VJCPatriot

I think it became evident after this game that the Pats simply ran out of healthy untired players. Why else would a guy like Eric Alexander be asked to cover deep? The Pats need at least 2 legit corners. Samuel is one of them. They need to draft another.

Losing Seau and Rodney for this game doesn't show up on the scoresheet of course but those were huge loses. Addai was getting too many big runs on the inside mainly because we had to shift Vrabel outside and thus lost some quality tackling ability in the middle.

The Pats also need to add another RELIABLE receiver that can get separation into the mix. Brady had to force that throw in the end because nobody was open. Caldwell dropped a couple of catchable balls that could have turned into TDs. I'm not going to vilify Caldwell because he has been a trooper but we definitely need to UPGRADE over him. And who knows if Troy is gonna hang em up.

So we need CB, LB, WR. And maybe look for an LT to upgrade over Light if he is available. The Pats need depth all over the place. And they also need a successor to Harrison who has not been able to stay healthy lately and also isn't getting any younger.

Free agents I'd go for are Briggs and Stallworth. I'd also resign Samuel to make sure we keep that piece of the puzzle. Hobbs did not look like a #1 out there and Samuel seemed to be the only guy who could cover anyone.

Sure the Pats hurt themselves with penalties and that partly cost them the game. But the fact also remains that we could not stop the Colts with our D in the second half and we could not sustain drives to kill the clock when we had possession with a 3 point lead and the chance to put the game away.

So that's what I think we need to do this offseason. We can't afford to be passive in the free agent game any longer. What would be your BLUEPRINT to rebuild?

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MrTibbs

Well it's time to say goodbye to Teddy, Rodney, and maybe Geno Wilson. We haven't had healthy safeties for who knows how long. We could also use a reliable WR. Banta Cain should only be a situational type LB. It's obvious teams keyed on him and attacked his side of the defense. He's proven that he CAN NOT hold the point of attack and surrenders too much ground. I'm proud that they went this far this season with the suspect talent the played with. It's time to get some athletic as well as "smart" team first oriented players.


The time is now, Brady isn't getting any younger.

chunkypony

We already did rebuild. That was what this year was all about. We are going into NEXT year a rebuilt team.

KontradictioN

I think we already have a good receiver in the making in Chad Jackson. I'd like to see maybe a key free agent signing of a deep threat though (whomever is available because it was obvious that losing Branch hurt our deep chances this year). I love Bruschi but he's aging and is also still recovering from a stroke. Like the thread starter said, I'd love to see Briggs on the squad next year. The number one spot we need to concentrate on is cornerback though. Rivers wasn't far off when he said that Hobbs is the worst in the league. I'd keep Hobbs for kick return purposes and maybe back-up if someone at corner gets hurt. But we need to improve the cornerback position either through the draft or free agency.

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CREDIT - Sicilian

IcyPatriot

I would love to see brady get that shoulder repaired.

Too much work and pain ... so what if he misses part of the season.

I keep saying this he owes us nothing...they have all given us a ton.

We need young LB's, a young stud SS, and a stud CB.
We can get 3 of these in our 1st 3 picks if Pioli is on and we will.

Remix 6

get LBs, CBs, WRs, possibly a tackle

VJCPatriot

I'd disagree. We had a partial rebuild but it's obvious that there are still holes to fill. For example once Rodney goes down we have no safeties.

When we lost Seau we had to play an unproven Alexander at LB who got burned for a big pass play that set up the last Colts TD.

We lost Deion Branch to free agency and we haven't replaced him yet.

If you think we are still smelling like roses and don't need to rebuild I'd like to know what rose tinted glasses you are wearing.

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PatsWorldChamps

exactly right

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"If you didn't know better, you'd think the Jets sent Bill Belichick north
to destroy the Patriots from within. (When) they could have had
impact players David Terrell or Koren Robinson or the second-best tackle in
the draft in Kenyatta Walker, they took Georgia defensive tackle Richard
Seymour, (who is) too tall to play tackle at 6-6 and too slow to play defensive end." - Xerox Borges, April 2001

chunkypony

Im not wearing rose tinted glasses, im just looking at this from the other side of the arguement. I think that with how we started the season, with all the turmoil in the recieving corps, the MLB question mark, the lack of a decent play caller, etc., the patriots had a great season. We worked out a lot of the kinks we had MID-SEASON, and made it to within 4 points or the superbowl.

Im not saying we didnt get outplayed in the 2nd half tonight, and im not saying we dont have holes to fill, but this team far exceeded my expectations that I had for them this (which I liked to think of as a "rebuilding") season.

NEPatriot

I wouldn't say rebuild, but clearly we have some holes. I like were we are at WR. That's not to say we couldn't add a veteran WR or draft pick. I think clearly our main needs are at DB and LB. I think the offense is in good shape.