Patriots Colvin expected to be released today? (1 Viewer)

[nerangers]

Pats expected to release Colvin from boston.com

In a move that appears to be salary-cap related, the Patriots are expected to release outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin today, according to a league source.

Colvin, a marquee free-agent signing in 2002, was scheduled to count $7.6 million against the salary cap and earn a base salary of $5.5 million. The 2008 season was the final year of his contract.

Colvin was a starter at outside linebacker in the Patriots’ 3-4 scheme. His 2007 season was cut short by a foot injury sustained Nov. 25 against the Eagles, and the Patriots seemed to miss his pass rush coming down the stretch.

The 31-year-old Colvin was credited by the team’s coaches with 28 tackles last season, while adding four sacks.

With Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau scheduled for unrestricted free agency, the Patriots have the following personnel under contract at linebacker for 2008:

Eric Alexander (2008, exclusive rights free agent)

Larry Izzo (2008, verbal agreement confirmed by agent Drew Rosenhaus)

T.J. Slaughter (2008)

Pierre Woods (2008, exclusive rights free agent)

Mike Vrabel (2009)

Oscar Lua (2010)

Adalius Thomas (2011)

INDIANAPOLIS - After five years, Eugene Wilson and the Patriots have decided to part ways. The two-time Super Bowl starter will become a free agent Friday at 12:01 EST, and he won't be back in New England.

 

[switz]

Pats expected to release Colvin from boston.com

In a move that appears to be salary-cap related, the Patriots are expected to release outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin today, according to a league source.

Colvin, a marquee free-agent signing in 2002, was scheduled to count $7.6 million against the salary cap and earn a base salary of $5.5 million. The 2008 season was the final year of his contract.

Colvin was a starter at outside linebacker in the Patriots’ 3-4 scheme. His 2007 season was cut short by a foot injury sustained Nov. 25 against the Eagles, and the Patriots seemed to miss his pass rush coming down the stretch.

The 31-year-old Colvin was credited by the team’s coaches with 28 tackles last season, while adding four sacks.

With Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau scheduled for unrestricted free agency, the Patriots have the following personnel under contract at linebacker for 2008:

Eric Alexander (2008, exclusive rights free agent)

Larry Izzo (2008, verbal agreement confirmed by agent Drew Rosenhaus)

T.J. Slaughter (2008)

Pierre Woods (2008, exclusive rights free agent)

Mike Vrabel (2009)

Oscar Lua (2010)

Adalius Thomas (2011)

INDIANAPOLIS - After five years, Eugene Wilson and the Patriots have decided to part ways. The two-time Super Bowl starter will become a free agent Friday at 12:01 EST, and he won't be back in New England.

Wow, I knew they were hurting at LB... but out of that list, Thomas and Vrabel are the only starting capable ones...

 

[Workhorse]

Colvin just can't stay healthy. And it seems like the priority is to find some help at ILB right now.

Pats have now freed up well over $20 million in cap space this offseason...

 

[teamroc]

Wow, I knew they were hurting at LB... but out of that list, Thomas and Vrabel are the only starting capable ones...

Seeing as they went after Thomas so quickly, I'm sure they're looking LB with thier 1st pick. They have huge issues at LB.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

rivers in the 1st round.

 

[Phlash]

Colvin just can't stay healthy. And it seems like the priority is to find some help at ILB right now.Pats have now freed up well over $20 million in cap space this offseason...

Its time to retool with the draft and FA. Some guys aren't fitting into the future plans and BB/Pioli are going to adjust to keep the organization competitive for next year and beyond.

 

[IndyHavoc]

Come home Rozy! Come on back to Indy for a decent $$...I'm sure Polian can make some magic happen with restructuring! Hey, a guy can dream! I'm actually pretty shocked they let him go...yeah, nearly $8 million is exhorbitant vs. the cap...but not unheard of for a 3-4 LB. Oh well, here's wishing him the best (and the worst for the Pats and finding a decent replacement!).

 

[Mr. Peterson]

I'm really suprised they didn't land Z.Thomas.

 

[TD Ryan]

Wow, I knew they were hurting at LB... but out of that list, Thomas and Vrabel are the only starting capable ones...

