Rebuilding plan

[VJCPatriot]

On defense:

1. Resign Bodden.
2. Acquire a dominant passrusher, either an OLB or DE. Draft or free agency doesn't matter, just get one. TBC as a rotation player is solid but for him to be your best pass rusher is woefully inadequate.
3. Draft Rolando McClain or if BB believes that Mckenzie is 'the guy' see how he develops.
4. Get more help at corner, a veteran CB who isn't washed up would be nice but CB help can be expensive so again we might have to go the draft route. Another Butler type would be very nice.

On offense.

1. Fix the offensive line. It's obvious that this is not the OL of 2007. Two years later and these guys are getting overpowered and pushed around by the Ravens DL.
2. Is Koppen getting pushed around too much? Is it high time to upgrade the interior of the OL? I think so. Would drafting a dominant guard to replace Neal help? I don't think you can really count on Neal after all the injuries over the year.
3. Acquire a real POWER HB. Give me an Eddie George or Jerome Bettis type who can run between the tackles amd move the pile backwards. Maroney is NOT a power HB. Fred Taylor isn't really a bull you over guy either. Bush as a free agent from Oakland is a possibility or get a guy from the draft.
4. Get a legit #3 WR option. Someone who can stretch the field and get open, also someone who is physical enough to run routes over the middle would be ideal. I know that the Pats MO has been to draft small, quick receivers, but I think we have enough of those types. Lets get an Anquin Boldin type that can make the tough catches and outjump the defender this time around.

Any other ideas on what needs fixing? Obviously there are a few pieces of dead wood that need cutting (AD). BB will need to identify who can help this team going forward and who can't and get rid of anyone detrimental to the cause of winning a championship. This is all. If you have anything to add to the plan, feel free.

 

[Patspsycho]

I've said it and I'll say it again, get a very solid run game. That is the best way to protect Brady and reduce wear and tear on him.

No more senior citizens in the backfield, no more question marks.

 

[pats1]

On defense:

1. Resign Bodden.
2. Acquire a dominant passrusher, either an OLB or DE. Draft or free agency doesn't matter, just get one. TBC as a rotation player is solid but for him to be your best pass rusher is woefully inadequate.
3. Draft Rolando McClain or if BB believes that Mckenzie is 'the guy' see how he develops.
4. Get more help at corner, a veteran CB who isn't washed up would be nice but CB help can be expensive so again we might have to go the draft route. Another Butler type would be very nice.

On offense.

1. Fix the offensive line. It's obvious that this is not the OL of 2007. Two years later and these guys are getting overpowered and pushed around by the Ravens DL.
2. Is Koppen getting pushed around too much? Is it high time to upgrade the interior of the OL? I think so. Would drafting a dominant guard to replace Neal help? I don't think you can really count on Neal after all the injuries over the year.
3. Acquire a real POWER HB. Give me an Eddie George or Jerome Bettis type who can run between the tackles amd move the pile backwards. Maroney is NOT a power HB. Fred Taylor isn't really a bull you over guy either. Bush as a free agent from Oakland is a possibility or get a guy from the draft.
4. Get a legit #3 WR option. Someone who can stretch the field and get open, also someone who is physical enough to run routes over the middle would be ideal. I know that the Pats MO has been to draft small, quick receivers, but I think we have enough of those types. Lets get an Anquin Boldin type that can make the tough catches and outjump the defender this time around.

Any other ideas on what needs fixing? Obviously there are a few pieces of dead wood that need cutting (AD). BB will need to identify who can help this team going forward and who can't and get rid of anyone detrimental to the cause of winning a championship. This is all. If you have anything to add to the plan, feel free.

If you say that Banta-Cain is a rotational guy, which I agree with, you need two guys to rotate him with. Right now, you have zero, if Thomas and Burgess don't return. That means your DE/OLB need should really be x2.

 

[JackBauer]

For the running game, I'd very much like them to bring in Michael Bush (if he's an UFA) and re-sign Maroney. Seems like they'd complement each other well. Then cut Morris and keep Taylor as a backup.

 

[pats1]

I've said it and I'll say it again, get a very solid run game. That is the best way to protect Brady and reduce wear and tear on him.

No more senior citizens in the backfield, no more question marks.

I agree. Maroney, and I think even Taylor might be gone. Breer has similar feelings on Taylor in his wrap-up article in today's Globe.

