2009 Better than 2008 BEFORE the draft

[mgteich]

I submit that the patriots will be better than the team that ended the year even before upgrading via the draft.

I expect that we will sign the following free agents:
CB, S/CB, WR, FB, LS, DE, STer
e.g. Bodden, Lew Sanders, Furrey, Evans, Leach, ???, ???
Note that none will be major acquisitions.

===================
THE OFFENSE (much better)
Brady replaces Cassel
Taylor replaces BJGE
Baker replaces DeVree
Maroney replaces Faulk as one of the returners

We need to replace the production of Evans, Paxton and Gaffney (presumably from free agency). Note that, if necessary, Hochstein can be our long snapper and fullback, with Thomas as our backup long snapper, and Morris as our backup fullback.
=====================================
THE DEFENSE (work in progress, but should be at least as good even before the draft)

Thomas replaces Vrabel
Crable and TBC replace Colvin and Seau
Wheatley to replace O'Neal
Woods is back

we need a 6th DL to replace Wright
we need to replace or re-sign Lew Sanders
we need to replace O'Neal

Wilhite, Wheatley and Richardson should all be better with experience.


Quote:
Originally Posted by mgteich

MG’s ROSTER AS OF MARCH 3

OFFENSE (24)
QB (3) Brady, O'Connell, Gutierrez
RB (4) Taylor, Faulk, Morris, Maroney
FB (1) open
WR (4) Moss, Welker, open, open
TE (3) Watson, Baker, Thomas
OT (4) Light, Kaczur, LeVoir, O’Callaghan
OG/C (5) Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Hochstein, Yates

DEFENSE (22)
DL (6) Wilfork, Seymour,Warren, Green, Smith, Adams
LB (8) Thomas, Mayo, Guyton, Bruschi, Crable, Banta-Cain, Woods, Redd
DB (8) Hobbs, Wheatley, Wilhite, Meriweather, Sanders, Richardson, Spann, open

SPECIALISTS (7)
K (1) Gostkowski
P (1) Malone
LS (1) open
ST (4) Aiken, Slater, Ventrone, Alexander

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

The Pats have a lot of work to do, so good thing it's only March. I would like to see the Pats re-sign Evans, sign a CB, S, Jason Taylor and a WR to replace Gaffney (hopefully Henderson). I hope the Pats keep all of their picks this year and stop trading them away for future picks. However, I wouldn't mind if the Pats traded one of their picks for a veteran player.

 

[billdog3484]

i think we are only better if our rookies show the progess we would expect rookies to show. guyton and mayo should improve. hopefully one of wheatley and wilhite will be able to start and be an adequate #2. hopefully, the non-starter or crable are going to be able to contribute in nickel or OLB. and maybe, we got lucky and slater or ruud will turn out to be quality reserves. and i definitely hope we dont see much of o'connel.

we have great draft picks again this year and could be very active. it is possible where we end up drafting. with the amount of picks we should be able to do a lot of maneuvering to acquire the players we want. hopefully one or more of these can contribute like mayo and guyton last year.

 

[signbabybrady]

The Pats have a lot of work to do, so good thing it's only March. I would like to see the Pats re-sign Evans, sign a CB, S, Jason Taylor and a WR to replace Gaffney (hopefully Henderson). I hope the Pats keep all of their picks this year and stop trading them away for future picks. However, I wouldn't mind if the Pats traded one of their picks for a veteran player.

Nothing that cant be done with the many picks they have. But you know they will add a few things and that will add to this nasty team....cant wait to see what is.

 

[eom]

well, let me just say this --- at this same time last year, who did you have pencilled in: brady or cassel?

 

[BradyFTW!]

Brady replacing Cassel pretty much instantly makes this team better than it was last year. The rest certainly doesn't hurt, though.

 

[DarrylS]

Good analysis, do think that a CB like Bodden as opposed to a CB like O'Neal will be signed, and we will find another LB out there as well...

We will not be next to last in Red Zone D this year.

 

[mayoclinic]

I submit that the patriots will be better than the team that ended the year even before upgrading via the draft.

I expect that we will sign the following free agents:
CB, S/CB, WR, FB, LS, DE, STer
e.g. Bodden, Lew Sanders, Furrey, Evans, Leach, ???, ???
Note that none will be major acquisitions.

