Whatever Happened to the Patriot Way - A Madden NFL 25 New England Patriots CFM

[patriotway]

Stage 7



The biggest news of free agency has to be the Cincinnati Bengals signing linebacker Ray Lewis to their team. Lewis played for the Baltimore Ravens from 1996-2012. During his time with the Ravens, Lewis was elected to 13 Pro Bowls and won two Super Bowl trophies.



Th last of the major free agents have been signed, and one player received a huge contract. One of the league's top pass rushers, Michael Johnson, receiver $94.5 million contract from the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins now have a defensive line with Johnson and Cameron Wake that can prove to be very troublesome for the quarterbacks in the AFC East. Staying in the AFC, the Jacksonville Jaguars bolstered their defense by signing cornerbacks DeAngelo Hall and Brent Grimes. The Jaguars didn't stop there, as they also signed defensive end Jared Allen to their squad.


New England Patriots Free Agency News


The New England Patriots have completed the free agency period by bringing a few players that could hopefully fill the void of players they let go. An area that New England went after aggressively is special teams. With Dane Fletcher in Seattle and Julian Edelman in Carolina, New England's special teams unit needed reinforcements. Other area of concern are at inside linebacker and defensive tackle. Both Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly are in the last years of their deals and aren't getting any younger. As for the inside linebacker spot, the development of Jamie Collins will bear monitoring and may impact how the team attacks the position.

Media Reaction
Matt Miller @Matt MillerEA: Tarell Brown just signed with the Raiders. Great signing.
Darren Rovell @DRovellEA: The Jaguars just signed B. Grimes. Do their jersey sales increase right away?
Chris Mortensen @mortreportEA: Coup for Cincinnati as they sign H. Nicks, per sources. #Bengals fans will be ecstatic.
Trey Wingo @WingozEA: Devin Hester to the Eagles. #goodsigning
Ross Tucker @RossTuckerEA: Price is right for J. Jones. He just signed with Jacksonville. Jaguars fans should be excited.
Skip Bayless @SkipBaylessEA: Not enough people wanted A. Boldin and I don't get it. He's going to make EVERYONE regret passing on him.
Mark Schlereth @MarkSchlerethEA: Solid signing by Indianapolis to get N. Asomugha under contract. Didn't pay too much for a high upside player.
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterEA: Raiders reel in FA QB Josh Freeman, and sources tell me they're still hunting.
Mike Hill @MikeHillEA: M. Johnson wanted a big challenge, and he'll get have it in Miami. Super Bowl expectations?

[patriotway]

Stage 7: Continued
Other Free Agent Signings

With the 2014 NFL draft just around the corner, teams have finished signing free agents. The remaining big free agents have been signed and there are quite a few surprises. Some of the notable free agent signings to happen at this point are Jon Asamoah signing with the Arizona Cardinals, D.J Williams going back to the Denver Broncos, Josh Freeman to the Oakland Raiders.

After playing with the San Diego Chargers for the first four years of his career, linebacker Donald Butler will join Brandon Spikes as part of the Washington Redskins revamped linebacker core. Part of the reason Washington has signed both linebackers is because London Fletcher, along with Perry Riley have signed with new teams. Fletcher is now a Green Bay Packer and Riley is an Indianapolis Colt. Meanwhile, the Colts' division rival, the Jacksonville Jaguars, were very busy during free agency. Jacksonville signed wide receiver and return specialist Jacoby Jones, along with some other high-profile names.

[patriotway]

Stage 7: Continued
Other Free Agent Signings

Just like the draft, the free agency period is graded on what players are signed and how those players fit into the teams scheme. While some teams signed players that can have an immediate impact, other signings were more questionable than others. The most shocking transaction of the free agent period (not for a good reason) is Jay Cutler signing with the Dallas Cowboys. The signing is questionable in two regards. One, the Chicago Bears failed to hold onto a franchise player, despite Cutler's shortcomings in the playoffs. Two, the Cowboys have committed a lot of money to the quarterback position and only one of them can play. The New York Giants find themselves in a similar position after signing tackle Branden Albert to a $38.4 million deal. Not too long ago, the Giants signed Beatty to a $35 million contract. It will be interesting to see how both situations unfold.

