First 100: we need to focus on S and WR

[mgteich]

IN THE FIRST 100 PICKS - GOOD SHAPE
We are not drafting a QB.
We are now set at RB.
We are now set at TE.
At OG, Hochstein or another veteran will likely sign, plus we have Connolly and Wendall.
OT: We have LeVoir and O'Callaghan as adequate backups.

I'd still like to see us draft an offensive lineman on Day One.
============================================
IN THE FIRRST 100 - A NEEDED UPGRADE
CB: We will be signing a free agent soon to add to Hobbs, Wheatley and Wilhite.
We still have Spann and Richardson as possible bottom of the roster backups.
Did anyone yet say how weak the draft is in corners who can run a 4.5 and tackle?
DE: We are OK for 2009, but we need a developmental player for 2010.
NT: We could use a backup to Wlfork.
===============================================
IN THE FIRST 100
WR: As of now, we need two. It's that simple.
S : As of now, we need two. That presumes Spann as the #4 safety.
Hopefully, we will sign a CB, WR, and S in free agency relieving some of the pressure on Day One of the draft. As of now, we should be picking the best safety available as we did when we drafted Meriweather. We had a similar philosophy when we drafted Warren, Mankins, Mayo and Maroney. We can say that we draft the best value at any position. It's just that we triple the score for a position of severe need.
===============================================
I still have my re-sign shopping list.
DL - Wright
S - James Sanders
C/S - Lew Sanders
FB - Evans
OL - Hochstein
WR - Gaffney
DS - Paxton
P - Hanson
===============
We've already re-signed or tendered three. These had to be done early since they were RFA's and ERFA's with a February 27th deadline.
LB - Woods
ST - Ventrone
ST - Alexander
================

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Inside Linebacker

 

[mgteich]

Belichick may be set with Thomas, Mayo, a developing Guyton and Bruschi as our ILBs.
That gives us Vrabel, Woods, TBC and Crable outside.

However, I certainly have no problem with us drafting a Day One ILB. After all, it is just possible that Crable has not impressed the team much at all, especially after his injury. Many, many mocks have us picking the best linebacker available. This strategy can be made possible if sign a safety, a corner and a wide receiver in free agency. I do expect these signings to happen, with or without a Cassel trade.

Inside Linebacker

 

[mayoclinic]

IN THE FIRST 100 PICKS - GOOD SHAPE
We are not drafting a QB.
We are now set at RB.
We are now set at TE.
At OG, Hochstein or another veteran will likely sign, plus we have Connolly and Wendall.
OT: We have LeVoir and O'Callaghan as adequate backups.

I'd still like to see us draft an offensive lineman on Day One.
============================================
IN THE FIRRST 100 - A NEEDED UPGRADE
CB: We will be signing a free agent soon to add to Hobbs, Wheatley and Wilhite.
We still have Spann and Richardson as possible bottom of the roster backups.
Did anyone yet say how weak the draft is in corners who can run a 4.5 and tackle?
DE: We are OK for 2009, but we need a developmental player for 2010.
NT: We could use a backup to Wlfork.
===============================================
IN THE FIRST 100
WR: As of now, we need two. It's that simple.
S : As of now, we need two. That presumes Spann as the #4 safety.
Hopefully, we will sign a CB, WR, and S in free agency relieving some of the pressure on Day One of the draft. As of now, we should be picking the best safety available as we did when we drafted Meriweather. We had a similar philosophy when we drafted Warren, Mankins, Mayo and Maroney. We can say that we draft the best value at any position. It's just that we triple the score for a position of severe need.
===============================================
I still have my re-sign shopping list.
DL - Wright
S - James Sanders
C/S - Lew Sanders
FB - Evans
OL - Hochstein
WR - Gaffney
DS - Paxton
P - Hanson
===============
We've already re-signed or tendered three. These had to be done early since they were RFA's and ERFA's with a February 27th deadline.
LB - Woods
ST - Ventrone
ST - Alexander
================

Nice analysis, but you seem to have omitted the LB position pretty much. We need depth at ILB, and more pass rushing talent at OLB.

