Another take on the off season roster build - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

ATippett56 · 01-26-2007, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oswlek

Of course you, I and probably the FO realizes that LB is a much bigger need than either of those positions, but if the right guy is there.....

Personnally, I would be very disappointed if the New England Patriots do not select a linebacker in the first round.

betterthanthealternative · 01-27-2007, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shirtsleeve

Nice first try at offseason strategy. Ignore the attacks. This place is rough. This team usually drafts on the value grouping philosophy. Spend some time over on the draft board for the next couple of months. You will understand better. And it wont make you feel any better. Because you will realize that although we may need a S, for instance, if there are no S that grade out at say 20-25 or higher on BB/SP's board, no S will be taken. If the only player left is say, TE, or LG, we will still take him. And you will see the team trade down if there are more than 5 left, or trade up a spot or two if the last in the group is about to get gobbled. Thats how we got Jackson last year. So drink some Pepto and venture forth, if you can stomach it.

Thanks shirtsleeve, appreciate the info, it's new to me. That's why I come here - to learn stuff and be entertained with new perspectives.

And as to the "attacks," I'm way too old to care, particularly from people I'll never meet and who apparently link their happiness to message board banter. Amazing, given how much we have to be thankful for just being in the priveleged position to be able to spend time on stuff like this.

***psychoPat*** · 01-27-2007, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBruinz

TBC is a UFA. I would be very surprised if the Pats brought him back, honestly.

....

Glad to have betterthanthealt trying his hand at this stuff.
I happen to agree with the corrections as to Bru and how value grouping operates.

I, though, would be very surprised if the Pats DO NOT bring Tully back.
We kept him as an ST-er for, what, 3 years.
TRAINING him all that time ... appraising him.
This past offseason, he was the reason the front office didn't freak out
to "replace" WMcG.

After playing more and more ... in the playoffs he finally gets a start.
He is not a highlights-reeler who can be expected to draw big offers from elsewhere.
So i think the Patriots' standard fair and reasonable offer keeps him here.

MrBigglesWorth · 01-27-2007, 05:15 PM

I read from Albert Breer that Bruschi has played out of position the past two years since Ted Johnson retired where Bruschi was forced to move to strongside linebacker. So if they get a strongside lb, then Bruschi can move back to the other inside position he excelled at. They honestly need a linebacker who can take on guards.

The defense is not that far off, they just need to inject a couple players this year and then a couple the following year. I will be itnerested to see if Pierre Woods makes a jump in year two. He has the size. Add some speed at lb and a safety IMO and they could be just as good as they were this year.

Fanfrom1960 · 01-27-2007, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBigglesWorth

I read from Albert Breer that Bruschi has played out of position the past two years since Ted Johnson retired where Bruschi was forced to move to strongside linebacker. So if they get a strongside lb, then Bruschi can move back to the other inside position he excelled at. They honestly need a linebacker who can take on guards.

The defense is not that far off, they just need to inject a couple players this year and then a couple the following year. I will be itnerested to see if Pierre Woods makes a jump in year two. He has the size. Add some speed at lb and a safety IMO and they could be just as good as they were this year.

That's not enough. What we want is as good as 2004.

modman · 01-28-2007, 11:25 AM

I think that it is unlikely that the Pats select a linebacker in the first couple of rounds. The Pats consider their 3-4 defensive system which heavily relies on very experienced and smart linebackers too complex for a rookie to pick up in less than 2-3 years. Any rookie linebacker is considered a "project" as far as the pats are cocerned and not worth a 1-2 draft pick where the expectation would be that they contribute immediatelly. I see them addresing the linebacker issue in FA or in a trade.