SCPatBoy

The addition of A. Thomas would defenitely give our defense a much needed shot in the arm. The biggest question mark on our Defense now becomes the Safety Position. We could certainly use a young playmaker back there. Hobbs and Samuel form a formidable CB tandem.....Rodney will be back, but his age and injuries have to have taken a toll on him. Wilsonand Hawkins aren't long term answers. If we can get a playmaking Safety back there our defense could be the best we might have seen. After Safety, I think depth at LB, especially ILB and CB are th emost obvious needs.

BigMike

Agreed - we need a younger, healthier version of Rodney. Too bad Ed Reed isnt a FA!

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Bobs My Uncle

We have actual starting caliber players at all positions on this team except WR. At that spot we have a bunch of backups pretending to be starters. Hopefully a real starting WR is added to this team.

pats1

That will be addressed through the draft, and not through free agency.

signbabybrady

I think WR is our biggest need now. while we need some future talent at safety Wilson Rodney Hawkins and Sanders are more than adequate for th eupcoming season

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Remix 6

actually LB is still a need..Thomas isnt young either and we have no quality depth who can step in and start

1. we need 1 person to replace Bruschi soon.. -- Thomas takes over Seau

Vrabel - 32
Bruschi - 34
Colvin - 30
Thomas - 30

Fabolous.

I wouldn't right off Wilson so quickly. He is a more than capable starter level safety in the NFL, if he stays healthy (as with every player). He might not be Ed Reed, but who is?

I'm much more concerned about Rodney. Can he stay healthy? What shape is he in even if he doesn't suffer another injury?
We need a young safety. Rodney had a presence as a hard hitter. We missed that when he was hurt last year. Thats why I can't say how much I'd like to see someone like Reggie Nelson get picked up in the draft this year.

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salty

I agree that safety is big, and I'd like to see a veteran acquisition along the lines of Ken Hamlin or Deon Grant.

However, I think WR is perhaps even a bigger need. I'd argue, as others have, that we are missing a starter from that position. So I'd really like to see them bring somebody in. It looks like Curtis is out of the question, given how much interest he has garnered. Drew Bennett has raised some eyebrows too.

A guy I have not heard much about since free agency started is Donte Stallworth. He might be somebody to target, if his contract expectations were to come back down to Earth a bit.

Otherwise, I wouldn't mind a shot at Justin Gage from Chicago, and DJ Hackett from Seattle might actually be worth the second round pick it would take to get him (he's a restricted free agent).

SCPatBoy

I think WR is key also...We might have a young good one in Chad Jackson....His ACL isn't as bad as believed, and I think there ar ea couple of FA opportunities out there to hold us over. I just cant get th esting and taste out of my mouth that our Offense(Which was Painful to watch at times last year) was able to put up plenty enough points in the AFC Championship game to win it. Our defense could barely even slow down the Colts in the second half, it was as if they could score at will. It was one of the most painful things I ever seen as a Pats fan . I still see vulnerability on our defense. Th eline is young and good. The Linebackers with Thomas are improved, but Bruschi was manhandled on the inside all last year and we still need to get younger there. CB is good, but Safety is old and often injured on one side and young and, not very impressive on teh other side. I just we are a Top Level Safety away from having one of the best defenses next year if not the best.

salty

I'd rather they not rely on Rodney OR Wilson. Eugene hasn't done much of anything since 2004, so I'm really questioning whether he should even be on this team anymore. Rodney is a great leader and should certainly be kept around for that, but his body is clearly wearing down and its not unreasonable to question whether he has another full season left in him.

James Sanders is a viable starter, IMO. Artrell Hawkins is great as a backup, but I'd rather not have him as a primary starter. Thats why I'd like to see somebody else brought in. A draft pick might fit the bill, but given the football intelligence it seems to require to play safety for this team, I'm thinking maybe a veteran would be better. Then use the draft for depth on defense, particularly at linebacker (since all our starting LBs will be over 30).