BenJarvus Green-Ellis scored 24 rushing touchdowns over the last two seasons for the New England Patriots.
The New England Patriots have been so busy adding players through free agency that they have not locked up some of their own free agents. The Patriots lost two players from their 2011 team on Wednesday when BenJarvus Green-Ellis locked up a three-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals and Mark Anderson was signed by the Buffalo Bills to a four-year contract worth $27.5 million with $8 million guaranteed.
Green-Ellis, nicknamed the Law Firm for his long name, had a team-leading 34% of playing time at the halfback position last year. Despite being a 1,000 yard rusher in 2010, the Patriots were not willing to pay him millions of dollars because Green-Ellis became more of a goal-line running back in 2011. The Patriots also drafted Shane Vereen (second round) and Stevan Ridley (third round) in the 2011 NFL Draft. Danny Woodhead also is on the roster for another season. Green-Ellis has never fumbled since he was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2008 out of Ole Miss. Meanwhile Ridley found himself on the bench for the AFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl because he coughed up the ball twice in successive games in the regular season finale against the Bills and in the AFC Divisional Playoff victory over the Denver Broncos.
Anderson was a situational pass rusher until defensive end Andre Carter went down with a season ending quadriceps injury in December. Anderson played in 47 percent of the snaps. He would have been the third highest paid player behind Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo on the defense despite being a part-time player for most of the season. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound defensive end/linebacker finished the regular season with 10 sacks. The Bills see Anderson as a full-time defensive end who can combine with Mario Williams in forming a fearsome front four.
The Patriots added Trevor Scott last weekend to potentially take over Anderson’s duties from last season. The team could still bring back Carter. Nick Caserio mentioned how the draft is deep with defensive linemen.
Deion Branch will return to the Patriots after agreeing to a one year pact. Branch will be used as the third wide receiver. While Branch, 32 years old, has lost his speed, his instincts and knowledge of the offense make him a dangerous weapon as a third receiver. Branch can use his experience to gain separation from opposing defensive backs and he is an exceptional route-runner. Chad Ochocinco remains on the roster. Bill Belichick loves competition and he could keep several of these wide receivers on the roster at the beginning of training camp in July just like last August when he loaded up defensive linemen.
Tom Brady restructured his contract. The team gains $7.2 million in cap space while Brady’s cap number rises to $22 million in 2013 and 2014. This was done because the cap space opens for the Patriots to extend contracts of current players like tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. After the 2012 season, the cap will be higher.