Pats swing into offseason, cut ColvinLinebacker corps needs fix

By Karen Guregian Wednesday, February 27, 2008 http://www.bostonherald.com N.E. Patriots
Photo by Matthew West (File)
The Patriots [team stats] began making moves yesterday that could very well steer the course of their offseason, and set the stage for some revamping of their defense, as they released veteran linebacker Rosevelt Colvin.
Also getting the boot was linebacker Oscar Lua, the USC prospect who didn’t play a down last season after winding up on injured reserve after hurting a knee in the preseason.
Colvin was a mainstay on defense since being the team’s big ticket free agent acquisition in 2003. While the primary reason for the move was the fact the 31-year-old linebacker was due $7.6 million against the salary cap, a league source indicated yesterday there was more to it than creating cap space.
Contributing to the decision were concerns over Colvin’s health. According to the source, both the foot injury Colvin suffered Nov. 25 against the Eagles, as well as the hip injury he sustained in 2003, which resulted in surgery, were still troublesome enough not to commit that sum of money to the linebacker.
Kennard McGuire, who represents Colvin, did not return phone calls seeking comment. While Colvin’s cap number was $7.6 million, his base salary was $5.5 million, the amount now available for signing free agents.
While there’s a chance the sides could still reach an accord on a smaller deal should Colvin not receive something to his liking on the open market, the assumption is the ties have been cut.
How will that impact the linebacking corps?
When Colvin went down with the broken foot, Adalius Thomas was moved to the outside in the 3-4 defense. That looks like a more permanent move for Thomas, who while up and down during the season, was one of the best players in the Super Bowl.
So Thomas and Mike Vrabel would once again be on the edges.
The inside, however, remains a question mark as both Tedy Bruschi [stats] and Junior Seau are free agents. Both are also pondering retirement.
Bruschi’s decision is imminent. He is expected to make his intentions known before Friday’s free agency period begins.
The prevailing opinion is that he will return. Same with Seau.
As for the depth, and strengthening an aging corp, that’s where the Pats might have to make some moves either through free agency or the draft.
Pierre Woods, who might now be best remembered for not securing a fumble in the Super Bowl, could be given more of a chance on the outside while Eric Alexander might see more time on the inside.
But it would seem the Pats might have to go shopping. Who’s available? Who fits the profile?
A couple names come to mind, most notably 31-year-old former Steelers linebacker Clark Haggans, who became expendable with the emergence of rookie Lamarr Woodley, or perhaps former Cardinals linebacker Calvin Pace.
Haggans played his entire career in a 3-4 defense. The 6-foot-4, 243-pounder had 58 tackles and four sacks last season. He registered nine sacks in 2005, the Steelers’ Super Bowl season.
Pace, at 6-4, 272 pounds, has most of the physical attributes the Pats look for in the middle of their 3-4 defense. The 27-year-old, however, was a defensive end/outside linebacker for the Cardinals, playing on the strong side of Arizona’s 4-3 defense. He could be a fit on the outside as well. Pace is coming off a career season (98 tackles, 6.5 sacks).
In the draft, where the Pats hold the seventh pick, there’s Ohio State’s Vernon Gholston, who many have compared favorably with Vrabel as he can play both defensive end and linebacker.
Lua played inside linebacker, and had a few years left on his pact, but the team apparently wasn’t sold enough on what he had to offer, post-injury.
“I spoke with Coach (Bill) Belichick and Scott Pioli. They’re just doing what they have to do. My being on their roster is not in their best interest,” said Lua, who indicated he was in the fifth month of a seven-month rehabilitation from knee surgery. “They said it would be in my best interest to move on. They didn’t think the best opportunity for me would be there.”
At the moment, the only linebackers the Pats have under contract are Alexander (exclusive rights free agent), Larry Izzo [stats] (reached verbal agreement for one-year deal, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus), T.J. Slaughter, Woods (exclusive rights free agent), Vrabel and Thomas.
Pats notes
Paul Sheehy, who represents long snapper and soon-to-be free agent Lonie Paxton, indicated the sides were working toward a deal.
“I’m optimistic we’ll get it done,” Sheehy said. “Unfortunately, I don’t have a crystal ball. If a deal is to be done, it’ll get done. We’ll see. Lonie loves everything about the Patriots and New England. If we can get it done there, we’re going to do it.” . . .
There’s nothing to report with cornerback Randall Gay except the sides are still talking.
Same with Kelley Washington, whose $4 million option won’t be picked up, making him a free agent. Chad Speck, who represents Washington, indicated earlier he and Pats vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli were working toward a new deal for the wide receiver/special teams ace.Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/football/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1076277