Lombardi on Pats offseason ahead

[Triumph]

When I saw the title of this thread, my first thought was that the Pats were calling the SB victory during the offseason. Needless to say I was horrified.

I dont know.

That approach seems to be working out well for Fatso and his boys.

 

[CheeseMonkeys]

And why is that? The heads aren't talking about him because he didn't play this year, but I don't think there's any question he's a better athlete than these guys and he was very productive in 2009.

Don't worry Robert Quinn isn't going #1 overall.....

 

[condon84]

How many times have we gone into the offseason looking for a pass rusher? We all thought we got one in Adalius, but then BB turned him into a run-stuffing ILB. I guarantee we pick more DBs with the higher picks along with some OLs.

 

[neuronet]

Wasn't Seymour a monster pass rusher? Maybe we can trade a first round pick to get him back (I know he is a free agent...just sayin').

:bricks:

 

[The Boston Patriot]

Every team left in the playoffs has a damn good pass rush. The Jets probably have thev worst of the bunch and they dropped Brady 5 times. However they get a legit pass rush is not nearly as important as getting one.

That's because our O-line is highly overrated. It can be exploited and taken
advantage of pretty easily by a good defensive team. A lot of average players
on our line. First thing they need to do is to get Mankins to re-up. Without
him, the rest of the line is in total shambles except for Volmer.

 

[upstater1]

Too many people on this forum have put so much emphasis on desire, mojo, magic, etc., when the fact is the Patriots were involved in games just like Sundays during that run. There were quite a few games that could have easily been lost. Remember the Titans game?

The key was that the Patriots didn't make huge mistakes. The defense yes was more formidable too. I struggle to imagine what happened on that long Cotchery play happening in the past. The difference between 2010 and 2003-2004 is tiny/minimal, and it probably comes down to one single player (who could have gotten into Sanchez's face!)

 

[upstater1]

The question is how much you have to give up to do it.

Let's put this in perspective: the Patriots could have taken Devin McCourty at 22. By trading down to 27—and, admittedly, taking the chance they might lose McCourty—they got Taylor Price and Aaron Hernandez, too.

That's not to say it's always better to trade down, but BB does generally prefer more bites at the apple than fewer.

IMO, it all depends on how deep Belichick believes the draft is. Last year's draft was maybe the deepest in a decade. It was a no brainer to trade for more picks.

 

[Kontradiction]

Completely agree with Lombardi. What I would like to see them do is make a move for OLB in free agency (Woodley?) if they can (assuming CBA gets worked out), then take a DE and RG in the first round. Those moves would help finish rebuilding the front seven in one round and also build up the interior O-Line.

 

[Kontradiction]

How many times have we gone into the offseason looking for a pass rusher? We all thought we got one in Adalius, but then BB turned him into a run-stuffing ILB. I guarantee we pick more DBs with the higher picks along with some OLs.

I would hope Belichick has learned his lesson on that front after watching Sanchez flee the pocket (even though there was no rush), re-direct Edwards with his hands, wait for him to get open, make a sandwich, then deliver the pass for a big gain. This defense took some major strides this year, but they also made the likes of Matt Flynn and Mark Sanchez look like HOFers. Maybe if we can add another DE and OLB to the mix that can actually get in the backfield and rush the passer, Sanchez might look a little more like himself.

 

[neuronet]

I would hope Belichick has learned his lesson on that front after watching Sanchez flee the pocket (even though there was no rush), re-direct Edwards with his hands, wait for him to get open, make a sandwich, then deliver the pass for a big gain. This defense took some major strides this year, but they also made the likes of Matt Flynn and Mark Sanchez look like HOFers. Maybe if we can add another DE and OLB to the mix that can actually get in the backfield and rush the passer, Sanchez might look a little more like himself.

+1

OLB/DE and OLine. Our Oline was weak all season, most of us knew it, this weekend merely highlighted the obvious.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Completely agree with Lombardi. What I would like to see them do is make a move for OLB in free agency (Woodley?) if they can (assuming CBA gets worked out), then take a DE and RG in the first round. Those moves would help finish rebuilding the front seven in one round and also build up the interior O-Line.

That would be my preference. Usually, it takes a couple of years for an olb to develop. Sign Woodley. Draft Cam Heyward at 17. Couple of other possibilities; JJ Watt, Cam Jordan or M.Wilkerson. Draft Pouncey at 28. Keep Mankins and Light. You've gotten a lot bigger and tougher upfront on both lines with Ty Warren coming back too.

