The New England Patriots surprised many with their decision to let Wes Welker go and to bring in wide receiver Danny Amendola to replace him, but the team has always seemed to make the right personnel decisions and that had led them to the offensive line and free agent Eric Winston.
According to ESPN.com, league sources told ESPN's NFL Insider Adam Schefter that the Patriots are interested in signing Kansas City Chiefs free agent offensive lineman Eric Winston to a contract. The team has an opening on the line with free agent tackle Sebastian Vollmer and Winston could slide in at the tackle position.
Winston was one of the highest-paid right tackles in the NFL, but the Chiefs cut him to create salary space and to help move on with the new regime of Andy Reid and John Dorsey. Winston is considered to be an above-average blocker and at 6-foot-7 and just over 300 pounds he is a force in the running game.
Winston has experience after starting 103 of 108 career games played and he was a stalwart for the Texans during the first part of his career. The Patriots might be able to get Winston for cheaper than Vollmer, who would likely want a deal that is close to the five-year, $34 million deal signed by Gosder Cherilus with the Colts.
Winston also has interest from the Dolphins, Eagles, Chargers and Cowboys and could be a hot free agent signing for the Patriots. The team ranked seventh in rushing yards last season and the line does an excellent job of protecting Tom Brady, keeping him off the turf and giving him time to throw down the field on a consistent basis. The addition of Winston would keep that trend going.
The Patriots have spent the week talking about the Welker deal and both owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick praised the receiver and also said that they had excitement about new signing Danny Amendola. Welker made 118 catches last season and is the first player to have 110 catches in five seasons, but he will now play with Peyton Manning in Denver.
