Just when you thought the interior of the Patriots’ front seven could not get any beefier, the Pats are rumored to be talking with former Bills and Vikings defensive tackle Pat Williams — all 6’3″, 317 lbs. of him — and could be soon bringing him in for a visit.

The news was broken this morning by ESPN’s John Clayton via twitter.

The rumor is certainly a surprising one, given the apparent depth on the Patriots’ defensive line. With Vince Wilfork and Albert Haynesworth anchoring the middle in 4-3 formations (and Wilfork, of course at nose tackle in the 3-4), bolstered by a host of young talent behind them on the depth chart with the likes of Myron Pryor, Kyle Love and Ron Brace, it is tough to envision the Patriots taking a look at the 38-year-old Williams.

Continue reading Report: Pats “May” Host Pro Bowl DL Pat Williams on Visit »

The New England Patriots are continuing to explore defensive depth options for the upcoming season by inviting safeties Darren Sharper and Renaldo Hill for workouts on Monday.

The release of Brandon McGowan opens up a roster spot in the secondary, presumably for a safety. If signed, both players could compete against Brandon Meriweather, Pat Chung, James Sanders and Sergio Brown for snaps.

Darren Sharper

Sharper’s leadership was vital in New Orleans’ defensive resurgence during the past two seasons, playing a pivotal role during the Saints’ march to their Super Bowl XLIV triumph over the Colts in 2009. Continue reading Patriots to bring in Sharper, Hill for Workouts »

According to ESPN’s John Clayton, free agent linebacker Channing Crowder was given a physical by the Patriots on Thursday.

Crowder, a third round pick by the Dolphins in 2005, has spent his entire career playing in the AFC east with Miami. He started 74 games for the Dolphins, recording 343 career tackles.

Continue reading Free Agent LB Channing Crowder to the Patriots? »

It was announced Monday that the Giants have given their two-time Pro Bowl defensive end permission to seek a trade out of New York, according to ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio. Umenyiora has two years remaining on his contract, but is unhappy that the Giants have not extended him to a deal akin to those of the league’s highest-paid pass rushers. Without a new deal, Umenyiora wants out of New York, and after fruitless meetings with Giants general manager Jerry Reese, the G-Men has given permission to Umenyiora’s agent to work out a trade with another franchise.

Suddenly, one of the league’s premier pass rushers is available. The ability to get to the quarterback remains one of the Patriots’ greatest concerns as training camp is just getting underway, and the 29-year-old Umenyiora would certainly take care of that issue. One would be hard pressed to find a more formidable defensive line than one that features Vince Wilfork, Albert Haynesworth, and Umenyiora, but the question remains: would it make sense for the Patriots to aggressively go after  Umenyiora and again send shockwaves throughout the NFL? Continue reading Osi Umenyiora Available, Would Deal to Patriots be Possible? »

Two weeks ago, I wrote about picking sides in the NFL lockout. The column took the form of a child in a divorce: Do you want to live with your mom (players) or your dad (owners)? What’s it going to be, huh? At the conclusion of the piece, things were left ambiguously. It’s a sticky situation. No one wins, really. The thought of the whole ordeal makes me sick…

(Quick Rant: I mean that in a literal sense. Since I wrote the column I’ve been out, on the DL, injured reserve, in the quiet room, or whatever other sports equivalent that means “out of commission” you could come up with. One could argue this column is my “Jordan Flu Game.”)

As a writer, I always try to look at things from a fan’s perspective. Continue reading Alleged Bret Lockett-Kim Kardashian Affair: Keeping Up With the Locketts? »