NFL free agent season about to open up

[Cman]

The Baltimore Ravens landed Arizona Cardinals star wide receiver Anquan Boldin(notes) via a trade, according to league sources.

Boldin was acquired by the Ravens as they sent their third-round pick and fourth-round pick in this year’s draft to the Cardinals in exchange for Boldin and their fifth-round draft pick.

i dont understand why the pats didnt make this trade...

[Roy Hobbs]

Look's like Peppers is finalizing a 6 year deal with the Bears

Big Bear day

Lots of money spent, we'll see if it ends up with a trip to the playoffs.

Those are some low expectations for that kinda money.

The biggest issue facing the Bears last year was their poor offensive line play. So far that hasn't been addressed, if that issue isn't corrected then no matter how Peppers/Taylor/etc. perform they still won't go far.

As for expectations, I think improving 4 or 5 games is a pretty big turn around. That's what it will take to make the playoffs. Once you're in the playoffs its all about how well you play at the end, WC SB appearances and wins have all happened recently.

I know that I'm happy to see the wallet being opened.  All I can ask for as a fan is that the team attempts to improve, and so far, that's what the Bears are doing.

If Lovie can keep Peppers motivated, this could be a huge signing.

[PLamb]

The Baltimore Ravens landed Arizona Cardinals star wide receiver Anquan Boldin(notes) via a trade, according to league sources.

Boldin was acquired by the Ravens as they sent their third-round pick and fourth-round pick in this year’s draft to the Cardinals in exchange for Boldin and their fifth-round draft pick.

i dont understand why the pats didnt make this trade...

Money

Anyone trading for Boldin had to redo his contract and he is looking at $6-9 million per for 4 years minimum with probably $15-20 million guaranteed

That's not going to happen for someone the Pats would expect to be their third WR option come late Nov.

They're better off trying to draft Golden Tate in the second round if he's still around

[Big_Matt34]

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nfl/news/story?id=4970238

The New England Patriots have paid big money to their big man in the middle by inking nose tackle Vince Wilfork to a five-year, $40 million extension Friday, according to a league source.

The deal includes an $18 million signing bonus and $25 million guaranteed, NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports.

The deal makes Wilfork the highest-paid nose tackle in the NFL, provides him the long-term security he desires, and ensures the Patriots -- hurt by the departures of several impact players in recent years -- retain a key part of their defense.

[celticsclay]

Why did we not get Boldin for a third and 4th round pick!~ We are wasting Brady's prime right now. Gosh darn it.

[celticsclay]

The Baltimore Ravens landed Arizona Cardinals star wide receiver Anquan Boldin(notes) via a trade, according to league sources.

Boldin was acquired by the Ravens as they sent their third-round pick and fourth-round pick in this year’s draft to the Cardinals in exchange for Boldin and their fifth-round draft pick.

i dont understand why the pats didnt make this trade...

I completely agree. I got p---ed when i read that...

[PLamb]

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nfl/news/story?id=4970238

The New England Patriots have paid big money to their big man in the middle by inking nose tackle Vince Wilfork to a five-year, $40 million extension Friday, according to a league source.

The deal includes an $18 million signing bonus and $25 million guaranteed, NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports.

The deal makes Wilfork the highest-paid nose tackle in the NFL, provides him the long-term security he desires, and ensures the Patriots -- hurt by the departures of several impact players in recent years -- retain a key part of their defense.

I'm torn by this move

One the one hand I LOVE Vince and think without a doubt he is the best NT is football

But for a guy that is not a four down defensive player, that's a lot of money

Also, with more and more teams success being predicated upon passing with fewer and fewer decent running teams in the game, is it really smart to play a run stuffing 3-4 defense and then to invest in it long term by spending $25 million minimum on it by locking up your NT long term

I am happy for Vince though as he's one of my favorite Patriots

[Big_Matt34]

Why did we not get Boldin for a third and 4th round pick!~ We are wasting Brady's prime right now. Gosh darn it.

Pats dont have a 3rd rounder, traded it for Burgess i believe. Could of given up a 2nd i guess but maybe the Cards preferred a 3rd and 4th.

