DW Toys

What 10 Personnel changes in FA, Trades and the Draft could have an immediate impact on the 2010 Pats IMO:
The Pats were low on talent and Heart in 2009. No leadership because it all retired or they were moved along. The FA market is weak this year. Trades will be required to make us stronger. BB does not value or trust Draft choices as immediate impact as a rule. With TB, Faulk, Moss the Pats do not have the requisite three years to wait on Rookies. The Rookies I chose should help in 2010
This is just an idea of how I can see a change in leadership, attitude and add more talent.
Resign:
Wilfork
Bodden
Mankins
TBC

Trades:
1-Trade our first second Rounder and NT Ron Brace to Arizona for WR Anquan Bolden (28). Their starting NT Robinson is 35 and a FA and so is backup NT Gabe Watson. Pryor has worked out so far.

2-Trade our third second Rounder and T Matt Light to the Bears for ILB Brian Urlacher (31). Pace is 35 and has been hurt and talking retirement. Bears need a Left OT. I think the Bears might blink.

3-Trade RB Maroney for a third round pick

FA:
1-OLB Keith Bulluch-32 but plays with passion and makes plays. Will add immediate HEART.

2-DE/OLB Aaron Kampman-30 but an upgrade over AD (older) , Burgess (older), Woods, and Ninkovich. Another passionate player.

4-RB LenDale White-Only 26. 1,100 yards two years ago and catches well. In short yardage he has been decent. Passionate and seasoned between the tackles runner BB wants.

DRAFT:
1-Take Jerry Hughes OLB and he can rotate with Burgess and Kampman as OLB/DE Hybrid

2-Our second Second Rounder RB Jahvid Best-Lightning

3-Our third round pick (Maroney) TE Ron Gronkiwski-Can block and catch-Should fall there because of previous injury, Better receiver than Watson.

4-Our fourth round pick WR Freddie Barnes. 4.6 speed (but so was Jerry Rice). Has "football" speed, can get open and has hands. 6’ and 207 lbs (keep a seventh in case we have to use it to move up)

5-Our sixth round pick and seventh ?????. Development or another Pryor, Edleman winner.

Put Nick Kaczur in at RG and Levoir at RT

Not perfect but thoughts?
DW Toys

mayoclinic

My thoughts? Yuck.

- Urlacher is 31, has back problems, and is a 4-3 MLB. I don't want to trade for more guys on the downside of their career who don't fit their system. Similarly, Keith Bullock is 32, and has been a 4-3 LB his entire career.
- Bolden wants to be paid like a #1 WR, which he isn't. Too costly.
- I don't think Hughes is strong enough to set the edge for us. He's a situational pass rusher.
- I don't want to depend on LeVoir as our starting RT. We have no depth at OT between trading Light and moving Kaczur to guard.

I want youth, speed, athleticism, and aggressiveness on this team.

My 10 moves were outlined in my mock offseason and draft from earlier this week:

1. Retain (re-sign or tender) Wilfork, Bodden, Mankins, Gostkowski, Banta-Cain and Watson.

2. Address the LB position in FA. Sign UFA ILB Karlos Dansby. Alternative: trade up for ILB Rolando McClain, and sign UFA/RFA OLB Shawne Merriman or UFA OLB Aaron Kampman. Either re-sign Derrick Burgess or sign a low-cost FA such as Quentin Groves (if he is released by Jacksonville, as expected).

3. Sign a UFA WR to be the #3 WR. Antonio Bryant if we can afford it and he checks out. Deion Branch as a cheap backup option.

4. Either trade up for SILB Rolando McClain (if Dansby isn't signed and Merriman or Kampman is) or draft a strongside DE/OLB pass rusher like Carlos Dunlap or Jason Pierre-Paul (if Dansby is signed in FA).

5. Draft an offensive playmaker at RB. Possibly trade up for CJ Spiller in the 1st (if no trade up for McClain), or draft Jahvid Best or Jonathan Dwyer in the 2nd round. Dexter McCluster might be an option a bit later.

6. Draft a starting caliber RG in the second round - Maurkice Pouncey or Vladimir Ducasse are the most likely options, with Mike Johnson and Jon Asamoah as backup options.

7. Trade Adalius Thomas for what we can get, and find a way to get into the early 3rd round. Draft DE/OLB Austen Lane from Murray St. to play weakside DE/OLB, or possibly Eric Norwood if he slips. O' Brien Schofield is an outside possibility here.