I see us signing/re-signing one WR, one CB and one S in FA. Unless we somehow do a big trade (like Cassel for Peppers), we will go into the draft with major needs at S and OLB, and depth needs at CB, WR, ILB, DE, DT and OL.

I assume we will have a minimum of 5 top-100 picks (assuming a 3rd round comp pick for Asante Samuel; possibly more if we trade Cassel for picks). If things play out in this way, I see the following:

- 1 day 1 pick on a 3-4 OLB (Connor Barwin, Clint Sintim,Clay Matthews, or possibly Larry English)
- 1 day 1 pick on a S (Sean Smith, Louis Delmas, Patrick Chung or William Moore)
- 1 top 100 pick on a WR or CB depending on value
- 1 top 100 pick on an OL
- 1 top 100 pick on a DL

 

[patchick]

Mgteich, I agree with a lot of your breakdown but I'm not sure what conclusion you're drawing. Is this a shift at all from your earlier suggestion to focus on multiple d-linemen?

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...482-we-could-draft-2-3-dls-1st-100-picks.html

 

[bakes781]

safety? yes w/o a doubt!

WR? not so much.

The focus will be at S and LB.

Depth is needed just about every where else but QB and K.

 

[tombonneau]

I think WR is the overlooked position the Pats will be taking. DB/LB will almost certainly be taken Day 1, but I also think if value is there a WR will be taken. The kid from UNC has been shooting up boards, watch him end up being the WTF?! pick at #23 ...

 

[mgteich]

1) I stated that we COULD draft two DL's depending on what we expected to happen to Seymour and Green. I still believe that is a possibility. My hope that Green is restructured by the end of the day to free up his roster bonus.

2) My mock of a few weeks ago had us draft a G, S and CB with our Day One picks. As of today, I would still like a guard, but perhaps in the second round. A corner looks less likely. They looked terrible except for Davis who will be long gone. Belichick will take care of the corner position in free agency.

3) My best guess now is Peppers, a guard and a safety.

Mgteich, I agree with a lot of your breakdown but I'm not sure what conclusion you're drawing. Is this a shift at all from your earlier suggestion to focus on multiple d-linemen?

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...482-we-could-draft-2-3-dls-1st-100-picks.html

 

[VJCPatriot]

Belichick may be set with Thomas, Mayo, a developing Guyton and Bruschi as our ILBs.
That gives us Vrabel, Woods, TBC and Crable outside.

However, I certainly have no problem with us drafting a Day One ILB. After all, it is just possible that Crable has not impressed the team much at all, especially after his injury. Many, many mocks have us picking the best linebacker available. This strategy can be made possible if sign a safety, a corner and a wide receiver in free agency. I do expect these signings to happen, with or without a Cassel trade.

Scratch Vrabel. OLB just became a huge need unless we swing a trade for Peppers.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Scratch Vrabel. OLB just became a huge need unless we swing a trade for Peppers.

I do not think OLB is as huge a need as others do. We have bodies on the roster and this draft is the deepest ever in 3-4 OLB's.

Safety is a concern. I agree if we do not sign one in FA, we need two from the draft.

As for DL guys, there is only 1 3-4 DE in this draft and that is Jockson of LSU. There is only 1 potentially significant 3-4 NT and that is Brace of BC.

I have to agree with you on the CB class. They are either very slow foted or the combine clock was whacked. I think the combine clock was whacked.

I think you should stick with your original mock. We need Unger badly! If there is only one constant for this draft, it is get Unger on board.

I would like to see BB take a 7th round flyer on a punter, say Huber from Cincy.

 

[reflexblue]

From what i've seen over the lst couple of years i think that we need to focus on.

CB,we haven't had two very good CB in years.

OLB, now that Vrable is gone I think Guyton can take over the ILB spot,but if we can get some value later on go for it.

