1. Letting Welker go and bringing in Amendola.
It's the Patriot way. If they don't believe a guy can continue to be as productive as he has been, they wont pay extra for him. It's their price or your gone. Wes Welker is the latest victim of this system. I believe Welker would have made the same contributions over the next two seasons as he has over the last few years and we should have paid him somewhere between 6 or 8 million. But the Pats(Bill and Kraft) decided he wasn't worth more than 5 and let him go. Until we signed Amendola, I thought this move was really going to hurt the pats, but now i feel that it won't have as much of an effect on the team. Amendola should be able to put up similar numbers to Welker thanks to Brady, assuming he can stay on the field. Amendola has missed 20 games in the last two seasons. If he stays healthy, then he is a younger Wes Welker and the Patriots come out of this looking like they made a good football move, but i still believe that they would have been better off going with Welker. He deserved to be paid.2. Loss of Woodhead.
Danny Woodead signed a two year deal with the San Diego Chargers today. Woodhead was one of the most popular Patriots during his time in New England. The short play maker did it all, running and catching the ball in big spots. I personally would have liked to have brought him back. He's a fan favorite and can make plays on offence, but i also believe that he will not be missed on the field. I believe this is the Pats way of telling Steven Ridley that he is their starting running back going into the season and they believe in him. This in another good football move by the Patriots.
3. Resigning Arrington.
Kyle Arrington isn't the best corner in the NFL. We all know that, but he isn't horrible. The kid is a good special teams player, and a good guy to have on the depth chart at corner. I would like to see the patriots go out and get a better guy to start over him, but i believe that it was a good idea for them to sign him to a four year deal, which is not likely for much.
4. Bringing in Adrian Wilson and Leon Washington.The Pats lacked many things last year, including a dynamic return man and solid defensive backs. They just solved two of those issues with the additions of former Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson and former Seahawks return man Leon Washington. Washington is one of the best return men in the history of the game and will be a significant improvement over Devin McCourty. With Wilson, the Pats get a twelve year veteran who knows how to hit and is good in coverage. A veteran presence will be good for the rest of the Patriots young secondary. Wilson is a four time all pro pick.
Overall i believe New England have had a great off season so far. They got a young, new target for Brady to throw to, brought in a dynamic returner, and got some veteran leadership for the secondary. I believe they need to continue to improve the defense through the draft, and must find another receiver if they intend to cut ties with Brandon Lloyd.
Off season Grade: B+
Let me know what you think
NasDaddy
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