Seneschal2

Assessing team needs - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

Reiss mentions Pat Kirwan's view's on the needs of each AFC East team. Kirwan lists the Pats needs as:

OLB
S
ILB
RB
WR
OT
QB

I'm more interested in Mike's comments, as they make sense. Here's an excerpt:

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So not only are there contractual considerations for Belichick & Co. to consider-- but performance evaluations, potential retirements, injury statuses, and an overall roster upgrade, also factor into this year's draft selections. Accurately defining the Pats team needs is not easy for the average fan, especially when we consider all of the influencing factors that only BB is privy to.

__________________
"What we want to try to do is maximize each spot on the roster; we want to be stronger at No. 1 than the opponent, stronger at No. 25 than they are, and stronger at No. 53 than they are, we're always looking to upgrade the talent level on the team, and play together to be functional."
- Bill Belichick -

Ochmed Jones

I think this list is fair. I would still like to see CB help in case Bodden or Wilhite or Springs don't work out on the outside.

Synovia

You can only have so many players on the roster.

Seneschal2

I'm relatively certain a CB will be added. So far, the Pats have shown interest in a dozen CB prospects, which is the most at any position on the prospect visits/workouts list.

__________________
"What we want to try to do is maximize each spot on the roster; we want to be stronger at No. 1 than the opponent, stronger at No. 25 than they are, and stronger at No. 53 than they are, we're always looking to upgrade the talent level on the team, and play together to be functional."
- Bill Belichick -

mgteich

I agree with Mike's comments. Britton, Gilbert and Wood would be a more useful first three picks than picking from the first FIVE needs indicated by Kirwan. As Mike indicates, a more long term view is needed.

MORE OF THE COMMENTS FROM MIKE
Assessing needs requires a multi-layered view -- one that factors in the short-term as well as the long-term. With this in mind, I'd shuffle around the above list a bit by including the defensive line and offensive guard.

The reason I'd include defensive line is that Jarvis Green, Richard Seymour, Le Kevin Smith and Vince Wilfork all have contracts that expire after the 2009 season. At offensive guard, starters Logan Mankins and Stephen Neal, as well as top reserves Russ Hochstein and Billy Yates, have contracts that expire after the 2009 season.

So while the Patriots appear well stocked at those positions heading into the draft, the team's decision-makers must look ahead to the future as well.

bagwell368

the hardest positions to find in general are: LT, DL, QB

the need positions for '09 are: OLB, S, RG (Neal is getting old), I don't see ILB as a need because the crop is so lame, that BB will move AT inside sign Taylor, and draft one of the young bucks at OLB (he could try Matthews or Sintim as well who are both seen as possible ILB's.

because of the strong draft and our place in it, we can also address LT and DL this year.

Next year picking 32, 64, 96, etc. it will be very hard to find a DL or OT. We'll need to draft a TE, and CB (they are both so overpriced in FA).

We do need to add depth to either RB or WR this year, and then the other one the year after. They both make good special teams guys while they prep to step in.

Even with pitching some picks to '10 to build up our position, I think come season opener this will be our best roster ever by a good amount.

Synovia

If the CBA isn't renegotiated, Mike Wright and LeKev are both RFAs. I wouldn't be surprised to see one of Wilfork or Sey resigned after the draft, and the other one tagged next year.

Ochmed Jones

[QUOTE=bagwell368;1337818]I don't see ILB as a need because the crop is so lame,/QUOTE]

What does this mean? What does the supply of ILB's have to do with need?

Synovia

[QUOTE=Ochmed Jones;1337827]Everything. You don't draft a player who isn't worth the pick just because of need. Thats what Vet FAs are for.