After much speculation and many rumors (specifically from John Clayton of ESPN) the Patriots and Randy Moss agreed to a 3-year deal woth $27 million today. Patriots fans just about had a conniption when Moss didn't sign immediately at 12:01am Friday morning, and many were assuming the worst over the weekend. Sure a contingent remained steadfast that the sides would get the deal done, but Pats fans heard the same thing when Adam Vinatieri came up for Free Agency in 2006. In case anyone missed it he's kicking for the Colts now.
There are rumors now that other teams "interest" in Moss was only a ploy to get the Pats to up their offer. In the end, this deal looks on the surface like a very cap friendly deal for the Pats. We still don't know the guaranteed money yet but when you consider that the Vikings gave Bernard Berrian (who? exactly.) $42 million over 6 years it puts Moss' deal in perspective. A guy coming off the single season TD reception record is making only $2 million more than a guy who had one 100-yard receiving game and 5 TDs last year.
So what's next for the Pats? Seems like they're taking their time this year, clearly they are in no rush to sign any of the big name players that are quickly coming off the market. It would be logical to turn their attention to Jabar Gaffney, the last free agent Pat that's supposed to have taken a visit to the Vikings. This would ensure nearly the entire starting offense from 2007 returning in 2008 (pending the severity of Stephen Neal's Super Bowl knee injury).
Other free agents still left that the Pats could take a run at include Victor Hobson of the Jets. He's got experience in the Pats system at a position where they are thin. So far he has yet to take an free agency visits.
Jets Active Early
The Jets are shelling out a ton of dough already. They signed Alan Faneca, Damien Woody and Calvin Pace to huge contracts. This has some insiders thinking they've got to win this year or Mangini and crew could be out. Both Faneca and Woody are getting up there in age but add instant credibility to the Jets line along with Nick Mangold and D'Brickshaw Ferguson. Pace had one good year, I wanted him for the Pats but clearly they were not interested in him. The signing of Pace is interesting in that it might lessen the chances of the Jets taking Vernon Gholston at 6 overall in the draft, perhaps allowing the Pats to snag him. If he lasts that long. Wouldn't count on it after his performance at the Combine.
Keywords: New England Patriots Randy Moss New York Jets Vernon Gholston
