The Bi-annual Free Agency Splash

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.

Make that high end of the scale, as they signed 350-plus pound NT Keith Traylor. Coupled with P Josh Miller, they weren't much, but they performed at a high level in 2004.

In 2003 the Pats surprised everyone when they signed LB Rosevelt Colvin, the top prize in free agency. The previous two years was bargain hunting and the Colvin signing was out of character. Rosie was joined by S Rodney Harrison, CB Tyrone Poole, G/C Russ Hochstein, and valuable special teamer LB Don Davis.

If this is a Patriots spending year, despite the struggling economy, who should they go after? I'm in favor of a trade for RB Larry Johnson. He's costly, but his price might be down a little since he publicly declared he wants out of Kansas City.

I'd offer a future first round pick and a second rounder this year for him. Throw in RB Laurence Maroney to sweeten the pot if needed. That would instantly bolster the backfield. Nor do I think L.J. would go out of line with Boston's subpar nightlife nearby and a veteran team to keep him Johnson on the straight and narrow.

A rotation of Johnson, Morris, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis would be tough for any team to stop.

I know I'm getting well ahead of myself, but that move is on my mind.