After today... This looks like a 9-7 team as of today..

[shmessy]

Re: After today... Still a 9-7 team..

Excuse me... what?

Damione Lewis is a 300lb defensive tackle.

While we're at it, let's see if Ron Brace can play rush linebacker.

I have him pencilled in as the punt returner.

 

[Ring 6]

Re: After today... Still a 9-7 team..

You blaming the refs, is idiotic... But Im being a realist... will i be upset that we go 14-2.. Hell no... I just see the Ravens , Jets and Dolphins.. who we all lost to once each, get better.. We stayed pretty much status quo.. I dont see this team as it stands right now on April 24th being a real super bowl contenter , which in Tom Brady and Randy Moss's prime this should be one... but I understand what direction the team is going.. The first pick of the draft was not something this 2010 team needed, Jerry Hughes or even Odrick from PSU, who I cant stand would have filled a huge need..Mccordy will fill a need maybee in 2012...

So the fact that we improved the corner position first instead of drafting a DE who doesnt fit our system because you like the idea makes all of the acquisitions null?

WR- HOLT, PRICE, TATE
TE- CRUMPLER, GRONKO, HERNANDEZ
DE- LEWIS, WARREN
LB- CUNNINGHAM, SPIKES, MCKENZIE, CRABLE
CB- MCCOURTY

None of those players arrived because you want to think you know more about what player we should have picked in the first round. Great. Good night.

 

[Ring 6]

Actually I just want to boil this down to one question.
The Dolphins were 7-9 last year. What did they do to become LIGHT YEARS BETTER THAN US?

 

[eom]

Actually I just want to boil this down to one question.
The Dolphins were 7-9 last year. What did they do to become LIGHT YEARS BETTER THAN US?

got rid of ted ginn.

 

[The Dynasty]

Re: After today... Still a 9-7 team..

So the fact that we improved the corner position first instead of drafting a DE who doesnt fit our system because you like the idea makes all of the acquisitions null?

WR- HOLT, PRICE, TATE
TE- CRUMPLER, GRONKO, HERNANDEZ
DE- LEWIS, WARREN
LB- CUNNINGHAM, SPIKES, MCKENZIE, CRABLE
CB- MCCOURTY

None of those players arrived because you want to think you know more about what player we should have picked in the first round. Great. Good night.

I was one of those that really didnt like the 1st round pick at all, but BB definitely responded and had a great 2nd and 3rd round and overall had a very successful draft. He addressed the needs of the team to the best that he could. While I agree with what Sean is saying about the McCourty pick that he probably wont be a huge factor until 2011 or 2012 it was still a good pick because he will be able to contribute this season on ST and sub packages and probably most of all is a very smart football player.

I would expect Gronkowski and Hernandez to see significant time at TE this season. Cunningham has a chance to start on this team and so does Spikes. BB's connection with Meyer really helped him with this draft I believe, Meyer is going to straight shoot him with his honest opinion of his players. Taylor has less of a chance of player/making the team but it wasnt a bad pick. The wild card in all of the picks seeing playing time is how guys that were on IR come back in 2010. Crable, McKenzie and Tate all have a chance to prove themselves and possibly even start in Crable and McKenzie. I think there will be a lot of good young competition for starting jobs and playing time in training camp

 

[RodThePat]

We have a great influx of young players, Brady is one year removed from an ACL surgery, last season's draft picks have one year under their belt. Just tell me, how is this team any worse than last year's when you consider all of these factors and also the fact that we haven't lost any signifficant pieces?

 

[PatsCanDoIt]

Re: After today... Still a 9-7 team...

Wins in the season is related to point differential. This current team is good enough to score 25+ PPG and allow less than 18 ppg. Most teams with +6 PPG win 11 to 12 games. You can nitpick all you want but last time I checked Bill has never had a defense surender more than 21.6 PPG. That would mean 10 wins. I don't see how the defense wouldn't be better than last season. In '06 with Caldwell as his number one Brady lead the team to 24 PPG. This offense will score, the defense will get stops and the Patriots will contend.

 

[Joker]

got rid of ted ginn.

oh no..you didn't..

you did...aww, that's just plain mean, man

 

[RayClay]

Just wanted to say, I'm a homer.

I like our team. That's all.

 

[Deus Irae]

32 teams just had great drafts.
32 teams will end up having had great offseasons.

When it comes to evaluating draftees and UFDAs, let's at least let them run around in gym shorts before equating them to Ted Ginn or giving them their own Chuck Norris thread.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Just wanted to say, I'm a homer.

 

[PatsCanDoIt]

...Chuck Norris thread.

That was pretty funny last year.

 

[Ring 6]

Re: After today... Still a 9-7 team..

I was one of those that really didnt like the 1st round pick at all, but BB definitely responded and had a great 2nd and 3rd round and overall had a very successful draft. He addressed the needs of the team to the best that he could. While I agree with what Sean is saying about the McCourty pick that he probably wont be a huge factor until 2011 or 2012 it was still a good pick because he will be able to contribute this season on ST and sub packages and probably most of all is a very smart football player.

