My Blueprint For the Pats - Page 17 - New England Patriots Forums

***mayoclinic*** · 11-23-2012, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayoclinic

This is an revision of my latest mock in Ye Olde Mock Draft Thread, along with some thoughts there and on the main board. I thought I'd post it for fun.

Priorities:

1. Fix the secondary
2. A stud LDE opposite Chandler Jones
3. Youth/depth at OL
4. Speed at WR to stretch the field
5. Depth at DT/penetrating DT/successor to Vince Wilfork
6. Depth at H-back/"move TE" to spell/complement Aaron Hernandez
7. An eventual true successor to TB

The Next 6 Months:

1. Trade Patrick Chung to Tampa Bay for CB Aqib Talib; alternatively, the Pats might trade a 2014 draft pick for Talib and use Chung as a hybrid S/LB this year
2. Move Devin McCourty to FS and team him with Tavon Wilson, with Steve Gregory/Nate Ebner as backups
3. Re-sign Sebastian Vollmer
4. Franchise/extend Wes Welker
5. Sign Aqib Talib to a long term deal if he works out, or sign UFA CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Philadelphia). Brent Grimes (Atlanta) is a possibility, but he's coming off an Achilles injury, and we've already been burned with Jonathan Fanene and injured UFAs. If the Pats are unable to trade for Talib by the deadline, then they can just go after one of these guys during FA in 2013
6. Re-sign Myron Pryor and Danny Woodhead
7. Let go: Ron Brace, Deion Branch, Julian Edelman, Kyle Arrington

I'm not going to do a major update on my "blueprint" until the end of the regular season or close to it, but a couple of thoughts based on what's elapsed over the past 4 weeks:

1. The secondary. It's already a world better than 4 weeks ago. Talib/Dennard looks like a keeper outside, McCourty at FS is getting better game by game, and the hemorrhaging has stopped. Dowling will be back next year, and he could be a good #3 CB without as much pressure to step in and immediately contribute. Gregory looked good yesterday, and Gregory/Wilson seems like a reasonable "downhill" safety tandem with McCourty playing more of a deep/cover role. Chung barely saw the field. Arrington had probably his best game of the season, and perhaps being used in a different role will help him as well. Assuming Aqib Talib can be extended, the secondary seems to be in muich better long term shape than it looked 4 weeks ago. There's at least a clear plan and a solid nucleus to build around.

2. The OL. Marcus Cannon stepped up nicely yesterday, and Donald Thomas filled in reasonably well for Logan Mankins. Meanwhile the Pats have added to young linemen to the roster in Mitch Petrus and Markus Zukevics, both of whom have a lot of potential to flourish under Scar's tutelage. It will be interesting to see how this group continues to develop. They've already vastly exceeded expectations given the losses coming into the season (Light, Waters, Gallery).

3. The offensive "skill players". Shane Vereen is starting to hit his stride as a major offense weapon. I obviously screwed the pooch in the OP by suggesting that Julian Edelman should be relegated to the scrap heap. He has the potential to be a Randall Cobb kind of all-purpose offense weapon, and the combination of Edelman and Vereen could really be electric. He needs to be extended. Boy, did I screw that one up big time. I'm less inclined than ever to spend a high pick on a WR if Edelman and/or Welker is kept for 2013. I still love Tavon Austin, but not at the price it would take. A guy like Markus Wheaton or Steadman Bailey would fit in nicely.

4. The defensive line. The run defense has suffered more than the pass rush with Chandler Jones out. Cunningham has played nicely. But I still see an opportunity to elevate this area, which I think would elevate the defense to top unit.

BradyMoss812 · 11-23-2012, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayoclinic

I'm not going to do a major update on my "blueprint" until the end of the regular season or close to it, but a couple of thoughts based on what's elapsed over the past 4 weeks:

1. The secondary. It's already a world better than 4 weeks ago. Talib/Dennard looks like a keeper outside, McCourty at FS is getting better game by game, and the hemorrhaging has stopped. Dowling will be back next year, and he could be a good #3 CB without as much pressure to step in and immediately contribute. Gregory looked good yesterday, and Gregory/Wilson seems like a reasonable "downhill" safety tandem with McCourty playing more of a deep/cover role. Chung barely saw the field. Arrington had probably his best game of the season, and perhaps being used in a different role will help him as well. Assuming Aqib Talib can be extended, the secondary seems to be in muich better long term shape than it looked 4 weeks ago. There's at least a clear plan and a solid nucleus to build around.

2. The OL. Marcus Cannon stepped up nicely yesterday, and Donald Thomas filled in reasonably well for Logan Mankins. Meanwhile the Pats have added to young linemen to the roster in Mitch Petrus and Markus Zukevics, both of whom have a lot of potential to flourish under Scar's tutelage. It will be interesting to see how this group continues to develop. They've already vastly exceeded expectations given the losses coming into the season (Light, Waters, Gallery).

3. The offensive "skill players". Shane Vereen is starting to hit his stride as a major offense weapon. I obviously screwed the pooch in the OP by suggesting that Julian Edelman should be relegated to the scrap heap. He has the potential to be a Randall Cobb kind of all-purpose offense weapon, and the combination of Edelman and Vereen could really be electric. He needs to be extended. Boy, did I screw that one up big time. I'm less inclined than ever to spend a high pick on a WR if Edelman and/or Welker is kept for 2013. I still love Tavon Austin, but not at the price it would take. A guy like Markus Wheaton or Steadman Bailey would fit in nicely.

