Dale & Holley's Opening Segment

The Patriots have not made any announcements and there are no announcements coming out of Gillette Stadium. But we have a couple of burying media reports that indicate that the Patriots have reached an agreement with running back Fred Taylor. And they have reached an agreement with tight end Chris Baker of the of the New York Jets.

Well I'll start with Fred Taylor I love this signing we talked about the importance of the Patriots were interested. You liked this guy level. Even before -- knew they were interested in Fred Taylor. I thought he had something left last year in Jacksonville was yesterday it was a bad year for everybody. Bad year for David guard it was a bad year. For Fred Taylor -- it it was a terrible year for the offensive line between injuries and tragedies before the season started. Jack Del Rio just didn't take that team to the next level and and there are some things happening beyond his control but Fred Taylor. When I watched him and a handful of games that -- maybe six or seven games. I've felt like -- pretty -- as he looks pride in me I didn't look like he was worn down he's in great shape and he's always been a back. Who who is if he stays healthy. He's going to be one of the top actually he still has that now it is splitting -- Maurice Jones-Drew but. Spot for the Patriots. Could I forget if you look for him coming here and and carry the ball 300 times. That he can noted 15085. Times and got to be okay.

And I think it's its side and now everybody -- talk to you including -- started. I've told me you know this is extremely high character guy -- we thought we got -- I'm telling you won't blow you away he's really an interest in got to talk to his son. Remember the stories on his fourteen years old eighth grade and eighth grade. Had a tremendous season last year playing high school football -- city high school football as a fourteen year old out. At you know 2820 plus touchdowns. And that was a first team all state her as a runner yeah. They said it never been done before. Obviously the apple didn't fall very far from the tree there but his son read about it with Sutton on website somewhere. Eight great player I school varsity football Oakland -- all state in Florida.

And this is a nice that'll get for the Patriots. -- it speaks to that the quality of the organization because. I can tell you Fred Taylor was thinking very seriously about Buffalo. Relationship that victory and and the players the players who know victor on that level yet. And -- he had told a couple of people that he was watching Buffalo. Before Trent Edwards got hurt and he felt like they were they were a couple players away from from being. And -- team in the in the AFC east and definitely a playoff contender. Another thing they consider. That would be a positive for Fred Taylor. On one hand you don't have to could be the 350 -- guy with Marshawn Lynch there on and you might get more carries that you think because Marshawn Lynch. Has had some off the field trouble right the last couple years so Buffalo was a serious. Contender. But he but but fortunately for the Patriots went to Buffalo first. Because I eat theoretically could've signed to Buffalo because his contract was terminated he would not wait heated -- to wait 'til until all all one -- he can -- a lot but he had to deal with the Patriots in that awful guy. The Patriots sold them on it so. That got to get pickup for them.

Now the Chris Baker signing. If you look at the at the list of free agent tight ends available. This guy was right near the top of of most of those -- I think of the Titans who were available. We've talked a lot about how much time energy in. And -- and capital they've expended on the tight end position they think it's an important position and they have struck early on this one and taken a guy away from the Jets.

Yeah they've taken away from the Jets but if you look at his production -- looking -- his -- his career stats -- right 31 receptions. It in 2006 for the Jets. 41 receptions in 2007. Played in sixteen games last year down the when he won receptions so the rookie. From Purdue Dustin Keller I think -- taken some receptions away from Chris Baker. What OC not really sure what the Patriots are looking for here. I can't imagine. His receptions will go up a lot. Playing in this offense. So let's see high blocks he sees the big guy 63260. Pounds so. Maybe they look at him in and feel that he can bring something significant that running game.

The Patriots have approached the beginning of free agency in diametrically opposite ways depending on the year they have struck early and struck hard. The year of Rosie Colvin and Rodney Harrison but -- Thomas was another one of those you know strike early go get that got -- Thomas shocked most of us when that we came up. They've also kind of let it play out and and you know pick the bonds of the free agent carcass later on. It appears that there are at least starting this free agency period by striking early again. Getting in their right off the bat. But it brings up the Matt Cassel situation because there's a whole bunch of salary cap money tied up in that position. Now if you're going to trade Cassel and we both think they are. The sooner you deal with the more it allows you to play around in his free agent market which is going to go full -- here for about a week or so. Let they can do it if they had a match right now it would be done. The -- was saying when he was on the -- you know he said -- of his colleagues and Patriots football weekly are convinced it's gonna happen sooner rather than later. Perhaps even as soon as by the end of the week. And and if you did do -- dance partner and you traded castle by the end of the weekend. All this a new freed up fourteen million dollars to play with you know when you're out there looking for free no.

What clubs and -- is is -- they had that partner right now that you would have to wait in 2. Saturday you wouldn't have to wait until Tuesday Wednesday. To me -- suggest that. It is not done. They don't necessarily have the partner well in -- or maybe it's just the opposite Michael maybe they have to three partners in place. And maybe those 23 partners account playing against each other -- the same things that you have two or three people but you don't have that one person I'm talking about one team. Yes he is going here they get to a three dance partners that's fine right. Because that means the the return is going to be a lot. Lot more significant than it would be if you have one team that -- and Matt Cassel -- you're going back for a while we like we should -- Want to -- the third. We think it should be conditional on and on right. If you know you got three teams in the mix and you tell those other teams. -- You gotta step -- a and and Bill Belichick has experience doing that. I've seen him beat beat I've seen him do that in person. At you very much that you -- Beijing Games. When they were making that deal interact they deal with the Ravens not these -- And Ozzie -- He's like a comic Eddie Floyd and I felt like. I don't make that deal with the Ravens. That eventually -- at the Ravens their quarterback of the future Kyle bowler. Miami won -- a piece of the action. Baltimore wanted to appease there was another team. And so he was playing them all against each other being very up -- that's an action on this pick Arab it and remember him telling Ozzie -- get real. This market not commonly Geathers and that the -- And -- called back. Maybe you know 25 minutes later half hour later and that deal in place if this happens. If Arizona doesn't take. I'll bowler with out of these 21 round picks they took their receiver of the future Bryant Johnson. Right. At Calvin Pace. I think that allowed the Patriots. To make that count I'd make the deal for. Eventually. Vince Wilfork and in 2004 but that the point is. Bill Belichick knows how to he knows about -- or she knows how to get the best deal for the Patriots and maybe that's going.

And the larger point here that we were the that we started this went. If they can do Cassel earlier rather than later it allows them to be a bigger player in the free agency market I mean -- The experience tells me that the an album that the big time free agents generally happen within the first week some happen within the first 48 hours or so. But the the other -- an and then you've got those those second tier guys who you're able to kind of economically cherry pick from later on -- and get a little deal for yourself that's better than you might have gotten otherwise but if their interest that in. And I don't know -- would be but if their interest that in the big name free agents of whatever position. They really need that money.

From castles Contra but you know what I don't see it I'm trying to think about a free agent out there. Who would really. Who -- really helped the Patriots. And and who he wouldn't feel bad about. Letting. You know twelve million dollar fourteen million dollar upfront bonus typos -- deal contract for -- either person. -- who has who has a free agent I guess it would've been worth a hundred main offers little too much with thirty. I'd million dollars due the next thirteen months I mean that's that's pretty amazing but I can't they give anybody else. Playing any other position. Who would -- would cause a Patriot to say you know what we have got a clear some space and get back out.

I heard a chapter was on briefly with with Jerry and and Michael Felger of the -- Is kind of busy this time -- you can imagine but he was on briefly. -- and he said he's hearing more and more about the Cassel for Peppers thing. And it and it was his contention that the deal makes sense for both sides. That it it makes complete sense for both sides and that he seemed to think there was something to how's it makes sense for the Patriots. Yet again -- I'm I'm just tell I am repeating his line he didn't go through a.

lebed would think about it though. I how to how does Julius Peppers makes sense for the Patriots. In terms of what you have to pay Julius Peppers. And and number two where you -- play -- I may -- He is not a he's not a situation -- guy if you gotta pay all that money for Julius Peppers up like he's going to be on the field so. Unless you think Mike Vrabel has done an idol. I agree -- so Mike Vrabel got done. And Mike Vrabel. It's not he can play inside he's better routes that you're better football team got Mike Vrabel playing outside -- well to think Tedy Bruschi. Okay are fine -- let's say they do it. And I by the way I don't think they pick up anyway I'm just trying to let it play out here Bruschi doesn't play into this mix. I'm saying. Outside yeah written but Julius Peppers and so.

No I'm wondering if you think it with got to move Vrabel inside because we don't think -- he's going to be there. Forests and and so there's that guy on the outside register not a better team -- look at it this way. Jerod Mayo is definitely an inside linebacker -- Malone and he's great I agree he's got a big I don't know be great yet but he will be a great player. On the other side got to deal with -- And your -- openings -- and you'll be all right.

I think he's better -- that. They played him inside at times. I have to think he's he's he's better outside so yet the Dallas Thomas. You've got Jerod Mayo. You've got Tedy Bruschi. Or somebody else right and you've got Mike Vrabel. I just don't see. Julius Peppers playing linebacker for the first time in his life the planting Mike Vrabel the planting -- Thomas and then you don't put him inside. Because inside the 34. I don't think Julius Peppers -- really enjoy that very much. Because and I got to take on some guards. And I got to take on some fullback and you really and you gotta be you gotta be a really physical tough guy to play inside in the 34. And that's nobody is he is a EZ pass rusher. And if he's going to play linebacker you've got to play outside.

Well what's really funny is while we're talking we're getting a call on the hotline. And evidently Adam -- turf after the interview text did. Jerry -- one of the guys instead Cassell for Peppers faults don't waste your time.

I was -- adds I don't see it and that's that's. And I was telling you when I was at the combine. I heard that mentioned and I and I thought about it I just said it doesn't. It does it make sense for the Patriots makes sense for the Panthers because. If -- got to get to where they were truly want to go. It despite the fact Jake DelHomme has has great charisma and moxie illnesses tremendous teammate. They're not going to get there were Jake DelHomme quarterback yeah. So it makes sense for them to pursue Matt Cassel.

Well at that it pursue Matt Cassel but it might be Julius Peppers. Trade -- maybe some other -- you know Olympic. -- law new confidence that you know Hillary I have this was done okay -- does everything else. I'll give you Matt Cassel -- image oddities and at least let out.

hand and you can pay attention NASCAR after that now. You can drive down that the Billy Graham highway whatever you want you enjoy. That North Carolina winter I got zombies I follow follow Roy Williams and Carolina basketball. Life is good for you got to have a quarterback. We got ourselves the greatest time.

You'll be shocked to hear that Stephon Marbury cleared waivers at 10 o'clock this morning. I'm no surprise for anybody there. He'll be here. Participating in a walk through that will be closed to everybody at 5 o'clock this afternoon. We'll talk about Marbury east a rival and addition to the Celtics roster. Peter King will join us at 110 this afternoon we'll put him off to later on in the show so that you know we get more stuff. Accumulated before he joins -- so we'll talk to Peter won ten. We we think that the Patriots have apparently reached agreement on two players already. I'm not sure they're done today and we'll talk about all of that more as we move for.