We're fine on the defensive line

[mgteich]

Sure, we absolutely need to draft a DE or two early in this fine draft class. But this situation is pretty normal turnover. We have one starter (DE) that we would like to upgrade and we need one backup/situational player (DE).

We have Warrren, Wilfork and Wright as returning starters.
We have Brace and Pryor as our 2009 additions and DT backups.
We need to re-sign or upgrade for Burgess and Green.

 

[BelichickFan]

We really need a good starter at RDE IMO. Wright is excellent as a backup who can play multiple positions. I don't like him as a starter. In fact RDE is right at the top of my "need positions" along with SOLB.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

wright is not a starter..........but he provides huge value across the line as a backup.......the RDE the pats need does not exist on the roster

as of right now, brace has shown nothing

 

[JackBauer]

Would like to draft a guy like Odrick for that RDE spot.

Not sure who would be around in the 2nd round who would fit the bill.

 

[BelichickFan]

Would like to draft a guy like Odrick for that RDE spot.

Odrick is still my pick at #22 also. There's some other 3-4 DE in the draft but not a lot and they're not first rounders, some guys who I would consider reaches but not too crazy in the second round. I think Odrick in the first round would be an excellent pick as our other needs like LB, OL, TE are deeper in the second round.

 

[RayClay]

We might need to acquire a FA DE plus a draftee. Let the backups sort themselves out.

 

[Deus Irae]

Sure, we absolutely need to draft a DE or two early in this fine draft class. But this situation is pretty normal turnover. We have one starter (DE) that we would like to upgrade and we need one backup/situational player (DE).

We have Warrren, Wilfork and Wright as returning starters.
We have Brace and Pryor as our 2009 additions and DT backups.
We need to re-sign or upgrade for Burgess and Green.

I have to assume that you're kidding with this post.

 

[mgteich]

I agree.

The defensive line would be much, much better with Wright and Pryor as our primary backups, and with a new starter at RDE.

We really need a good starter at RDE IMO. Wright is excellent as a backup who can play multiple positions. I don't like him as a starter. In fact RDE is right at the top of my "need positions" along with SOLB.

 

[PowerRunRevival]

If we can grab a starter like Odrick or Williams in the draft. I'd like to sign one free agent.

The we can have Warren, Wilfork and Odrick on the d line and back them up with Wright, Pryor and Free Agent X. I think slotting Brace as a starter or even a back up is a mistake. If we put him in the position that he can help us but we don't need him I think that would be ideal.

 

[Marqui]

Not sure who would be around in the 2nd round who would fit the bill.

Vince Oghobaase is just as good as Odrick but can be had in the 2nd or 3rd round because of an injury riddled senior season.

 

[mgteich]

Brace is our #7 defensive lineman. He may develop, or not. However, having a #7 DL that does OK when he starts is pretty good (even if we overpaid). In any case, Brace was insurance against not extending Wilfork. That is no longer an issue. Now, we'll see if Brace will hae a role as a situational DT, or whether he'll be the perennial inactive defensive lineman active only when there is an injury.

If we can grab a starter like Odrick or Williams in the draft. I'd like to sign one free agent.

The we can have Warren, Wilfork and Odrick on the d line and back them up with Wright, Pryor and Free Agent X. I think slotting Brace as a starter or even a back up is a mistake. If we put him in the position that he can help us but we don't need him I think that would be ideal.

 

[Sicilian]

We might need to acquire a FA DE plus a draftee. Let the backups sort themselves out.

Agree 100%. I never like going into a season counting on rookie (even a first rounder) to slilde in as a starter. Wright is a great backup and sub-player for 3rd downs, but is not a good guy to start while the rookie gets his feet wet (however long that would take).

Sign a veteran who has started before like a Marques Douglas, etc, draft a rookie high, and if the rookie surprises that's great. If not, you at least have a placeholder until he's ready.

 

[Deus Irae]

1.) This team hasn't been in the offseason in need of a starter on the line since 2004, so the situation isn't normal turnover.

2.) Other than Warren and Wilfork, the team has nobody on the defensive line that can stop the run. I consider that a problem when you're using a 3-4 defense.

3.) Only Wright came even close to being a consistent concern for defenses on passing downs.

 

[Ring 6]

Brace is our #7 defensive lineman. He may develop, or not. However, having a #7 DL that does OK when he starts is pretty good (even if we overpaid). In any case, Brace was insurance against not extending Wilfork. That is no longer an issue. Now, we'll see if Brace will hae a role as a situational DT, or whether he'll be the perennial inactive defensive lineman active only when there is an injury.

Come on we need 22 all pros backed up by 31 former or future allpros or we are destined for 8-8.
If the weakest starter on the team is Mike Wright we will be playing at least into late January.
I agree with you that we need depth but I expect that on March 9th we need depth at many spots and the 15 or so players we are going to add to the 53 from here on are why.
As far as Brace, it amazes me that people think we can solve all of our problems with draft choices and then think we need to pretend last years draft choices dont exist while building our team.
People are actually saying draft a player to start at DE and throw last years #2 DT on the scrap heap??????

 

[tanked_as_usual]

at the top of the draft, odrick is the only 'who will be there' that fits the bill in terms of both size and mobility........but there are some real interesting prospects that will be around day 3....

CJ wilson(a little bigger and a little faster than jarvis green), EJ wilson, clifton geathers (6'8"/300 and runs a sub 5.00/40...very raw tho)

 

[WhiZa]

I think we need a starting point on if we are talking about the DL for the 3-4 or the 4-3. Personally I think we will be using a lot of 4-3 next year and in that case we are missing a starter at DE.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

Brace is our #7 defensive lineman. He may develop, or not. However, having a #7 DL that does OK when he starts is pretty good (even if we overpaid). In any case, Brace was insurance against not extending Wilfork. That is no longer an issue. Now, we'll see if Brace will hae a role as a situational DT, or whether he'll be the perennial inactive defensive lineman active only when there is an injury.

brace showed nothing last year....except that he was not ready for the NFL

 

[tanked_as_usual]

Come on we need 22 all pros backed up by 31 former or future allpros or we are destined for 8-8.
If the weakest starter on the team is Mike Wright we will be playing at least into late January.
I agree with you that we need depth but I expect that on March 9th we need depth at many spots and the 15 or so players we are going to add to the 53 from here on are why.
As far as Brace, it amazes me that people think we can solve all of our problems with draft choices and then think we need to pretend last years draft choices dont exist while building our team.
People are actually saying draft a player to start at DE and throw last years #2 DT on the scrap heap??????

how about we start with players who are prepared to play in the NFL.....brace was not........I'm hoping that a season of OTA's may get him to at least not get pushed around by one guy.

with wilfork extended, brace has become a wasted pick

 

[mgteich]

We had such a need in 2009, unless you think that the trading of Seymour was just a whim.

1.) This team hasn't been in the offseason in need of a starter on the line since 2004, so the situation isn't normal turnover.

 

[Amnorix]

Just wanted to note that Wilfork has position flexibility. If Brace can be a solid NT, then I think Wilfork could absolutely be starting RDE. We saw that when he went against Long in the Miami game.

Of course, that might not be the best use for Wilfork, but I'll let the coaching staff decide which combination of linemen is better to have on the field, and where they line up, in any given circumstance.

That begs the question, however, of Brace, and whether he'll ever amount to anything. Certainly his rookie year was a tremendous disappointment. Usually, the biggest leap in a pro's career is from the first to the second year, so 2010 means everything to Brace, and the Patriots.