Gator Mike

This has been killing me.

Why would or should the Patriots use a First Round Pick on an offensive lineman, such as Clady or Albert? I thought our offensive line was pretty darn good last year, and they're all signed for a couple more years, I believe. Brady was pretty well protected last year, I thought. The run blocking seemed fine to me. One one starter is over age 30.

Where's the pressing need for help on the offensive line?

If the Pats want to use a 3rd round pick on someone they can develop, then that's fine. But a Top 10 pick?

Is it just an overreaction to the Super Bowl? I don't get it.

Box_O_Rocks

1010101010

__________________
"Avert thine eyes! You're not hot enough to be looking at me."
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

stinkypete

I personally believe that top 10 picks should be spent on linemen (O or D)or quarterbacks unless there is a truely special player available. There will not be a truely special player available at #7, so linemen it is.

My reasoning echoes Belichick's, there are only so many 300 lb. athletes with top measurables around. If you have an opportunity to add one to your team, you take advantage.

Deus Irae

The three most important positions to fill with truly quality players in a 3-4 scheme like the one the Patriots use are quarterback, left tackle and the nose tackle. When you have a chance to get a top 10 talent in those positions, you need to take it. Clearly, with Brady and Wilfork, the team is set at QB and NT for the better part of another decade barring injuries. That leaves the tackle position as the one which can best use the talent infusion. When you add in the amount of 4 receiver/1 rb sets that the Patriots run, it's nearly as important to have greatness at right tackle as it is to have it at left tackle. Therefore, even bringing in a left tackle and letting him learn the ropes on the right side while Light is still playing at a high level would be a tremendous benefit for this team.

The question, it seems to me, is not "Why Clady or Albert?" but, rather "are any of the remaining left tackles potential pro bowlers and elite players?". If Belioli believe the answer to that question to be yes, then it behooves them to draft that tackle given how rare such tackles have been in the past decade.

__________________
"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
- Marcus Aurelius

PATRIOT64

They talk about the right side being weak but it was decent most of the year in 2007.

I do not see Albert drafted on this team,Clady is way too high at #7 so expect a 2nd to 5th round OL,maybe even 2 drafted but not in the first.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Deus Irae

Given that, at least prior to the Allen trade, many believed Clady would be taken at #5 by the Chiefs, or by the Ravens at #8 if Ryan was off the board (the other option I saw here a lot was a corner), I'm not sure where you're getting this notion that #7 is way too high for him.

P.S. Another thread here notes that Gosselin has Clady rated at the #9 overall prospect, which is where Kiper had him rated in the last rating list of his that I saw.

__________________
"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
- Marcus Aurelius

PATRIOT64

I just don't see 3 offensive lineman in the top 10 - I am sure its very possible but I just don't see it

Jake Long is already there and Brandon Albert has risen up many boards so much that it is now expected by many for him to land no further than #10 so that leaves Clady just outside of these

I could also be wrong and 3 OL are drafted in the top 10 - its possible

Its also possible if Clady IS drafted in the top 10 if NE wants an OL they take him over Albert - I personally hope this team passes on an OL till at least day 2

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

bakes781

I have the Pats taking Clady & no I'm not thrilled about it, but he is the BPA IMO. With the Chiefs trading Allen they now have a need at DL so it really stacks the odds against us getting Gholston or Long. CB would be a reach. So unless you take Sedrick Ellis there's really no other choice at #7. A trade down is possible, but only if Matt Ryan falls IMO.

Pats726

If they think Clady or Albert is top notched...not just teh best OL available BUT one who they think that can be all pro..then yes..do it..but I do not see a real need to get linemen..I agree later day 2..there are many that may fill the bill...I am thinking more they will either get a blue chipper or trade down...and by blue chip..I mean one who they think will be here for years,,,an all pro.. no CB...NOT at 7

bakes781

Well The Sporting News has Ryan Clady rated #1 ahead of Jake Long for whatever that's worth.