Alexander, Lua, and Woods may turn into starters.I'm not saying they will, just that the team is pretty high on them.Even if one pans out, it will help.I remember when the NE secondary was thin and the only guys we had were 2 unknowns: A Samuel and E Wilson.Just because they're not household names now doesn't mean they won't be in the future.... just ask M Vrabel.

 

[Big Daddy Kane]

Colvin just can't stay healthy. And it seems like the priority is to find some help at ILB right now.Pats have now freed up well over $20 million in cap space this offseason...

Its time to retool with the draft and FA. Some guys aren't fitting into the future plans and BB/Pioli are going to adjust to keep the organization competitive for next year and beyond.

Good luck. That defense was a liability last year and will continue to be.

 

[tombonneau]

Come home Rozy! Come on back to Indy for a decent $$...I'm sure Polian can make some magic happen with restructuring! Hey, a guy can dream! I'm actually pretty shocked they let him go...yeah, nearly $8 million is exhorbitant vs. the cap...but not unheard of for a 3-4 LB. Oh well, here's wishing him the best (and the worst for the Pats and finding a decent replacement!).

I think had he not injured his foot they likely would have brought him back at that price. But when a 31-year-old edge rusher who relies on a quick first step is coming off a foot injury, that is a big investment to make.

 

[Boston]

*No surprise on Wilson. He looked to be on the fast track his first two years but has been MIA the last three years. Between injuries and subpar play he's turned into an afterthought. It's too bad because after his second year he looked like a guy who was going to be a very solid player for years to come. Maybe a change of scenary will help him regain the form he once flashed because he's still young.

*I'm surprised by Colvin. I know his contract is an issue and there are injury concerns (and his departure has been rumored). That being said their LB situation is officially worrisome. With them being so thin I really thought they were going to suck it up with Colvin for one more year as they are paper thin at this position.

The Pats now have some very big work to do on their back seven. They are thin as hell at CB assuming Asante is gone (which I assume), safety is good but nothing special and LB is currently an accident waiting to happen. Hopefully this will all make sense once free agency gets underway because there is no way in hell they can fill these holes just thru the draft. Especially since in the whole BB/Pioli era they have yet to draft a LB before the fifth round and they have had only one drafted LB make an impact (that was Banta Cain and he was nothing special and also took three years to develop as he was a DE at Cal).

If the Pats were switching to a base 4-3 this would all make more sense since they are loaded on the line. Yet, I'll believe that they do that when I see it. The fact they added Capers makes that even more unlikely as well.

Well, the bottomline is this looks like one of those offseasons where Patriot fans will have to subscribe to the "In Bill/Scott we Trust" because right now things seem pretty foggy.

 

[brady2moss]

CUT heard it on WEEI

 

[TheWick]

I'd like to see the Rams give Wilson a shot...what is the word on him in NE for the past few years? Injuries?

 

[Bossman]

Colvin just can't stay healthy. And it seems like the priority is to find some help at ILB right now.Pats have now freed up well over $20 million in cap space this offseason...

Its time to retool with the draft and FA. Some guys aren't fitting into the future plans and BB/Pioli are going to adjust to keep the organization competitive for next year and beyond.

Good luck. That defense was a liability last year and will continue to be.

Yeah, they gave up 17 points in the SB. They're spiralin' out of controll.

 

[Boston]

Another LB move via Boston.com:

Lua released too

Link|Comments (0) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff February 26, 2008 05:11 PM

The Patriots announced the release of veteran outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin today. The team also announced the release of linebacker Oscar Lua, a 2007 seventh-round draft choice.

Lua spent last season on injured reserve after hurting his knee in the preseason.

Obviously not earthshattering but an odd move. There was a little buzz on Lua in camp last year. Seemed like he had a chance to become a player in the mold of Larry Izzo. I would assume this means his injury is pretty serious because there's virtually nothing to be gained on the cap here.

The plot thickens at LB...

 

[nerangers]

You Don't think that this is move to free up cap space for Asante, do you? I know many of us have already written him off.

