mgteich

First, let's ignore the magic seven and presume that we trade to eight or even lower and that all the magic seven have been picked. Who is tops on our board?
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ALBERT would be an immediate starter at RG or perhaps RT
MAYO would immediately be part of a 3-man rotation at ILB
RIVERS would immediately be part of a 3-man rotation at ILB
MCKELVIN would immediately be a returner and perhaps a starter at CB (Law anyone?)
CLADY would be an immediate starter at RT (and a backup at LT)
OTAH would be an immediate starter at RT
DRC as an immediate starter?
or do we draft a project in the top half of the first round????????
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Did I say I wanted to trade UP rather than down? I would much rather trade up for Long or Gholston?

mac

To me, thinking as you do in terms of ability to contribute makes perfect sense.
Rivers and Mayo also could both start for the Pats. All that would be needed would be a change in philosopy, plus courage mixed with patience.

jeffbiologist

Your arguement again has to center on Albert. While we see RG as the "weakest link", if we got him we would most certainly shuffle the line....Light and Koppen stay, Mankins to RT?? Kick Kazcur inside to RG and put Albert at LG. Grooming him for LT next to Light...
There is no doubt that of the first rounders Albert could have the most to contribute year 1. NO WAY will a ILB from this class START in place of Bruschi on an undefeated team! He will be totally lost making the defensive calls.....Maybe he is worked into the rotation after the bye week.....Remember how much Meriweather was used, even on STs. CB contributing? Sure, as a nickel. McKelvin might have the most BANG with return ability, but thats not why you draft a guy this high. We arent looking for the Reggie Bushs' here....
But of the guys listed....none are playmakers. CB is still too high. There are NO WRs in this draft that would naturally crop up and let some of these linemen fall. There are no TEs with first round value(THANK GOD). And there is only 1 QB in the first. We need no DL, so I see us doing 1 of 4 things:
1-Trade up to get C.Long--the only playmaker on defense that fits the pats system
2-Stay where we are/trade back a couple spots but still take Albert
3-Trade way back(20ish)to get a guy like Groves or a good CB.
4-Trade out of the first round for a veteran player or a very high 09 #1/BOTH

primetime

I don't think the Patriots look at Mankins as a tackle. He's a guard, probably the best in the league, and Kaczur is a tackle. Line positions aren't necessarily interchangeable. Albert displays the potential to play tackle but won't automatically slot there; he's a natural guard.

As for LBs, the Patriots need two guys who play inside. Right now, the only natural ILB are Bruschi and Alexander. Thomas, Vrabel, and Hobson are all natural OLBs. Even if you think Seau will be coming back (I personally do), they're going to need another guy, whether it's on the middle or the outside (or both).

JoePats

I think Seau will return as well but I'd definately like to add a pass-rushing linebacker and an ILB too, though I personally think the pass-rusher is more important as of now.

dhamz

Mankins is not moving to T. That would just be dumb.

The argument for Albert is Neal is competent but RG is a spot that can be upgraded and when projecting the OL down the road, Mankins is a FA in 2 years and likely to cash in big time.

dhamz

Start? Maybe not but he would play some this year, provide much needed depth at LB where lack of depth the past 2 years contributed to falling short of 2 more championships, and start in 2009 when Bruschi retires, Seau is retired, and Hobson is gone. Also, calls are being radioed in on D this year and going forward mitigating that at least partially.

MoLewisrocks

Calls being radioed are no different than the signals that have historically been sent in. Still requires someone to set the D and adjust pre snap if necessary.

There is no way a college LB plays a substantial # of snaps on this defense in his first season, period. You would be lucky, very lucky if he starts by year 2. It takes veterans a whole season in this system just to begin to function at a sufficient level. Which is why Bill has not drafted for the position above the 5th to date in spite of need arguably just as pressing having existed for at least the last 2 seasons...let alone in the top 7 of the first round.

MoLewisrocks

Don't forget also that Kaczur turns 29 in July and was always projected to have more floor than ceiling...drafted at almost 26 already he could play right away but he is what he is. In 2009 the only OL currently starting for this team under 30 will be Mankins. And in case you haven't noticed, the big uglies are getting paid as never before. It used to be stud LT and whatever you could scrape together. That is no longer the case. Maybe in part because there are so few LT who can carry an average line - contributing to the high bust and injury rates among QB's in this league. Most like our Matty need help against elite rushers which if given exposes everything to their right (or BEHIND THEM) to being exploited. Someone took advantage of just such a weakness on this team in February.