The Patriots opted not to franchise wide receiver Randy Moss, whose contract expires on February 28th making him a free agent. The Boston Globe notes that it is possible that the makings of a multiyear deal are in place, but cannot be finalized because players are only allowed to extend or restructure existing contracts once in a league year. This means any potential deal cannot be finalized until Friday, February 29th, the beginning of the new league year.
The Patriots made some moves to their coaching staff yesterday, hiring 22-year NFL veteran and former head coach Dom Capers. Capers title will be special assistant / secondary coach. Capers will fill the role vacated by Joel Collier, who will not be back with the team.
"I have known Dom for a long time and respect him tremendously as a coach, particularly defensively. To add a coach of his caliber is an outstanding opportunity for us. I look forward to getting to work with Dom and Dean [Pees] immediately," Belichick said in a statement released by the Patriots.
The team also announced that Nick Caserio, who served last season as the wide receivers coach is moving to the front office to serve as the director of player personnel under Scott Pioli and Bill O'Brien has been named the wide receivers coach. You can read more on the latest coaching and front office moves in pieces by the *Boston Globe*, *Boston Herald* and *The Providence Journal*.
A piece in the *Boston Herald* and *The Providence Journal* notes that spygate was a main topic being discussed at the NFL Scouting Combine taking place at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, IN. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spent about 90 minutes yesterday briefing the competition committee on the league's handling of the matter in September.
The Boston Herald is also reporting that the Patriots have declined to pick up the option on wide receiver Donte Stallworth's contract making him a free agent. Stallworth was due an $8 million bonus.
Quick Hits
- Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe offers analysis of the Dom Capers hire in his Patriots Blog and also discusses what last minute contract negotiations may be going on with cornerback Asante Samuel.
- The Patriots Football Weekly blog is in full swing, bringing you insight, analysis and commentary from the NFL Scouting Combine.
