DaBruinz

who the Pats should draft.

In the AFC Championship game, their defense gave up 38 points, 32 in a single HALF.

Their offense was good enough to put up 27 points and the defense got 7 for them as well.

So, where is the bigger issue? On OFFENSE where people claim the Pats need a BIG TIME WR (people have been saying that since 2001 and I have yet to see one on this team)? Or on DEFENSE, where our LBs are all 30+ except for Mays, Woods, and Alexander? Where our cornerbacks and safeties have a hard time staying healthy because of the physical game that the team plays?

Is there a possibility for the Pats to meet the needs on the offense and defense? Yes, but reality says that the chance is pretty remote.

The Pats need a serious influx of younger talent on defense at LB, CB and Safety.

Part of that "influx" could be handled by moving Eugene Wilson from Free Safety to #2 corner and drafting a free safety to learn from Hawkins and Harrison. Maybe Wilson will stop being so gunshy if he's just hitting on receivers, primarily.

But that still leaves Free Safety, Strong Safety (for behind Sanders) and Linebacker.

I wouldn't be surprised at all to see BB use 3 of the 4 top picks on the defensive side of the ball with the one offensive pick being either an OT or a RB like Brian Leonard.

Oswlek

I am in agreement of where the team needs the most help. One more reason that I would like to throw out there is that NE's top WRs (excepting Brown) are going to be able to work on strengthening their games rather than assimilating an offense.

This factor alone should increase the productivity of the WRs, but they could use some depth.

BradyManny

I agree with your assessment, DaBruinz.

The entire offense is pretty much set. Depending upon what happens with Graham, you think maybe we add on another TE late in the draft. And maybe we pick up an OL either as depth or upgrade. RB, WR, QB are set. Let's focus on that D.

Jimke

I agree that day one of the draft should be used to draft a cornerback,

linebacker, safety, and another defensive player in no particular order.

If a wide receiver or running back is the best player on day two, I could see

drafting a couple of offensive players but most of the draftees should be

on the defensive side of the ball.

I also hope that the Pats are more agressive in free agency and

don't wait a month before signing any players. Even if we have a super

draft, most of the draftees will not be ready to play for a couple of

years. We need immediate help on defense.

With regard to Wilson, he might be of some immediate help but

may be gone next year.

ATippett56

No argument there.

That's a huge leap of faith considering Eugene Wilson has not played an entire season at cornerback in the NFL. The better option would be to franchise Asante Samuel for one year to determine whether his 2006 NFL season was a fluke. Also, I would prefer if the Patriots drafted one cornerback on Day One of the 2007 NFL draft and another cornerback on Day Two of the 2007 NFL Draft.

AndyJohnson

I think BB is having a 2002-like revelation regarding his defense.
I think we have had success fitting draft picks in on the defense, moreso than most people recognize. Wilson, Samuel, Wilfork, Warren, Seymour all played big roles as rookies on SB champs, and Hobbs started half a year as a rook too.
The one spot it hasn't happened is LB, but we havent really drafted any.
I see absolutely no reason one 1st round LB couldn't step in and play a big role, it just has to be the right guy, not the kind of LB other teams draft in round 1 (small and fast) but a guy who fits our system.

I also think free agency is going to play a big part in tweaking this roster for next year.
BB has no problem bringing in top FAs as long as he is paying for what they will be rather than what they used to be, and there is a need.
I expect the LB corps to be overhauled as follows:
Vrabel and Colvin return at OLB and a quality 3rd OLb is found, developed or drafted.
Bruschi returns at ILB and bioth a vet and rookie are added.
The LB corp is rounded out by the role players.

Basically, we upgrade the aging Seau, find a competant backup so Vrabel can stay outside, and find a #3 OLB.

I think BB is not going to let Samuel go, because of the options to replace him, the relaitve cost compared to cap room, and the difficulty in starting over again at corner.

PaulNEPats

I agree that we don't need a Chad Johnson type receiver (although that would be nice!). However, we do need a mid-range #1 (like Deion Branch) that can be a go-to guy and commands double coverage. If we don't find someone that can offer this, we'll run into the same running problems that we did in the 2nd half of the season (even though LoMo ran into the rookie wall).

That said, while it's a big hole on the current roster, there is a larger one - Linebackers! We need some serious depth in this area, along with another Safety. We may need another CB too depending on what happens with Asante.

There are several holes that need to be filled, and it all starts with defense.

ATippett56

It's also time to let go Chad "Charred" Scott and Ray Mickens since these cornerbacks are in the twilight of their careers. Hopefully, Randall Gay will be offered a restricted free agent tender and will stay healthy for an entire season.

DaBruinz

Please show me where I said anything about NOT franchising Samuel in my original post.

ATippett56

In defense of my post, you did not explicitly state that you would franchise Asante Samuel for one year.