Johnston & Flynn: Shalise Manza Young On Pats Free Agent Signings
The New England Patriots have made quite a few moves in free agency this year signing wide receivers Brandon Lloyd, Anthony Gonzalez and Donte Stallworth, offensive guard Robert Gallery, and re-signing offensive lineman Dan Connolly, just to name a few.
Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Johnston & Flynn, in for Toucher & Rich, to discuss some of the moves the Patriots have made in free agency, Peyton Manning signing with the Denver Broncos and Tim Tebow's future.
Gallery: Pats Free Agent Signings
With the Broncos signing Peyton Manning everyone sees them dealing Tim Tebow. Word is the New York Jets one of the teams interested in the young quarterback. Where does Shalise see Tebow landing?
"As long as it's not New England, I really don't care."
Report: Jets Interested In Tebow?
What does she think of Manning going to Denver?
"My money was on Denver all along from what you heard and what we've now learned about him through this whole process. It wasn't about going into a team that was close to being a winner because it that was the case it should have been San Fransisco. In my eyes they are only a quarterback away from being one of the best in the NFL."
They moved on to discuss the signing of tight end Daniel Fells. What will be his role as the third tight end on this Patriots offense?
"I think blocking, but also probably to help out with (Aaron) Hernandez. I think it helps because, Hernandez in particular, has missed time in each of the last two seasons because of knee injuries, and last year when it happened they didn't have any other tight end on the roster."
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The secondary was a weak spot for the Pats last season and they could use some help at safety. The market in free agency is pretty thin, so does Shalise see New England using a pick to draft a safety?
"To me it doesn't matter how much stronger they make the secondary if they don't get something done in terms of creating a pass-rush and pressuring quarterbacks."
We recently learned that Logan Mankins tore his ACL late in the season and underwent surgery after the Super Bowl. By all reports he won't be ready for training camp.
What was the timeline of events? How recently did he have surgery for this issue?
"I know the surgery happened, it sounds like if he suffered a complete tear of the ACL in the Super Bowl it probably would have been around two weeks after the Super Bowl."
Plus with all the movement the Pats have been making in free agency will they use their picks in the draft or will it be the same old trade down and stockpile picks for next year?
