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Free agency, draft on Pioli's docket
Email|Print| Text size – + By Christopher L. Gasper and Michael Vega
Globe Staff / January 30, 2008
GLENDALE, Ariz. - If it weren't for the flurry of moves the Patriots made last offseason, they probably wouldn't be in Super Bowl XLII. But even as they try to win their fourth championship in seven seasons, they're planning for this offseason.
The Patriots must make decisions on free agents such as
cornerback Asante Samuel, who can't be franchised again, record-setting wide receiver Randy Moss, and linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who could retire.
They also must decide what to do with the No. 7 pick in April's draft.
"That's why I was late coming down here," said vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli. "I spent Sunday with the college scouts going through the Senior Bowl, which just ended. We had to spend some time at the Senior Bowl. And I spent all day Monday with the pro scouts preparing for free agency.
"Right now, we're six weeks behind everybody else. This [game] is fabulous, but we're six weeks behind. There is another season coming next year. We have to finish this and we have to take it one game at a time, but there's also other planning that has to go on."
Pioli said that he and coach Bill Belichick would discuss such issues on the plane ride back after Sunday's game. He wouldn't get into specifics on either Samuel, who deflected questions about his status, saying he was focused on the game, or Moss.
Moss, who took a large pay cut when he was traded to New England from the Oakland Raiders, lowering his base salary from $9.75 million to $3 million (he earned another $2 million in incentives), said yesterday that he'd like to remain a Patriot.
"As a New England Patriot, I would love to finish my career just for the fact that they have everything you want in a football organization," said Moss.
Pioli, who has had opportunities in the past to leave New England, expressed similar sentiments.
"This is a good situation," he said. "We're winning football [games]. Because of what my title is, people have a perception. I know how things go inside. I'm happy with the situation and the way things are right now. We're up for our fourth Super Bowl. We've been here eight years. It's a pretty good situation."
Email|Print| Text size – + By Christopher L. Gasper and Michael Vega
Globe Staff / January 30, 2008
GLENDALE, Ariz. - If it weren't for the flurry of moves the Patriots made last offseason, they probably wouldn't be in Super Bowl XLII. But even as they try to win their fourth championship in seven seasons, they're planning for this offseason.
The Patriots must make decisions on free agents such as
cornerback Asante Samuel, who can't be franchised again, record-setting wide receiver Randy Moss, and linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who could retire.
They also must decide what to do with the No. 7 pick in April's draft.
"That's why I was late coming down here," said vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli. "I spent Sunday with the college scouts going through the Senior Bowl, which just ended. We had to spend some time at the Senior Bowl. And I spent all day Monday with the pro scouts preparing for free agency.
"Right now, we're six weeks behind everybody else. This [game] is fabulous, but we're six weeks behind. There is another season coming next year. We have to finish this and we have to take it one game at a time, but there's also other planning that has to go on."
Pioli said that he and coach Bill Belichick would discuss such issues on the plane ride back after Sunday's game. He wouldn't get into specifics on either Samuel, who deflected questions about his status, saying he was focused on the game, or Moss.
Moss, who took a large pay cut when he was traded to New England from the Oakland Raiders, lowering his base salary from $9.75 million to $3 million (he earned another $2 million in incentives), said yesterday that he'd like to remain a Patriot.
"As a New England Patriot, I would love to finish my career just for the fact that they have everything you want in a football organization," said Moss.
Pioli, who has had opportunities in the past to leave New England, expressed similar sentiments.
"This is a good situation," he said. "We're winning football [games]. Because of what my title is, people have a perception. I know how things go inside. I'm happy with the situation and the way things are right now. We're up for our fourth Super Bowl. We've been here eight years. It's a pretty good situation."