ANALYSIS - Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff February 26, 2008 03:52 PM With the expected release of outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin today, what does that mean for the rest of the team's linebacker corps?While the Patriots like to have flexibility within their defense -- with linebackers capable of playing different spots -- the key piece appears to be Adalius Thomas. Colvin's absence could mean that Thomas makes a more permament shift to outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense. Thomas played arguably his best game last season in the Super Bowl, when he was on the outside. Thomas played mostly inside linebacker until Colvin suffered a season-ending foot injury Nov. 25.If Thomas does make a more permanent switch to the outside -- opposite of Mike Vrabel -- that would leave some holes on the inside of the 3-4 alignment. Junior Seau and Tedy Bruschi ended the year as starters at inside linebacker, and both are free agents.Three other options to consider at this pointerhaps the Patriots are ready to give third-year veteran Pierre Woods a chance to earn a starting role at outside linebacker, with Thomas staying inside.While the defense is multiple in nature -- with the ability to switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3 -- perhaps there will be more of an emphasis on the 4-3.Colvin could potentially return under a new deal if he doesn't receive an offer he's happy with on the open market.As has been the case in past seasons, the answers usually become more clear as time passes and more pieces are put into place through the offseason's three elements -- the draft, free agency and trade possibilities.Colvin was scheduled to count $7.6 million against the 2008 salary cap. The Patriots will save $5.5 million on the cap by releasing him.

 

[Bossman]

You Don't think that this is move to free up cap space for Asante, do you? I know many of us have already written him off.

more likely freeing up cap space for Randy Moss. Expect an announcement at the end of the month.

 

[Workhorse]

I think freeing up cap room and roster space is in preparation for something... Or some things....

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

I think freeing up cap room and roster space is in preparation for something... Or some things....

Jared Allen?Ray Lewis?Who are the big free agent linebackers?Personally, I think its just freeing up money for Moss.

 

[Boston]

I think freeing up cap room and roster space is in preparation for something... Or some things....

Jared Allen?Ray Lewis?Who are the big free agent linebackers?Personally, I think its just freeing up money for Moss.

Lance Briggs is the biggest name out there but he has said he prefers playing in a 4-3. I could see Clark Haggans being on their radar screen. He's an experienced veteran in the 3-4. One big question is do they tweak their 3-4 with the addition of Capers. He favors more of an attacking style. If the Pats incorporate more of that style that could open up the type of LBs they could look at. Also, if you look at the two losses that ended the past two years you can make a very good case that one sack could have changed the outcome of both games. Maybe they brought Capers in to refine that area.Freeing up money for Moss is one thing. It's a good move but at the end of the day this D has some pretty big holes right now and I'm very interested to see how this all plays out.

 

[twitch]

I think freeing up cap room and roster space is in preparation for something... Or some things....

Jared Allen?Ray Lewis?Who are the big free agent linebackers?Personally, I think its just freeing up money for Moss.

No matter what FAs they may be looking at, I hope theyre atleast saving some of that money for Vernon Gholston with that 7th overall. He'd be an ideal young replacement for Colvin. That kid's gonna be a beast of a 3-4 OLB pass rusher somewhere. Might as well be New England. Letting go of Colvin kindof sets it up perfectly for him to fill the gap if they can only get their hands on him.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

I think freeing up cap room and roster space is in preparation for something... Or some things....

Jared Allen?Ray Lewis?Who are the big free agent linebackers?Personally, I think its just freeing up money for Moss.

No matter what FAs they may be looking at, I hope theyre atleast saving some of that money for Vernon Gholston with that 7th overall. He'd be an ideal young replacement for Colvin. That kid's gonna be a beast of a 3-4 OLB pass rusher somewhere. Might as well be New England. Letting go of Colvin kindof sets it up perfectly for him to fill the gap if they can only get their hands on him.

7th overall really doesn't cost that much. Only if its a bust.

 

[Boston]

I think freeing up cap room and roster space is in preparation for something... Or some things....

Jared Allen?Ray Lewis?Who are the big free agent linebackers?Personally, I think its just freeing up money for Moss.

No matter what FAs they may be looking at, I hope theyre atleast saving some of that money for Vernon Gholston with that 7th overall. He'd be an ideal young replacement for Colvin. That kid's gonna be a beast of a 3-4 OLB pass rusher somewhere. Might as well be New England. Letting go of Colvin kindof sets it up perfectly for him to fill the gap if they can only get their hands on him.

7th overall really doesn't cost that much. Only if its a bust.

I believe last year it meant 18 mil guaranteed...that's not chump change.

 

[David Yudkin]

I think freeing up cap room and roster space is in preparation for something... Or some things....

