Titans in for Dwight Freeney as well as Abraham
Well, the Tennessee Titans are going all in for a pass rusher, according to nfl.com:
This is pretty important for the New England Patriots. Even after the draft, the Patriots still look short of a quality, all out pass rusher, something which Dwight Freeney and John Abraham can provide. We need someone opposite Chandler Jones on passing situations that can really get at the QB, and with the Titans looking to snap up one of the two big names out there, time is running out for New England.
Of course, the Patriots have brought both Freeney and Abraham in for visits early into Free Agency, but nothing has come from it. Nor has anything come off for those two in other visits. Now they have started reducing their prices, teams have become more interested.
Whether the Patriots didn't offer contracts due to the cost is yet to be seen. You have to think one of the teams out there would have taken a chance on spending some cash on an experienced pass rusher, especially given the way the NFL is going.
This is definitely an issue of how much they've got left in them. The Atlanta Falcons could definitely do with a pass rusher after going with secondary help in the Draft, so it's telling they haven't talked to Abraham at all. The situation is a little different in Freeney's case, with him no longer being a fit for the Indianapolis Colts' defense, and they're also looking for a fresh start post Peyton Manning.
For the record, I still believe the Patriots need to take a shot with one of these guys, preferably Abraham. We need that 3rd and long guy who can create pressure, and could distract blockers to free up Jones. Heck, the Patriots have spent a lot more taking shots on worse players with worse chances of success. However, with Tennessee in the mix for one, and vulturous teams willing to take a shot, the Pats need to make their move soon if they want one.
Let me know what you think - I'm on Twitter @BrendanAnnely
Rapoport followed that up with a report on "NFL Total Access" that Dwight Freeney also is expected to visit Nashville, Tenn., possibly in the coming days.No signing is imminent. The team wants to gauge how much each player has left in the tank before moving on to the next step.
This is pretty important for the New England Patriots. Even after the draft, the Patriots still look short of a quality, all out pass rusher, something which Dwight Freeney and John Abraham can provide. We need someone opposite Chandler Jones on passing situations that can really get at the QB, and with the Titans looking to snap up one of the two big names out there, time is running out for New England.
Of course, the Patriots have brought both Freeney and Abraham in for visits early into Free Agency, but nothing has come from it. Nor has anything come off for those two in other visits. Now they have started reducing their prices, teams have become more interested.
Whether the Patriots didn't offer contracts due to the cost is yet to be seen. You have to think one of the teams out there would have taken a chance on spending some cash on an experienced pass rusher, especially given the way the NFL is going.
This is definitely an issue of how much they've got left in them. The Atlanta Falcons could definitely do with a pass rusher after going with secondary help in the Draft, so it's telling they haven't talked to Abraham at all. The situation is a little different in Freeney's case, with him no longer being a fit for the Indianapolis Colts' defense, and they're also looking for a fresh start post Peyton Manning.For the record, I still believe the Patriots need to take a shot with one of these guys, preferably Abraham. We need that 3rd and long guy who can create pressure, and could distract blockers to free up Jones. Heck, the Patriots have spent a lot more taking shots on worse players with worse chances of success. However, with Tennessee in the mix for one, and vulturous teams willing to take a shot, the Pats need to make their move soon if they want one.
Let me know what you think - I'm on Twitter @BrendanAnnely