===================
THE OFFENSE (much better)
Brady replaces Cassel
Taylor replaces BJGE
Baker replaces DeVree
Maroney replaces Faulk as one of the returners

We need to replace the production of Evans, Paxton and Gaffney (presumably from free agency). Note that, if necessary, Hochstein can be our long snapper and fullback, with Thomas as our backup long snapper, and Morris as our backup fullback.
=====================================
THE DEFENSE (work in progress, but should be at least as good even before the draft)

Thomas replaces Vrabel
Crable and TBC replace Colvin and Seau
Wheatley to replace O'Neal
Woods is back

we need a 6th DL to replace Wright
we need to replace or re-sign Lew Sanders
we need to replace O'Neal

Wilhite, Wheatley and Richardson should all be better with experience.

I love these possibilities, and think they are all realistic. The RB and TE positions are already stronger than last year. With a core CB group of Hobbs/Bodden/Wheatley/Wilhite we really would be set, and wouldn't need to take a CB in the draft unless one fell to where he was too good to pass up. With Meriweather/Sanders/Sanders at S we would be pretty much where we were last year, and would add a 1st day rookie to eventually start opposite Meriweather. Furrey would be a solid addition to the WRs. Other than one DB, the focus of the draft would be on LB, OL and WR.

 

[BelichickFan]

well, let me just say this --- at this same time last year, who did you have pencilled in: brady or cassel?

How about reading what he wrote :

"I submit that the patriots will be better than the team that ended the year"

Clearly this is correct. Basically we've gone from a good, solid QB in Cassel to a hall of fame QB. The only downside is we don't know exactly how long it will take Brady to feel comfortable on the knee to the point that it doesn't affect his performance but I don't expect a problem there.

Other than that, the additions at least equal the losses so far. Additionally, unless there's more surprises, the losses are over but the additions may not be.

 

[Gon_Trevil]

All indications are that Brady will be on the field, but I'll keep my expectations in check at least for the beginning of the season, until I see how the knee affects his mobility inside the pocket. Brady's game involves a lot of quick steps within the pocket--kind of like short hops-- and if that is hindered, then a lot of big plays will wind up as sacks, batted balls, or worse. Hopefully we don't get many top pass rushing teams in the early part of the season.

 

[Jimke]

The Pats have a lot of work to do, so good thing it's only March. I would like to see the Pats re-sign Evans, sign a CB, S, Jason Taylor and a WR to replace Gaffney (hopefully Henderson). I hope the Pats keep all of their picks this year and stop trading them away for future picks. However, I wouldn't mind if the Pats traded one of their picks for a veteran player.

Your analysis is closer to reality. On offense, the Patriots are going to
be one of the best. They have added a good blocking tight end and
a top flight running back. They need a good #3 wide receiver to
complete the job.

On defense, I'm not so sure. Even without Mike Wright, the line seems
pretty well stocked. I'd like to see them find someone to spell Wilfork.

The departure of Vrabel has left a hole at outside linebacker. I don't
know if Crable, Redd, or Woods will be adequate substitutes. The same
situation exists at inside linebacker. I am a big fan of Gary Guyton but
don't know if he can improve enough to be a full time starter. Bruschi
is over the hill as a full time starter. He might be a salary cap casualty.

The safety situation stabilized a little with the re-signing of Sanders
but still needs a backup. At cornerback, I agree that Wheatley and
Wilhite were better than Deltha O'Neal but remember that Deltha was
awful. They are still unproven commodities.

Due to the tight salary cap situation, I do not expect to see the Patriots
sign a good linebacker or cornerback. I would be pleased to see Lewis
Sanders re-signed. The good news is that the Patriots have loads of
early draft picks. They might be better off using these picks to address
their needs rather than over pay a free agent.

 

[maverick4]

I submit that the patriots will be better than the team that ended the year even before upgrading via the draft.

===================
THE OFFENSE (much better)
Brady replaces Cassel

That is some hard hitting analysis right there. I, too, agree that the team is better with Tom Brady and Adalius Thomas back.

 

[ScottieC]

well, let me just say this --- at this same time last year, who did you have pencilled in: brady or cassel?

Well, with that rational thinking I guess you have to discount every starting QB in the NFL then.