Randolph Charlotin's New England Patriots Fan Profile

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Tag! You're Going Nowhere posted on 01/05/2009

According to reports, the Patriots plan to franchise QB Matt Cassel. Doing so wouldn't surprise me because it gives New England leverage.

Naturally the pessimists jumped to the conclusion that something is wrong with QB Tom Brady's recovery from his knee surgeries. A report said because of the infection, it sets Brady back to the point he might miss the 2009 season. If that's the case, then slapping a franchise tag on Cassel is insurance if Brady can't return for '09.

Then again, there's the other report that states Brady's recovery is ahead of schedule. If that is true, then the Pats control the destiny of the top free agent passer of the off-season. Ultimately New England could do whatever they want with him, whether they sign him or trade him.

Cassel is a very attractive trade chip to dangle. He will be 27 next season and entering his fifth year. And over the course of 15 starts, the league watched Cassel develop from a take care of the ball role into a passer that can come from behind and win under pressure.

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The Bi-annual Free Agency Splash posted on 12/31/2008

It's an odd year. That means the Patriots are going after a big name in free agency.

Just look at their history. '08 had no one major join our team. Just a bunch of journeyman corners, RB LaMont Jordan, and S Tank Williams, who was hurt in the preseason and was placed on injured reserve.

That wasn't the case in '07 as we nabbed the premiere free agent LB in Adalius Thomas. Also joining him was WR Donte' Stallworth, RB Sammy Morris, and two trades for receivers that played beyond the price paid, Wes Welker and Randy Moss.

2006 was another visit to the bargain bin that yielded just WR Jabar Gaffney and a out of retirement LB Junior Seau.

 That was proceeded by a quantity over quality crop with hits (WR Tim Dwight, QB Doug Fluite) and misses (LB Monty Beisel, WR David Terrell). That was a break in the alternating pattern, but the year before they went high end.

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Wanna Trade, Cleveland? posted on 12/29/2008

Boy, we don't even get a chance to let the fact that the Patriots are out of the playoffs for the first time since 2002 soak in before the team is involved in off-season news.

On Monday, three teams fired their head coaches, with two of the head men out of work have Patriots ties. Rod Marinelli was canned after a 0-16 season with Detroit, snitch Eric Mangini was let go by the Jets for missing the playoffs two out of three years, and Cleveland had enough of Romeo Crennel after 40 losses in four seasons. Crennel and Mangini were both former defensive coordinators for the Patriots.

The day before the Browns served Romeo his pink slip, they fired general manager Phil Savage. Wasting no time, the Browns asked an received permission to talk to New England vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli about a position with Cleveland.

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The Drive in '09 posted on 12/28/2008

Well, that's it. The Patriots did what they needed to do Sunday, but it just didn't happen. That's why every team should handle their business on their own and don't leave the job for a third party to complete.

The last time the Pats missed the playoffs, QB Brett Favre and the New York Jets were involved. The difference in 2002 was the Jets won the season finale over a Green Bay Packers team that had their playoff spot locked up. So G.B. mailed it in, allowing New York to get the playoff spot New England had their eyes on.

It was said long ago to keep friends close and your enemies even closer. That's the wrong approach in sports. Don't give divisional foes the opportunity to hang around or they'll come back and bite you. That's what happened to the Patriots. They were duped by Miami's Wildcat and they couldn't put the Jets away on a Thursday night game. Those losses came back to haunt New England.

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Hours Before Kickoff: Week 17 posted on 12/28/2008

According to The Boston Globe, DE Richard Seyour will miss today's game. With Big Sey is out, DE Jarvis Green probably starts in Richard's place.

While it's nothing new to the team, I'm going to repeat head coach Bill Belichick's mantra that worked so well in the past and this season:

Do Your Job.

It's as simple as it sounds. Everyone has their role. Perform yours to the best of your ability.

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. You'll be put in position to play to your strength. That means Green, who in the past was used in passing situations, needs to become the effective pass rusher he used to be. Remember that guy that subbed for Seymour in the 2003 AFC Championship and picked up 2.5 sacks against the Indianapolis Colts? If you can find that Green within you for one game, now would a great time to bring him out to play. It would make up for your zero-sack season thus far.

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