Is this really a defensive draft?

[BelichickFan]

I hope your flame-proof uniform is on when you indicate that our OL is fine for years if we simply extend Mankins and Koppen next year. And just BTW, I agree with you 100%.

However, we are always on the lookout for a RG, especially one that can be backup center on gameday.

Personally I would prefer to upgrade from Kaczur. But he's (just) good enough and I think Vollmer, Mankins and Koppen are fine (V&M more than that). Neal is an issue but he's signed for two years. We still have Ohrnberger and Bussey from last year's draft, I'm not thinking in terms of moving on from them as backups until we have more data.

 

[BelichickFan]

You think Neal's going to play for "years"?

2 years is a long time in the NFL. If Neal is able to play for those two years that position is low on my radar especially as Guard isn't the most difficult skillset in the NFL and we have a few leftovers from the 2009 draft that we still don't know about.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

DEFENSE
The defense has been in a period of transformation for awhile now. We de need 2-3 front seven folks. If we get these players. the defense is set for years. We would have a solid mix of veterans and youngsters. Consider this defense with Odrick and Hughes or Dunlop or Sapp added for the future. The defense is really 2-3 players away. We may only add two.

First of all, even if the Pats pull a miracle and get a player who can actually rush the passer not named TBC, their defense still isn't set. We don't know how Chung, Butler, Brace, and McKenzie will pan out. However, guys like Crable, Wheatley and Wilhite will eventually be replaced. Just because you draft someone, doesn't mean your "set".

OFFENSE
As we look to the team of 2011 and 2012, the offense is a mess. This may see a curious statement for me, since I have said the 2010 offense is almost set at 20 positions.
However, if we look at the draft, which is supposed to focus of 2011 and beyond, the picture changes. We have ZERO guards for 2011. We have ZERO running backs. We have holes at WR. We need as center for 2011 or 2012

I agree with this, their offense is a mess.
RB: Maroney is a decent back, but he isn't a starter. I'd like the Pats to draft a RB as early as the 2nd round.
WR: Welker and Tate's injury has done a lot of damage to this group. If a guy like Dez Bryant falls to the Pats at 22, it wouldn't surprise me to see the Pats take him.
OL: Kaczur and Koppen need to be replaced. The Pats also need to find a guard to eventually replace Neal.

 

[mgteich]

DEFENSE
Okay, it is never "set". There is always some turnover. And I didn't say that we'd be set with one impact addition. I said 2-3.

OFFENSE
Kaczur has already been replaced.

First of all, even if the Pats pull a miracle and get a player who can actually rush the passer not named TBC, their defense still isn't set. We don't know how Chung, Butler, Brace, and McKenzie will pan out. However, guys like Crable, Wheatley and Wilhite will eventually be replaced. Just because you draft someone, doesn't mean your "set".


I agree with this, their offense is a mess.
RB: Maroney is a decent back, but he isn't a starter. I'd like the Pats to draft a RB as early as the 2nd round.
WR: Welker and Tate's injury has done a lot of damage to this group. If a guy like Dez Bryant falls to the Pats at 22, it wouldn't surprise me to see the Pats take him.
OL: Kaczur and Koppen need to be replaced. The Pats also need to find a guard to eventually replace Neal.