Slim Pickings: A Look at the Veteran Free Agent Market

With teams across the NFL cutting down to 75 players today, the free agent market just got a bit deeper today. With that in mind, here's a look at some notable available names and whether they might make sense for the Patriots.

Kenny Philips- Safety

The former first round pick of the Giants had flashes early in his career where he looked like a real difference maker. However, injuries have derailed his once promising career. Despite being on a one year deal with no guaranteed money, Phillips was cut today by the Eagles. He's missed the Eagles past two preseason games with a quadriceps injury and was cut despite the struggles of Patrick Chung and Nate Allen so far in the Philly secondary. If Phillips can ever get healthy, he could bring some nastiness to a defense. Considering his injury history in the NFL, I doubt its a bet Bill Belichick would be willing to make.

Will Blackmon- Cornerback


A local boy (Blackmon hails from Providence, RI), Blackmon reportedly had a solid training camp in Seattle but could not beat the numbers crunch in the loaded Seahawks secondary. This puts the former Packer on the open market, where he could bring some insurance to the Patriots. The Patriots cornerback situation has flown under the radar, overshadowed by rookie receivers, knee injury scares and Tebow, but with a mere two weeks to go until the season opener things look a little dicey there. No one has any idea if Alfonzo Dennard will legally be available, and even if he is, he'll be coming back from an injury that has had him missed the majority of training camp. Likewise, Ras-I Dowling has been battling injuries, leaving rookie Logan Ryan as the team's current nickel back behind Aqib Talib and Kyle Arrington. The Pats could really use a veteran to provide some insurance here; perhaps a homecoming for Blackmon could fill that void.


Shawntae Spencer- Cornerback

Spencer had a solid career with the 49ers, but his lone season in Oakland was cut short due to a painful lisfranc injury. Spencer is the wrong age (31) to be a free agent coming off of an injury in the NFL, but he's a battle tested vet who, if healthy, should be able to contribute to a team. The fact that Spencer has yet to sign with anyone suggests that he is not healthy, but it couldn't hurt to kick his tires and see what he has left physically. As I said above, a veteran addition could really bring some insurance to a cornerback situation that really could use a little more stability.

Sione Pouha- Defensive Tackle

Like pretty much everyone still available on the market, Pouha has an undesirable combination of injury history and age. When healthy, the massive Pouha is still a beast in the middle, a monstrous run stuffer who can also occasionally collapse the pocket. Even more than cornerback, the Patriots really could use one more defensive tackle. Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly are set at the starters, but Marcus Forston is the only true defensive tackle of any note left behind those guys. If Pouha is physically ready to go, he could provide some nice depth rotating in to spell Kelly and Wilfork.

Ma'ake Kemoeatu- Defensive Tackle

Even by defensive tackle standards, Kemoeatu is a massive human being. The 340+ pound defensive tackle started most of the season for the Super Bowl Champion Ravens last year. At 34, he's probably best suited for a backup role at this point, which would match New England's current need at defensive tackle. If he's ready to be a backup, Kemoeatu could conceivably play the role previously held by Gerald Warren as a big veteran who can still produce a little if the situation calls for it.

Corey Williams- Defensive Tackle

Another big body who is available due to age and injury concerns. Williams had been a reliable starter in Detroit for years, but lost playing time last year as Nick Fairley began to emerge. Williams' cause wasn't helped by undergoing a "minor" knee surgery in Week Four, as he eventually ended up on season-ending injured reserve. Williams has a reputation for being an excellent locker room guy who leads by example through his hard work and toughness; if his knee is willing to cooperate, he could be a nice under-the-radar depth signing.

Richard Seymour- Defensive Tackle

I'm well aware that this is highly unlikely, that too many bridges have been burned between Seymour and this franchise, and that Seymour will only come back for the kind of money and role that simply isn't available in New England. But...just imagine a three man tackle rotation of Seymour, Wilfork and Kelly. Let me dream.