Bigger need next year WR or RB?

[furley]

Only if you assume that 2010 will be capped. If 2010 is uncapped—and that certainly appears quite likely—only players with six years of service will be eligible for unrestricted free agency. Of the four you list, only Taylor has the requisite six years.

I see. Okay.

I still say New England needs to retool... If people want to question my interest in trading Maroney, at least respect my opinion. People are entitled to have their own opinions. You don't have to accept them but at least respect it and move on. Because these same Patriots fans who are defending him will criticize him for his failures and want to sit him just as fast. It's call fickleness. What has Maroney done wrong? What has he done great?

If you guys like him, then so be it. I'm not one of his fans... I believe Belichick can try to upgrade the position this off-season. There's nothing wrong with trying... That's all I've been saying. Don't be content with what you've if you can attempt to get better. I want to get better at RB. Maroney is nothing special in my eyes. He's an injury prone finesse player who shows flashes but ultimately will disappoint you more than he satisfies you.

 

[Seneschal2]

I have no clue how people can think we don't need a WR. We have no #3 WR and that's virtually a starter in our offense. Moss is really struggling right now and will be a year older. Furthermore WR usually emerge in year #2 or #3 so we need to get the process going for 2011.

Stanback isn't the guy. Edelman will likely be a second slot guy. I hope that Tate will become the guy we hope but it's 50-50 at best right now realistically about 25-75. Going into 2011 we have Welker, maybe Tate, maybe Moss if he comes back cheap. Good luck with that.

I'm hoping for Tate too, but adding one more WR seems wisest to compete for the #3 slot.

The only WR I have seen this year that is a playmaker is Gilyard from Cincy. I am very interested to see how he runs at the combine.

He's very high on my short list. I'm also impressed by his intangibles, not to mention he'd most likely be our primary KR too. Here's a worthy read:

Mardy Gilyard overcame great odds to lead Cincinnati Bearcats - Paul Daugherty - SI.com

 

[TriplecHamp]

I personally look at what teams like Indy, New Orleans, the Vikes, and Eagles are doing with young, fast, athletic wideouts and I think we need to duplicate this with a Mardy Gilyard or Brandon Lafell. Honestly I dont see Sam Aiken as a legit number three receiver but if we could get a young burner with good hands it would open things up for the rest of the Offense.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

"Bigger need next year WR or RB?"

QB

 

[captain stone]

Your ridiculous negativism is usually merely annoying. This is offensive in the extreme.

Doesn't make it any less true, does it?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Doesn't make it any less true, does it?

Nonsense Capt. Downer my friend, your negativity in this matter is unwarranted, but inevitable.

 

[patman52]

In my opinion, New England's top priorities for the off-season and the draft is to address specific needs.

1. Draft a NT
2. Draft or sign a starting DE
3. Draft one or more OL
4. Draft one or more RB
5. Draft one or more ILB
6. Draft or sign a starting TE


Resign

Wilfork
Gostkowski
Mankins
Faulk
Aiken

Trade

Maroney
Thomas

Waive

Springs
Taylor
Morris
Green-Ellis


I like what the Patriots already have at WR.

Moss
Welker
Edelman
Tate
Aiken (resign)

Conversely, the Patriots must retool at RB.

Faulk (resign)


UFA RB

Mike Bell
Jerious Norwood
Chester Taylor
Leon Washington

UFA WR

Lee Evans
David Clowney

Besides Taylor, none of those guys will be UFAs after this year unless a labor deal gets done in the next month which is highly unlikely. Don't see why Taylor would leave minny for the same situation here. he will be 31 next season, and touches the ball 10 times a game.

 

[captain stone]

Nonsense Capt. Downer my friend, your negativity in this matter is unwarranted, but inevitable...

...as is, I fear, Randy Moss' decline.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

...as is, I fear, Randy Moss' decline.

Well of course, time waits for no one. That said, I don't think Randy has lost as much as you fear, if Welker wasn't on the team NE could put Randy in motion more to protect him from the pounding he takes getting off the LOS - but the slighter Welker needs that protection more. I also believe Randy is playing hurt, so he's not bouncing back as fast as we'd like to see from each game.

Right now the best thing to help Randy is continue to work on a consistent #3 WR and getting Watson & Baker back into the passing game - losing Tate again didn't help, neither did Edelman's busted arm, but if one of the three remaining can develop into a viable threat, NE should be able to take some pressure off Randy.

 

[mayoclinic]

...as is, I fear, Randy Moss' decline.

