The Defense - How Much Need For 2010

[mgteich]

As we look to 2011, we are solid on defrense and could use a couple of upgrades. Who whouda thunk it a couple of monhts ago?!!!!!!!

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We have a very young and improving defense. With Bodden coming back, and the return of one of the Warren's, it would seem that we should find a couple of top upgrades in the front seven and focus on the offense with almost the rest of the picks.
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DL
Yes, a 1st rounder is a great spot to upgrade of DL. However, the current DL is doing well and one of the Warren's is likely to be on the 2011 squad. As a start we would have Deaderick, Wilfork, Warren, Wright, Pryor, Brace and Love.

LB
We'll have our annual search for a LB to add to the squad. We should expect to see improvement from Cunningham, Fletcher, Crable and Ninkovich. And we will still have Banta-Cain and the four ILBs (and perhaps McKenzie). That is good start.

DB
We should have solid group of corners with Bodden, McCourty, Arrington, Butler and Wilhite/Wheatley all coming back.

We should have solid safeties with Meriweather, Sanders, Chung, Brown, Lockett/Barrett.

 

[Sciz]

I'd like another OLB, preferably with a higher ceiling than Nink or TBC. Other than that, I think a lot of the high picks will go on offense, especially OL and RB.

 

[Marqui]

I still think we need an elite OLB prospect to pair with Cunningham.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Could upgrade DE, and OLB with our first 4 picks. If somehow Peterson slips I say we take him if not Im looking at Marcell Dareus as a force to be reckoned with up front for years to come. A trade back for Robert Quinn is possible with that first pick as well.

 

[Coach42]

I think at this stage of the season this is a classic BPA draft. I think we have some talent at almost every position yet every position could use a bit more talent if you catch my drift.

 

[Defsoul]

I think at this stage of the season this is a classic BPA draft. I think we have some talent at almost every position yet every position could use a bit more talent if you catch my drift.

What he said, BPA all the way. I don't see a position on offense or defense that needs a complete overhaul like tight end used to last year and therefor was a big need.

 

[BillBelichickFan79]

OLB is still a big need.

If we can add a dynamic guy like Bowers to go opposite Cunningham, we will be set for the next 5-7 years at least (barring injury). I'm not a big Ninkovich as a starter fan. Nice depth guy to have but shouldn't be starting. TBC is a sub rusher at best -- which I think all the fans knew going into this season.

The DL is still a need in my opinion too, especially with Brace seeming like a bust. I don't know if you have to go first round DE, but you might consider it. The progress of Deaderick is nice, but I think you want to upgrade RDE.

The only corner I'd take in the first round is Peterson.

 

[captain stone]

As we look to 2011, we are solid on defrense and could use a couple of upgrades. Who whouda thunk it a couple of monhts ago?!!!!!!!

==========
We have a very young and improving defense. With Bodden coming back, and the return of one of the Warren's, it would seem that we should find a couple of top upgrades in the front seven and focus on the offense with almost the rest of the picks.
====================================

DL
Yes, a 1st rounder is a great spot to upgrade of DL. However, the current DL is doing well and one of the Warren's is likely to be on the 2011 squad. As a start we would have Deaderick, Wilfork, Warren, Wright, Pryor, Brace and Love.
Pryor, Love & Brace the Bust need to be replaced and/or upgraded. I'm a bit surprised that Bill didn't sign LeKevin Smith when he was waived during the final cuts (He re-signed w/ Denver this past week). We really need to find the next Richard Seymour, so that Wright & Deaderick can serve as quality backups, or as replacements for the Warrens.

LB
We'll have our annual search for a LB to add to the squad. We should expect to see improvement from Cunningham, Fletcher, Crable and Ninkovich. And we will still have Banta-Cain and the four ILBs (and perhaps McKenzie). That is good start.
We still need an elite Pass-Rusher to replace the over-paid, under-productive TBC, who hasn't done a damn thing so far. I guess he's waiting for the next Buffalo game.

DB
We should have solid group of corners with Bodden, McCourty, Arrington, Butler and Wilhite/Wheatley all coming back.
The priority of our need for another CB should be determined by season's end, when we'll have a better idea of the viability of Arrington, Butler, Wilhite & Wheatley going forward. As of today, I don't feel comfortable with any of them as our Nickel. The regression of Butler has been prob. the biggest disappointment in personnel thus far.

