Patriots free agency moves for week one

Signed with New England PatriotsThough New England lost Danny Woodhead, they gained Seattle's Leon Washington.  Washington has primarily seen work as a kick returner lately, which is an area the Patriots were hoping to improve, while also reducing the risk to key offensive and defensive players on returns.  Last season, defensive back Devin McCourty and wide receivers Wes Welker and Julian Edelman handled kick and punt returns.  With Welker gone and Edelman a free agent, the Patriots needed to make sure they had someone that could handle the return game for them and that's what they got with Leon Washington.Signed with San Diego ChargersThe New England Patriots grabbed Danny Woodhead back in 2010, following his release from the New York Jets.  During his three seasons in New England, he became a fan favorite due to his quickness and versatility. Woodhead was used not only as a running back, but also as a receiving back and kick returner.  Although he was small, his speed allowed him to get under tacklers and avoid being brought down.  The Patriots were reportedly interested in bringing him back, but Woodhead signed a two year agreement with San Diego instead.Signed by New England PatriotsDanny Amendola has been in the NFL for four seasons, all with the St Louis Rams.  In addition to Stephen Jackson, he was one of the few bright spots for the much beleaguered team.  At least, when he was able to stay on the field he was.  Amendola has seen his share of injury since coming to the NFL.  Out of 62 possible games he could have played in, he has only been on the field for 42 of them.  He's made 176 receptions for 1,782 yards in that time as well as 7 touchdowns.  That doesn't seem like much, but with the Rams offensive scheme, he wasn't getting near the targets that Wes Welker was.  He also didn't have a quarterback anywhere near as good as Tom Brady throwing to him.  His contract is for five years and $31 million, with $10 million guaranteed.  According to a report by Tom E. Curran from CSN New England, Amendola was actually signed before Wes Welker signed with Denver.  If this is the case, it was another reason for Welker to take the change in scenery.View the list »
Signed with Denver BroncosWes Welker had been a member of the New England Patriots for six years.  In that time, he made 672 receptions for 7,459 yards and 37 touchdowns.  A fan favorite, as well as a favorite of quarterback Tom Brady, he made over 100 receptions in five out of his six years in New England, while missing only three games during that time.  New England gave Welker the franchise tag last season, giving him $9.5 million dollars to play in 2012.  This season, the Patriots declined to use the franchise tag for any players, allowing Wes Welker to test the free agent market for the first time in his career.  The Denver Broncos came in with a two year offer totaling $12 million.  The two years, along with the chance to play with Peyton Manning were apparently all it took for Welker to agree to sign with Denver and his time in New England officially came to an end the day after free agency began.

NFL newsletter

The first week of NFL free agency has seen some major shakeups around the league. The New England Patriots are no exception. A star wide receiver was lost to a major rival. A fan favorite running back bolted to another. An offensive lineman left for a third team. And a safety went the same route as another former Patriot from that same position, heading for the NFC East.

Related topics

Advertisement

It hasn't been all bad news for the Patriots, though. They feel they have replaced the production lost on offense by bringing in a stud wide receiver and a little additional help as well. They've addressed their concerns at kick return, hoping to gain a little more yardage and not risk valuable offensive or defensive players getting injured at the same time. They've also not only retained key players in their secondary, but made a move to improve it, which is important given how their last two seasons have gone.

Lets take a look at the moves that have been made in this first week of the NFL free agency period for 2013.