I would expect Gronkowski and Hernandez to see significant time at TE this season. Cunningham has a chance to start on this team and so does Spikes. BB's connection with Meyer really helped him with this draft I believe, Meyer is going to straight shoot him with his honest opinion of his players. Taylor has less of a chance of player/making the team but it wasnt a bad pick. The wild card in all of the picks seeing playing time is how guys that were on IR come back in 2010. Crable, McKenzie and Tate all have a chance to prove themselves and possibly even start in Crable and McKenzie. I think there will be a lot of good young competition for starting jobs and playing time in training camp

Why in the world would a first round pick not contribute at corner for a team that has been weak at corner for years?
I'll tell you right now, Wilhite and Wheatley arent beating out 1st round talent, Springs wont at this point either, and Butler's one somewhat promising season doesnt exactly cement him ahead of a 1st rounder.
I think anyone saying McCourty wont contribute is looking for a reason to downplay the pick.
Also, McCourty played a lot at the college level and played in our system at Rutgers. I dont remember the last draft pick we made that was more ready to start as a rookie, aside form Mayo.

 

[Marqui]

32 teams just had great drafts.

31

The Jags draft was pretty miserable.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I'll leave the "woulda-coulda-shoulda-might have been-almost were" talk about last season to those to whom it seems to be important. As far as I'm concerned, it's done and who cares!

As for 9--7, next season? I think that the best we can probably do right now is break the NFL down now by the teams that we think will win more than they lose and those that will lose more than they will win next year.

So, I'll take 9--7 for the Pats in April and wait to see how many W's I'm willing to add to that by the end of August.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

31

The Jags draft was pretty miserable.

Who knows if Alualu isn't going to be a great player?

He is a reach but that does not mean he won't produce.

Many in here wanted Lane and Kirim on this team

People were scratching thier heads when we drafted Mankins so early,I think they see differently now,lets see

I personally think the Chargers were horrendous of all 32

 

[patsfan-1982]

9 or 10 wins sounds about right for this team i think the defense will be great in a year or two.

 

[The Dynasty]

Re: After today... Still a 9-7 team..

Why in the world would a first round pick not contribute at corner for a team that has been weak at corner for years?
I'll tell you right now, Wilhite and Wheatley arent beating out 1st round talent, Springs wont at this point either, and Butler's one somewhat promising season doesnt exactly cement him ahead of a 1st rounder.
I think anyone saying McCourty wont contribute is looking for a reason to downplay the pick.
Also, McCourty played a lot at the college level and played in our system at Rutgers. I dont remember the last draft pick we made that was more ready to start as a rookie, aside form Mayo.

He played in the Big East which isnt exactly a powerhouse football conference like the SEC is. I dont know how you can assume that Wilhite and Wheatley are already better than McCourty is, they very well could be but nothing is definite. Springs showed some promise last year as well. Butler played very well I thought last year, so I think he is a few steps of McCourty and Bodden is our #1 corner. I dont think McCourty is ready to start this season.

The team had many needs that needed immediate addressing so drafting a player that isnt going to greatly contribute (start) in his rookie season was where I see the pick being off. I wanted to see the first round pick be on a player that would start on the team this season to address one of the holes the team has. With saying that I think everything worked out because I think BB found some guys that can make immediate impacts this season and the McCourty pick will turn out to be a very good one in 2011 or 2012 when he is ready to start and be a very good corner.

 

[Fencer]

Re: After today... Still a 9-7 team..

I have him pencilled in as the punt returner.

Over Vince Wilfork? Why??

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Re: After today... Still a 9-7 team..

He played in the Big East which isnt exactly a powerhouse football conference like the SEC is. I dont know how you can assume that Wilhite and Wheatley are already better than McCourty is, they very well could be but nothing is definite. Springs showed some promise last year as well. Butler played very well I thought last year, so I think he is a few steps of McCourty and Bodden is our #1 corner. I dont think McCourty is ready to start this season.

The team had many needs that needed immediate addressing so drafting a player that isnt going to greatly contribute (start) in his rookie season was where I see the pick being off. I wanted to see the first round pick be on a player that would start on the team this season to address one of the holes the team has. With saying that I think everything worked out because I think BB found some guys that can make immediate impacts this season and the McCourty pick will turn out to be a very good one in 2011 or 2012 when he is ready to start and be a very good corner.

Obviously you missed the fact that Revis played in the Big East (Pitt)

Jamarcus played in the SEC

Again, the key to football going forward is defending the 3/4/5 WR sets. Only a clown would think Collie/Garcon/Meachem/Floyd are any good. They are just better than the nickel/dime CB's.

The nickel/dime packages are the key to the future. Besides the concept of a starter ends after the first play. Superior coverage packages work against everyone and will allow the ability to scheme in blitzes.

You can never have too many corners

Nickel/Dime are now essentially base defenses against elite offenses

This board is pass rush idiocy. Most likely from SB XLII. The Giants gameplan was impressive but has short shelf life. Has anyone bother to track the Giants since? How did Pittsburgh fare when Polumalu went down?

Coverage allows the defense to backfill blitzes

Blitzes can be schemed.