Foxboro Stadium may be covered in snow but things are heating up when it comes to the Patriots free agent work.
Some of that work may be described as due diligence as Belichick and staff reach out to any free agent who might be a positive addition to the team, but it is likely that some moves are imminent within the next couple of days. The Patriots have around $2 million worth of space underneath the salary cap meaning that free agents could be signed without cuts necessarily made.
True to their word, while the team has been busy meeting with players and on the phone with agents, the highest-priced names don't seem to be on the list. The Patriots have been focusing on mid-level free agents who might represent good value if they land in a system that fits their abilities.
Miami's Larry Izzo is one player who has been tendered an offer after a visit to Foxboro. The special teams Pro Bowler is one of a list of linebackers the Patriots are looking at including Mike Vrabel, the four-year Steeler who played in 15 games last season, mostly as a special-teamer.
Vrabel has visited with the Patriots as have Izzo, guard Pete Kendall formerly of Seattle and Anthony Pleasant, the defensive end who has been around the league with Cleveland, the Jets, Baltimore and most recently, San Francisco.
As for the Drew Bledsoe negotiations, they are ongoing with representative David Dunn, although no new information as to what stage they are in is known.
Stay logged on to Patriots.com for any official free agent announcements in the coming days.
