Free Agency Tracker: Patience is a virtue, particularly when Belichick’s involved

“I’m  extraordinarily patient provided I get my own way in the end.

Margaret  Thatcher

A late winter temperature inversion has most of New England socked in with a fog so thick that you’d swear you were in London in the middle of a Sherlock Holmes mystery, desperately trying to uncover the villainous wretch who committed the crime.

Whodunit?  Well, on this misty and dim Tuesday in New England the answer to that is obscured in a fog that rivals the din on the streets – and it is not sitting well with New England Patriots’ fans.

December 9, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (24) gets ready to defend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Where are the moves?  Is Bill Belichick on his boat instead of in his office, deep in the guts of Gillette Stadium?  Why aren’t we hearing anything about potential Patriots’ free agent acquisitions?

Just like Maggie Thatcher, the “Iron Lady” of Great Britain, Bill Belichick is extraordinarily patient when it comes to personnel moves, and almost always gets his way.

Patience, Patriots’ Nation.

It’s understandable, the grumblings.  The fan base becomes envious when they see the greed and gluttony of the Seahawks and the Human Trafficking ring between brothers in Baltimore and San Francisco – when you see that the Miami Dolphins are tied to every free agent on the market and the frustration when you see Daniel Snyder in his never-ending quest to sign every free agent on the market…

…Truth being, Snyder has very little room under the cap, due to his transgressions in trying to pull the wool over the NFL’s eyes coming out of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Dolphins appear to be ready to sign just about any big name in their efforts to gain ground on the Patriots…and who cares what the 49ers a or Seahawks do?  At most, the Patriots would have to face one of them just once next season, and that would be in the Super Bowl.

And when given the chance to beat one team in one game, I’ll still take Belichick and the Patriots every day and twice on Sunday.

So with Free Agency now upon us, let’s take a look at what the few rumors and a little common sense tell us is about to happen, or at least what my twisted reason tells me what is about to happen:

* Pursue a slot corner: Aintoine Winfield was released by the Vikings on Tuesday afternoon in anticipation of Minnesota making a run at Mike Wallace.  Due $7 million, it was a no-brainer for them, but also left the excellent slot corner exposed to a needy Patriots squad to team with Aqib Talib and Alfonzo Dennard to form and imposing secondary;

* To Asomugha or not to Asomugha?: As predicted, the Eagles have released the former pro bowl corner and I fully expect the Patriots to be in the bidding for his services…perhaps DRC as well;

* Bolster the running game: As I’ve often opined, the Patriots need a return to the power running back of the championship years – and Steven Jackson is that back;

* Re-sign our own: Sebastian Vollmer’s knee surgery will bring his market down and the absolute glut of corners on the market will do the same for Aqib Talib’s though not quite as pronounced as Vollmer’s – Patriots’ fans should anticipate news of them being re-signed.  Wes Welker’s situation is a bit different…the volatitlity of the negotiations could turn his free agency period a different  matter all together;

* And speaking of receivers: Wallace?  Jennings? Amendola?  The receiver situation is fluid and though it shouldn’t be expected that the Patriots sign a big name, it’s not out of the question either.  Look for Stallworth to be re-signed and a lower tiered free agent to sign, perhaps someone like Tampa’s Arrelious Benn, a former #1 who is a stand out special teamer and has the tools and hands to be a deep threat in the Patriots’ system;

* Safety first: Look for a safety to emerge from the proceedings for New England.  Adrian Wilson is a name I’m looking for, perhaps a Quintin Mikell or they may want to go with a young gun, but someone to team with future pro bowl free safety Devin McCourty is essential;

Never forget:  This is Bill Belichick we’re dealing with here, and nothing should surprise any of us.  Trying to figure out what he’s going to do in Free Agency is a lesson in futility, but it sure is fun, though.

Stick with Chowder and Champions for continuous updates!