Saftey the next Rodney would be a great help

OL guard and Rt tackle Kaczur is adquate not great. And Neil seems and i say seems to be breaking down more often in the last couple of years

other than that i'll go with what ever BOX says

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

From what i've seen over the lst couple of years i think that we need to focus on.

CB,we haven't had two very good CB in years.

OLB, now that Vrable is gone I think Guyton can take over the ILB spot,but if we can get some value later on go for it.

Saftey the next Rodney would be a great help

OL guard and Rt tackle Kaczur is adquat not great.

other than that i'll go with what ever BOX says

I thought I was the debil for you?

 

[VJCPatriot]

Well safety is a nobrainer need with Harrison gone. I thought that went without saying. If we sign Bodden. CB is dropped as a need. OLB is still a need though. It would be NICE if one of Woods/Crable could step up, but it is far from certain. Acquiring a veteran impact OLB looks to be the next logical step after trading away Vrabel.

 

[Seneschal2]

Safety is a concern. I agree if we do not sign one in FA, we need two from the draft.

We're already in a good position to draft the best Safety, and if we're so inclined, our abundance of picks would make it possible to secure another.

I have to agree with you on the CB class. They are either very slow foted or the combine clock was whacked. I think the combine clock was whacked.

Whacked indeed. Regardless of 40 times though, there are some solid ball skills that will be available at least through round three. Even with Bodden on board, adding more of these skills will only upgrade the entire secondary. I'm still prioritizing the CB and Safety positions via the draft, in a conscious effort to add more playmakers to the DB group.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

We're already in a good position to draft the best Safety, and if we're so inclined, our abundance of picks would make it possible to secure another.

Whacked indeed. Regardless of 40 times though, there are some solid ball skills that will be available at least through round three. Even with Bodden on board, adding more of these skills will only upgrade the entire secondary. I'm still prioritizing the CB and Safety positions via the draft, in a conscious effort to add more playmakers to the DB group.

I think we will have a chance to draft the best safety available in the second round, if BB sodesires.

There is no doubt in my mind that A Smith and V Davis have superior ball skills and both should very well be available when we pick. I think all the CB's will run much, much better in their pro day and that will catapult both back into the lower third of the first round.

I still thik OLB is the top priority in round one. Now whether we have 1 or 2 first rounders is a different story.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Well safety is a nobrainer need with Harrison gone. I thought that went without saying. If we sign Bodden. CB is dropped as a need. OLB is still a need though. It would be NICE if one of Woods/Crable could step up, but it is far from certain. Acquiring a veteran impact OLB looks to be the next logical step after trading away Vrabel.

I can not see investing $$$$ in a veteran OLB when this draft has more 3-4 OLB's than any have in a long, long time. This is the year to get 1 maybe even 2 solid OLB's.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I can not see investing $$$$ in a veteran OLB when this draft has more 3-4 OLB's than any have in a long, long time. This is the year to get 1 maybe even 2 solid OLB's.

I'm curious who you consider to be the 1 or 2 solid OLBs the Pats can pick up in the 2009 draft?

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I'm curious who you consider to be the 1 or 2 solid OLBs the Pats can pick up in the 2009 draft?

I see a bunch of guys that can be successful OLB's in the Pats system.

1.) Cushings
2.) Mathews
3.) Barwin
4.) Kruger
5.) English
6.) Sintim

I think Mathews and Barwin make the most sense because they can play ST. I also like Sintim because of his college experience in the 3-4.
The dark horse is Kruger. He does not posess great long speed, but he does have a great first step and we still DESPERATELY need a passrushing demon on the outside for third down.

 

[ayjackson]

Anybody think we pull another Welker with our second rounder? Miles Austin is the WR I'm thinking about. Cowboy fans are high on him, and they are without their first and third rounders.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Anybody think we pull another Welker with our second rounder? Miles Austin is the WR I'm thinking about. Cowboy fans are high on him, and they are without their first and third rounders.

Anythingis possible. Maybe they will sign Furrey and save the pick?

I would not mind seeing us draft Eglesias in the fourth round. He is not a burner, but he runs good routes and has decent hands.