PATRIOT64

Is there anyone outside of PFT that beleives that we take an Offensive Tackle with the first pick?

I say absolutely not and would be a wasted top pick,Someone there thinks our OL needs work,I say that is the least of our needs right now..That would be a boner pick IMO.

GoWhalers

In my mind, right tackle and maybe right guard are areas for potential improvement

Some people have a pretty high opinion of O'Callaghan -- they might be right. But he's still an injury concern, and how good is Kaczur? Neal is a solid player who's established a starting position for himself, but you're not going to hear about Pro Bowl nominations for him.

I agree that these aren't the two areas of greatest need, by any stretch. But if a great tackle/guard fell to us at 24? A Mankins II or that tackle for the Chargers? Who knows....all I know is that it would be nice to have some maulers in there for Maroney!

tedy hagler

I agree an OL with the 1st pick would be a waste. Patriots ripped off 34 points and still lost the AFC championship. The problem is on the defensive side of the ball.

solman

If the best value available is clearly an OT, we shouldn't hesitate. I admit that as a fan, I wouldn't be happy, but being smart is what has won the Pats so many championships.

ATippett56

For what it's worth:

http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=630101

"I shook Ben Grubbs hand and I'm still waiting for my wrist to heal. Dude has some serious paw strength. He got a lot of attention from the Patriots and Falcons."

Crazy Patriot Guy

As others said, OL is certainly not our biggest need but I don't look at it as a finished product that couldn't stand to be improved if the right player fell.

Also, I doubt the Patriots are basing their draft strategy on just the AFC Championship game. They'll look at every player of the entire season to decide where we need to improve and who needs to stay or go.

signbabybrady

I think you bring up some good points in your post.

1st while I agree ol shouldnt be considered a need if the rigth player fell that you cant ingnore than take him. The game is won in the trenches plus those guys protect Brady.

2nd your point about the pats FO not going by the AFC championship game is valid and I think some people on here forget how good the Colts offense is, and would like to think that the LBs are to blame and that our De needs a complete overhaul just because of the last half in indy. They forget how well the "old guys" played throughout the season.

__________________

tedy hagler

Good points. But the fact remains that the Patriots D-line was not just outplayed in Indy, but also in San Diego, where repeated video replay showed the surprising results of running right at Richard Seymour, usually for gobs of yardage.

Not saying we need a complete overhaul by any stretch (and the above comment reflects as much on the linebackers as Seymour). Patriots defense was number 2 I believe in the most important stat: points allowed. But I would like to see some tweaking along the lines of what others have posted on other threads.

Again, O linemen are always key, but I think defense needs more attention now.