8. Draft a developmental RT such as Jared Veldheer or Chris Marinelli.

9. Draft a developmental 3-4 DE such as Clifton Geathers, Brandon Deaderick or Doug Worthington.

10. Add a few late round value picks such as a punter (Zoltan Mesko) and a developmental WR (Freddie Barnes).

I don't see any reason to change those moves right now.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi

JackBauer

I could see that working... if this were Madden, and not real life.

mgteich

I added a little to your moves to make them easier to discuss. With reagrad to the OP's proposals, I agree: yuch!
=======================================
Before I start, I would add 11) sign a free agent G/C and 12) another corner or two in free agency to compete with Wheatley for a roster spot. Some even think that these players might also compete with Springs. I would add 13) a fullback, but I suspect that this won't happen.
=================================================
1) Agreed, although I expect Watson to solicit offers from 31 teams, ala Seymour.
I would add g) Faulk and h) Woods (a backup OLB and fine STer).

2A) I agree that we should sign a free agent LB or two ot three. I don't expect us to trade up for McClain. We will have other more serious draft needs than an upgrade at ILB.

2B) Agreed.

3) Unless I missed something, we don't have a #2 receiver for at least half of 2010. After that, we MAY have our slot receiver returning. While I would welcome Welker back, I doubt that he would be anywhere near 100% in 2010. I suspect it is easiest to think of Welker/Edelman as the #3 receiver for 2010. We need a #2 and a #4. Aiken/Stanback are fine as the #5 (or as the #5 WR and the #3 QB).

I think that we will bring in at least two, and probably three free agent receivers. One could be for one year, relatively expensive, contract. As far as more long-term, Branch would be a fine addition, inexpensive or not.

4) Agreed.

5) I'd rather have another free agent. Besides the pick is likely to be needed for a TE, or to trade down.

6) Did you mean a starting quality center like Pouncey, could also play guard? Seriously, a center/guard is a good idea. My hope is that Kaczur is our starting RG, but we do need alternatives.

7) Agreed.

8) OK, but have we given up on Bussey already? And are these any better than LeVoir?

9) Agreed.

10) We have lots of late picks. Other alternatives are a returner and of course, a quarterback (could be as early as our 4th).

mayoclinic

That's one placed where we differ. I think few changes could have a bigger impact on our defense than adding a true SILB like Dansby or McClain. It would firm up the middle, allow us to get more interior pressure and collapse the pocket, make our outside pass rush more effective, and allow Mayo to play his natural WILL position.

I suspect that by the time FA starts the team will have some idea as to Welker's long term recovery, and also Tate's prognosis for 2010. I suspect he will come back sooner than predicted, but I certainly wouldn't rush him, and wouldn't expect him to be near 100% for 2010. I assume Edelman will be an adequate slot receiver in his absence.

I'm fine bringing in more than one veteran WR if we can afford it. But if the prognosis on Tate is favorable for 2010 then I'm fine with Moss, Tate, Edelman and Aiken, plus one solid veteran WR and possibly a developmental rookie (Barnes?). If the prognosis for Tate is not favorable, then 2 at least are needed, and Branch is a good option because he knows our system and has rapport with Brady.

One reason I like the Antonio Bryant idea is that Bryant has #2, and borderline #1 talent when he plays. With Welker out, I could see a WR rotation of Moss-Bryant-Tate (or Branch, if Tate isn't ready)-Edelman being very effective. Also, if we don't keep Moss being 2010 and sign a top rookie WR, Bryant could buffer that transition as well.

The FA $$ are rapidly piling up, with bringing in LBs and WRs. If we don't resign Watson, then I'd love to use the $4M or so allocated on a FA RB like Reggie Bush. Then we could go after a TE in the draft. But I really want an offensive playmaker who can be integrated into the passing attack as seamlessly as possible, so that it's not so predictable when we're going to run and when we're going to pass. Spiller, Best or Reggie Bush would provide this kind of weapon. That's another place I think that we differ in terms of our priorities.

Yes, I meant exactly that. I think that even if we move Kaczur to RG we should draft at least one more OL, and possibly two. One benefit to a guy like Pouncey is that he can play RG right away while he learns to play center for us, since our system would differ significantly from Florida's. I would assume that within a year or two he could move to C and upgrade Koppen. Meanwhile, he would have value at guard.

No and yes. Bussey's not a long-term starter at RT as far as I'm concerned, so it's apples and oranges. And yes, I mean drafting a raw developmental guy with high upside who could in time be significantly better than either Kaczur or LeVoir at RT. Veldheer and Marinelli are the two who stand out to me.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi

DW Toys

Mayo, I like most of your suggestions as well. I like these ones as long as the players have HEART:
1. Retain (re-sign or tender) Wilfork, Bodden, Mankins, Gostkowski, Banta-Cain and Watson (NOT SO MUCH).

2. Address the LB position in FA. Sign UFA ILB Karlos Dansby. Alternative: trade up for ILB Rolando McClain, and sign UFA/RFA OLB Shawne Merriman or AND UFA OLB Aaron Kampman (WE NEED TWO IF WE LOSE AD AND BURGESS OR TULLY.LOVE TO GET McCLAIN). Either re-sign Derrick Burgess (.....EHH) or sign a low-cost FA such as Quentin Groves (if he is released by Jacksonville, as expected).

