RT Sebastian Vollmer will be staying in New England for the next four years.
NEPD Editor: Mike Loyko
The slow developing Offensive Tackle market may be hurting veteran free agents, but it has turned out to benefit the New England Patriots. There are multiple confirmed reports out this morning that the team and Right Tackle Sebastian Vollmer have agreed to a four year contract extension.
Getting Vollmer back in the fold is a big development for the Patriots. At one point, prior to free agency, it appeared that Vollmer was as good as gone.
It is a busy time for Bill Belichick and Nick Caserio.
NEPD Editor: Mike Loyko
The most exciting time of the NFL off-season is here. Free agency is a mere two days away from starting and the Patriots are well positioned, ready to attack the free agent market with 25.3 million in available cap space. By showing financial restraint after the lockout, the Patriots are primed to add to what is already a very competitive football team.
There still remains interest in resigning many of their own free agents and a robust buyers market means the Patriots expect to be active on Tuesday and beyond. Who will they target in free agency? Will they resign any of their own free agents? What holes can be filled via free agency?
All of these topics are discussed in this comprehensive 2013 Patriots free agency preview.
Allowing Aqib Talib (left) to walk could potentially result in a compensatory pick next season. (Photo: US Presswire)
NEPD Editor: Matthew Jones
At this point, there’s an argument to be made that New England should attempt to re-sign all three of their major free agents: wide receiver Wes Welker, offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer, and cornerback Aqib Talib. The aforementioned players were all major contributors in New England’s successful 2012 season, and it’s possible that releasing any of the players could create holes on the roster which New England may find themselves unable to fill immediately, especially as they attempt to upgrade their roster in other areas with a limited number of draft picks. However, it may be even wiser for the Patriots to let some or all of those free agents depart this offseason.
Will the salary cap allow Wes Welker to don a Patriots uniform in 2013?
NEPD Editor: James Christensen
It seems that few teams have been able to master the NFL salary cap like the New England Patriots. Sustaining success over a decade without having to blow things up.
Other teams haven’t been so lucky. The New York Jets for example, are currently looking at a $19+ million deficit after a 6-10 season.
We haven’t reached Wild Card weekend in the playoffs yet, but it’s that time of year where we begin to look forward to the offseason. The Patriots aren’t a team that generally spends a lot of money in the offseason outside of signings like Adalius Thomas.
The Patriots do have notable players entering free agency, wide receivers Wes Welker and Julian Edelman, offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer, cornerback Aqib Talib, running back Danny Woodhead and safety Patrick Chung. Should they be re-signed?
Kyle Love’ has developed into one of the best defensive players on the roster.
NEPD Editor: Mike Loyko
Each week during the NFL season, I will be providing readers with a 15 thoughts article. These articles will be similar to those I wrote leading up to the NFL Draft in April.
It’s a random compiling of thoughts I had throughout the week, things that stood out that week, things that I learned or just random tidbits that have nothing to do with anything. In this first edition, I get caught up on all the happenings of the preseason up to this point and take a look at some roster moves that we might see in the future.
Nate Solder will be counted on big time to protect Brady's blindside.
NEPD Editor: Mike Loyko
Unlike the tight end and quarteback positions, the offensive line of the Patriots has more question marks as to who makes the final roster.
The New England Patriots are dealing with the significant loss of long time Brady blindside protector Matt Light and various injuries across the line. The Patriots foresaw a transition coming along offensive line and were proactive throughout 2011 to make sure their line play wouldn’t suffer in 2012.
How will the Patriots starting offensive line look Week One and who will make the final roster?
