Along with bringing in the 10-year veteran, the Pats re-signed DL Mike Wright. He received serious consideration from Arizona and Denver but opted to stay with the team that gave him his first shot in the league.
Being on a team with a legitimate shot at a championship doesn't hurt either.
Wright goes from his minimum pay last year to a 4-year deal worth $7.5 million with additional playing incentives worth $10 million. It's a great use of the money saved by trading QB Matt Cassel and LB Mike Vrabel. The kid earned it and I'm happy for him.
So how is it that a D-lineman with just four career sacks is more valuable than a receiver with more than 10,000 receiving yards?
Wright is a quality reserve off the bench. He can fill in at end or at nose. He's a very good pass rusher for a lineman. On obvious passing downs, Wright usually subs in for someone else. And if any of the starting three misses a start, Wright can start and will play very well.
Typical knowledge of the Patriots D-line rotation starts with Richard Seymour, ends with Jarvis Green, with Ty Warren and Vince Wilfork in between. But Wright worked his way up from 2005 practice squad signee to playing in every game in 2008. He may not be indispensible, but Wright's contribution to the team is valuable.
And having him back will be an important factor in the team's success. Finding quality 3-4 linemen is hard enough. Having quality back-ups to three Pro Bowl-caliber linemen without a major drop in production usually doesn't happen. But with Wright around, the team doesn't lose much when Wright is giving someone a breather.
Re-signing Wright is also insurance if Wilfork or Green can't reach extension agreements before their contracts expire next year.As for Galloway, he might be lucky to catch 40 passes on this team. It would be great to have a player that can stretch the defense, but that's why the Pats traded with Philadelphia for WR Greg Lewis.
Before any reserve receiver gets on the field, he must wait for Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Kevin Faulk to be targeted. Galloway has name recognition, but he's no better than Lewis or Sam Aiken because the number of opportunities won't be great.
The offense would continue to hum along even without Galloway. QB Tom Brady doesn't play favorites so Galloway better be as good as advertised, if not better, or he won't see many passes come his way. And that's a real concern with a receiver that's 37 years old. Galloway might had been the fastest player on the Buccaneers, but exactly how fast is that?
We're also talking about a player that's 10 years older than Wright signed to a one year contract. 37-year-old Galloway is here on borrowed time if he makes the team. Wright signed for three years as he enters his prime.
Don't get me wrong. I think the Galloway signing is great if it works out. But I'm not fooling myself. Anything more we can get out of the offense is gravy.
But the strength of this Patriots defense is the line and Wright's return helps maintain that strength.I'm glad Wright is finally getting paid and I look forward to Mike making plays for the Pats for the length of this contract.