 

[Matw]

I agree with pretty much everything you suggested... To add on:

- Resign Vince Wilfork
- Pickup TO to give Brady a serious option opposite Moss.

 

[pats1]

For the running game, I'd very much like them to bring in Michael Bush (if he's an UFA) and re-sign Maroney. Seems like they'd complement each other well. Then cut Morris and keep Taylor as a backup.

Bush is signed through 2010. Even if he was a FA, he was drafted in 2007, so he'd be a RFA in either a capped or uncapped year.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I've said it and I'll say it again, get a very solid run game. That is the best way to protect Brady and reduce wear and tear on him.

No more senior citizens in the backfield, no more question marks.

I don't really have a problem with Taylor and Morris. The real problem is that they are just as brittle as Maroney and will likely miss half the season at this point in their careers. So if you can't count on em, probably one or both of them might be gone. I really wish we had drafted Michael Turner.

Anyways, I think acquiring a real power HB would help this offense. Someone who can be counted on to move the chains on 3rd and shorts instead of having to go into an empty shotgun offense that takes away all doubt from the defense on what play is coming up next!

And perhaps getting a REAL OC would also help this offense as well. It looked quite predictable this season and was often getting shut down in the 2nd half. Couldn't move the ball when we needed to, leading to the many blown 4th quarter leads that almost NEVER used to happen to this team.

I agree with pretty much everything you suggested... To add on:

- Resign Vince Wilfork
- Pickup TO to give Brady a serious option opposite Moss.

1. I'm on board with resigning Wilfork. He is an absolute anchor on defense and Brace has looked very unimpressive.
2. No way to TO. If you think AD is bad, TO is 10x as cancerous and at this stage of his career is in decline. He accomplished nothing in Buffalo. Sure his QB sucked but still, he never stepped up or showed that he could 'lead the way' either. So 100x NO to TO.

 

[JackBauer]

Bush is signed through 2010. Even if he was a FA, he was drafted in 2007, so he'd be a RFA in either a capped or uncapped year.

Bummer. He'd have been a solid addition.

Who is out there in FA at RB?

If they let both Maroney and Taylor walk, that's a hell of a hole they'll need to fill.

 

[JackBauer]

Also, I'm very much in favor of acquiring Lee Evans.

 

[everlong]

I think we need to add a RDE to the mix. Green is likely gone and even if he isn't after the way the Ravens ran over him I think he's best in his usual pass rushing specialist role. Without Seymour it additional allowed the Ravens to key on taking VW out of the game which they did successfully. In years past you couldn't get away with doing that because his presence kept teams honest.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I think we need to add a RDE to the mix. Green is likely gone and even if he isn't after the way the Ravens ran over him I think he's best in his usual pass rushing specialist role. Without Seymour it additional allowed the Ravens to key on taking VW out of the game which they did successfully. In years past you couldn't get away with doing that because his presence kept teams honest.

Agreed. The Ravens were keying on Wilfork. They must have been double-triple teaming him the whole game and ignoring our other DEs. Wright and Pryor are alright, but they are not guys that an offensive line needs to pay attention to. Seymour commanded double teams, say what you will about his 'declining' performance. We need to find a replacement for his presence through either free agency or the draft.

 

[pats1]

Bummer. He'd have been a solid addition.

Who is out there in FA at RB?

If they let both Maroney and Taylor walk, that's a hell of a hole they'll need to fill.

Unrestricted-wise, Larry Johnson, Willie Parker, Chester Taylor (if there's a new CBA, Ronnie Brown's contract voids and he's a UFA)

Restricted-wise, Darren Sproles, Jerious Norwood, Mike Bell, Pierre Thomas, LenDale White, Leon Washington, Ryan Moats

 

[fumbrunner]

Unrestricted-wise, Larry Johnson, Willie Parker, Chester Taylor (if there's a new CBA, Ronnie Brown's contract voids and he's a UFA)

Restricted-wise, Darren Sproles, Jerious Norwood, Mike Bell, Pierre Thomas, LenDale White, Leon Washington, Ryan Moats

Restricted means the team could match, correct?

 

[pats1]

Restricted means the team could match, correct?

Right. But they first tender the player at a certain draft-pick compensation level (1st and 3rd, 1st, 2nd, original), with the highest being about $3M in 2010. If they chose not to match, they receive that draft pick compensation from you.