View the list
  • Signed with Denver BroncosWes Welker had been a member of the New England Patriots for six years.  In that time, he made 672 receptions for 7,459 yards and 37 touchdowns.  A fan favorite, as well as a favorite of quarterback Tom Brady, he made over 100 receptions in five out of his six years in New England, while missing only three games during that time.  New England gave Welker the franchise tag last season, giving him $9.5 million dollars to play in 2012.  This season, the Patriots declined to use the franchise tag for any players, allowing Wes Welker to test the free agent market for the first time in his career.  The Denver Broncos came in with a two year offer totaling $12 million.  The two years, along with the chance to play with Peyton Manning were apparently all it took for Welker to agree to sign with Denver and his time in New England officially came to an end the day after free agency began.
  • Signed by New England PatriotsDanny Amendola has been in the NFL for four seasons, all with the St Louis Rams.  In addition to Stephen Jackson, he was one of the few bright spots for the much beleaguered team.  At least, when he was able to stay on the field he was.  Amendola has seen his share of injury since coming to the NFL.  Out of 62 possible games he could have played in, he has only been on the field for 42 of them.  He's made 176 receptions for 1,782 yards in that time as well as 7 touchdowns.  That doesn't seem like much, but with the Rams offensive scheme, he wasn't getting near the targets that Wes Welker was.  He also didn't have a quarterback anywhere near as good as Tom Brady throwing to him.  His contract is for five years and $31 million, with $10 million guaranteed.  According to a report by Tom E. Curran from CSN New England, Amendola was actually signed before Wes Welker signed with Denver.  If this is the case, it was another reason for Welker to take the change in scenery.
  • Signed with San Diego ChargersThe New England Patriots grabbed Danny Woodhead back in 2010, following his release from the New York Jets.  During his three seasons in New England, he became a fan favorite due to his quickness and versatility. Woodhead was used not only as a running back, but also as a receiving back and kick returner.  Although he was small, his speed allowed him to get under tacklers and avoid being brought down.  The Patriots were reportedly interested in bringing him back, but Woodhead signed a two year agreement with San Diego instead.
  • Signed with New England PatriotsThough New England lost Danny Woodhead, they gained Seattle's Leon Washington.  Washington has primarily seen work as a kick returner lately, which is an area the Patriots were hoping to improve, while also reducing the risk to key offensive and defensive players on returns.  Last season, defensive back Devin McCourty and wide receivers Wes Welker and Julian Edelman handled kick and punt returns.  With Welker gone and Edelman a free agent, the Patriots needed to make sure they had someone that could handle the return game for them and that's what they got with Leon Washington.
  • Released by New England PatriotsNot everyone that left the Patriots this year signed elsewhere.  Such is the case with wide receiver Brandon Lloyd.  Following a 2012 season in which he made 74 receptions for 911 yards and 4 touchdowns, with less production near the end of the season, the Patriots have decided to go in a different direction.
  • Signed by New England PatriotsDonald Jones, like Amendola, has a history of being injured.  In 35 games over three seasons, he has had less production then Brandon Lloyd had all of last season.  He also had to compete with Steve Johnson at receiver during his time there, as well as being thrown to by Ryan Fitzpatrick.  Maybe the Patriots will find a way to work him into their offense, but most likely he won't be more than a third receiver or someone to come off the bench when they need to rest a starter.
  • Signed with Philadelphia EaglesLike former New England Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel, Patrick Chung has decided to take his show on the road to Philadelphia.  While playing for New England, he managed 7 interceptions and 1 defensive touchdown in four seasons.
  • Signed with New England PatriotsA definite upgrade at the position of safety, Adrian Wilson comes to New England by way of the Arizona Cardinals.  The veteran is entering his 13th season and has accumulated an impressive resume, including 5 Pro Bowl appearances.  And at 6'3", he gives a definite height advantage over departing safety Patrick Chung.
  • Signed with Indianapolis ColtsWhat can you say about Donald Thomas? Not a whole lot.  Primarily he was brought in when players needed a break or were injured.  In five NFL seasons, he has played in 43 games and started only 21 of those.  This is not going to be a tremendous loss to the Patriots, who only started him in 7 games last season, he did appear in all of the regular season games played.
  • Retained by New England PatriotsLate last season, before the trade deadline, the Patriots made a rare move and traded a fourth round draft pick for cornerback Aqib Talib.  The move was an attempt to bolster their defensive secondary, which had a habit of giving up big plays the year before and was only slightly better during the 2012 season.  After finishing his suspension for testing positive for a banned substance, Talib played six games for New England.  He managed a fumble recovery and an interception that was returned 59 yards for a touchdown.  Over the weekend, the Patriots signed him to a new 1-year agreement in an effort to keep their defense moving in a positive direction.
  • Retained by New England PatriotsIn addition to signing Aqib Talib to a 1-year deal, the New England Patriots also managed to hold onto another of their cornerbacks, Kyle Arrington.  Arrington agreed to a four year deal worth $16 million.  This is another move to bolster the defense, as Kyle Arrington's play seemed to improve once Talib arrived.
View the list
Suggested by the author:

, New England Patriots Examiner

Bryan Ellis is a married father of two who has for years enjoyed watching Sunday football, especially the Patriots, with his son. A graduate of the Connecticut School of Broadcasting, he is now enjoying the opportunity to apply what he learned there in the print medium to report on his favorite...

Advertisement

Today's top buzz...