No Player Personnel Departments are more widely respected around the league than those of the New England Patriots.  Their ability to find the little known and lightly regard players who become vital contributors on the field is legendary.  So what did they do this off-season?

     Call it due diligence.

     When the Patriots FO  saw what was available in this year’s draft, they opted to do most of their reloading via Free Agency.  And reload they did, signing Adalius Thomas, Tory James, Sammy Morris, and Kyle Brady, along with wide receivers Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth, Wes Welker (via trade), and Kelly Washington.  And, most impressively, the did it without breaking the bank: they acquired four experienced receivers for less than the price of  a high first round pick.  Stallworth and Washington signed one-year “prove it” contracts and  Moss slashed his salary by two-thirds.

     Indeed, Stallworth and Washington have a lot to prove.  Neither former Vol has come close to fulfilling the promise they brought out of college, nor do they run routes very well.  Something else they have in common is a history of hamstring injuries.  With three of their final four games in Foxboro, the Pats may need all the WR depth they can get. And somebody’s going to have to go across the deep middle.  Wes Welker, meanwhile, could develop into a valuable go-to guy out of the slot.

     Moss, who in recent years lost interest not speed, gives the Patriots the  genuine deep threat they’ve lacked throughout the Brady years.  And by making the trade on the second day of the 2007 Draft, they denied the rest of the division a chance to stock up on defensive backs.  Only 4 of thirty AFC East picks were spent on DBs.  New England took two of them.

     Saving money on Moss may help the Patriots persuade CB Asante Samuel to sign his Franchise Tender.  Samuel has talked about demanding a trade, but he also knows that entering the market with another Super Bowl ring will enhance his value in 2008.

     Oh, and that Adalius fellow?  His flexibility (ILB, OLB, Safety) fits ideally into Belichick’s hide, seek, and destroy defensive schemes.  A solid locker-room leader, he fits the Patriot mold off the field as well. 


     The Jets traded for RB Thomas Jones and will pair him with Leon Washington to form their version of the  two-headed running back tandem currently in vogue around the league. And that’s about it.  Thanks for playing, Jets.  Hope you’ve signed Momentum to a long-term contract.


     Buffalo QB J.P. Losman made enormous strides in 2006 and they’d like him to survive 2007, so  the Bills wisely shored up the O-line with Derrick Dockery, Jason Whittle, and Langston Walker.  However, they lost defensive anchors London Fletcher-Baker and Nate Clements to free agency and disgruntled RB Willis McGahee was shipped to Baltimore.

      Still, the Bills did a very impressive job with the 2006 Draft, so give them a pass on selecting Marshawn Lynch. If he doensn’t work out, a brutal 2007 schedule will put them in the hunt for the Darren McFadden Sweepstakes in 2008.


     The Dolphins’ most important off season move won’t happen until they pry Trent Green from the Kansas City Chiefs.  Head Coach Cam Cameron was Green’s position coach in Washington back when Mike Martz was the team’s Offensive Co-ordinator.  He knows the system.

     But who will he throw to?  Randy McMichael and WesWelker are gone and Marty Booker is reportedly on the trading block.  Even healthy, Ted Ginn Jr-- while an excellent Kick Returner-- is a hitch/go route guy who can’t/won’t go over the middle.  Chris Chambers will have more defenders surrounding him than Dick Cheney has Secret Service.

     If they ever get close enough, Jay Feely will provide reliable kicking.

     The other big name acquired by the Dolphins was Joey Porter.  Though looking at a possible four game suspension for what didn’t “stay in Las Vegas,” Porter will play behind Jason Taylor and bring much need enthusiasm to the dispirited post-Saban bunch.

     Yeremiah Bell helped solidify the Dolphins secondary in the second half of 2006.  A free agent in 2008, scouts will be watching him closely.