Reiss Mailbag 1/19/10

[TriplecHamp]

Patriots mailbag full of offseason questions - ESPN Boston

Some of the topics:

1. The search for a new defensive coordinator.

2. Assessing the need for a top running back.

3. Would the Patriots bring back Deion Branch and Donte Stallworth?

4. Mapping out a realistic free-agent approach.

5. Revisiting the Vince Wilfork/franchise tag situation.

 

[WhoaDirty]

I wonder what the chances of **** Jauron coming here would be. He seems like a great coach, just maybe not of the HC variety. Something like Capers' position last year might be right up his alley.

 

[BradfordPatsFan]

I could be wrong but aren't BB and **** Juron somewhat close?

 

[mayoclinic]

I wonder what the chances of **** Jauron coming here would be. He seems like a great coach, just maybe not of the HC variety. Something like Capers' position last year might be right up his alley.

BB and **** Jauron are indeed close, and BB gave several shout outs to Jauron while he was in Buffalo. I'd love to see Jauron brought in as DC, with the plan of letting him work with Patricia or Johnson and grooming them to take over in 2-3 years. Jauron wasn't a great head coach in either Buffalo or Chicago, but he's just the kind of experienced creative mind who would be a good DC for us.

 

[mayoclinic]

Nice line about adding playmakers to the team: "One of the buzzwords of the Patriots' offseason, to me, is 'playmakers'. They need more of them on offense and defense, and I think fresh legs at running back are needed. I don't see how they can come back with the same group and expect better results. The other part of this is with the line and play-calling. I believe that you can have a great back, but he won't go far without solid line play and a commitment to run it."

I can't agree more. We need "fresh legs", with Morris, Taylor and Faulk all in the geriatric age for running backs. Faulk ran fresh this year, but Morris and Taylor looked their age, and were injury prone. We need some fresh legs and a dynamic offensive playmaker like CJ Spiller or Jahvid Best, and we need to come up with better line play and schemes to allow those playmakers to get the ball in a way in which they can do some damage. We particularly need to get away from the predictable formations of this season in which we often only had a running back in when we were going to run the ball, and everyone knew it.

 

[Kontradiction]

This guy sounds like he posts here...

Q: The Chargers will most likely be looking to get rid of LaDainian Tomlinson in order to sign some of their many free agents. LT's stats have declined recently, but the Pats desperately need someone who can run the rock and make plays, which I think LT can still do (and Laurence Maroney obviously can't). What are your thoughts on the Pats pursuing LT this offseason? -- Mike (Boston)

A: I'd be surprised at this one, Mike. I think the idea of fresh legs is more likely than someone like the 30-year-old Tomlinson. The Patriots have Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris under contract, so I think going young would be the smarter course of action.

 

[mayoclinic]

This guy sounds like he posts here...

I totally agree with Reiss' response. It's time for fresh legs, not tired legs.

 

[Kontradiction]

Nice line about adding playmakers to the team: "One of the buzzwords of the Patriots' offseason, to me, is 'playmakers'. They need more of them on offense and defense, and I think fresh legs at running back are needed. I don't see how they can come back with the same group and expect better results. The other part of this is with the line and play-calling. I believe that you can have a great back, but he won't go far without solid line play and a commitment to run it."

I can't agree more. We need "fresh legs", with Morris, Taylor and Faulk all in the geriatric age for running backs. Faulk ran fresh this year, but Morris and Taylor looked their age, and were injury prone. We need some fresh legs and a dynamic offensive playmaker like CJ Spiller or Jahvid Best, and we need to come up with better line play and schemes to allow those playmakers to get the ball in a way in which they can do some damage. We particularly need to get away from the predictable formations of this season in which we often only had a running back in when we were going to run the ball, and everyone knew it.

I like Best a lot myself, but he's a speed back. He'd essentially be the same thing as Maroney. Dwyer from GT seems more powerful but I think that the Chargers will trade up to get him.

 

[TriplecHamp]

I like Best a lot myself, but he's a speed back. He'd essentially be the same thing as Maroney. Dwyer from GT seems more powerful but I think that the Chargers will trade up to get him.

Best is another Felix Jones type, could be a serious weapon for us if we don't overuse him. Morris/Best sounds good to me. I like McKnight as well.

 

[mayoclinic]

I like Best a lot myself, but he's a speed back. He'd essentially be the same thing as Maroney. Dwyer from GT seems more powerful but I think that the Chargers will trade up to get him.