As far as the skill positions, rb and wr. I'd love to see Ingram or Leshoure drop to 33. I'd consider them. Or, trade 33 for a veteran player. Vincent Jackson?? Gasp!! Do we flirt with Santonio Holmes?

 

[Kontradiction]

That would be my preference. Usually, it takes a couple of years for an olb to develop. Sign Woodley. Draft Cam Heyward at 17. Couple of other possibilities; JJ Watt, Cam Jordan or M.Wilkerson. Draft Pouncey at 28. Keep Mankins and Light. You've gotten a lot bigger and tougher upfront on both lines with Ty Warren coming back too.

As far as the skill positions, rb and wr. I'd love to see Ingram or Leshoure drop to 33. I'd consider them. Or, trade 33 for a veteran player. Vincent Jackson?? Gasp!! Do we flirt with Santonio Holmes?

Mankins and Light getting signed are the first moves that we should make as a team. Give Vollmer another year or two at RT before we move him over to the left side. After that, I would love to see Woodley signed (depends strongly on the CBA). If that happens, I would go with DE first. Not sure if Heyward would be an ideal fit. As of right now, he lacks ideal size to be a DE in this system and would have to bulk up significantly over the offseason to start from Week 1. Really, though, there's only one DE type that would come into the draft ready to contribute right out of the gates, and that's Marcel Dareus. I'm not sure he's going to be available when our Oakland pick comes around. Pouncey should be available at 28, though, so I'd absolutely love to get him there. He's a mauler that can improve the nastiness on the right side of our O-Line immediately. He can also make one more year of Koppen more bearable, though I would love to improve at center as well.

I would also love to move into the first round with a third pick and grab Julio Jones should he fall out of the top ten (which is very possible).

 

[JackBauer]

I'll confess to not knowing much about the situation, but is there actually a chance that the Steelers let Woodley walk?

 

[Kontradiction]

I'll confess to not knowing much about the situation, but is there actually a chance that the Steelers let Woodley walk?

He's a UFA. Of course there's a chance.

 

[JackBauer]

He's a UFA. Of course there's a chance.

Ah. I didn't know exactly what his status was, but I figured the Steelers would pull out all the stops to keep him. He sure would look good in a Pats uniform though.

 

[Kontradiction]

Ah. I didn't know exactly what his status was, but I figured the Steelers would pull out all the stops to keep him. He sure would look good in a Pats uniform though.

They probably will. I must admit that it's wishful thinking on my part, but there is a chance. A long shot of a chance, but a chance nonetheless.

 

[JackBauer]

They probably will. I must admit that it's wishful thinking on my part, but there is a chance. A long shot of a chance, but a chance nonetheless.

Anything to get TBC off the field...

 

[patsfaninpa]

Ah. I didn't know exactly what his status was, but I figured the Steelers would pull out all the stops to keep him. He sure would look good in a Pats uniform though.

They have a great lb corps. Tough to keep all of them. Gave J. Harrison a big contract. Have to sign L. Timmons too. May not to spend to keep all 3. I'm sure they could if they want to. But, would it prevent them from helping other areas like their secondary and OL. If we don't sign Woodley(probably won't), I'd go olb first; Aldon Smith or R. Kerrigan. Then, would try to trade up from 28 to 19 or 20. So, we don't lose the 3-4 DE Belichick likes. Would probably just have to give up a third.

 

[ATippett56]

Anything to get TBC off the field...

Amen to that!

 

[Triumph]

Too many people on this forum have put so much emphasis on desire, mojo, magic, etc., when the fact is the Patriots were involved in games just like Sundays during that run. There were quite a few games that could have easily been lost. Remember the Titans game?

The key was that the Patriots didn't make huge mistakes. The defense yes was more formidable too. I struggle to imagine what happened on that long Cotchery play happening in the past. The difference between 2010 and 2003-2004 is tiny/minimal, and it probably comes down to one single player (who could have gotten into Sanchez's face!)

IMO, the Pats miss an enforcer and hitters in their defense.

An enforcer like Rodney Harrison or Bart Scott (hate to say that but its true) Somebody with attitude. I cannot pick one player on this NE defense with those traits or that strikes fear in opponents. Drew Coleman was laying the wood out there tearing the decals off the NE helmets. That used to be how the NE defense played.

I didnt see a big hit from Merriweather, Chung or anybody.