Offseason Business

I know, I know. We still have a lot of football left to play. Who's thinking ahead to March already? *slowly raises hand* 
I know we still have one game left to play in the regular season and then the post-season (which I hope carries into February for us :P), but the Patriots' executives are already looking ahead to the offseason. Every offseason brings new demands. As we all know, the Patriots aren't usually very big spenders. Over time, you kind of (have to) get used it. After all, at the end of the day, the NFL is a business. Sometimes, okay a lot of the time, fans get too "emotionally attached" to players, who eventually wind up leaving, for whatever reasons.  That's what happened to me with Welker. He was the player that got me so interested in football. I always tell the story of how I remember watching his final game as a Dolphin, his first game as a Patriot, and every game since. He was my absolute favorite player (but that changed after his suspension for PEDs). While most fans would love for their respective teams to bring back nearly every player season after season, that will simply never happen...whether it's due to failure to reach an agreement on a contract/salary or behind-the-scenes issues and disagreements. 

This offseason, the Patriots have plenty of work to do. First and absolutely foremost, get Revis resigned. I know he's technically signed through next season, but there is no way the Pats are picking up his $20 million option. His deal also prevents the Patriots from being able to franchise tag him. If he's allowed to test to the market, he's more than likely gone. So as soon as New England's season comes to a close (no rush, though!), both sides need to lock themselves in a room, and get a multi-year deal done. Second matter of business: locking up McCourty for a few seasons. He wants to stay in New England, and most everyone on the Patriots' side (fans, execs, Coach, and teammates) want him back, as well...ehh, except for my grandpa but that's another post, for another day. 

Biggest offseason needs, whether they're addressed via free agency or the draft: 
>  a replacement for Nate Solder. Because in my opinion, he. is. gone. 
>  we still need to find that solid, #2 tight end. Gronk has been fantastic this year, but when he's banged up or an opposing defense manages to make him a non-factor, we're back to just our ground game and Jules or LaFell. We still don't use Tim Wright enough. Maybe he still hasn't fully grasped the playbook yet, maybe Brady and/or McDaniels don't trust him enough, yet - who knows. But signing another tight end to take some of the load off of Gronk would be in everyone's favor. 
>  Resign Shane Vereen. I think his versatility is more valuable to our offense than a lot of people realize. He's not the strongest tuck-it-and-run-up-the-middle-runner, but hey, he was never supposed to be. He's primarily a third-down back, and is great at catching passes out of the backfield, for short yardage gains. That may have made it sound too simple, but without Shane Vereen these past 2 seasons, I don't even want to think about where we would be. 
>  Bring back Dan Connolly. After all of the offensive line issues we've had to endure this season, I don't even want to think about this same unit, minus Dan Connolly. That's just scary. It's going to be hard to sell me on the idea of letting Connolly walk and bringing in someone new, yet again. 
>  Resign Gostowski. I think this one definitely happens. Unless Gostowski wants too much or the Patriots are just too cheap. But they have to acknowledge that over the past few seasons, Gost has earned a pretty nice contract. 
>  Belichick and staff need to decide whether or not they believe in Gray and Blount to permanently (and successfully) fill the RB position, from here on out and over the next couple seasons. If not, I'm on board with signing Stevan Ridley to a one-year, "prove it" deal. 
>  adding one more wide receiver to Brady's arsenal. Someone like Edelman and somewhat like Amendola, except more durable... Devon Wylie comes to mind. 
>  to be very general, the entire offensive line is the unit that needs to be reevaluated and addressed, most. Stick with Connolly-Stork-Wendell-Vollmer as our main guys, and build around that group. This season we've seen a lot of different OLine combinations, partly due to injuries, which is understandable. They play a contact sport, injuries are bound to happen. What's most disappointing/frustrating to me, is our lack of depth when it comes to the offensive line positions. Sure, we have guys to step in and fill the positions when needed; but if they can't do what they're getting paid to do, they're just filling a roster spot, in my opinion. 

*will update post later*

As always, go Patriots!