Offseason Focus - NOT on the Defense

[mgteich]

There is always room for a high value draft pick, but other than DE (and perhaps OLB or a CB), I wouldn't be looking for defensive help in the first four rounds. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see only ONE defensive pick in the first four rounds. After all, we have what we need coming back: Bodden and Ty Warren.
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Yes, we will decide whether to make offers to try to re-sign G. Warren, McGowan and Page.

Yes, we can always use a quality top-notch DE or a top-notch pass-rusher or a shutdown corner. But we should understand that this defense is the youngest that Belichick has ever had, and when each player understands his role and executes, the result is awesome.

DL - Wilfork, Wright, Deaderick, Ty Warren
Brace, Pryor, Love/(gWarren)/Richard/Weston

LB - Banta-Cain, Cunningham, Ninkovich, Mayo, Spikes, Guyton
Fletcher, Crable

CB - Bodden, McCourty, Arrington, Wilhite, Butler

S - Chung, Sanders, Meriweather, Brown, Lockett/Barrett/(McGowan)/(Page)

 

[BelichickFan]

Yep. As I have posted before, positionally I would expect the top 6 (the two 1s, two 2s, two 3s) to include :

1 OLB
1 DE
2 OL
1 RB
1 WR

That's 4 of 6 on offense. I hate listing positions for the draft because it's more dictated by what's there but that list (not in order, btw) is what I'd love if the names fit the picks.

I think we can still use a top pass rusher at OLB and another big body on the OL. After that it's all offense for me starting with the OL but a RB and WR is needed too.

After watching Brady go off on his offense last night, Julio Jones is moving up some for me. Saban has said that Jones is the hardest worker on the team and the player for whom the team means the most - but Jones is also thick skinned as Saban has ripped into him multiple times over the years. I've been lukewarm on Jones but he's played tough through injuries this year and he won't sulk like Moss would if there were a "Brady Moment" like last night. Like Felger said last night, if Brady lit into Moss like that, Moss might have started to cry

 

[mgteich]

For more than 5 years, we have posted and discussed drafting a top pass rushing OLB in the first couple of rounds. We want Belichick to draft a DROY in teh first round to anchor our defense.

For over 5 years, Belichick has not found value in a top 3-4 OLB in the first round or so.

For over 5 years, we have been disappointed with Belichick's approach to drafting OLB's.
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So, we have free agents Banta-Cain, Ninkovich and Fletcher. We have draftees Crable and Cunningham. It seems that Belichick has done alright with his approach.

BOTTOM LINE

I don't expect Belichick to draft a top pass-rushing OLB in the first couple of rounds. We may get another Cunningham or not. As always that depends on perceived value.

 

[BelichickFan]

For more than 5 years, we have posted and discussed drafting a top pass rushing OLB in the first couple of rounds. We want Belichick to draft a DROY in teh first round to anchor our defense.

For over 5 years, Belichick has not found value in a top 3-4 OLB in the first round or so.

For over 5 years, we have been disappointed with Belichick's approach to drafting OLB's.
============================

So, we have free agents Banta-Cain, Ninkovich and Fletcher. We have draftees Crable and Cunningham. It seems that Belichick has done alright with his approach.

BOTTOM LINE

I don't expect Belichick to draft a top pass-rushing OLB in the first couple of rounds. We may get another Cunningham or not. As always that depends on perceived value.

Agreed - and I've been one of those dismissing the chance of a high OLB over the years - as I have liked to say, there's enough risk in high draftees to begin with without having to also face a major position change from college DE to NFL OLB. However more domination from our defensive front seven is still a need and this draft looks to have a fair number of players who would fit our defense both at DE and OLB so Belichick may find a player or two to his liking.

I do think we need a little more talent in that front seven but OL, WR and RB need some attention too.

 

[patsfaninpa]

For more than 5 years, we have posted and discussed drafting a top pass rushing OLB in the first couple of rounds. We want Belichick to draft a DROY in teh first round to anchor our defense.