Most of the players I mentioned who are RFAs will be UFAs in the unlikely event a new CBA is reached in the next month.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Restricted means the team could match, correct?

Correct. But if they don't match, they get draft pick compensation.

 

[PowerRunRevival]

Posted this in another thread but I think it belongs in this section.

Long time lurker first time poster. The numbers are the problems the Pats have and the letters underneath are the solutions in no particular order (in my opinion)

Offense
1. Offensive playcalling (yes that's a pun)
a. New OC
b. More running
c. Varied formations
d. Trick plays to keep defenses honest

2. Offensive Line Play
a. Draft big guard who can move people in the run game (Vlad Ducasse out of UMass with 2nd rounder)
b. Let Matt Light walk
c. Run the ball (it's easy for opponents rushers to t off when they know it's going to be a pass)

3. QB Play
a. Run the ball (balance will keep the heat off Brady)
b. Change offense so that it isn't based on the staring down Welker's option Route or Moss go
c. Go back to a progression offense where Brady looks at all his reads

4. Running back play
a. Vary running formations (When we ran the ball we were in obvious run formations and the same is true of the pass.
b. Draft running back (Gerhart, Best or Dwyer with a second round pick)

5. Wide Reciever play
a. Draft a wideout (Benn,G. Tate, Decker, Shipley)
b. Sign a wideout
c. Give B. Tate a chance
d. More screens for Moss, more playaction to free him deep
e. Watch Edelman grow into top notch wr

Defense
1. Defensive back play
a. Draft DB (Hayden if he slips to our 1st, Mays if he slips to our second, Ghee with our late 2nd.
b. Look for veteran presence to solidify back end think what Sharper did for the Saints.

2. Linebacker play
a. See what you have in McKenzie and Crable
b. Look for experienced Vet that can run the complicated defenses Belichick prefers
c. Pass rushing specialist out of the draft (if Jerry Hughes is available with our pick in the first round and we don't take him I will break something in my house)
d. Pass rushing specialist in free agency, I know the Julius Peppers rumors were flying last year, let's pick him up for large money in an uncapped year.
e. Adalius needs to go

3. Defensive Line play
a. Run stuffer in case Wilfork walks, or to help Wilfork stuff middle in 4-3 (Cody has been slipping to the second rounds in some mocks)
b. See if Brace or Pryor develop.
C. Get power pass rush DL for passing situations.

Special Teams
1. Punting
a. Find a new Punter
2. Kicking
a. Resign the ghost
3. Return game
a. Get returner in free agency or draft
4. Kickoff game
a. resign arrington

We could easily shore up 4 different needs within the first two rounds, if we can do that, get a new oc and sign a vet or 2 I think we are Super Bowl contenders again next year.

 

[JackBauer]

Unrestricted-wise, Larry Johnson, Willie Parker, Chester Taylor (if there's a new CBA, Ronnie Brown's contract voids and he's a UFA)

Restricted-wise, Darren Sproles, Jerious Norwood, Mike Bell, Pierre Thomas, LenDale White, Leon Washington, Ryan Moats

I like Chester Taylor, but he's been around for a while and I'd expect him to start declining pretty soon. He didn't look very good at all this year.

Boy, what I wouldn't give to have Pierre Thomas and Leon Washington...

 

[pats1]

Posted this in another thread but I think it belongs in this section.

Long time lurker first time poster. The numbers are the problems the Pats have and the letters underneath are the solutions in no particular order (in my opinion)

Offense
1. Offensive playcalling (yes that's a pun)
a. New OC
b. More running
c. Varied formations
d. Trick plays to keep defenses honest

2. Offensive Line Play
a. Draft big guard who can move people in the run game (Vlad Ducasse out of UMass with 2nd rounder)
b. Let Matt Light walk
c. Run the ball (it's easy for opponents rushers to t off when they know it's going to be a pass)

3. QB Play
a. Run the ball (balance will keep the heat off Brady)
b. Change offense so that it isn't based on the staring down Welker's option Route or Moss go
c. Go back to a progression offense where Brady looks at all his reads

4. Running back play
a. Vary running formations (When we ran the ball we were in obvious run formations and the same is true of the pass.
b. Draft running back (Gerhart, Best or Dwyer with a second round pick)

5. Wide Reciever play
a. Draft a wideout (Benn,G. Tate, Decker, Shipley)
b. Sign a wideout
c. Give B. Tate a chance
d. More screens for Moss, more playaction to free him deep
e. Watch Edelman grow into top notch wr

Defense
1. Defensive back play
a. Draft DB (Hayden if he slips to our 1st, Mays if he slips to our second, Ghee with our late 2nd.
b. Look for veteran presence to solidify back end think what Sharper did for the Saints.

