mgteich

We will draft an OG and a DE early. Belichick seems to believe that the early part of the draft is the place to fill these positions. So, for me, I will just BELEIVE that these two needs will be met in the first or second round. I also think that Belichick is comfortable that he can fine veteran corners if he can't re-sign Bodden. He might bring in 2-3 to compete for Wheatley's spot and the open spot if Bodden isn't re-sign. Again, this is something that Belichick does almost every year.
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We may have wishes for upgrades at lots of positions (RB and ILB come to mind), but WR and OLB are both a mess. We also need a TE.
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The wide receiver position is a disaster. We have Moss (who is not allowed to be injured) and Edelman, a backup slot back who has had a couple fo injuries in the past year. We may have 8 WR's on the roster, but only Moss and Edelman should be counted on to contribute greatly in 2010 as receivers.

At OLB we have Ninkovich, Crable and Woods (presuming that we keep him), unless you think Thomas is playing for us again. Banta-Cain and Burgess are UFA's.

BillBelichickFan79

I'd like to load up OLB through the draft b/c I don't really see us making a play for a Peppers, Merriman, Dumervil. Maybe we kick the tires on Peppers b/c he is an UFA, but I doubt we are willing to give him the type of money he's going to want.

As for WR, we have Moss on one side, Edelman sliding into the slot role of Welker. I see the need for a guy who can split out wide opposite of Moss.

I'd like to see us acquire proven pro talent via free agency or a trade. I don't think we need another deep threat after the Galloway fiasco. I think we need a physical presence in the intermediate passing game who will work the middle of the field and sacrifice his body to make the catch. Someone like an Anquan Boldin who is physical, tough, fights through coverage, and will do whatever it takes to make the catch.

It was evident in the Ravens game that Aiken is not capable of this, and Moss isn't a guy that loves going over the middle.

BelichickFan

OLB is depressing.

WR ? It's not what it was but, good god, we have one of the best WR in the game. He had better numbers than Reggie Wayne who doesn't suck. We need to speed up the process of adding another now that Welker is out but some of us wanted to do that anyway to prepare for Moss being gone in 2011. Moss, Edelman and a new guy, either a FA or draftee, will be a pefectly fine, non depressing group. Great ? No. 2007 ? No. Depressing ? Absolutely not.

Now . . . if Moss retires, different story.

mgteich

If Moss is injured, we can depend on Edelman, Stanback, Aiken.

Obviously, I will be fine when we find three midlevel free agent wide receivers. But for now, we have a severe need at this position.

We cannot have Moss be the only wide receiver threat. It just doesn't work.

KontradictioN

Merriman has seemed to turn it on again, and I'm feeling sorry for saying that the Pats shouldn't make a play for him the middle of the year. He'll need a new contract, but I don't see a problem with bringing him in to play OLB. The guy is a pass rushing threat and can also set the edge.

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BelichickFan

If the season started tomorrow it would be depressing. I guarantee you we will sign or draft 1-2 guys that have a good shot to really help. Edelman will take a big step up heading into his second year and I expect Welker back at midseason. But even without Welker something like Moss, Golden Tate, mid level FA, Edelman is a solid group. And Brandon Tate isn't known to be gone either.

BillBelichickFan79

I feel the same way about Merriman coming in. I wanted him at the trade deadline when the Chargers were reportedly shopping him around because I thought it was a classic buy low scenario. He just needed some time to get back to full health. And I don;t even think he's fully there yet.

But now that he will be a RFA it's hard to see the Pats signing him. If we could've had him at the deadline for a 2nd round pick, I would've done it. Then again that was just speculation by Schefter.

Reckedtrek

One thing about BB is just when you think you know how he's going to draft or not draft, he does something unexpected. So the OG/DE is not a certainty. Maybe he'll draft a punter with #22 overall- who knows? We have 4 picks in the first 2 rounds- so even if he does get an OG and DE, he still has 2 more picks to go after 2 other areas of need. If we end up with a DE, an OG, an OLB and say a RB with our first 4 and they actually turn out as good overall as our picks this past year? I don't see where the gloom is coming from. Granted that's alot of if's- I'll give you that.

At WR, we have Edelman to cover Welker's role until the PUP players can come back- I think Welker will be on PUP to start the season. But your guess and mine are just that, guesses- unless you have some inside info to the contrary? So Edelman covers for Welker for weeks 1-6, Moss I can see (as he's getting older) starting off as a #1, then maybe as the season moves along, spread it out more- but with whom? We need to pick up a guy similar to Stallworth, someone fast but rugged. Maybe we'll see something out of Tate this coming season, if not they'll have to get someone in- I'd guess a FA not through the draft, and hopefully it doesn't end up like this year.
If we get that one other quality receiver, that leaves us with Moss, Welker, Edleman, and the fourth WR. Disaster? I don't see it that way.

At OLB we have Ninkovich and Banta Cain. Crable would be nice if he works out, but I'm not banking on it. I don't see Thomas being here, and Burgess- probably not. I see one of our first 4 picks as an OLB. Having said that we'll probably draft none or 3. But even if we draft a stud, we'll need another quality OLB. In this case, a Vrable like signing would be best- a "no name" under valued on his team. In a weird way TBC was almost like that, but he's not good enough and not a leader, but he surprised alot of people this year in a good way. But we need leaders big time. We need Vrable II.

Other needs: TE, RB, maybe ILB. Maybe because do we know what we have with McKenzie? Probably not. Hopefully BB and the staff do have a good idea. If McKenzie and Guyton are our depth , we need someone beside Mayo if we're going 3-4. If we go more 4-3 it's not as crucial.


So I see it like this and I have no inside info, just a guess.

Let's say you're right about DE and OG and CB in FA.

1 - DE
2A- OLB
2B- OG
2C- RB
4- TE
(remaiing picks and draft FA's??? who knows- maybe we get Edleman part 2 and a punter?)

WR- FA
CB -FA (hopefully they can keep Bodden)
ILB- FA

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Nonentity

We certainly need a 3rd receiver to complement the deep threat (Moss) and slot receiver (Welker/Edelman). This receiver needs to be able to run every route and achieve consistent separation from single coverage.

Could Brandon Tate be that guy? Maybe. But we don't know what we have with him. Someone modelled on Anquan Boldin would be ideal, e.g. Aurelius Benn.

slash83

I think Merriman is a much better possibility of being on the Pats next season then Peppers, SD has a capable backup in Larry English and would extend Gates then Merriman. Merriman would also be much cheaper then Peppers...

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