Free agent frenzy starts with a flurry of rumors and moves involving the Patriots
Is your head spinning, yet?
On Tuesday at 4 p.m., NFL free agency started with a flurry of signings and trades across the league. The biggest news regarding the Patriots happened later that evening when Darrelle Revis left for the New York Jets.
But that wasn’t the only thing to happen on Tuesday.
When the frenzy started, the Patriots lost Shane Vereen and Jonathan Casillas along with Revis. They still have plenty of their own free agents to look at including Brandon Browner, Vince Wilfork, Stevan Ridley, Akeem Ayers, Dan Connolly, Alan Branch, and Danny Aiken.
The first two players off the board were Vereen and Casillas, who both cashed in with the New York Giants. According to multiple reports, Vereen got $12.35 million over three years and Casillas signed a three-year deal worth $10.5 million.
The news about Vereen isn’t shocking. The running back had a solid season (391 rushing yards and 52 receptions for 447 receiving yards) and an outstanding Super Bowl performance (11 catches for 64 yards) that most priced his way out of Foxboro.
The Patriots’ 2011 second-round pick and 27-year-old took over as the Patriots’ third-down back in 2013 after Danny Woodhead departed via free agency. If the Patriots don’t want to sign a veteran, they could try to fill the role internally with someone like James White or Tyler Gaffney. But at this point, the Patriots are checking around on other free-agent running backs.
The Patriots have also shown interest in former Washington running back Roy Helu, who ended up signing with Oakland. According to the NFL Network, the Patriots are one of three teams showing interest in Reggie Bush and have inquired about C.J. Spiller. On Tuesday, the Providence Journal learned that the Patriots have shown some initial interest in former Miami running back Daniel Thomas.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Wilfork. According to ESPN, the Houston Texans are making an effort to sign the former Patriots captain. Wilfork does have history with several coaches on that staff including defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel and linebackers coach Mike Vrabel.
The Patriots’ first signing came Tuesday evening when they signed wide receiver Brandon Gibson to a one-year deal, according to multiple reports. Over the last six seasons, Gibson has played in Philadelphia, St. Louis and most recently in Miami. He caught 29 passes for 295 yards and a touchdown in 14 games last season.
According to ESPN, the Patriots also came to an agreement with special teamer and linebacker Chris White.
The Pats also had edge rusher Jabaal Sheard and linebacker Colin McCarthy in town for visits, according to ESPN. The 25-year-old edge rusher has 23 sacks in four seasons with the Cleveland Browns. McCarthy spent the 2014 season in the injured reserve.
One rumor to watch for involves the Patriots interest in Percy Harvin, who was released by the New York Jets on Tuesday. According to the NFL Network, there’s a “good chance” the wide receiver signs with the Patriots. It’s possible Harvin takes less money in order to prove himself after two down seasons.
The Patriots made some moves on Tuesday, bringing back three of their five exclusive rights free agents. They tendered offers to defensive tackle Sealver Siliga, fullback James Develin and linebacker James Morris. The team did not tender offers to wide receivers Brian Tyms and Greg Orton, making both free agents. When a player is an exclusive rights free agent, the club just needs to offer them a one-year minimum contract to retain them for the following season.
The Patriots could still try to retain Tyms, who caught five passes for 82 yards and a touchdown, who is now free to see what he’s worth on the open market.
It was a crazy first day of NFL free agency, but at this point we have more questions than answers for the Patriots.