[patriotway]

2014 NFL Draft Preview

The NFL Draft is an opportunity for teams around the league to think about both the present and the future at the same time. While teams like to see which players coming out of college will have a great impact on the future of their franchise, they also want a player that can contribute right away. This is only one aspect of the draft. Many gears go in motion when the team building comes into play. Teams also consider depth, how a player fits into the team's scheme, and how long a player may need to develop, among a host of other things. That's the exciting part of the draft. Despite all the research that teams do, there is always an unknown factor that plays into how a draft pick will impact a team.

Media Reaction
Lavar Arrington @LArringtonEA: How can you not be excited for the NFL Draft? /get to see the stars of the future on their opening night.
Todd McSahy @ToddMcShayEA: Lots of options for Eagles in this draft. If they get one or two of the right guys, they'll be playoff bound.
Matt Miller @MattMillerEA: So many spots the Falcons need to improve, bu they can't go anywhere but LT for their first pick.
Skip Bayless @SkipBaylessEA: The 49ers HUMILIATED themselves last season. They need a FEARLESS C to get on track.
Mike Hill @MikeHillEA: Playoffs are a longshot for the Ravensbut a solid left guardgives them a punchers chance.
Susannah Collins @SCollinsEA: If the Titans can score a solid left tackle they might get the boost they need to sneak into the playoffs.
Trey Wingo @WingozEA: The Texans have issues, but a solid outside linebacker would put them in the playoff hunt.
Mark Schlereth @MarkSchlerethEA: Loved seeing the Saints win their way to the playoffs last year. This draft they better snag the top ROLB.
Trey Wingo @WingozEA: Tough to call out a team that made the postseason but the Patriots are undermanned. Need a C.
Ross Tucker @RossTuckerEA: Steelers were a great story last season. With a tougher schedule, they need a LT to compensate.

[patriotway]

2014 NFL Draft

Round 1

Media Reaction
Todd McShay @ToddMcShayEA: Worst kept secret in the world: Neil Stone was as obvious a first-rounder s it gets.
Ross Tucker @RossTuckerEA: Guaranteed money comes with guaranteed responsibilities Zachery DeKing.
Mark Schlereth @MarkSchlerethEA: Everybody is looking for number-one options at wide receiver these days.
Matt Miller @MattMillerEA: There is talent you can dream on with Brian Aguilar.
Mike Hill @MikeHillEA: You have to wonder... was Jorvante Bennett just drafted to eventually replace Bilal Powell?
Skip Bayless @SkipBaylessEA: You can't miss with your 1st rounder, but if T. Pendleton ends up as a bust, then the experts missed too.
Robert Flores @RoFLoEA: Might not see video of kids on phones before they're picked, but everyone knew R. Myers was going here.
Todd McShay @ToddMcShayEA: Hard to argue with this pick for the Eagles. Blaine Yovanovich is a talent.
Matt Miller @MattMillerEA: No surprise at all to see Whit Bellot go in Round 1.
Skip Bayless @SkipBaylessEA: Like everyone else, I knew DaShawn Childs would go in the first round. My question: will he live up to hype?

[patriotway]

2014 NFL Draft

Rounds 2 & 3

2014 NFL Draft - Round 2 Recap
Pick	Team	Player/School	Pos	Ht	Wt
33	St. Louis Rams	Leon Guidry/LSU	ROLB	6'0"	236
34	Oakland Raiders	T.J. Skaarer/Cincinnati	LE	6'6"	301
35	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Duskin Jaskot/Morehouse	LE	6'7"	274
36	New York Jets	Ryen Winnington/Rutgers	LOLB	6'3"	242
37	Tennessee Titans	Manessah Stovall/Wisc-Whitewater	LE	6'4"	250
38	Miami Dolphins	Pierre Faust/Navy	RG	6'3"	303
39	New York Giants	Manny Trejo/USC	MLB	6'0"	238
40	Cleveland Browns	Chadd Wassome/UAB	QB	6'5"	242
41	Philadelphia Eagles	Jordan Graham/Oregon	C	6'5"	298
42	Chicago Bears	Bronson Baxter/Newberry College	CB	6'2"	191
43	Detroit Lions	Cesar Calvin/Charleston S.	HB	5'11"	198
44	Baltimore Ravens	Gianna Rushing/Florida	CB	5'11"	196
45	San Diego Chargers	Mason Teller/LSU	WR	5'8"	191
46	Buffalo Bills	Dondre Trahan/FAU	CB	6'2"	191
47	Jacksonville Jaguars	Dexter Bohannon/North Dakota	QB	6'1"	222
48	Houston Texans	Kale Rolla/Kentucky	LOLB	6'0"	242
49	San Francisco 49ers	ShelDon Blake/Sanford	HB	6'1"	246
50	Arizona Cardinals	Rashaun Milsap/Emporia State	TE	6'4"	234
51	Atlanta Falcons	Graham Studstill/BYU	LT	6'3"	308
52	Washington Redskins	Markeese Rothman/Washington	WR	6'3"	223
53	Cincinnati Bengals	Jarell Lynch/Butler	LG	6'5"	335
54	San Francisco 49ers	DeVaunte Rosselli/Bowie State	HB	6'0"	215
55	Carolina Panthers	Lee Umana/Idaho	LT	6'6"	334
56	Minnesota Vikings	Mario Reeves/New Mexico State	RE	6'1"	266
57	Indianapolis Colts	Alex Traylor/UTEP	DT	6'5"	271
58	Green Bay Packers	Ify Adantor/Colorado St.	CB	6'1"	192
59	Dallas Cowboys	Gareef Nelson/Pittsburgh	DT	6'1"	290
60	Pittsburgh Steelers	Quentin Koffa/Auburn	LT	6'2"	334
61	Denver Broncos	JaMichael Dean/Tiffin	SS	6'3"	223
62	New Orleans Saints	Zac Argo/Utah	FS	6'2"	222
63	New England Patriots	Jelani Gibbs/Illinois	MLB	6'2"	244
64	Seattle Seahawks	Reed Curtis/South Carolina	TE	6'3"	250