Poor washed up bastard's only 6th in the NFL in receiving yardage and 4th in TDs. On pace for over 1300 yards this season.

I see what you mean. Don't sugar coat it so much next time.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

I think that the Pats could get both if they drafted CJ Spiller from Clemson. I was hoping that Spiller would last until the second round, but I doubt it now. Spiller would be a replacement for Faulk, would finally give the Pats the ability to actually make it past the 30 yard line on KO returns.

In Spiller, you upgrade the team at RB, 3rd down RB, KO and Punt returns. Plus he gives you the breakout speed at RB, that teams must respect.

Spiller is much more than a 3rd down back, he can run between the tackles, he has amazing speed, and is a stud returner.

 

[RL12]

RB. They need a running game. With out one Brady is forced to go to the air waaaaaaay to much. What ever happened to the small dump passes PA passes then Brady would hit someone deep for a big gain. Get a RB from the draft so we can mix it up a bit. Is it me or was this team better with no name players.

 

[mayoclinic]

FWIW, Illinois' Aurelius Benn is declaring:

Illinois' Benn to enter NFL draft - College Football Nation Blog - ESPN

The draft now has senior WRs Brandon LaFell, Mardy Gilyard and Eric Decker, plus juniors Dez Bryant, Golden Tate, Aurelius Benn and Mike Williams. Junior WRs Damion Williams and Demaryius Williams have yet to decide.

 

[BritPat]

Mike Williams has a lot to do right now to be drafted. Massive amounts of talent though.

And if we're talking RB's, check out the post I've just made in the Draft Prospect thread.

 

[captain stone]

Well of course, time waits for no one. That said, I don't think Randy has lost as much as you fear, if Welker wasn't on the team NE could put Randy in motion more to protect him from the pounding he takes getting off the LOS - but the slighter Welker needs that protection more. I also believe Randy is playing hurt, so he's not bouncing back as fast as we'd like to see from each game.

Right now the best thing to help Randy is continue to work on a consistent #3 WR and getting Watson & Baker back into the passing game - losing Tate again didn't help, neither did Edelman's busted arm, but if one of the three remaining can develop into a viable threat, NE should be able to take some pressure off Randy.

All true, as usual, Mr. Box. Unfortunately, neither of the remaining 3 - Aiken, Edelman & Stanback - will develop into a legit #3 this season, if ever. Emperor William still clings to the hopeless delusion that Sam Aiken can outrun coverage; Edelman is nothing more than a backup slot guy. And with 2 former college QBs on the 53, why hasn't the Genius developed any Wildcat situations for them? I would have loved to see one of them receive a direct snap on 3rd/2 vs. Indy.

I am highly pissed-off that the "brain trust" didn't at least consider signing guys like Justin McCareins, DJ Hackett, Matt Jones or Ronald Curry after the Joey Galloway Error ended in failure. There is now no longer any doubt that we need a Day 1 WR from the draft plus a youngish vet via free agency.

 

[captain stone]

1) Poor washed up bastard's only 6th in the NFL in receiving yardage and 4th in TDs. On pace for over 1300 yards this season.

2) I see what you mean. Don't sugar coat it so much next time.

1) "Stats are for losers..."

2) I'll try not to, though it's just my nature to see the good in everything & everyone.

 

[BradyManny]

Maroney and Taylor are both under contract next season. Maroney has been running hard and is having his most consistent season.

Frankly, the running attack isn't going to get any better without improvements to the scheme & offensive line. I think the RBs we have are doing the best they can with what they have available. Any perceived deficiencies in the run game are not to be blamed on the personnel at running back.

The lack of depth at wide receiver right now is a huge problem. Our lack of a #3 wideout, is an issue. As I've said all year, the championship offenses of this Patriot teams in year prior had great depth at the wide receiver position in spite of NOT having any true stars or elite wideouts. We need to get that depth back.

Furthermore, with one year left on Moss contract, we may want to look at the future of the #1 wideout spot. Tate is not projected as that #1 wideout kind of guy. He could be the future at the #3 spot.

For next season I see...

- The need for an immediate upgrade at the #3 WR position, by bringing in a legitimate wide receiver, as they attempted to do with Galloway and Lewis this offseason. I'd love to get Branch back.
- The need for investing in a potential #1 WR in the draft.

I'd like to see the wideout position as such next season:

1) Moss
2) Welker
3) FA
4) Tate
5) Edelman
6) Draftee

I will continue to consider Sam Aiken as a pure STer/borderline WR. He's been decent, but he's just not versatile enough in this offense. I haven't seen him run routes well, and am not impressed with his hands. For a team that - if it had the personnel for it - is running 3 wideouts over half the time, I think having 6 wideouts is a must. Tate, Edelman and whoever is drafted could and should be ST contributors.