For over 5 years, Belichick has not found value in a top 3-4 OLB in the first round or so.

For over 5 years, we have been disappointed with Belichick's approach to drafting OLB's.
============================

So, we have free agents Banta-Cain, Ninkovich and Fletcher. We have draftees Crable and Cunningham. It seems that Belichick has done alright with his approach.

BOTTOM LINE

I don't expect Belichick to draft a top pass-rushing OLB in the first couple of rounds. We may get another Cunningham or not. As always that depends on perceived value.

Just a hunch. But, we may have gotten lucky with the UNC suspensions. Other defensive linemen are playing well and be drafted ahead of him. Guys like; Dareus, Fairley and Bowers. If BB thinks Robert Quinn can be that edge pass-rusher, he could fall to us. I'm not taking a guy off my board because he took 5 grand from an agent. I know he missed a year. But, so did Rob Gronkowski.

Julio Jones looks like one of those big college wr's who might have trouble separating himself from db's in the NFL. We seem to prefer those quicker/shifter types than the long striders. Doesn't look like a fit for us IMO. I think the Blackmon kid from Okla. St is a better player. I know he got the DUI. He may not have been legally drunk. He's under 21. So, if he's .02 he's busted. Not as serious to me if that's what happened. We won't take either one. But, I just like Blackmon better than Jones.

 

[BelichickFan]

Julio Jones looks like one of those big college wr's who might have trouble separating himself from db's in the NFL. We seem to prefer those quicker/shifter types than the long striders. Doesn't look like a fit for us IMO. I think the Blackmon kid from Okla. St is a better player. I know he got the DUI. He may not have been legally drunk. He's under 21. So, if he's .02 he's busted. Not as serious to me if that's what happened. We won't take either one. But, I just like Blackmon better than Jones.

Blackmon was going 92 MPH in a 60 zone. We have all made mistakes but that's up there - driving a little drunk is one thing, driving drunk like a crazy assshole is another.

Anyway, I'm an Alabama fan so I've seen Jones a ton more than the others. I like Jones because he's fast enough but also big, thick and sturdy enough to run all the routes and take some punishment over the middle. It's largely moot, though, I expect a DL, OL or Ingram at 1a and 1b and a WR and/or OLB would likely be in round 2 or 3.

 

[cstjohn17]

There is always room for a high value draft pick, but other than DE (and perhaps OLB or a CB), I wouldn't be looking for defensive help in the first four rounds. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see only ONE defensive pick in the first four rounds. After all, we have what we need coming back: Bodden and Ty Warren.
==================================================
Yes, we will decide whether to make offers to try to re-sign G. Warren, McGowan and Page.

Yes, we can always use a quality top-notch DE or a top-notch pass-rusher or a shutdown corner. But we should understand that this defense is the youngest that Belichick has ever had, and when each player understands his role and executes, the result is awesome.

DL - Wilfork, Wright, Deaderick, Ty Warren
Brace, Pryor, Love/(gWarren)/Richard/Weston

LB - Banta-Cain, Cunningham, Ninkovich, Mayo, Spikes, Guyton
Fletcher, Crable

CB - Bodden, McCourty, Arrington, Wilhite, Butler

S - Chung, Sanders, Meriweather, Brown, Lockett/Barrett/(McGowan)/(Page)

I like to see the roster visually...
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0ApWRaF25BKdAdHV6ZXlIMnNBQ3FNQXNhc0IweWJ6bUE&hl=en#gid=0


Looking quickly I see OL, OLB, RB as the top needs. Every other unit could use more quality depth and/or top end talent (except QB, TE, K, P).

The draft is to fill the cabinets, most years the Patriots are pretty well stocked before April giving them the options to choose the players they want. Some times they swing and miss but that is the nature of predictions, draft picks are 50/50 at best to ever contribute. If they are strategic with their FA signings this roster could really be something next year.

Man, that was a great win against the Steelers! Wahoo, pass the koolaid!