Peachhead

Sorry to get all 'Debbie Downer' on y'all: But until I see Bill O'Brien stop doing the Mike Martz impression I'm not very optimistic that our TE's will be anything more than skinny O-lineman or about team "toughness". Regardless of who's on the roster.

It isn't like we had chopped liver at TE last year (all-pro's no, but not practice squadders either), but I can count the pass plays designed for the TE last year on one hand. Yeah, that may be an exaggeration, but not by much.

Also, toughness isn't something you can turn on and off at will. If you spend all week in practice in a 5-wide shotgun formation 95% of the time (or practicing against it). You aren't going to react that well when your offense needs to just grind out the clock, or an opponent's O just lines up in an I formation and punches you in the mouth all day long.

DaBruinz

PFK - Great analysis. I only have one qualm. You're theory about the CBs doesn't hold up. In 2009, the Pats got 2 sacks from DBs. In 2003 and 2004, the Pats had 4 and 3 respectively. So, it's basically little difference.

There are 2 places that the Pats have bigger differences. At ILB where the Pats only got 3 this past year. The other is at the D-Line. In 2003 and 2004, the Pats got 14.5 sacks from the D-line. In 2009, the D-line only accounted for 7 sacks. That's a HUGE difference.

The reality is that the Pats have had the talent at all 3 positions degrade and are finally re-stocking it. All 3 areas remain a work in progress.

And for all those expecting a WR early in the 1st round for the 2011 draft, I'd put your money on a 3-4 DE instead.

JustWinBrady

there was a lack of leadership last year & i believe this off-season they have made an effort to address this with the signing of the veteran free-agents & the draft class. i believe 5 of the players drafted this year were team captains. i really like the last 2 draft classes & next years draft with two #1s & two #2s should lay the foundation of getting this team back to where it needs to be...

Boston Boxer

Watson was NEVER at consistant pass catcher. He would catch one a drop two...could be the reason we dont use the TE too much in the passing game. We will see in the next couple of years because whether you agree or not, the combo of Crumpler, Gronk, and Hernandez should be the best collection of pass catching TE in the league...for a very long time

patfanken

Peach, I was never Watson basher, but the fact is he was NEVER a smooth route runner or consistent pass catcher. Not a bust, but even though Crumpler doesn't have the speed Watson possessed, when you come to camp, you will notice right away how much smother and natural he is catching the ball and running routes. Gronkowski is "supposed" to be the best combination receiving/blocking TE in the draft, and Hernandez "supposedly" has Dallas Clark speed and receiving skill.

So given all that, if Bill Obrien STILL doesn't use the TE THIS year, then you are right, the offense will be less effective, and BB used 2 draft picks and a FA signing for nothing....and I don't see that happening.

rookBoston

Well, when you compare a front of Willie McGinest - Ty Warren - Ted Washington - Richard Seymour - Mike Vrabel to just about any front, you're going to see a dropoff. Those 5 were able to dictate play to any offense.

I'll tell you what, tho... Mayo and Spikes could shape up to be stronger and more dominant than Bruschi and TJ ever were on the inside. BB's defensive scheme has always been more about control than sacks. Not that running at Ted Washington was a good idea, but I think teams will struggle to inside run against us in 2010, which should put the ball in the air on third down... and hopefully make the Bulter and McCourty picks look like genius. We don't need all those sacks, we just need enough pressure to force the QB to release the ball just a bit sooner than he wants to... and maybe a little off balance would be nice.

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patfanken

I love it when you "stat" me. But I wasn't thinking that the DBs would be getting the sacks so much as that they will be CAUSING them with better coverages, and the fact that because we are deeper and more talented, the actual coverages we use can be more complex and difficult to read, thus leading to more sacks and picks

I'm also hoping that a healthier Ty Warren, and a fresher Mike White will add to the DL sacks that we didn't get last season. In fact the deeper DL that will come out of camp this season will allow for a fresher EVERYONE, which SHOULD make for more DL sacks and pressures....I hope

Deus Irae

That's where I had to stop reading.

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Fencer

Thanks!

Saved me the trouble.

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"To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness." -- Oscar Wilde

Fencer

It's a poor comparison head to head, because Spikes is a player very much in the mold of Bruschi, while Mayo is nothing like Ted Johnson.

But in terms of overall impact it's not crazy.

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"To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness." -- Oscar Wilde