Holy trite homilies, Batman: if this isn't a Pioli guy, who is?
http://news.bostonherald.com/sports/...osition=recent
The race for free agent cornerback Leigh Bodden may be heating up, but defensive end Jarvis Green is just getting started.
Green and his agent, Albert Elias, sat back during the first few days of free agency, making phone calls and focusing on how teams would use him instead of taking visits. Tomorrow, expect the veteran Patriot to either begin taking trips to prospective employers or begin to finalize a deal to stay in New England.
Either way, Green hopes to land with a team who will use him as an inside, nickel rusher in the 3-4 scheme. That’s how he thrived as a Patriot, piling up 14 sacks combined in 2006 and 2007.
Elias believes Green, at 6-foot-3, 285-pounds, is the only available player in that role.
“We are in a unique, unique position to be a free agent,” Elias said yesterday. “We believe he was the only person in free agency in his role, a down lineman who can rush and have sacks in the 3-4 scheme. Numbers prove it. We weren’t worried Friday, because we knew there was nobody (like him). We’ve studied the market.”
It appeared Green was almost certain to leave the Patriots [team stats]. But Green is loyal to the team that found the role for him, and the Pats still have a need for it. His old team is involved.
“It was our job to interview teams, talk numbers, and determine how teams are really going to use him and if he’ll be able to be successful,” Elias said. “I like players finishing contracts. That’s why we’re still in the process of fielding calls. If he’s used in the way he wants to be, he can play as long as he wants.”
In addition, the Patriots will host a free agent coach Bill Belichick has always gushed over.
Josh Reed, a Buffalo Bills receiver, will visit the Pats today, a source told the Herald. Reed had career highs of 597 receiving yards on 56 catches in 2008. He was lost in 2009, making just 27 catches for 291 yards.
As for Bodden, the NFL Network reported that several teams are making a push, including the Steelers and Texans. The report said the Patriots are “trying hard” to keep the player who had five interceptions for them.