We should have solid safeties with Meriweather, Sanders, Chung, Brown, Lockett/Barrett.

I would also incl. Page in the mix, unless he's a UDFA next year. I also wouldn't mind seeing a FS brought here who is smarter, a better tackler, has better hands & is more reliable than the incumbent.

 

[Peachhead]

Don't let the recent success on D fool you. It's being held together with duct tape. One more injury on the DL or OLB and we're toast. I like Deaderick and Ninkovich in their spots. But they'ld look even better as solid depth guys to come in and give studs a breather from time to time.

This draft is our best opportunity in probably a decade to get a blue-chip D-Lineman. We have one high pick, hopefully top 10, and it's the best DL class I can remember. And we have a high 2nd and an extra 3rd. Who knows when this opportunity will come again. In fact I won't complain if we pick two D-lineman early. Ty Warren isn't getting any younger.

Almost the same goes for OLB. Although I want just one early. Although we may be better off getting a conventional 3-4 LOLB like Justin Houston rather than converting an undersized DE. Cunningham may have that starting rush OLB spot nailed down.

Add to that, the class at most other positions (other than WR) sucks. If BB doesn't significantly bolster the front seven early and often next spring it will definitely be a head-scratcher.

 

[yopats]

I can see BB going after some higher tiered FA's on Offense to fill the RB and WR roles which will allow him to focus on defense with the two first round picks and then address the O-line in the subsequent rounds potentially

At this time.. I would say there is still a pretty good chance that our Oakland Pick will be from 4-7th.. and our 2nd round pick from Car will be in the 32-34th range..
So we have in play Bowers/Peterson/Fairley etc.. I would take any of those guys..

 

[upstater1]

If the Georgia WR or the Nebraska CB/LSU CB fall to the Raiders pick in the middle of the round, I'd have a tough time not taking them. I expect Robert Quinn will be gone before then.

I would not go with BPA this draft.

OLB/DE is still a priority. Deaderick and Pryor might be good Jarvis Green style backups, Brace is still unproven, and G Warren is not for long. Ty Warren, who knows? So, I wouldn't be against a top DE with our second pick. I see that guys like Allen Bailey might be around at 32 .

There seems to be a lot of first round talent in all the right spots for us.

So, I'll say that--unless Quinn is available--I'd go Peterson, Amakamura, Green or Baldwin.

With the second pick, I take a DE/OLB like Bailey, Von Miller or Akeem Ayers.

Then, honestly, I do my damnedest to focus on the offensive line. The Carolina pick could land the Patriots a top OL like Costonzo, Carimi, Pouncey or Love.

And then I keep focusing on OLs.

So, CB/WR with the first pick (unless Quinn is there)
DE/OLB with the second pick
Then 2 or 3 OLs

 

[mgteich]

You certainly do whine and worry. You state the obvious fact that there is room for upgrades at the bottom of the roster. That is obviously true.

DL
I agree that Pryor, Love and Brace are not quality linemen. Howewver, they are at the bottom of the roster. We will have Wilfork, Warren, Warren, Wright and Deaderick. If all are healthy, they would get almost all the reps.

Deaderick may be better than the backup that you suggest that he is. I believe that we didn't bring back Kevin precisely because Belichick saw something in Deaderick (and of course he beat out Lewis for a roster spot). Deaderick is a true 3-4 DE, with experience at the position.

That being said, I do expect us to bring in a couple of linemen, high and low in the draft.

LB
You might celebrate the obvious. Banta-Cain is now allowed to be what he is, a backup OLB. The "overpayment" was an insurance premium. Belichick highly values veteran backups who can step in and start as necessary. Cunningham, Fletcher and Ninkovich are all developing and playing well. Even Crable will be part of the 2011 mix.

That being said, I also expect us to bring in another LB.

