mgteich

A) We have very limited resources this year, given our needs. And yes, I know that we will add to the free agency monies by restructures and extensions. But still, we have two positions that have ONE player we can count on: cornerback and wide receiver.

OFFENSE
B) We need to take care of business and re-sign Edelman, Woodhead and Thomas. These three are valuable parts of our team. Hooman should be re-signed or tendered; the TE position is crucial to us, and ALL of our TE's have injury histories.

C) We need to find wide receivers. We start with Lloyd and Edelman. Certainly one approach is to sign one or two midlevel (or one top level receiver), our usual half-dozen JAG's, and one draftee. That would give us Lloyd, free agent, Edelman, draftee, free agent (or Ebert), Slater. The trick is to act quickly in free agency, and likely overpay a bit.

D) We can sign a backup OT, as always, or perhaps even a potentially starting RT.

E) We'll bring in a DL or two, as we always do.

F) The above is doable. This is pretty much business as usual. In the end, we hope that the increase in production from our top youngsters (hopefully who are more healthy this year) will offset the loss of Welker and Vollmer.

DEFENSE

G) Let's take care of business and re-sign Arrington and Cole. We can look to upgrade after the middle of March. They are adequate nickel and dime backs respectively (along with the possibility of Dowling contributing in those roles).

H) Why are we panicking at SAFETY? We have McCourty who is a fine free safety. We have Gregory and Wilson competing for reps. Wilson looked OK last year. He may be ready to start, or not. This is certainly not our weakest position. SURE, we need an addition, but we may already have our long-term starters. Depending on how Belichick evaluates Wilson, we should consider drafting and/or signing a free agent safety. But this is a MINOR resource issue. Given what is available in the draft, and the fact that we have McCourty and Wilson, a
signing of a top safety is just not prudent.

I) We could use a LINEBACKER. However, I would prefer to see how Hightower develops. We do need a 4th linebacker. In any case, this again is not a high-priority use of resources.

J) PANIC and/or FOCUS on the CORNER position.
If we have taken care of business, we have Dennard, Arrington, Cole, Dowling and Williams.
To me, we are short TWO CORNERS, and corners are expensive. Personally, I would tag Talib, sign a mid-level corner and sign a couple of JAG's for camp competition.

K) So, what about the DL? We may not have resources to help much. A top DE pass-rusher is top TEN material. A top DT pass rusher should be top 20. Free agents are also expensive.
We've added Armstead and Vega. I'm fine with drafting a DL with our first or second pick, but I suspect that WR and DB's will be much higher on our priority list when the draft comes. Besides, DL quality comes higher in the first round.

BOTTOM LINE

TAG Talib.

RE-SIGN Edelman, Woodhead, Thomas, Hooman, Arrington and Cole. We would then be ready to start free agency.

SIGN MORE THAN ONE FREE AGENTS at corner and wide receiver.

SIGN FREE AGENTS at backup OT, backup S, and backup ILB.

DRAFT priorities will change based on free agency. The top picks are likely to be wide receivers and defensive backs, UNLESS a top pass-rusher is somehow available.

patsinthesnow

Ravens 28 Patriots 13

Would a late 1st/2nd round OL or spending significant cap on OL changed that score? No.

Would a late 1st/2nd round DL (DE or DT) or spending significant cap on DL changed that score? No.

Would a late 1st/2nd round WR or spending significant cap on WR changed that score? Yes.

Would a late 1st/2nd round S or spending significant cap on S changed that score? Yes.

Would a late 1st/2nd round CB or spending significant cap on CB changed that score? Yes.

Terrance Williams, Johnathan Cyprien, Johnathan Banks help us win that game. Johnathan Cooper, D.J, Fluker, Datone Jones, not so much.

Patriot Missile

Healthy Gronkowski,Talib, drafted wr or two,safety would help out quite a bit.

mgteich

You ask strange questions. Of course, no draft draft choice this year would change last year's score. The draft is about the future. You remind me of celtic fans of old who devoted the offseason to be able to beat the team they lost to. Well it doesn't quite work that way in the nil. Figure out how to beat BALT and we will need to beat DEN, HOU and PITT next year.

There is almost no question that our top two priorities as of now are at WR and CB. You believe that the need at S is on a par with these two. We will likely draft or pick up a safety, but we do have two starters and a solid backup, hardly the same urgency as wide receiver and corner.

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It is interesting that you put the straw man of the OL first. But, I do not believe that the OL is as good without Vollmer and Thomas, and yes, I do believe that this turns into points. BTW, I accept that Vollmer should be gone. Signing a backup RT and OG (Thomas isn't exactly spending a lot on the OL.

If you think that we shouldn't draft a DL for the future, you are free to that opinion. The following are on their contract year: Ninkovich, Deaderick and Cunningham.

manxman2601

So you are saying that an improved running game and a pass rush wouldn't have helped win that game? I'm afraid I disagree.

And more importantly, I don't want a draft designed to win a game that's already taken place. I want a draft that improves us for the next 5-8 years.

JackBauer

Would rather get someone like Kyle Juszczyk out of Harvard. If we want a fourth TE, we should get someone who can either a.) block or b.) catch.

supafly

Is Love also one of those on his contract year too? I thought that I remembered both Love/Deaderick this year but I could be wrong.

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Patiently waiting to defend the next "bubble" player in this summer's training camp.....

manxman2601

How about both? Just a thought

JackBauer

Sorry, just meant that I have little use for a player that can do neither. Obviously both would be optimal

supafly

I'm also seeing the love for Hooman a bit overrated, although that may also depend on what the future plans for Fells are too.

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Patiently waiting to defend the next "bubble" player in this summer's training camp.....