mgteich

My needs list in priority order is
#1 corner
#2 corner
#3 OLB
#4 WR
#5 ILB
#6 RB/FB
#7 OLB
#8 WR
#9 TE
==================================
We'll know a lot more in a month.

1) We'll see the tag list, including ours.
2) We'll see the combine, and combine analyses.
3) We'll see the free agent list, after the re-signs and the initial week of signings.

For example, I expect us to quickly re-sign Graham, Evans, Brown, Gardner, Seau, Mickens and Izzo. I would think that this would be a successful start. I expect Pass and Davis to retire. We could re-sign them first, or not. There is little cost.

I never expect the patriots to sign a major free agent. The last was Colvin. Of course, we could trade to meet one of our needs. Dillon and Caldwell certainly turned out well.

RayClay

Looks OK if some of those corners can play safety.

Of course you've got to draft where they drop, but that's quite possible where the value lies.

If we can get a real pass rusher/olb convert, I'd go a #1, though.

__________________

Deus Irae

Assuming that both Graham and Samuels return, the team's #1 priority in the offseason has to be inside linebacker. The team needs to find a way to get 2 ILBs who can play this season, so they can move Vrabel back outside. They also need to start looking for another true left tackle. After that, I'd look safety. If Samuels doesn't return, I'd look corner before safety.

mr3putt

I want Adalius Thomas and a stud ILB in the draft.
CB and Safety can be adressed later in the draft.
If a Wide Receiver is available through FA then pick one up as well

BelichickFan

#1 corner - Only if Samuel leaves.
#2 corner - Absolutely not, Hobbs is fine.
#3 OLB - ILB is a much bigger need.
#4 WR - Agreed, we need another upside guy to go with Jackson.
#5 ILB - Should be much higher.
#6 RB/FB - Only if Dillon leaves.
#7 OLB - This is the right place for OLB.
#8 WR - If Troy's back, the filling #4 ends this.
#9 TE - Should be higher unless you're assuming Graham is back.

I don't understand your LB thing at all. We need a #3 guy to replace TBC but that's it. Maybe you're assuming Vrabel will move inside but I doubt that for next year.

On the CB/TE thing you seem to be assuming that Samuel leaves but Graham stays, that's the only way I can come to grips with these. I'm not nearly as optimistic about Graham as you are. I also have a feeling Dillon will come back.

BelichickFan

This is my list. I'm assuming Samuel/Graham/TBC all leave.

- CB.
- ILB (this could be fixed easily, short term, if Seau returns)
- S (we have lots of names, not many good players).
- S
- OLB (#3 rotation guy)
- TE
- ILB
- CB
- OLB (need a young guy to compete with Woods for future PT)
- WR
- QB (I expect Cassel to be traded in a year, draft a rookie to have a year in by then)

jbb9s

Even if Graham walks, I can't see a TE on the priority list. Between the two second year TEs, one of them will surely step up to be a good enough backup to Watson.

I dont see Cassell being traded. He hasn't thrown a meaningful pass since high school and although he has fantastic mechanics, no one has any idea, not even his college coach for four years, how that translates into gametime effectiveness. (maroney is one missed blitz pickup away from us finding out how good he can be.)

BelichickFan

Two TE offense, we need three good ones. Mills doesn't come close to being the #3 guy yet.

I think he will be in 12 months, not now. If we really have 5 preseason games in 2007 he'll get a little more (practice) game time.

jbb9s

Ok - fair points - Mills is basically a rook this year so his production is going to be limited. I agree. But I am optimistic that in the BB offense of 10 yard routes, we dont need him to be the next Gates to be a good addition. Plus as a #2 TE, he would probably have more blockng assignments than receiving opps.

At some point, the Pats need to retain a good 2nd starting QB - Brady has never missed a game in his career (only injury with missed time was AFC Championship game against Pitt 1st time around) and if he ever needs 4,5,6 weeks to recover from a future injury, it would be nice to have someone who could win half of those games.....so we don't lose seed position and face Manning in a dome. Point: keep Cassell - its an insurance policy worth having to save a season.

Daniel McJosh

You are exctly right with that being top priority. However, it may only be ONE corner, not two, if Samuel re signs.

Eugene Wilson can return to the corner position, a positin he played in college, and the original position he was drafted to play.

If that happens, then they can go after a free agent corner, such as Lucas, and/or go with one of their first round picks for a corner.

Then, with Samuel , Wilson, and another unknown corner, draft or FA, they are in preety good shape,both at cornerback, safety, and also inthe nickel and dime packages, with Hobbs as one of them, and perhaps Mickens, Scott, Tebucky Jones, Gay, etc.....

But, as you say, cornerback has to be a priority in the off season.