Thoughts on Free Agency, Spygate, and now Favre

First, let me apologize for not having an update last week. The flu swept through the Evil Patriots Compound and showed no mercy.

Now that we're just about through the first big wave of free agency, it's time to see where the Patriots stand:

Gone:
Asante Samuel - was there ever any question that he was going to be playing for another team in 2008? "I just want a chance to be able to win and get back to the Super Bowl," Samuel said. "That's why I picked the Philadelphia Eagles." I'm looking forward to the first time the Patriots play the Eagles and Tom Brady makes him jump routes all day long. It's a shame they couldn't retain him, but the 6 years $57 million that he got from the Eagles will be better spent elsewhere.
Randall Gay - Gone to the Saints, Gay will no doubt get some time in the first season there, get hurt, then start two more games for the rest of his career. I am not sorry to see him go.

Donte Stallworth - The Browns made a big splash in the last week and got Stallworth, who should be better in Cleveland as the #1 or #2 than he had a chance to be here as the #3. Like Samuel, Stallworth was pretty much a given to be with another team in 2008. The Patriots won't have to do much to replace Stallworth's production, probably by resigning Jabar Gaffney.
Coming & Staying
Randy Moss - I'm a little curious to see if the coaches can spend the offseason to figure out how to get Randy Moss open again. It should be a little alarming that he was largely ineffective (unless you count double-coverage on one guy an advantage for the Patriots). He'll be worth all $27 million over the 3 years though, and I'm sure will help ease the fears of us who are continuing to see a weakened defense get weaker.

Tedy Bruschi - I love Tedy...but if he's out there for more than 15-20 plays per game next season, it means the Patriots defense is in trouble. He's a low risk signing for certain since he always seems to take the modest contract, so in the end it's a good signing for the football smarts, but not a big one.

Kelly Washington - sure..why not.

Lonie Paxton - thank God our long snapping is secure for another year...

Sam "Don't call me Clay" Aiken - The former Bills receiver will be a good special teams guy

Overall, it's pretty blah. Of course last year they made the big initial splash with Adalius Thomas, who should be a lot better this year. They haven't signed anyone significant that wasn't on the team last year, but did lose Samuel, Stallworth, and Gay. Typically, the Patriots do their best in the 2nd wave of free agency and pick up those utility guys that are dropped from other rosters. By the way, I'm very happy we won't be seeing Zach Thomas here next year. We didn't need a slower Tedy Bruschi. Hopefully they'll get Junior Seau to come back for another year, but who knows with the surfer dude.

As I was typing this, Brett Favre just retired. A moment of silence please...

Favre was undoubtedly one of the most exciting players to watch in the last 10 years and he'll be missed, especially by football bobbleheads over 45. But it's time for the Aaron Rogers era to begin!!! Don't let the fact that the Broncos (Elway) and Dolphins (Marino) failed miserably in finding a replacement that wouldn't crumble under the pressure of being the "successor" get you down.

SpyGate - give Matt Walsh his freakin immunity, get the "evidence" he has and lets get this thing done. If there isn't some kind of story to report on this, every single talk show host wonders the following day what happened to "spygate"? This is beyond ridiculous. No one even seems to care about taping of signals anymore. It's now all about taping the practice before the Superbowl against the Rams. So the guy either has tape or not. Seems pretty simple.

One last thing. Is there any question that Ty Law will be suiting up for the Patriots next season? Of course not.