2. Linebacker play
a. See what you have in McKenzie and Crable
b. Look for experienced Vet that can run the complicated defenses Belichick prefers
c. Pass rushing specialist out of the draft (if Jerry Hughes is available with our pick in the first round and we don't take him I will break something in my house)
d. Pass rushing specialist in free agency, I know the Julius Peppers rumors were flying last year, let's pick him up for large money in an uncapped year.
e. Adalius needs to go

3. Defensive Line play
a. Run stuffer in case Wilfork walks, or to help Wilfork stuff middle in 4-3 (Cody has been slipping to the second rounds in some mocks)
b. See if Brace or Pryor develop.
C. Get power pass rush DL for passing situations.

Special Teams
1. Punting
a. Find a new Punter
2. Kicking
a. Resign the ghost
3. Return game
a. Get returner in free agency or draft
4. Kickoff game
a. resign arrington

We could easily shore up 4 different needs within the first two rounds, if we can do that, get a new oc and sign a vet or 2 I think we are Super Bowl contenders again next year.

Excellent post. Just a few comments:

-When you say draft a DB, do you mean a corner? Because I think they're all set at safety. At corner, they'll probably re-signed Bodden and they drafted Butler in the 2nd last year.

-Tate is the NCAA career leader in return yards, and had some good returns for the Pats this year before he got hurt.

-Arrington is already signed through 2010, and will still be an ERFA after that.

 

[JackBauer]

Posted this in another thread but I think it belongs in this section.

Long time lurker first time poster. The numbers are the problems the Pats have and the letters underneath are the solutions in no particular order (in my opinion)

Offense
1. Offensive playcalling (yes that's a pun)
a. New OC
b. More running
c. Varied formations
d. Trick plays to keep defenses honest

2. Offensive Line Play
a. Draft big guard who can move people in the run game (Vlad Ducasse out of UMass with 2nd rounder)
b. Let Matt Light walk
c. Run the ball (it's easy for opponents rushers to t off when they know it's going to be a pass)

3. QB Play
a. Run the ball (balance will keep the heat off Brady)
b. Change offense so that it isn't based on the staring down Welker's option Route or Moss go
c. Go back to a progression offense where Brady looks at all his reads

4. Running back play
a. Vary running formations (When we ran the ball we were in obvious run formations and the same is true of the pass.
b. Draft running back (Gerhart, Best or Dwyer with a second round pick)

5. Wide Reciever play
a. Draft a wideout (Benn,G. Tate, Decker, Shipley)
b. Sign a wideout
c. Give B. Tate a chance
d. More screens for Moss, more playaction to free him deep
e. Watch Edelman grow into top notch wr

Defense
1. Defensive back play
a. Draft DB (Hayden if he slips to our 1st, Mays if he slips to our second, Ghee with our late 2nd.
b. Look for veteran presence to solidify back end think what Sharper did for the Saints.

2. Linebacker play
a. See what you have in McKenzie and Crable
b. Look for experienced Vet that can run the complicated defenses Belichick prefers
c. Pass rushing specialist out of the draft (if Jerry Hughes is available with our pick in the first round and we don't take him I will break something in my house)
d. Pass rushing specialist in free agency, I know the Julius Peppers rumors were flying last year, let's pick him up for large money in an uncapped year.
e. Adalius needs to go

3. Defensive Line play
a. Run stuffer in case Wilfork walks, or to help Wilfork stuff middle in 4-3 (Cody has been slipping to the second rounds in some mocks)
b. See if Brace or Pryor develop.
C. Get power pass rush DL for passing situations.

Special Teams
1. Punting
a. Find a new Punter
2. Kicking
a. Resign the ghost
3. Return game
a. Get returner in free agency or draft
4. Kickoff game
a. resign arrington

We could easily shore up 4 different needs within the first two rounds, if we can do that, get a new oc and sign a vet or 2 I think we are Super Bowl contenders again next year.

Why would you let Matt Light walk?

Who do you start at LT/RT next season? Kaczur again?