The Tom Brady era is ending, and everyone knows it. Tom Terrific will be 36 at the start of the 2013 season. Even for the greatest players, the time comes when they just can’t do it anymore. It may not be this year, or the next, but it’s coming sooner than anyone wants. If the Patriots want to get back to the promised land (did anyone ever think that New Jersey would ever be called “the promised land”?), the 2013 season may be their last best chance. But to do it, they have some big holes to fill. With free agency less than 30 days away, there are five players they should clearly target this off-season to improve the team. Starting with one of their own.
Wes Welker
Is there a better slot receiver in the game today than Wes Welker? Nope. Has there ever been a better slot receiver than Welker? Nope again. Patriots fans still curse at the mention of his Super Drop in Super Bowl XLVI, but let’s look at Welker rationally. He leads the league in total receptions since 2007. Which just happens to be the year he came to Foxboro. He’s caught 37 TDs during that time, and only lost 2 fumbles. A couple of bad drops aside, Welker has been Brady’s most reliable target since he walked through the door. If the Pats want to win another Superbowl, Brady needs to throw to his future Hall-of-Famer streaking over the middle to do it.
Aqib Talib
When the Patriots traded for the troubled Tampa Bay cornerback, they were desperate. The defense was hemorrhaging yards and points, and they weren’t going anywhere in the playoffs playing like that. Aqib Talib is not normally the kind of player Bill Belichick goes for. But the same was said when Corey Dillion came to town, and that worked out pretty good. Talib immediately made an impact on defense, and the whole unit suddenly started playing better. Talib became so important to the defense that when he went down in the AFC Championship game against the Ravens, Joe Flacco picked the secondary apart. No one is saying that Talib is Darrelle Revis, but he’s a great player. And the Pats are gonna need him.
Desmond Bryant
How did this Harvard boy end up on the Raiders? How did Belichick not draft this guy back in 2009? How did no one draft this guy? Doesn’t matter, because Belichick can fix his oversight now. Desmond Bryant is a fourth-year defensive tackle who looks ready to break out. He’s smart, he’s strong and he can play all over the line, three traits the Patriots love in a player. He’s been playing alongside Richard Seymour (remember him?), and Bryant’s stats compare favorably to his former All-Star mentor. Plus, he shouldn’t be too expensive to sign. The Patriots need a guy like this, someone who can rush the passer, stop the run or drop into coverage from anywhere on the field.
Danny Woodhead
Another one of their own, this fan favorite should definitely be back in Patriot colors next year. Danny Woodhead is not the everyday starter, but he is a key weapon out of the backfield. Brady relies on the speedy running back for quick outlet passes and dump-and-runs, a surprisingly large number of which turn into first downs and TDs. He reminds long-time fans of another reliable back, Kevin Faulk. All that guy did was win three Superbowls and be named to the Patriots 50th Anniversary Team. If Woodhead can have that kind of career, no doubt he’d take it. Woodhead shouldn’t be too expensive, either. Why is this guy in my top five? The fewer changes you make around Tom Brady, the better. Consistency matters in the NFL.
Ed Reed
There is no doubt that Ed Reed will be in the Hall of Fame someday. There is some doubt that Ed Reed will be a free agent, but not much. The Ravens already have a cap problem, and their QB just won the Superbowl in a contract year. So Reed is probably available. And even though at 35 he’s definitely on the downside of his career, and won’t come cheaply, Reed is an instant upgrade for a secondary that desperately needs it. Imagine being able to start Reed at free safety, freeing up Devin McCourty to move around to wherever he’s needed on a given play. Or vice versa. They’ll give defensive coordinators fits. The Patriots main weakness is the secondary. Reed is just what they need to fix it. As soon as he gets his walking papers from Baltimore, the Pats need to get his agent on the phone.
Micah is a native Bostonian and long-time fan of all things Boston sports.
