Ty Law: The Return!?

Ty Law might not be done in New England

 Today, the Chiefs announced they will release the shut-down corner, who was scheduled to make over $6 million in 2008.

Despite a rough ending to his Patriots career, speculation is that Law would be open to returning to New England.

Law spoke during the the Celtics game today, and when asked about a return to the Patriots, he started laughing, sounded like he was open to it, said “it will be interesting” and wouldn’t say anything more.

We’ll see what happens in a few days.

Asante to New Orleans all but official?

Profootballtalk.com reports:

There’s increasing chatter in league circles that the Saints have worked out a deal with cornerback Asante Samuel.

Yeah, it’s tampering.  But no one seems to care about that.

Samuel supposedly is looking for a contract with an average value in excess of $10 million per year.

Talk about cheating, that’s cheating.  As the quote says, it’s tampering.  Maybe Roger Goodell should take a look into this.  This is just as serious of a matter, although it will be hard to prove.

Quick Linebacker Outlook

The releases of Oscar Lua and Rosie Colvin leaves the Patriots very thin at linebacker.  Only Vrabel, Thomas, Woods, Slaughter, and Alexander remain.  Vrabel and Thomas will likely remain on the outside, and hopefully Bruschi and Seau will return to play the inside.  Woods could have an increase at playing time on the outside, and Alexander on the inside.

Obviously, the Patriots will have to make some offseason additions at linebacker assuming Colvin doesn’t resign (which is looking more and more likely, according to sources).   I only see one potential free agent target, former Steelers linebacker Clark Haggans.  Haggans has never been a tackling machine, but provides great pass rush and solid run support.  He has played in the 3-4 his entire career, so he would be an ideal fit in the Patriots system.

Through the draft, there are many possibilities.  The ideal one would be Vernon Gholston, who many people are comparing to Mike Vrabel.  Gholston showed off at the combine, running a 4.67, and leading all players in bench press reps.  Gholston is a solid all around player.   Although he played defensive end in college, the assumption is that he could easily transition to outside linebacker as a pro.  The next best option for our system is J Leman.  He is a guy who can really play the 3-4 at the inside position.  He is a good tackler, and has the potential to be a star in our system.  Best of all, he could come in and contribute right away.  Anybody who suggests Dan Connor knows nothing about the Patriots.  I guarantee you, the Patriots won’t draft him.  The only other option I see is USC’s Keith Rivers, who would be a perfect fit on the outside, but only if the Patriots trade now.

Oscar Lua Released

I don’t quite understand this one…

Lua missed the 2007 season with a knee injury he suffered in the final week of the preseason.  He had been playing very well, and likely was going to make the active roster.  I thought he looked very good, and I believed he could have been groomed into our starting inside linebacker of the future.

Belichick and Pioli however, thought differently.  Apparently, they didn’t like the outlook of Lua post-injury. 

Goodbye, Asante

I came across this in the Herald:

Word from the combine last night was that Samuel is looking for a 10-year, $100 million deal with $30 million guaranteed up front. That would be more than the megacontract corner Nate Clements (eight years, $80 million with $22 million up front) struck with the 49ers last year.

It was nice having him.  But Asante’s days with the Patriots are done.  Over.  Finite.

It is clear that Asante only want one thing: $$$.  He wants one of the richest contracts of all time, and you know what, he’s not that good.  This is rediculous.

Asante has good ball skills.  He is athletic, he can stay with receivers down field, and he has good instincts; he can make breaks on the ball very well.

However, he is by no means a physical, shut down corner.  He’s no Ty Law, he’s no Champ Bailey.  If he was asking for a deal in the $7-$8 million range, maybe, but ten years, at $10 mil per, come on.

 Asante is good, but he isn’t worth anything near what he is asking.

Good luck with your career, Asante.-