<H1>Pats defense gets boost as Thomas agrees to deal
By
Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
Not since 1995, when
Willie McGinest was in just his second season, have the
New England Patriots had a defender post double-digit sacks. That long drought is likely to end in 2007.
Adalius Thomas
Linebacker
Baltimore Ravens
Profile2006 SEASON STATISTICSTotAstSoloFFSackInt8364190111
The Patriots have reached an agreement in principle with former
Baltimore Ravens linebacker
Adalius Thomas, among the premier players in the unrestricted free agent pool, and the seven-year veteran appears to be a perfect fit for coach Bill Belichick's trademark 3-4 defensive scheme.
Thomas has 28½ sacks over the past three seasons, with a career-best 11 sacks in 2006.
Thomas, 29, will have a physical examination on Saturday, when the contract is expected to be finalized. Financial details of what is believed to be a six-year deal, the principle elements of which were agreed to Friday, were not yet available.
But Thomas, who played for Belichick in the Pro Bowl last month, almost certainly will be one of the highest-paid players in free agency. Rated by ESPN.com as the No. 2 unrestricted player available, Thomas figures to land guarantees totaling at least $15 million. There is speculation the contract will average $10 million per year.
With its once-feared linebacker corps in obvious decline, and forced to cut and paste on the unit over the past couple seasons, the New England defense sorely needed the kind of upgrade Thomas should bring. He is the kind of hybrid, edge-type player around whom Belichick has traditionally constructed his defensive schemes, a wonderfully versatile athlete who can morph into multiple roles.
In fact, during his seven years in Baltimore, Thomas played nearly every defensive position, including cornerback, at various times. At 270 pounds, Thomas is physical enough to take on the action at the point of attack, yet swift enough to pursue plays from the backside. His unique blend of physical skills made him the Pats' top target in free agency.
A sixth-round choice in the 2000 draft, Thomas began his career playing on special teams and he earned his first of two Pro Bowl berths in that role. He eventually worked his way into the defensive rotation as a specialist and then became a starter three years ago.
In 96 games, the former Southern Mississippi star has 371 tackles, 38½ sacks, six interceptions, 31 passes defensed, 13 forced fumbles and five recoveries.
New England has also reached agreement with 12-year veteran tight end
Kyle Brady on a two-year contract.
Brady, 35, agreed to a two-year contract that is worth $5.3 million and includes a $2 million signing bonus. The 12-year veteran, who played the past eight years in Jacksonville, likely will replace
Daniel Graham on the roster. Graham is one of the top unrestricted free agents and isn't expected to return to New England.
Noted more as a blocker at this late juncture of his career, Brady should team with
Benjamin Watson in the two-tight end formations the Pats frequently use. A first-round pick in the 1995 draft, Brady has 334 career receptions for 3,449 yards and 23 touchdowns. His best season was in 2000, when Brady notched 64 catches for 729 yards and three scores.
The former Penn State star saw his playing time and his role as a receiver reduced in recent seasons with the Jaguars, who rarely employ a tight end on third down. Brady had only five receptions for 37 yards in 2006 and, for the first time in his career, failed to score a touchdown.
</H1>
Source: Pats to sign Miami's Welker to offer sheet
By
Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
Already more active than usual in the early stages of free agency, as evidenced by their agreement with standout unrestricted linebacker
Adalius Thomas, the
New England Patriots are poised to make another bold move.
A team source told ESPN.com on Saturday that the Patriots plan to sign Miami wide receiver
Wes Welker, a three-year veteran and an explosive all-around performer, to a restricted free agent offer sheet in an attempt to pirate him away from the Dolphins.
The Dolphins earlier this week made Welker a qualifying offer of $1.3 million.
When the Patriots officially execute the offer sheet to Welker, the Dolphins will have seven days to either match it or pass on it. If Miami matches the offer sheet, it will retain Welker at the terms of the deal New England negotiated with him. If the Dolphins do not match the offer sheet, they will receive a second-round pick in the 2007 draft from the Patriots as compensation.
Surrendering a second-round choice for a player of Welker's abilities would be viewed in most quarters, but especially in New England, as a steal. Welker would dramatically upgrade the New England wide receiver corps and the Pats would also benefit by taking him away from a division opponent.
Plus, the Patriots own a pair of first-round choices in the 2007 draft, and can afford to part with a second-round selection for a player of Welker's skills.
Welker, 25, is a terrific, if unheralded playmaker who has earned a spot on the ESPN.com "all unsung" team each of the past two seasons. Used principally as a return specialist in his first two seasons in the league, Welker emerged as a viable receiving threat in 2006, with 67 catches for 687 yards and a touchdown.
The former Texas Tech standout originally entered the NFL with San Diego in 2004 as an undrafted college free agent. He was waived by the Chargers early in the 2004 season and signed with the Dolphins shortly thereafter.
In 47 appearances, including three starts, Welker has 96 receptions for 1,121 yards and one touchdown. He has returned 170 kickoffs for an average of 22.7 yards and one touchdown and has 127 punt returns for a 9.7-yard average and one score.
Securing the services of restricted free agents historically has proved to be a difficult undertaking with the current system. In the 14 previous years of free agency, only 55 restricted free agents changed teams. Four restricted free agents changed teams in 2006.
In another move aimed at bolstering their offense, the Patriots on Saturday reached agreement with unrestricted free agent tailback
Sammy Morris, who played the last three seasons for the
Miami Dolphins. Morris will provide an experienced backup to youngster
Laurence Maroney and could compensate for the release of
Corey Dillon earlier this week. A seven-year veteran, Morris has carried 374 times for 1,469 yards and 14 touchdowns and has 112 catches for 792 yards and one score. Morris, 29, also is an excellent special teams performer.
