The Patriots are now officially short WR Donte Stallworth and CB Randall Gay after both players agreed to deals with other clubs. Stallworth, who wasn't expected to re-sign with the Patritos unless the free agent market was not as enticing as he planned, agreed to a $35 million deal with the Browns over 7 years. He joins QB Derek Anderson and fantastic WR Braylon Edwards.
Randall Gay, who most assumed would be back with the club, decided to test free agency after contract negotiations with the Patriots weren't progressing. The club wanted to keep him, but couldn't justify his asking price. On his first free agent visit, Gay agreed with the New Orleans Saints on a four-year deal that could be worth a maximum of $17.6.
Although Gay wanted to get paid, I question his actions. Gay was undrafted out of USC and would most likely have never played football in the NFL had the Patriots not taken a chance on him. After several years with the club, with half of those plagued by injuries, Gay decided to turn his back on the club that gave him a chance. So goes the NFL, I guess.
These signings leave the Patriots extremely thin at some of their thinnest positions, WR and CB. Hopefully the team can fill the voids left by these players.
6 Responses
I feel the same way about Randall Gay. Wow. Way to cash in. Didn't he only start in 3 games for us last season? Very disappointed in him. Oh well. BB and Scott Pioli are already working their magic. Can't wait to see how this plays out. Go Pats!
I know what you mean. It's funny, every offseason (including this one, and except for last year), I've been worried about how the new-look Pats will perform. Yet every single time, the team makes the playoffs – I can't really complain.
I just hope everything works out for us this year. BB/Pioli are the best in the business at evaluating talent, so I know they'll put together a winner. Plus, we have cap space galore to work with. I'm just nervous about Tom Brady's happiness if we let Randy go.
I knew we'd re-sign Randy, but the waiting was getting to me. I'm so relieved. I'm feeling good.
Stallworth became the odd man out among Moss, Welker, & Gaffney. I think it was a matter of too many weapons and not enough balls to go around. In 6 NFL seasons, Stallworth has averaged per year: 46.5 receptions, 702 yards, and 5 TDs. Is he worth $35 million over 5 yrs? He's fast and has potential but he should have reached that potential after 3 NFL seasons, not after 6. He won't see the last two years of the deal, wait and see.
As for Randall Gay, I thought he would re-sign with the Pats knowing that he would be slotted as at least the #2 CB on the depth chart with Asante Samuel leaving. In 4 seasons, he had two that were cut short due to injury. He played 15 games his rookie year (2004) and 16 this year but he's only started 14 of the 39 games he's been in. 5 INTs and 74 tackles, good for a nickel or dime CB but not a starter. He has a ring and he needs a payday, he got it in his home state. 4 yrs at $17.6 mil is a stretch…..maybe 4 yrs for $12 mil would have been what the Pats were thinking.
We are early in free agency. Don't forget, after the draft, many veterans will get cut. I'm sure we will sign a vet CB or two, as well as, draft one.
Steve
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Patriots Season Ticket Holder since 1992
Sec 143, Row 18, Seats 1 & 2
great blog Matt!
I'm not tos broken up aboyt Stallworth, Moss, Welker Gaffney is a great trio.
Samuel we knew was leaving, but Gay's leaving surprised me. That hurts. Hobbs is not a #1 Corner and without Gay this is a scary proposition. Let's sign D. Hall.
Let's re-sign Rosie.
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