The Patriots have proven to be pretty shrewd when it comes to handling March’s free agency period, which kicks off tomorrow with two days of legal tampering, before officially opening Wednesday.
Of course, free agency doesn’t stop after what’s typically a wild and crazy first week, where most of the significant wheeling and dealing is done. Teams can sign free agents well beyond March and into the start of the season. Several of Bill Belichick’s best pickups were signed in August and September of 2011.
Just to drop a few names, Belichick landed defensive ends Andre Carter and Mark Anderson in August, then took care of the offensive line by bringing in Brian Waters that same year.