2014 NFL Draft - Round 3 Recap
Pick	Team	Player/School	Pos	Ht	Wt
65	St. Louis Rams	Robb Angle/Charleston S,	WR	6'5"	234
66	Oakland Raiders	Stuart Martzoff/Troy	LE	6'5"	265
67	New York Jets	Ahmad Keooudom/Albany	ROLB	6'3"	254
68	New York Jets	Roman Stream/Arkansas	DT	6'3"	281
69	San Francisco 49ers	Rafeal Abreu/Army	CB	5'11"	197
70	Miami Dolphins	Donald Virgil/Morris Brown	QB	6'4"	220
71	New York Giants	Larez Johns/N. Illinois	LOLB	6'0"	235
72	Cleveland Browns	Josh McAvoy/Texas State	TE	6'6"	241
73	Philadelphia Eagles	Billy Perez//Army	QB	6'3"	215
74	Chicago Bears	Brian Rechsteiner/Penn State	DT	6'4"	276
75	Detroit Lions	A.J. Klem/Florida State	C	6'2"	331
76	Baltimore Ravens	Doran Redmond/Akron	SS	6'2"	219
77	San Diego Chargers	Marshyl Tyler/Cincinnati	RG	6'7"	327
78	Buffalo Bills	Erin Commodore/Youngstown State	WR	6'2"	218
79	Jacksonville Jaguars	Benjamin Kiner/Austin Peay	LT	6'3"	302
80	Houston Texans	Austin McCall/Duke	RT	6'4"	305
81	San Francisco 49ers	Doral Hartman/Florida A&M	WR	6'2"	202
82	Arizona Cardinals	Jonathan Griffin/Northeastern	WR	6'4"	220
83	Atlanta Falcons	Javier Martinez/Missouri So. State	DT	6'4"	282
84	Washington Redskins	Dior Brookman/Texas South.	CB	6'0"	196
85	Cincinnati Bengals	Paul Scott/Auburn	RT	6'7"	331
86	Kansas City Chiefs	Ayoub Blunt/J. Madison	MLB	6'3"	238
87	Carolina Panthers	Bolaji Grasu/Virginia	WR	6'3"	203
88	Minnesota Vikings	Jerron Duckett/Monmouth	RE	6'4"	268
89	Indianapolis Colts	Jorge Padilla/UNLV	RT	6'5"	339
90	Green Bay Packers	Dontrell Peaks/Pittsburgh State	HB	6'3"	224
91	Dallas Cowboys	Spenser Kilgore/NW Oklahoma St.	LG	6'6"	336
92	Cleveland Browns	Deron Sanks/Saginaw Valley	TE	6'4"	257
93	Denver Broncos	Alex Diehl/Tarleton State	C	6'4"	289
94	New Orleans Saints	Irvin Kiner/Delaware	DT	6'1"	287
95	New England Patriots	Ivan Cross/Grambling State	WR	6'2"	215
96	Minnesota Vikings	Connor Crumbley/Clemson	QB	6'0"	218

Media Reaction
Chris Mortensen @mortreportEA: I bet some phones are ringing for Brandon Weeden right now.
Aaron Schatz @ASchatzEA: Taking everything into account, I give C. Waissome the inside track at QB with the Browns.
Matt Miller @MattMillerEA: Really love Cesar Calvin's balance while running the ball.
Chris Mortensen @mortreportEA: I bet Malcolm Floyd is going to be happy that he's getting some help when Mason Teller joins the team during OTAs.
Matthew Berry @MBerryEA: I don;t see a lot of better options at WR for the Chargers than M. Teller #FantasyWatch
Skip Bayless @SkipBaylessEA: Dexter Bohannon is NOT the guy I'll ever want under center.
Matt Miller @MattMillerEA: Like the pick for the 49ers here. Score some depth at RB.
Mike Hill @MikeHillEA: Heard a lot of scouts call Markeese Rothman fearless.
Matt Miller @MattMillerEA: Really love DeVante Rosselli's balance while running the ball.
Todd McShay @ToddMcShayEA: Indianapolis thrilled with what they saw from Traylor during his process. Only makes sense to take him at #57th
Skip Bayless @SkipBaylessEA: Will Gareef Nelson go into the hall of fame or will he end up in the hall of very good?
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterEA: Robb Angle very well could be the top option at WR for the Rams next season.
Mark Schlereth @MarkSchlerethEA: Be interesting to see Donald Virgil in a pro-style offense.
Ross Tucker @RossTuckerEA: See Erin Commodore helping a lo on play-action pays.
Robert Flores @RoFloEA: Love the draft more as it gets deeper. McShay just teaches me over and over again.
Mark Schlereth @MarkSchlerethEA: Doran Hartman is a tough kid. That will help him.

[jwestbury]

i'm liking your draft there, some nice pickups

[patriotway]

2014 NFL Draft

Rounds 4 & 5

2014 NFL Draft - Round 4 Recap
Pick	Team	Player/School	Pos	Ht	Wt
97	St. Louis Rams	Nash Smith/Lindenwood	RG	6'5"	298
98	Oakland Raiders	Treis Fender/Ball State	HB	6'3"	209
99	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Bola Ajawara/Bethel	SS	5'10"	218
100	New York Jets	Scott Armstrong/N.C. State	MLB	6'1"	240
101	Tennessee Titans	A.J. Martinez/Robert Morris	HB	5'11"	199
102	Miami Dolphins	Nathan Singer/Portland St.	LOLB	6'2"	243
103	New York Giants	Dillard Miller//Florida	TE	6'7"	262
104	Cleveland Browns	Peniel Isaac/Salisbury	DT	6'1"	282
105	Philadelphia Eagles	Kenyattus Louis-Jean/IUP	CB	6'1"	182
106	Chicago Bears	Erik Redman/Mid Tenn St.	QB	6'1"	221
107	Detroit Lions	Richard Morley/Michigan Tech	LG	6'7"	325
108	Baltimore Ravens	Thedford Reedy/Clemson	TE	6'5"	260
109	San Diego Chargers	Ronald Dangerfield/Maryland	LT	6'2"	313
110	Buffalo Bills	Monte Hunt/N. Arizona	ROLB	6'4"	246
111	Jacksonville Jaguars	Kelshemm Meyer/FAU	LOLB	5'11"	244
112	Houston Texans	Martin Kiner/Delaware	DT	6'2"	285
113	San Francisco 49ers	Traylon Ballad/Wyoming	LT	6'5"	319
114	Arizona Cardinals	Dave O'Neal/Tuskegee	CB	6'0"	198
115	Atlanta Falcons	Justin Lampley/Northern Iowa	WR	6'2"	218
116	Washington Redskins	Melquan Stripling/SW Miss St.	WR	6'1"	210
117	Cincinnati Bengals	Lamanski Seay/Colgate	LT	6'3"	198
118	Kansas City Chiefs	Shawn Daich/Texas A&M	LT	6'4"	331
119	Carolina Panthers	Jered Lee/Indiana St.	LOLB	6'0"	235
120	Minnesota Vikings	Dominick Rich/Miami	LOLB	6'3"	249
121	Cleveland Browns	Eduardo Mendoza/FIU	K	5'8"	198
122	Green Bay Packers	Duncan Meile/M. Valley St.	SS	6'0"	199
123	Dallas Cowboys	Christian Lofton/Texas Tech	DT	6'3"	292
124	Donel Scarr	Pittsburgh Steelers/Viginia Tech	P	6'0"	197
125	Denver Broncos	Harris McQueen/Idaho	MLB	6'0	239
126	New Orleans Saints	Donavan Bunch/Tennessee	FB	6'3"	248
127	New England Patriots	Juan Dial/Michigan St.	RG	6'5"	314
128	Seattle Seahawks	Garic Forrest/St. Johns	DT	6'5"	287

