By: Phil Shore, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
The New England Patriots further depleted their tight end corps Thursday, releasing  backup Chris Baker.
The move comes off the heels of the news that New England has no intention of bringing back starter Benjamin Watson, who is an unrestricted free agent. That leaves the Patriots with second-year players Robbie Agnone and Rob Myers, both of whom were on the practice squad last season, left at the tight end position.
While the Patriots have seen players without much playing time shine—think Matt Cassel and Julian Edelman—this is a huge void that you should expect them to fill.
The release of Baker intensifies and legitimizes the rumor that the Patriots are looking to acquire Bears tight end Greg Olsen through trade.
Rumors sprouted when the Bears signed Mike Martz as their new offensive coordinator. Historically, Martz does not utilize the tight end much in his scheme. Olsen was aware of this and requested a trade.
Olsen, 24, would be a huge upgrade, even from Watson and Baker, if they could land him.
Olsen is a much better pass-catching option. He has been in the NFL half as long as Watson (three years to six) but has almost matched him in touchdowns, 15 [...]

By Ian Tasso, and contributions made by Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writers
Endings are supposed to be climactic.
Raised with movies such as “Scarface” and books like the “Lord of the Rings,” we were taught that an ending is supposed to be glorious. Guns blazing, horns blaring — a finale is supposed to be this.
Same thing goes for the closing of a sports career. By right, it should be a culmination of a years of work, complete with standing ovations, confetti, horns — the works.
But the truth is, it rarely works out like that.
Just ask Allen Iverson, who on Tuesday was released by the 76ers, a move that figured by most to be a long time coming. Iverson was in the midst of attempting to revitalize his 13-year career, 10 seasons of which were spent annihilating defenses in Philadelphia. But after a failed stint in Denver, a mishap in Detroit and a misstep with the Grizzlies, Iverson appears to be done — finally.
Even Michael Jordan, Mr. Basketball himself, ended one of the greatest careers in NBA history with a finale that was far from epic. Jordan left Chicago with every intention of leaving the game, only to return with the Washington Wizards, a sequel that [...]

By: Phil Shore, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
With the deadline to designate the franchise tags on players fast approaching, the New England Patriots gave that distinction to nose tackle Vince Wilfork.
The tag was non-exclusive, which allows teams to host Wilfork on a free agent visit and they can offer him a contract. If the Patriots don’t match it, then the team that signs Wilfork must compensate New England with two first-round draft picks.
If Wilfork signs the Patriots franchise tender, he will have a contract with the team for one year worth $7 million.
This is only the beginning though. The tag was more of a strategic move than it was a contract offer to Wilfork.
What both sides really want is a long-term deal.
Throughout the whole process Wilfork, and his wife Bianca (who is very twitter-happy about all of this), have said they want more than just a one-year franchise tag offer.
“That’s the one thing you play for, long-term security,’’ Wilfork told reporters in January. “That’s something we’re trying to get. I don’t want to be playing with one-year deals and franchise tags, because I’ll be right back at the same point I am right now.’’
Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft has expressed his interest in [...]

RIP Mosi! Former Patriots running back Mosi Tatupu passed away today at the age of 54. Tatupu played 13 seasons with the Patriots.In his career, he had 612 carries and 2,415 yards and scored 18 touchdowns. He even had his own cheering section at home games called “Mosi’s Mooses.”

By: Phil Shore, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
They didn’t pay Asante Samuel. They didn’t pay Richard Seymour. It’s up in the air if they’ll give in and actually pay Vince Wilfork.
Now all this lack of commitment to such important players is having a rather large impact on a future free agent.
Wide receiver Randy Moss said on Saturday that he does not anticipate the New England Patriots to extend his contract after the 2010 season.
“You know the Patriots don’t really pay, so when I got my second contract from them that was a blessing in disguise. I understand the business. I don’t think they’re going to re-sign me back,” Moss told reporters at former Patriot Heath Evans’ charity softball event. “I’m not mad. I’m not bitter. It’s just the way things are in this NFL, so like I said after this year I’ll be looking for a new team. I think so.”
Moss is entering the final season of a three year deal and will make a base salary of $6.4 million. Combine the Patriots infamous frugality and the money that will be allotted to two other crucial players more valuable than Moss, and the outcome doesn’t look too rosy.
Vince Wilfork is the first [...]

By: Phil Shore, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
This past season the Patriots did not perform to fans’ expectations. Fans are yearning for the earlier years in the decade when New England won three Super Bowls in four years.
By remembering those magical teams, some prominent names long gone are thought of once more. One of those players is open to a reunion.
Seahawks receiver Deion Branch told the Boston Herald Thursday that he would be open to a trade that brought him back to New England, where he won two Super Bowls and was named Super Bowl XXXIX MVP.
Seahawks general manager John Schneider has reportedly said while he won’t release Branch, he would be open to trading him.
Branch has responded that he enjoyed his time in New England and liked the coaching staff and players. It’s good to know there’s no ill will with Branch.
That being said, as things are now the Patriots should not be tempted to go after him.
The Patriots could use some help at wide receiver, especially after the injury to Wes Welker, but there are more glaring needs for pass rushers and help in the secondary. Those need to be addressed first.
What really makes Branch not worth going after is [...]

By: Phil Shore, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
The Patriots are heading into a crucial offseason. After an embarrassing performance against the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, it was obvious that changes need to be made to the team.
Still, there are a number of free agents that the Patriots should also bring back.
The Patriots have nine unrestricted free agents and three restricted ones.
Who should be kept on to help get the team to Super Bowl XLV at the new Dallas Cowboys’ Stadium?
Who should be looking for work elsewhere?
Tully Banta-Cain, LB: Unrestricted. Keep him. Banta-Cain was the best pass-rusher the team had, finishing in the top-15 in the NFL in sacks with 9.5. Even if the Patriots get players through trade, the draft, and/or free agency, Banta-Cain has always been an asset on special teams. He was also around for two of the Patriots’ three Super Bowls in the past decade.
Leigh Bodden, CB: Unrestricted. Let him go. The Patriots secondary was bad and they need to completely retool save for Pro Bowl safety Brandon Merriweather. Sure, Bodden lead the team in interceptions with five, but three of those came all in one game against Mark Sanchez.
Derrick Burgess, DE/LB: Unrestricted. [...]