Toucher & Rich: Shalise Manza Young On Needs Of The Patriots
Several reports say the NFL lockout could be over on Monday. Shalise Manza Young spoke with Toucher & Rich about what the needs of the Patriots are and what moves they might make after the lockout ends.
Once this lockout ends, when does it look like teams will get to practice? Free agency will also be able to begin after the lockout ends. How much time will teams get to deal with their own free agents?
They discussed Logan Mankins and how he never got the chance to reach free agency. Will he hold out?
They also discussed Patriots linebacker Tully Banta-Cain's injury and his surgery to repair an abdominal tear. All reports are that he'll miss about 4-5 weeks. How much will this set the Patriots back?
"They don't have much depth at outside linebacker to begin with. We have all talked about will Jermaine Cunningham make a step forward this year, but he kind of has to now at least in training camp because Tully's not going to be there," Young said.
Does this short preseason help Matt Light get re-signed by the Patriots because the team won't have a lot of time to work with Nate Solder?
"Yes and no. You would think so, but I think if (Light is) going to re-sign with the Patriots it's going to be at their price, not his. My colleague Greg Bedard reported I think like a week ago that Matt Light was made an offer during the season last year and it was rejected. The Patriots probably are not going budge much from that number especially now that they did draft Nate Solder," said Young.