2014 NFL Draft - Round 5 Recap
Pick	Team	Player/School	Pos	Ht	Wt
129	St. Louis Rams	Ryan Tull/Southern Miss	FB	6'0"	245
130	Seattle Seahawks	Taiwan Graham/Trinity	RT	6'5"	318
131	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Kelsheem Gross/Chattanooga	MLB	6'1"	242
132	New York Jets	Derek Maddox/North Texas	TE	6'5"	263
133	Tennessee Titans	Bradley Townsend/N. Illinois	WR	6'3"	211
134	Miami Dolphins	Jerry Blanchard/Slippery Rock	LT	6'6"	294
135	New York Giants	Latteral Reve/Boston College	FS	5'11"	202
136	Cleveland Browns	Matthew Dobson/J. Madison	SS	6'3"	192
137	Philadelphia Eagles	Keithen Vincent/Chadron State	FS	6'1"	218
138	Chicago Bears	Carson Barut/Albany	QB	6'0"	222
139	Jacksonville Jaguars	Dextrell Gemette/Salisbury	MLB	6'0"	238
140	Baltmiore Ravens	Jayvon Ameen/Howard	TE	6'3"	265
141	San Diego Chargers	Deone Drovin/Western Wash	HB	6'0"	204
140	Buffalo Bills	Desi Morgan/Shippensburg	MLB	6'3"	242
141	Jacksonville Jaguars	Tymichael Tate/Buffalo	MLB	6'3"	243
140	Houston Texans	Anton Glaspy/Marshall	DT	6'2"	338
142	San Francisco 49ers	Soma Shead/Bridgewater St.	RE	6'4"	315
143	Arizona Cardinals	Colin Ohl/Virginia Union	C	6'2"	303
144	Atlanta Falcons	Madison Tabar/W. Kentucky	WR	6'3"	208
145	Washington Redskins	Keegan Huddleston/Brown	LOLB	6'3"	242
146	Cincinnati Bengals	Leron Arhcer/Southern	MLB	6'3"	239
147	Kansas City Chiefs	Luis Vasquez/Central Michigan	FS	6'3"	208
148	Carolina Panthers	Eddie Houston/Wayne State	TE	6'4"	258
149	Minnesota Vikings	Tajh Spain/Louisville	CB	5'11"	191
150	Indianapolis Colts	Ferlando Jennings/Morgan State	HB	5'11"	214
151	Green Bay Packers	Jarrett Giles/NW Oklahoma St	TE	6'3"	249
152	Dallas Cowboys	Ronnell Brantley/Kent State	CB	5'10"	199
153	Pittsburgh Steelers	Kasheem Lovell/Florida	HB	6'1"	197
154	Denver Broncos	Jay Darman/Furman	RT	6'2"	339
155	New Orleans Saints	Kristoff McElroy/Miami	C	6'7"	319
156	New England Patriots	Rocco Harpole/Washburn	QB	6'6"	242
157	Seattle Seahawks	Deion Cooper/Boise State	DT	6'1"	315

Media Reaction
Mark Schlereth @MarkSchlerethEA: Sit and learn everything you can Erik Redman.
Matt Miller @MattMillerEA: Question Justin Lampley's ability to create separation in NFL.
Todd McShay @ToddMcShayEA: I do believe Deone Drovin will be able to help on third downs.
Adam Schefter @AdmaSchefterEA: Even with development time, not sure how B. Townsend will help Titans that much.
Todd McShay @ToddMcShayEA: Believe Carson Barut can be an excellent backup.
Matt Miller @MattMillerEA: Ferlando Jennings has to get better at finishing runs with more cosistency.
Mark Schlereth @MarkSchlerethEA: Like the value of Madison Tabar at this point.
Ross Tucker @RossTuckerEA: Not sure how others feel, but I think Treis Fender has some nimble feet.
Matt Miller @MattMillerEA: If Rocco Harpole can stay disciplined, he can be a solid QB at this level.
Mark Schlereth @MarkSchlerethEA: If Kaseem Lovell is a high-effort guy, he'll be able to help out.