I had the Chargers taking Dwyer in the 1st round in my latest mock, but that was before LT said he would play one more year. Again, Spiller is the guy I'd like to see the most right now.

I'm not sure what kind of back Maroney is. He's certainly not a "speed back" like Best, who is 5'10" (at most) and 190 lbs. Maroney is 5'11" and a solid 220 lbs. And I have to say I've been a bit disappointed with Maroney's burst, especially on kickoff returns. He just doesn't seem that fast. He was billed as a "can take it to the house on any play" kind of guy when he came out in 2006, but I really haven't seen that kind of breakaway speed from him. On the other hand, the way he started running the ball this season, he actually seemed almost more like a power back at times - not in the Jonathan Dwyer or Corey Dillon class, but more so than a speed back. Best is clearly much more of an all-purpose weapon and elusive speed back than Maroney is at this point, and I think their styles are not at all similar.

I'd prefer CJ Spiller to Best, but if we could get best at 47 it might be preferable to having to trade up to get Spiller in the 1st round.

 

[Kontradiction]

I had the Chargers taking Dwyer in the 1st round in my latest mock, but that was before LT said he would play one more year. Again, Spiller is the guy I'd like to see the most right now.

I'm not sure what kind of back Maroney is. He's certainly not a "speed back" like Best, who is 5'10" (at most) and 190 lbs. Maroney is 5'11" and a solid 220 lbs. And I have to say I've been a bit disappointed with Maroney's burst, especially on kickoff returns. He just doesn't seem that fast. He was billed as a "can take it to the house on any play" kind of guy when he came out in 2006, but I really haven't seen that kind of breakaway speed from him. On the other hand, the way he started running the ball this season, he actually seemed almost more like a power back at times - not in the Jonathan Dwyer or Corey Dillon class, but more so than a speed back. Best is clearly much more of an all-purpose weapon and elusive speed back than Maroney is at this point, and I think their styles are not at all similar.

I'd prefer CJ Spiller to Best, but if we could get best at 47 it might be preferable to having to trade up to get Spiller in the 1st round.

Eh, I just don't see Jahvid Best going into the second round. IMO, his combine numbers will probably ensure him first round draft pick status.

 

[mayoclinic]

Eh, I just don't see Jahvid Best going into the second round. IMO, his combine numbers will probably ensure him first round draft pick status.

You may be right. Most mocks have him in the mid-2nd round right now, and his concussion history may scare some teams off. If he goes 1st round, I'd rather have CJ Spiller - more durable, and I think a bit more explosive.

 

[Kontradiction]

You may be right. Most mocks have him in the mid-2nd round right now, and his concussion history may scare some teams off. If he goes 1st round, I'd rather have CJ Spiller - more durable, and I think a bit more explosive.

Agreed. But CJ Spiller is top ten (possibly top five) material. I'd love to have him too, but I wouldn't trade up to get him. Especially in a year in which we have so many other needs to fill.

 

[PowerAlley.com]

The team has been kind of snakebitten with running back selections. Martin was great. Edwards has a chance to be as great before he got hurt. maroney would have been a good 3rd round selection, not a first.

 

[wilfork is beastin']

I wonder what the chances of **** Jauron coming here would be. He seems like a great coach, just maybe not of the HC variety. Something like Capers' position last year might be right up his alley.

I'd actually have no problem it if he came in as our DB's coach. He may not be HC material but he 's always been good at coaching and developing DBs.


...except when it comes to returning punts on monday night

 

[ausbacker]

Good to see the learned folk of patsfans.com can identify and discuss the important issues thrown about by media types way in advance.

 

[alphilip77]

I'd actually have no problem it if he came in as our DB's coach. He may not be HC material but he 's always been good at coaching and developing DBs.


...except when it comes to returning punts on monday night

Hohohoho! It's funny because Leodis McKelvin fumbled the football and then we scored and won the game! Ohhh......

 

[Patjew]

Hohohoho! It's funny because Leodis McKelvin fumbled the football and then we scored and won the game! Ohhh......

... and that's when I learned what sarcasm is.

 

[Joker]

... and that's when I learned what sarcasm is.

I learned sarcasm from my ex-wife...

 

[Patjew]

I learned sarcasm from my ex-wife...

Sounds painful. And expensive.