Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com reports that the Patriots were interested in acquiring Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald last offseason, according to a source.
"Push could come to shove this offseason with Arizona," notes Curran. "Fitzgerald is going to count $18 million against the Cardinals' cap and, according to the well-connected Kent Somers at the Arizona Republic, Fitzgerald isn't going to agree to a pay cut. Fitzgerald will, Somers says, entertain a restructuring."
Mike Jones of The Washington Post expects the Redskins to target a cornerback in free agency this offseason, and reports that the team is high on impending free agent Aqib Talib.
"The Redskins pursued Talib last offseason, but didn't have the money to lure him," writes Jones. "Talib played for Redskins defensive backs coach Raheem Morris while in Tampa, and Redskins coaches remain high on him."
Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com doesn't believe the Patriots will use the franchise tag on impending free agent Julian Edleman this offseason.
"As strong of a season as Edelman had, I don't see the Patriots going in that direction, in part because of the price tag -- around $11 million on a one-year deal," writes Reiss. "My projection on Edelman's market is that the Patriots should expect it to be in the same range as the deal that Danny Amendola received. I could see a team such as the Texans or Browns seeing it as an ideal fit and taking the bidding to a higher level than the Patriots might be comfortable going."
**[
Barry Jackson](http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/2014/01/why-hickeys-former-boss-believes-he-will-succeed-here-dolphins-um-heat-chatter.html)of the Miami Herald suggests it wouldn't be surprising if new Dolphins general managerDennis Hickey** pursues free agent RB LeGarrette Blount this offseason. Hickey was the Tampa Bay Buccaneer's player personnel director for the past three years.
"After Tennessee signed and later cut undrafted running back LeGarrette Blount in 2010, Hickey suggested pouncing on him, which Tampa did," writes Jackson. "He ran for 1007 yards on 5.0 per carry in 2010 and had three solid years before Tampa traded him to New England in 2013. It wouldn't be surprising if Miami pursues him in free agency this spring."
Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated writes that Denver Broncos WR Wes Welker defended his hit on Patriots CB Aqib Talib that knocked Talib out of the AFC title game earlier this month.
"You try to get a rub on that guy and if you can get him to go over the top of you, the more separation the other receiver will have." Welker said at Super Bowl Media Day in New Jersey on Tuesday. "That's what I tried to do and unfortunately we collided."
