he got hurt. And Lewis Sanders looked decent from the FS spot too.

I'd like to see them address the WR vacancy that Gaffney's leaving. Aiken clearly isn't the man for the job. And as you showed in one of your blog entries, Gaffney was present for a lot of snaps, so that's a pretty big hole he's leaving there -- and one that they could upgrade. I'd also like to see them upgrade the TE spot, because I think Watson is a VERY overrated player. This would allow them to be more effective from 2TE sets too, as it doesn't seem that Belichick had too much confidence in Thomas by the end of the season.

Hi Ampats. I believe that report from was from Adam Schefter of NFL Network. I have not heard of it, but am attempting to confirm it. If the Patriots allow it, I assume it would be a situation where there was an assistant head coach title involved, which might put Seely a step closer to a head coaching spot if that's a goal of his.
--Mike

MarkZ,

Hobbs tied for the most TD passes allowed in the league (9). Deltha O'Neal had 7.

We don't need a CB?

Gick,
There are more pressing needs that have fewer potential options. The Pats already addressed the CB position by drafting two of them last season and one the season before. Wheatley started looking good before getting hurt, and Wilhite started doing well down the stretch. With another healthy offseason, Richardson could also be a solid contributor. I'd sooner they look at a position like ILB, that will be relying on an undrafted rookie free agent to start next year, with NOBODY behind him for depth and NO prospects.

Also, if you want to look at stats, take a look at Ben Watson. He was 3rd in offensive snaps this year (only one snap behind Welker at #2). But he was 35th in the league in receiving yards and had only 2 TD receptions. This, despite being on the field for 837 snaps. And his blocking was no treat either. If they had a legitimate TE on the roster, it would add a degree of versatility to the roster that they haven't had since '04.

Add to that the fact that with Jabar Gaffney's departure, Sam Aiken is slated to be the #3 WR. Gaffney was on the field for 730 snaps this year as the #3 WR (4th highest snap total on the team), so it's a pretty important position. I'll take Wheatley, Wilhite, and Richardson as possibilities at corner before I'd take Aiken, Washington, and Ventrone as possibilities at WR.

So, would I like to see them bring in another CB? Sure. After they bring in an ILB, TE, WR, and SS.

Romeo, Romeo, Where art Thou Romeo -

Mike - I have heard reports on TV that Romeo may stay with the Browns in another capacity. Any chance that he will return the Patriots as defensive coordinator? This would free BB.

would be nice to grab onto Lito Sheppard - he's not too happy in Philly anyway & he's a quality CB with veteran experience.
too bad we didn't work some type swap last year when they grabbed Samuel

That question about Vrabel becoming a full time tight end is actually quite provocative. He's probably best suited to be a goal line specialist (also consider the fact that we still need OLB's badly) and not a down the field guy, as Mike pointed out, but there is something to be said for the fact that Belichick trusts him THAT much to get the ball when it's important.

Speaking of Rodney's coverage of Miami - did anybody hear him say "Ed Reed is another Deion Sanders except Ed Reed can tackle"?!?! Hilarious seeing Prime Time in the studio on that one!

I too like that Mike Shanahan OC possibility but it could go two ways. He could either say I don't want to work for a rival or he could say I'd rather work for another seasoned coach that I respect in an organization that will allow me to continue to succeed than a young upstart coach. Maroney would likely fulfill his promise if he found his way to the northeast!

markz,

the issue with CB is quality, not quantity. their idea was to throw a bunch of low risk free agent signings and some 2 & 3 round draft picks and hope a couple of them work out. but none of them did. having 5 nickel back CBs on your team doesn't work. you need a lockdown playmaker at #1 and a solid player at #2. Hobbs would be fine for the nickel back, wheatley and wilhite can be the top subs until they develop into something more.

if two of your starting CBs combine to average 7 points allowed per game, you're not going to compete against top teams. the secondary is far and away the top need. then LB, then TE.

Obviously, there are many veterans on the team that the Patriots will try and restructure their contracts. Between that and Cassel getting the franchise tag (which I think will happen), there will likely not be many free agent acquisitions. So they'll have to choose very carefuly who they sign and draft very well (thankfully, they're good at those things).
I see the biggest needs as follows:
1. ILB
2. WR
3. TE
4. Safety
5. Corner

I'd also like to see a young DL and OL in the mix, as it's never to early to start developing lineman.

Thanks for the updates Mike. Great news about Rodney Harrison. He's a free agent; what can you tell us about the chances of the Pats re-signing him? Similarly, do you think we can keep Gaffney? I see Harrison as a have-to-keep whereas Gaffney (despite his drops this year) a nice-to-have...

Gick, I don't see why you're so willing to give up on Wheatley, Wilhite, and Richardson. A 2nd round pick in a deep draft is kind of a big deal in the NFL. If Wheatley doesn't become a starter, then he should be called a bust. Half a season is not enough time to be able to determine whether or not he'll be a bust. Especially when you consider that he was starting to get more playing time just before his injury. Wilhite obviously started to get it as the season wore on, to the point where he became the starter in the final weeks. How many TDs did he give up during that time? I thought his play was solid down the stretch. Remember, Samuel was also a 4th rounder (like Wilhite) who didn't really demonstrate he was a starting caliber corner until the later half of his second year.

I mean, sure they could keep drafting 2 CBs every year, but there's a point where they have to start addressing other needs. Also keep in mind that those other positions impact pass coverage too.

I have to agree with Markz about the corner situation.
Wheatley was really coming along just before his injury. I think he can be a good #1 corner, but he'll likely have some hiccups early in the season as he gains experience. He's the team eventual #1 corner, so why not give him the job?
Hobbs is a good #2 corner. Having him cover teams second-best receivers (as opposed to their best) will keep that statistic gick keeps throwing around down.
Wilhite was playing well at the end of the season. He may become a #2 corner at some point, but I think he's better off as the nickel corner for now.
2008 was Richardson's rookie season, for all purposes, so I expect him to improve for 2009 and compete for the #4 corner roster spot.
Add to that the versatile Lewis Sanders and likely either a rookie or veteran off the free agent market, and I think you've got a good set of corners.
Besides, one of Belichick's winning defensive philosophies is to not pay a lot of cash for corners. I don't see him drafting a corner very high or making any kind of big FA move to get a corner. I think he'd prefer to develop who he's already got and spend the money elsewhere.