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  4. title => "Curran: Expect Patriots to browse while others dive into free agency"
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  6. article_body => "<p>There are two different kinds of consumers.<\/p>\n<p>Those who\u2019ll head down to Best Buy or Wal-Mart at around 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day to get in line for Black Friday shopping.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnne.com\/landing\/patriots-free-agency?int\" target=\"_blank\">PATRIOTS FREE AGENCY: Position-by-position breakdown<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>And those who\u2019ll enjoy their turkey, get a good night\u2019s sleep and still get what they need for a very Merry Christmas.<\/p>\n<p>When NFL free agency begins, you can tell which people fall in the first group. They are the ones that flip out when the Patriots do their annual, \u201cNo thanks, just looking\u2026\u201d routine.<\/p>\n<p>Free agency officially opens next Thursday at 4 p.m. The Patriots \u2013 even with $60M to burn this offseason \u2013 will most likely dawdle and browse while the private jets of other owners scoop up fat dudes and whisk them to headquarters where they\u2019ll be sequestered in a room and offered $80M if they sign today.<\/p>\n<p>Some GM may even slide across a picture of his adorable kids. Kids who are depending on Dad to get things on track \u2026 so they don\u2019t have to look for a new school. Again.<\/p>\n<p><strong>MORE<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=en&amp;q=http:\/\/csnne.com\/jimmy-garoppolo?int&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1488725603222000&amp;usg=AFQjCNEpL4Zr-3bxKexoGbBWC358v6kllA\" href=\"http:\/\/csnne.com\/jimmy-garoppolo?int\" target=\"_blank\">The latest Jimmy Garoppolo rumors<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>No hard sell in New England. Lots of tire-kicking. Which means lots of rock-kicking in our region. A sampling from early March, 2016 when guys like Janoris Jenkins, Kelechi Osemele, Alex Mack, Rishard Matthews, Marvin Jones, Olivier Vernon and Mohamed Sanu all signed in the first couple days.<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/tomecurran?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@tomecurran<\/a> how many years are the pats going to just sit on their high horse and watch every team just load up before it finally gets them?<\/p>&mdash; bulldogdaddy (@ambulldog710) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ambulldog710\/status\/707681864723472384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 9, 2016<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/tomecurran?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@tomecurran<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TBizzle81?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@TBizzle81<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Angry_NE_Fan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Angry_NE_Fan<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Patriots?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Patriots<\/a> BB does what&#39;s best 4 the team except during free agency then it&#39;s what&#39;s best 4 the Krafts<\/p>&mdash; it&#39;s just me. (@FRCR265) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FRCR265\/status\/708106362845208576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 11, 2016<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/tomecurran?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@tomecurran<\/a> tommy, please settle my agida on why the Pats made no splash in FA. Toms got 2 solid years left &amp; nothing. My faith is waivering<\/p>&mdash; ChipChipperChip (@Chipchipperchip) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Chipchipperchip\/status\/708104694930010112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 11, 2016<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>Meanwhile, the Patriots signed the estimable Ramon Humber on&nbsp;the first day of free agency.<\/p>\n<p>And then after a week of idling, the Patriots signed Chris Hogan as an RFA, traded Chandler Jones, traded for Martellus Bennett then signed Chris Long, Shea McClellin, Donald Brown, Nate Washington, Terrance Knighton and Clay Harbor.<\/p>\n<p><strong>MORE PATRIOTS<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnne.com\/video\/mullin-dont-see-bears-making-godfather-offer-jimmy-garoppolo?int\">Mullin: Don't see Bears making \"Godfather offer\" for Jimmy Garoppolo<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnne.com\/new-england-patriots\/report-patriots-exploring-free-agent-backup-qbs-case-garoppolo-traded?int\">Report: Patriots exploring free agent backup QBs in case Garoppolo is traded<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2mDphnj\">Quick Slants Podcast w\/ Browns' beat writer Mary Kay Cabot&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In 2015, it was all about Darrelle Revis drama. The Patriots took a pass. The Jets rue the day they didn\u2019t. New England also signed Jabaal Sheard, Jonathan Freeny, Scott Chandler and Travaris Cadet and re-signed Devin McCourty.<\/p>\n<p>In 2014, Aqib Talib signed with Denver. Torches were lit and pitchforks raised. The Patriots then acquired Revis.<\/p>\n<p>Wes Welker was the <em>cause celebre<\/em> in 2013. The Patriots opted for Danny Amendola when Welker decided he wanted to test the market. When Welker tried to see if he could fit back with the Patriots, he found his spot was filled. &nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Which brings us to this year\u2019s drama. And there will be plenty of it. Befitting a team that\u2019s won two Super Bowls in three years, the Patriots have a fleet of soon-to-be free agents that other teams can envision making a difference for them. The list is headed by Dont\u2019a Hightower,&nbsp;but Logan Ryan, Duron Harmon, Jabaal Sheard, Alan Branch, LeGarrette Blount and Martellus Bennett are all going to be courted and \u2013 as some of them inevitably sign elsewhere \u2013 the \u201cWHAT ARE THEY DOING DOWN THERE?!?!?!?\u201d panic will rise.<\/p>\n<p>Toss in Jimmy Garoppolo conversation which is already at full boil and the fact the Patriots have an absurd amount of money free under the 2017 salary cap, the Patriots and their plans are going to be a focal point.<\/p>\n<p>What you may want to remind yourself this week \u2013 and definitely when free agency opens \u2013 is that unrestricted free agency is just one of a few player-acquisition faucets the Patriots will put their roster bucket under.<\/p>\n<p>Dion Lewis signed with the Patriots in February of 2015. Malcolm Butler came aboard after going through a tryout during rookie minicamp in 2014.<\/p>\n<p>There are plenty of names out there already you can envision being Patriots targets. Jared Odrick, for one. And then there are \u201cnames\u201d like Calais Campbell, Dontari Poe, DeSean Jackson and Brandon Marshall.<\/p>\n<p>Last year, I had a hankering for Mohamed Sanu or Matt Forte. Neither came. It still worked itself out.<\/p>\n<p>Certainly, the fate of Hightower will have far-reaching impact on the Patriots defense given his importance in virtually every facet of what they do. The fact he will hit the market, get offers then \u2013 presumably \u2013 circle up with the Patriots before making a decision is going to make for some drama. And if Bennett goes \u2013 which he assuredly will \u2013 the Patriots will be verrrrry shallow at tight end.<\/p>\n<p>The same March angst we see every season is going to be in play this year. It\u2019s a rite of pre-Spring like getting crosseyed on St. Patrick\u2019s Day or seeing that stupid equipment truck on Yawkey Way.<\/p>\n<p>By the end of the week, chances are hysteria will rule. And reminding people that, \u201cThey\u2019ll figure it out. They always do\u2026\u201d doesn\u2019t fill the TV, radio and digital void.<\/p>\n<p>So put your mouthguard in and get ready for a week of doom, gloom and second-guessing. &nbsp;<\/p>\n"
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Patriots