DB
OK, we have two solid starters and you are not comfortable with our nickel. I get it. But we are not bring in a top corner because Belichick thinks that none of the FOUR corners is a viable nickel. I think that it is CERTAINLY reasonable to count on ONE of the four to be our nickel. One will step up. Three have started for us: Arrington, Wilhite and Butler. Wheatley is still an unknown and would be the odd man out of the 53 if we were making up the 2011 team now.

Miguel lists Page as an unrestricted free agent. McGowan is also an unrestricted free agent. We start with Chung, Sanders and Meriweather. We also have youngsters Brown, Barrett and Lockett. Actually, I think that this group provides sufficient competition at safety. Belichick may very well try to re-sign Page and/or McGowan. I would. Camp competition is good. However, I don't think that we would want to draft a safety, unless the value was just to much to resist. We have enough youngsters to push our top three.
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MY BOTTOM LINE
If we had fewer picks, we might not draft ANY defensive players in the first four rounds. We have a stable full of promising youngsters in all three units. As is it, I expect a couple of DL's and OLB's in those rounds.

I would also incl. Page in the mix, unless he's a UDFA next year. I also wouldn't mind seeing a FS brought here who is smarter, a better tackler, has better hands & is more reliable than the incumbent.

 

[upstater1]

You certainly do whine and worry. You state the obvious fact that there is room for upgrades at the bottom of the roster.

You do realize this is a draft thread, right?

I mean, would I characterize your OL thread as "worrying?"

Where do you see whining?

 

[TriplecHamp]

I can see BB going after some higher tiered FA's on Offense to fill the RB and WR roles which will allow him to focus on defense with the two first round picks and then address the O-line in the subsequent rounds potentially

At this time.. I would say there is still a pretty good chance that our Oakland Pick will be from 4-7th.. and our 2nd round pick from Car will be in the 32-34th range..
So we have in play Bowers/Peterson/Fairley etc.. I would take any of those guys..

Id actually rather us draft offense since now our offense is getting older and the defense is still young. Lamarr Woodley is a FA after this season, Id love for us to sign him. If the we trade back or up a few spots from around the 8th pick we should land a WR because as of right now Tate isn't really stretching the field and Im not sold on him being a real number 1.

 

[BradyMossWelker]

I don't know why, but I think BB is absolutely in love with Prince Amukamara.

 

[Marqui]

I don't know why, but I think BB is absolutely in love with Prince Amukamara.

If that were true, why resign Bodden and draft McCourty in the same offseason?

 

[TriplecHamp]

If that were true, why resign Bodden and draft McCourty in the same offseason?

That has no bearing on BB liking Prince, the kid is still in college and you don't draft thinking about another player in the next draft. I haven't heard anything on BB and Prince so I don't know why he said that though.

 

[Off The Grid]

* I like Deaderick and Ninkovich in their spots.

* But they'ld look even better as solid depth guys to come in and give studs a breather from time to time.

* This draft is our best opportunity in probably a decade to get a blue-chip D-Lineman.

:rocker: PREACH it, Brother Peach!! :rocker:

 

[captain stone]

You do realize this is a draft thread, right?

I mean, would I characterize your OL thread as "worrying?"

Where do you see whining?

I believe that MGT was waving his finger at me, not you.

Nonetheless, I stand by my statements, esp. about the DL.
Who knows how motivated, or in what condition, Ty Warren will be next year?
Deaderick has been impressive so far, but is he really a long-term starter?
GWarren & Wright should be the 5th/6th DLmen, not 3rd/4th.
Love, Pryor & Brace should battle for the 7th spot, if that.

This DL needs another Richard Seymour.

 

[mgteich]

I thought that is was clear that I was responding to your post.

I agree with all your comments in this post. I certainly support the use of the Seymour pick to attempt to find a replacement for Seymour.

The only nitpick I would have is that I happen to evaluate G. Warren a bit higher than you do, but I agree with your comments in this post.

I believe that MGT was waving his finger at me, not you.

Nonetheless, I stand by my statements, esp. about the DL.
Who knows how motivated, or in what condition, Ty Warren will be next year?
Deaderick has been impressive so far, but is he really a long-term starter?
GWarren & Wright should be the 5th/6th DLmen, not 3rd/4th.
Love, Pryor & Brace should battle for the 7th spot, if that.

This DL needs another Richard Seymour.