 

[12_brady_moss_welker_12]

No way we need any more wideouts. All these young guys--Eldeman, Stanback, etc. have the talent for at least a 3rd WR position. Moss and Welker have quite a few years left in them. Running back would be the better choice here, but I don't think that's the most pressing need. What's the biggest problem right now? Defense. They're getting shredded, mainly by air. The secondary needs help fast, particularly the cornerbacks. But, I would be happy with a Toby Gerhart in Patriots colors.

 

[Metaphors]

Maroney and Taylor are both under contract next season. Maroney has been running hard and is having his most consistent season.

Frankly, the running attack isn't going to get any better without improvements to the scheme & offensive line. I think the RBs we have are doing the best they can with what they have available. Any perceived deficiencies in the run game are not to be blamed on the personnel at running back.

The lack of depth at wide receiver right now is a huge problem. Our lack of a #3 wideout, is an issue. As I've said all year, the championship offenses of this Patriot teams in year prior had great depth at the wide receiver position in spite of NOT having any true stars or elite wideouts. We need to get that depth back.

Furthermore, with one year left on Moss contract, we may want to look at the future of the #1 wideout spot. Tate is not projected as that #1 wideout kind of guy. He could be the future at the #3 spot.

For next season I see...

- The need for an immediate upgrade at the #3 WR position, by bringing in a legitimate wide receiver, as they attempted to do with Galloway and Lewis this offseason. I'd love to get Branch back.
- The need for investing in a potential #1 WR in the draft.

I'd like to see the wideout position as such next season:

1) Moss
2) Welker
3) FA
4) Tate
5) Edelman
6) Draftee

I will continue to consider Sam Aiken as a pure STer/borderline WR. He's been decent, but he's just not versatile enough in this offense. I haven't seen him run routes well, and am not impressed with his hands. For a team that - if it had the personnel for it - is running 3 wideouts over half the time, I think having 6 wideouts is a must. Tate, Edelman and whoever is drafted could and should be ST contributors.

I agree with your assessment of the running game. The RBs have all done a solid job and compliment Brady and the passing attack well. Just this past week the Pats attacked the edges more than I've seen in a looooooong time and the results were excellent.

As for the receivers, I think you have to pay attention to Brady's comfort level. Outside of Moss and Welker, Brady seems very comfortable throwing to Aiken, Edelman and Stanback. So that seems to be a fairly effective 1, 2, 4 (Aiken), 5 (Edelman) and 6 (Stanback).

The wildcard is Tate. I think Tate either settles into the #3 role at some point next year or he moves on. Tate will need practice and game reps to grow into this role. So unless the Pats are ready to give up on Tate or Edelman (and I don't think they are), bringing in a FA to push them down the depth chart seems misguided. Bringing in a draft pick to compete with Stanback for the #6 seems fine, but I wouldn't invest more than a mid-round pick to do it.

I do believe the Pats could use a pure speed guy, but I would rather see that at the RB position as a return guy and an eventual replacement for Faulk.

 

[mayoclinic]

I agree with your assessment of the running game. The RBs have all done a solid job and compliment Brady and the passing attack well. Just this past week the Pats attacked the edges more than I've seen in a looooooong time and the results were excellent.

As for the receivers, I think you have to pay attention to Brady's comfort level. Outside of Moss and Welker, Brady seems very comfortable throwing to Aiken, Edelman and Stanback. So that seems to be a fairly effective 1, 2, 4 (Aiken), 5 (Edelman) and 6 (Stanback).

The wildcard is Tate. I think Tate either settles into the #3 role at some point next year or he moves on. Tate will need practice and game reps to grow into this role. So unless the Pats are ready to give up on Tate or Edelman (and I don't think they are), bringing in a FA to push them down the depth chart seems misguided. Bringing in a draft pick to compete with Stanback for the #6 seems fine, but I wouldn't invest more than a mid-round pick to do it.

I do believe the Pats could use a pure speed guy, but I would rather see that at the RB position as a return guy and an eventual replacement for Faulk.

I agree with most of this. I think Tate gets more than 1 year to prove himself, especially coming off an injury, but I'm not sure I see the sense of diluting his touches by bringing in a short term FA solution.

I'd love to see a speed guy brought in at RB, who can also be used in the passing game. Either someone like Reggie Bush if he gets cut by NO, or a rookie like Dexter McCluster or Noel Devine.