3. Sign a UFA WR to be the #3 WR. Antonio Bryant if we can afford it and he checks out. Deion Branch as a cheap backup option (I GUESS).

4. Either trade up for SILB Rolando McClain (GOOD STUFF!) (if Dansby isn't signed and Merriman or Kampman is) or draft a strongside DE/OLB pass rusher like Carlos Dunlap or Jason Pierre-Paul (if Dansby is signed in FA).

5. Draft an offensive playmaker at RB. Possibly trade up for CJ Spiller in the 1st (if no trade up for McClain) (STILL THINK SPILLER IS A STEVE SLATON.RATHER HAVE A HAMMER IN GERHART WITH 27 TDS WHO CAN BLOCK TOO), or draft Jahvid Best (OK) or Jonathan Dwyer in the 2nd round (WORRIED ABOUT HIS ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. BIG NEGATIVE ON HIM). Dexter McCluster might be an option a bit later.

6. Draft a starting caliber RG in the second round - Maurkice Pouncey or Vladimir Ducasse are the most likely options, with Mike Johnson and Jon Asamoah (THIS KID HAS HEART.GOOD CHOICE) as backup options.

7. Trade Adalius Thomas for what we can get, and find a way to get into the early 3rd round. Draft DE/OLB Austen Lane from Murray St. to play weakside DE/OLB, or possibly Eric Norwood if he slips. O' Brien Schofield is an outside possibility here (PERFECT.LIKE ALL THREE. NORWOOD IS A MORE RANGY JAMES HARRISON).

Here is my only problem. Leadership. HEART. I think Merriman and Kampman play with Energy and HEART. I don't know about Dansby or Bryant.
Everyone I had chosen were team leaders. Yes with flaws.

I liked Bolden, Urlacher and Bullock for the leadership that we lost.

I think Light will have a tradible value and help the CAP if there is one. Perhaps we can still get a pick for Maroney, but he was in the dog house twice this year, not because of attitude but on field performance.

WR still sticks out. Perhaps a Malcom Floyd over Branch? Perhaps a Urban (great ST kid, big and 4.3 fast. 41 receptions this year)

DW Toys

mayoclinic

Malcolm Floyd would be fine, but he's an RFA. Can't imagine San Diego will let him hit free agency. A long term deal with Vincent Jackson is likely a priority and they may have trouble keeping both Jackson and Floyd long term, but that won't stop them from tendering Floyd and keeping him for at least another year, or charging an arm and a leg in return for his rights.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi

DW Toys

Seems that they have a few WR and to big contracts might not work (nor for us if the price is too high).Do we have enough b**** to try for Marshall?
I think Bowe in K.C. and Santana Moss (30) of the Skins could be had in trade.
DW Toys

billdog3484

wow you sound like a jets fan

nickw308810

My moves:

Resign/Tender all the players Mayo mentioned, maybe Burgess as well.

Trade Adalius Thomas for whatever we can get. As much as I like him as a player, his time here has come to an end. Keeping my fingers crossed for a 3rd.

Free Agency - sign a #3 WR. Antonio Bryant, Deion Branch, Mark Clayton, Josh Reed, etc.

I don't think a big splash like Dansby or Merriman is realistic. I could be wrong and this is purely speculative, but after the Adalius Thomas fiasco, I don't think we are high on linebackers lists of preferred destinations. Plus I doubt we will be outbidding anyone with so many of our own FA to sign.

Draft
1. Trade up (hopefully using just 2B) for Rolando McClain. One of the few rookies who should be able to offer us an immediate impact.

2A. OLB - Depends on who is left, I'd prefer Dunlap or JPP, but Hardy or Kindle would work as well. Not as high on Lane as others, but he does have all the measurables so he is another option.

2C. OG - I'd prefer a C/RG player like Pouncey, but a Mike Johnson/Ducasse could work as well.

3. Trade for Thomas - I know this is hoping for a lot getting a pick this high to get him, but I'd love Joe McKnight RB USC. Has all the same skills as Spiller and Best, but not as polished so half the price.

4. AJ Edds OLB Iowa - Good size and has tons of experience playing strong side. Very good in coverage and setting the edge. Not a top notch pass rusher, but could develop and take over Adalius Thomas' role.

6. Antonio Brown WR Central Michigan - Very good returner and a playmaker with the ball in his hands after the catch. The kind of late round WR who could flourish playing with Brady.

7. Brandon Deaderick DE Alabama - Needs to add some strength, but has tons of experience in the 3-4.

7. Caz Piurowski TE FSU - 6'7 redzone target and a former offensive lineman. A very strong blocker, who would help in the run game immensely. If he didn't work out as a TE, could he be turned into an NFL OT ala Jason Peters?