Patriots gridiron news: Re-signing Rex Burkhead a top priority
With NFL free agency just a month away, the New England Patriots will have decisions to make on key players such as running back Rex Burkhead.
The New England Patriots have to make decisions on three of the top 25 free agents hitting the market. The team could afford to let all three walk a long as they re-sign their possible replacements.
One of those players is versatile running back Rex Burkhead.
With Dion Lewis expected to move on due to his reported asking price, a player like Burkhead could step in and fill his role. Not only does his versatility make him the perfect Patriots player, his market value should make him affordable.
After signing a one-year deal with the team in 2017, Burkhead battled injuries throughout the season. When healthy, he showed how effective he could be within the offense and on special teams. Did he do enough to show he is worth a longer deal?
With a perceived value of $3.3 million per year, his market price may not be worth the risk. Of course, like other players in the past, the Patriots will let Rex Burkhead test the market and come back to them for potentially less.
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That strategy worked with Julian Edelman and LeGarrette Blount on two separate occasions. Burkhead has less production than both of those players, so inking a deal with him should not be a problem unless the team feels they can find more production for even lesser value.
Otherwise, bringing Rex Burkhead back seems like a top priority because of the dual roles he can play as an offensive weapon and special teams performer.
Devin McCourty undergoes offseason shoulder surgery
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One of the New England Patriots captains and defensive leaders had surgery on Wednesday.
According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Devin McCourty underwent a “clean-up” procedure on his shoulder. Described as minor surgery, the procedure shouldn’t affect the 30-year-old safety’s readiness for the 2018 season.
While there is no exact cause of the injury, McCourty did appear on the injury report in Week 17, but played throughout the playoffs and in Super Bowl LII. Like the rest of the Patriots’ defense, McCourty struggled. Now one has to wonder if the shoulder injury played a role in his ineffectiveness.
Tom Brady has the best-selling jersey, according to NFL.com
Over a week after losing Super Bowl LII, Tom Brady remains on top when it comes to NFL merchandise sales.
Data acquired by NFL.com revealed the New England Patriots quarterback as the top-selling jersey amongst NFL players. The surprising detail about the data are the states where Brady is popular. The region of New England aside, the 40-year-old quarterback is very popular in states like New York, Florida and Indiana.
What do those states have in common?
Next: New England Patriots: 3 Reasons Rex Burkhead is the Perfect Patriot
Well, the Patriots top rivals reside in those states. Yes, that’s right. The New York Giants and Jets, the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts.