DW Toys
In the Starting Line-Up
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Let me rephrase my statement as it seems more harsh than it really is. What I meant by "trouble" is that they won't be a championship quality team. I expect them to win the division but get bounced out of the 1st or 2nd round of the playoffs if they continue to have drafts like they've had. Expect seasons like '02, '05 and '09.
The only difference between other teams having the same "Ifs" as the Pats is that they don't have Tom Brady, Peyton Manning or Drew Brees. Specifically, Brady and Manning are expected by their fans and the media to compete for a super bowl victory every season. The same cannot be said for most teams in the NFL.
Don't get me wrong, I like the current approach of the Pats which is not spending big in free agency but building through the draft. The only problem is, their recent drafts have been pretty bad (specifically '06 and '08). Also, I said last year's draft was the most critical in the BB's era and out of 10 picks, none made an impact. That's pretty pathetic when a team is going through as much turnover as the Pats. This draft will be interesting as it's being hyped up as one of the best classes in years. It's not asking much for the Pats to acquire one player in this year's draft to make an impact. Despite what most fans say on this board, plenty of positions are up for grabs.
Best post on the thread. Thank you.
Please all you Draftnics. Understand that the Draft alone cannot help us out of our talent hole this year. I am amused that some have said chill out it's only March. Yep...... there will be some odd cuts, but let's not bank on them. My concern is that there is a small pool of players that could have helped us this year in FA or trades and we all have our opinions as to who. I am also amused when another team winds up with a decent FA or Trade pick-up we scoff at that Team for such an "un-wise" choice. Yet we would temper that negative if we had picked up that guy. In my unimportant opinion, they whiffed on Boldin big-time. Dansby would have surely been a superb upgrade to go with Mayo in the middle. These guys are a proven commodity unlike an 18% Draft player chance. Of the first ten Draft choices in the first round of the Draft, only 43% ot those "blue chipers" make it to one Pro bowl. We are drafting #22 and that quality shrinks. Now if we had gotten say a Boldin or a Dansby you don't need to use the precious Draft for a WR or a ILB. These signings would help the Draft.
As I have said, think 18% NFL Draft success rate and that is at the end of three years. Hey some of last years Drafts could separate themselves and turn it on, but the cold dark reality is 18%. If we hit an absolute grand slam home run in 2010(and BB seems to be aiming for the bottom of the 9th) we will get 4 studs that are impact players, solid long term starters or major contributors (not JAGS). Four players of quality are not enough.That is why you have some targets out there that can at the least be considered like Marshall, Ray Edwards (he won't help? and is without question better than any #22 on the board and only 25 years old?), Carriker (why Ordick over this guy? and yes he was miscast and is now healthy and only 26) Olsen (25), Cooley (27), Morrison or some others who may be available like Santana Moss.
I agree don't make a deal for the sake of making a deal but wasn't Boldin a inexpensive pick up for the Ravens? Wasn't Davis a fit here? Doesn't Dansby fill a hole in the middle that the Ravens exploited Wilfork or not?
You have a month before the Draft. Pre-Season and training camp trades and cut pick ups happen but if you gamble on that fact you COULD lose.
Yes, in the past the Pats could sit and wait it out because they had sufficient talent. I can almost swear that the Pats FO seems to be blowing off 2010 and preparing for 2011 when a CAP or certain rules are back. I hope I am wrong.
Here is why I say we are in trouble. You are welcome to disagree with my 2010 assessment.
QB=A
WR=INC (need two with no Welker. No Galloways or Reeds need apply)
TE=F
O LINE=C (an unreliable Kaczur, Light is older, on his last contract year and has been dinged, Koppen has digressed, Neal is old and injury prone)
RB=C- (three old guys and one unreliable over hyped guy who this year is really, really going to try and get better this time...nyet!)
D LINE=INC (need a starting DE and another rotation guy. Brace is another 2nd round question mark pick)
LB=INC (need two OLBS)
DB=C+ (would have been a C-if Bodden had not been resigned. 2nd round choice! Wheatley has makings of a bust, Wilhite looks to be more of a reserve)
K=B (not as good as previous years)
P=INC
On your mark, get set....
DW Toys
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