Patriots

There are two different kinds of consumers.

Those who’ll head down to Best Buy or Wal-Mart at around 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day to get in line for Black Friday shopping.

PATRIOTS FREE AGENCY: Position-by-position breakdown

And those who’ll enjoy their turkey, get a good night’s sleep and still get what they need for a very Merry Christmas.

When NFL free agency begins, you can tell which people fall in the first group. They are the ones that flip out when the Patriots do their annual, “No thanks, just looking…” routine.

Free agency officially opens next Thursday at 4 p.m. The Patriots – even with $60M to burn this offseason – will most likely dawdle and browse while the private jets of other owners scoop up fat dudes and whisk them to headquarters where they’ll be sequestered in a room and offered $80M if they sign today.

Some GM may even slide across a picture of his adorable kids. Kids who are depending on Dad to get things on track … so they don’t have to look for a new school. Again.

MORE

No hard sell in New England. Lots of tire-kicking. Which means lots of rock-kicking in our region. A sampling from early March, 2016 when guys like Janoris Jenkins, Kelechi Osemele, Alex Mack, Rishard Matthews, Marvin Jones, Olivier Vernon and Mohamed Sanu all signed in the first couple days.

Meanwhile, the Patriots signed the estimable Ramon Humber on the first day of free agency.

And then after a week of idling, the Patriots signed Chris Hogan as an RFA, traded Chandler Jones, traded for Martellus Bennett then signed Chris Long, Shea McClellin, Donald Brown, Nate Washington, Terrance Knighton and Clay Harbor.

MORE PATRIOTS

In 2015, it was all about Darrelle Revis drama. The Patriots took a pass. The Jets rue the day they didn’t. New England also signed Jabaal Sheard, Jonathan Freeny, Scott Chandler and Travaris Cadet and re-signed Devin McCourty.

In 2014, Aqib Talib signed with Denver. Torches were lit and pitchforks raised. The Patriots then acquired Revis.

Wes Welker was the cause celebre in 2013. The Patriots opted for Danny Amendola when Welker decided he wanted to test the market. When Welker tried to see if he could fit back with the Patriots, he found his spot was filled.  

Which brings us to this year’s drama. And there will be plenty of it. Befitting a team that’s won two Super Bowls in three years, the Patriots have a fleet of soon-to-be free agents that other teams can envision making a difference for them. The list is headed by Dont’a Hightower, but Logan Ryan, Duron Harmon, Jabaal Sheard, Alan Branch, LeGarrette Blount and Martellus Bennett are all going to be courted and – as some of them inevitably sign elsewhere – the “WHAT ARE THEY DOING DOWN THERE?!?!?!?” panic will rise.

Toss in Jimmy Garoppolo conversation which is already at full boil and the fact the Patriots have an absurd amount of money free under the 2017 salary cap, the Patriots and their plans are going to be a focal point.

What you may want to remind yourself this week – and definitely when free agency opens – is that unrestricted free agency is just one of a few player-acquisition faucets the Patriots will put their roster bucket under.

Dion Lewis signed with the Patriots in February of 2015. Malcolm Butler came aboard after going through a tryout during rookie minicamp in 2014.

There are plenty of names out there already you can envision being Patriots targets. Jared Odrick, for one. And then there are “names” like Calais Campbell, Dontari Poe, DeSean Jackson and Brandon Marshall.

Last year, I had a hankering for Mohamed Sanu or Matt Forte. Neither came. It still worked itself out.

Certainly, the fate of Hightower will have far-reaching impact on the Patriots defense given his importance in virtually every facet of what they do. The fact he will hit the market, get offers then – presumably – circle up with the Patriots before making a decision is going to make for some drama. And if Bennett goes – which he assuredly will – the Patriots will be verrrrry shallow at tight end.

 

The same March angst we see every season is going to be in play this year. It’s a rite of pre-Spring like getting crosseyed on St. Patrick’s Day or seeing that stupid equipment truck on Yawkey Way.

By the end of the week, chances are hysteria will rule. And reminding people that, “They’ll figure it out. They always do…” doesn’t fill the TV, radio and digital void.

So put your mouthguard in and get ready for a week of doom, gloom and second-guessing.