[PLamb]

Doesn't matter

The Pats weren't going to give Boldin the contract he would have wanted anyway

[celticsclay]

Doesn't matter

The Pats weren't going to give Boldin the contract he would have wanted anyway

I mean who are we going to play at receiver? Randy Moss, Edelmen and Tate? Patten shouldn't even make the team, he was done years ago. I would rather have troy brown. Watson is probably gone. Brady is gonna feel like he is on an island, behind an aging line with no help at rb or wr if the pats dont do something in free agency. Rookie WR are extremely risky. Go by Arby's and ask Chad Jackson.

[PLamb]

Doesn't matter

The Pats weren't going to give Boldin the contract he would have wanted anyway

I mean who are we going to play at receiver? Randy Moss, Edelmen and Tate? Patten shouldn't even make the team, he was done years ago. I would rather have troy brown. Watson is probably gone. Brady is gonna feel like he is on an island, behind an aging line with no help at rb or wr if the pats dont do something in free agency. Rookie WR are extremely risky. Go by Arby's and ask Chad Jackson.

Look at the recent history of signing WRs that aren't number one WRs to big contracts

Almost all are huge failures

Boldin is a number 2 type WR, not a primary guy

It was the smart move

Especially when you could get Derrick Mason for a bargain and get almost the same exact production

[celticsclay]

Doesn't matter

The Pats weren't going to give Boldin the contract he would have wanted anyway

I mean who are we going to play at receiver? Randy Moss, Edelmen and Tate? Patten shouldn't even make the team, he was done years ago. I would rather have troy brown. Watson is probably gone. Brady is gonna feel like he is on an island, behind an aging line with no help at rb or wr if the pats dont do something in free agency. Rookie WR are extremely risky. Go by Arby's and ask Chad Jackson.

Look at the recent history of signing WRs that aren't number one WRs to big contracts

Almost all are huge failures

Boldin is a number 2 type WR, not a primary guy

It was the smart move

Especially when you could get Derrick Mason for a bargain and get almost the same exact production

Derrick Mason is 36 or 37 and briefly retired before last season. Does anyone remember us signing a previous ageless wonder  Joey Galloway? Honestly, we lost a solid number 3 before last season. Now we are losing our number 2 for most of the season and probably our best pass catching tight end. Nobody else thinks we need to sign some established players?

[Cman]

Why did we not get Boldin for a third and 4th round pick!~ We are wasting Brady's prime right now. Gosh darn it.

Pats dont have a 3rd rounder, traded it for Burgess i believe. Could of given up a 2nd i guess but maybe the Cards preferred a 3rd and 4th.

A 2nd is better than a 3 + 4.  The issue is that the Pats didn't want to sign Boldin for the $$$.  After having seen the numbers, it is indeed a lot of money.  That said, there is no guarantee that Welker will be able to play next season, and no guarantee that Moss will be back the season after that.  Boldin would have been at worst the second option for the Pats, and possibly the first option in 2011. 

-Happy about the Wilfork and Banta-Cain signings.

[PLamb]

Derrick Mason has has missed 3 games in the last 10 years and averages 82 receptions and 1050 yards per season over those 10 years

Last year he had 73 receptions and 1028 yards

He's a great guy to have as a possession receiver and would be a bargain

I don't care how old he is he plays smart and tough and young

[celticsclay]

Derrick Mason has has missed 3 games in the last 10 years and averages 82 receptions and 1050 yards per season over those 10 years

Last year he had 73 receptions and 1028 yards

He's a great guy to have as a possession receiver and would be a bargain

I don't care how old he is he plays smart and tough and young

Someone could have said very similar stats about marvin harrison two years ago. Then he had one injury and was out of the league. In fact, he actually had much better ten year averages then mason. Find the receivers that have had productive years over the past ten years at age 36. Is possible he could have another good year, yeah but based on history and just common sense its not smart to commit a lot of money or hope to a 36 year old wide receiver. I would much rather have a guy that is closer to 30 or even under.