Let freedom ring

The NFL's free-agent superstore is open for business as of today. The 2010 football season has officially begun! It's been about a month since the Saints beat the Colts in a thrilling Super Bowl. Four weeks without much football news. That was a long enough break for me.

This year's free agent shopping season takes place under the shadow of the "uncapped year" that Nostradamus predicted back in the 16th century. For someone without an economics or law degree -- or a physics degree -- I think I have a good grasp on what the uncapped year means and the even more ominous sounding "Final League Year!" But here's a good Q&A on the subject http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d815da1d2&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

I don't expect the Patriots to land any of the big names out there. There's been lots of talk about Julius Peppers of the Panthers coming here for more than a year. He'd bring the pass rush the Pats badly need but he'll be too costly. Way too costly. But there are some players I'd like to see the Pats add to their roster (which certainly is in rough shape as of this moment) that would not break the bank. After all, they need that money in the bank to give to Vince Wilfork and Tom Brady. At least that's what I hope they do with all the money they have not spent on players recently.

Free agents that I'd like to see the Pats make a run for:

• Darren Sproles, RB, of the Chargers. He could replace Welker as a kick returner and can bring a new dimension to the offense similar to what Reggie Bush brings to New Orleans. He's a weapon that Brady would sure know how to use. Worried about our receiving corps? How about Moss, Edelman, Faulk, and Sproles.
• Jeremi Johnson, FB, of the Bengals. Get a fullback! Johnson is a load at 275 pounds. Put this guy in front of Maroney (who showed he might still become the player he was in college) and Fred Taylor and you give your offense a whole different attitude. I don't like football teams without fullbacks. Never have.
• Aaron Kampman, DE/LB, of the Packers. A two-time Pro Bowler with the proverbial great motor. He would make a solid replacement if the Pats lose Jarvis Green. He can play the end in the 4-3, a formation I'd like to see the Pats play more of.
• Darren Sharper, S, of the Saints. What are the odds the veteran will leave after winning a title in the Crescent City? Probably pretty small. But Sharper is the kind of player the Pats are in desperate need of. A veteran leader who can still make plays. He's what Rodney would still be if Rodney hadn't suffered all those injuries in the last three years of his career. Belichick should call Sharper and offer him a good chunk of that money in the bank.

Those are just a few names of guys that could fill holes -- and then some -- for the Patriots. We'll see just how deep the Pats wade into the free agent pool. Before they even put on their trunks they need to take care of their own business. Namely... Vince Wilfork. If they let Wilfork walk away then this blog could go dark for a while. It would be a big mistake. A nose tackle-size mistake. The guy has busted his back for this team for six years. He plays the game hard. He forces the offense to commit two, sometimes three guys to blocking him. He's a leader and a solid citizen. Make him the highest paid guy at his position and do it fast.

And then take care of guys like Leigh Bodden, Kevin Faulk, Tully Banta-Cain, and Stephen Neal. That would be a very good start to the 2010 season. Which has finally arrived!