Former Patriots great calls the team ‘basically irrelevant’
The New England Patriots have certainly struggled with the post-Tom Brady transition over the last three seasons.
And former Pro Bowl offensive lineman Damien Woody is having a difficult time caring about the current state of the franchise, which he recently described to the Boston Herald as inconsequential.
“I know this has to be eating [Patriots owner Robert] Kraft up, that the Patriots are basically irrelevant,” Woody said. “I know it has to. So go out there and make a couple of splash moves. Bring some spice and some relevance back to the Patriots. Make it interesting.”
To date, New England’s only “splashy” move of the offseason has been the hiring of offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien from Alabama.
The Patriots head into free agency with $32.44 million in available cap space and a few positions that could use some upgrading including offensive line, receiver, cornerback and safety.
New England has a decision to make on leading receiver Jakobi Myers, arguably the team’s top free agent who will likely command a big payday from some team if not New England.
The Patriots need additional help at receiver beyond Myers as they’re set to lose Nelson Agholor to free agency as well, leaving just DeVante Parker (31 receptions, 539 yards), Kendrick Bourne (34 receptions, 434 yards), Tyquan Thornton (22 receptions, 247 yards) and Lil’Jordan Humphrey (two receptions, 20 yards).
“I think they made a step in the right direction bringing [O’Brien] back, because that was madness what they were doing last year,” Woody added. “So I’m glad they got a guy who knows what he’s doing. But they need weapons. They need difference makers on offense. It’s not good enough just getting Billy O’Brien back. They need actual guys on the field that will make a difference.”
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