4. The defensive line. The run defense has suffered more than the pass rush with Chandler Jones out. Cunningham has played nicely. But I still see an opportunity to elevate this area, which I think would elevate the defense to top unit.

I do like your idea in your previous post of signing Rogers-Cromartie; him & Talib in the backfield would be something.

Marqui · 11-23-2012, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradyMoss812

I do like your idea in your previous post of signing Rogers-Cromartie; him & Talib in the backfield would be something.

There's no way they can afford both.

***mayoclinic*** · 11-23-2012, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marqui

There's no way they can afford both.

I agree. Re-signing Talib should be a priority assuming he keeps his nose clean the rest of the season. He's clearly a good fit with solid skills, and the re-assignment of roles is helping to sort out the confusion in the secondary tremendously. Dowling will hopefully be able to come back and add something for next year.

patsfaninpa · 11-23-2012, 10:54 AM

Hate to say this about one of our guys. But, Edelman looks bigger, quicker, faster and stronger than I remember him....cough cough

***ctpatsfan77*** · 11-23-2012, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patsfaninpa

Hate to say this about one of our guys. But, Edelman looks bigger, quicker, faster and stronger than I remember him....cough cough

If you're suggesting what I think you're suggesting. . . .

No, he really isn't any of those things.

***Sciz*** · 11-23-2012, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patsfaninpa

Hate to say this about one of our guys. But, Edelman looks bigger, quicker, faster and stronger than I remember him....cough cough

This was noticed by the media early in training camp. He says he's not any faster, just running better routes so he looks faster.

Don't know what his excuse for looking bigger is, though

DocHoliday · 11-23-2012, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sciz

This was noticed by the media early in training camp. He says he's not any faster, just running better routes so he looks faster.

Don't know what his excuse for looking bigger is, though

Grandma Edelmans nutritious cooking I hope

manxman2601 · 11-23-2012, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayoclinic

I'm not going to do a major update on my "blueprint" until the end of the regular season or close to it, but a couple of thoughts based on what's elapsed over the past 4 weeks:

1. The secondary. It's already a world better than 4 weeks ago. Talib/Dennard looks like a keeper outside, McCourty at FS is getting better game by game, and the hemorrhaging has stopped. Dowling will be back next year, and he could be a good #3 CB without as much pressure to step in and immediately contribute. Gregory looked good yesterday, and Gregory/Wilson seems like a reasonable "downhill" safety tandem with McCourty playing more of a deep/cover role. Chung barely saw the field. Arrington had probably his best game of the season, and perhaps being used in a different role will help him as well. Assuming Aqib Talib can be extended, the secondary seems to be in muich better long term shape than it looked 4 weeks ago. There's at least a clear plan and a solid nucleus to build around.

2. The OL. Marcus Cannon stepped up nicely yesterday, and Donald Thomas filled in reasonably well for Logan Mankins. Meanwhile the Pats have added to young linemen to the roster in Mitch Petrus and Markus Zukevics, both of whom have a lot of potential to flourish under Scar's tutelage. It will be interesting to see how this group continues to develop. They've already vastly exceeded expectations given the losses coming into the season (Light, Waters, Gallery).

3. The offensive "skill players". Shane Vereen is starting to hit his stride as a major offense weapon. I obviously screwed the pooch in the OP by suggesting that Julian Edelman should be relegated to the scrap heap. He has the potential to be a Randall Cobb kind of all-purpose offense weapon, and the combination of Edelman and Vereen could really be electric. He needs to be extended. Boy, did I screw that one up big time. I'm less inclined than ever to spend a high pick on a WR if Edelman and/or Welker is kept for 2013. I still love Tavon Austin, but not at the price it would take. A guy like Markus Wheaton or Steadman Bailey would fit in nicely.

4. The defensive line. The run defense has suffered more than the pass rush with Chandler Jones out. Cunningham has played nicely. But I still see an opportunity to elevate this area, which I think would elevate the defense to top unit.

I really don't think we should read too much in to the last four games. I have enjoyed the more aggressive style of the defense (last 2 games) but our last four opponents have been last years joint worst teams, a Bills team that gave up 40+ to the Mark Sanchez and the most dysfunctional team in the NFL right now. Sure you can only beat what's put in front of you and on a couple off occasions they've done it very well but I don't think we can deduce anything about this team until after Texans/49'ers.

***mayoclinic*** · 11-23-2012, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manxman2601

I really don't think we should read too much in to the last four games. I have enjoyed the more aggressive style of the defense (last 2 games) but our last four opponents have been last years joint worst teams, a Bills team that gave up 40+ to the Mark Sanchez and the most dysfunctional team in the NFL right now. Sure you can only beat what's put in front of you and on a couple off occasions they've done it very well but I don't think we can deduce anything about this team until after Texans/49'ers.

I agree - that's why I started with "I'm not going to do a major update until the end of the regular season, or close to it." I think things are moving in the right general direction, and I thought it was worth outlining some of those main areas (secondary, OL, WR/TE, DL). But I'm not reading much into things are formulating any judgments until we see how this team does in the playoffs.