Jared Allen?Ray Lewis?Who are the big free agent linebackers?Personally, I think its just freeing up money for Moss.

By my math, after the Pats officially cut Kelley Washington they will be $23 million under the cap. I have also heard that they are talking to TBrady and Faulk about reworking their deals (most likely adding seasons to reduce cap numbers).I'm not convinced that KBrady will be back, and they could save another $2 million by releasing him.I suspect that Moss will end up with a multi-year deal that he will likely never play out (again to spread out the cap hit).I would not be surprised if the Pats DID NOT make a big splash out of the gate once free agency starts, opting to wait it out to see who gets cut, who they could trade for, etc. vs. potentially overpaying middle tier guys wanting top shelf money.Samuel will be gone, as I don't even hear that the Pats are really even talking to him much these days and he has already started to look at other teams.And for everyone throwing out which LB to take with the #7 pick, I would be very surprised (maybe even call it shocked) if they took a LB at that spot. BB likes experienced linebackers and there would be a huge monetary investment (and risk) taking someone in that spot that could take several years to develop. BB would rather take experienced NFL LBs at a lot less money.

 

[jurb26]

My guess is the cap room is to sign Moss, like others stated. I think NE is targeting Gholston witht he 7 pick. If he isn't there then they take whoever their top CB is. I'm guessing they get Gholston though. He would be a great fit for their scheme. Pretty scary actually.

 

[Pat Patriot]

My guess is the cap room is to sign Moss, like others stated. I think NE is targeting Gholston witht he 7 pick. If he isn't there then they take whoever their top CB is. I'm guessing they get Gholston though. He would be a great fit for their scheme. Pretty scary actually.

One of the problems is that the Jets are looking for impact 3-4 players as well and many Mock Drafts that I have seen have the Jets targeting Gholston.

 

[Pat Patriot]

I'm interested in hearing thoughts on the Pats potentially trading with the Eagles for Lito Shepherd. What would it take? The 2nd 3rd rounder?

 

[SwampDawg]

I'm really suprised they didn't land Z.Thomas.

Zack was asked this on a Dallas radio station interview:Question: You were looking to join a SuperBowl contender, and the Patriots offered you a contract. Why didn't you take their offer.

Thomas: I played against New England twice a year every year my whole career. I learned to not like that team. I wasn't going to join them.

 

[Road Warriors]

I'm really suprised they didn't land Z.Thomas.

Zack was asked this on a Dallas radio station interview:Question: You were looking to join a SuperBowl contender, and the Patriots offered you a contract. Why didn't you take their offer.

Thomas: I played against New England twice a year every year my whole career. I learned to not like that team. I wasn't going to join them.

Solid answer for sports talk radio from a Texas boy in big D. This is a vet making the shark move in his new home.

 

[GroveDiesel]

*No surprise on Wilson. He looked to be on the fast track his first two years but has been MIA the last three years. Between injuries and subpar play he's turned into an afterthought. It's too bad because after his second year he looked like a guy who was going to be a very solid player for years to come. Maybe a change of scenary will help him regain the form he once flashed because he's still young.*I'm surprised by Colvin. I know his contract is an issue and there are injury concerns (and his departure has been rumored). That being said their LB situation is officially worrisome. With them being so thin I really thought they were going to suck it up with Colvin for one more year as they are paper thin at this position.The Pats now have some very big work to do on their back seven. They are thin as hell at CB assuming Asante is gone (which I assume), safety is good but nothing special and LB is currently an accident waiting to happen. Hopefully this will all make sense once free agency gets underway because there is no way in hell they can fill these holes just thru the draft. Especially since in the whole BB/Pioli era they have yet to draft a LB before the fifth round and they have had only one drafted LB make an impact (that was Banta Cain and he was nothing special and also took three years to develop as he was a DE at Cal).If the Pats were switching to a base 4-3 this would all make more sense since they are loaded on the line. Yet, I'll believe that they do that when I see it. The fact they added Capers makes that even more unlikely as well. Well, the bottomline is this looks like one of those offseasons where Patriot fans will have to subscribe to the "In Bill/Scott we Trust" because right now things seem pretty foggy.

Good summary as usual Boston. Seems like trusting in Pioli and BB has worked pretty well in the past.