Patriots Issues? Rank 'em

[PatsFans.com Article]

Patriots Issues? Rank 'em
By: Derek Havens

As the Patriots off - season begins, everyone seems to have their own opinion (as they should) of what the Patriots "needs" are as the team evaluates the roster in the coming months. Whether it is the free agency or the draft, what should this team focus ...

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY​

 

[patsoxfan]

#1 Pass rush.
#2 Pass rush.
#3 O-line

 

[BradyToAmendola]

1. The entire defense.
2. Offensive coordinator and his inability to make adjustments.
3. Receivers
4. O-Line
5. Running back

 

[fxkane]

a little more depth almost everywhere, but....

1) defensive line
2) outside linebacker
3) offensive line
$) running back
5) receiver

 

[Dufflebagz]

1. The entire defense.

DT, ILB, S, CB.....

 

[BradyToAmendola]

DT, ILB, S, CB.....

Someone who could put pressure on the QB from DT would be nice. Perhaps Pryor, Deaderick, or Love's the answer, but who knows.

All the inside linebackers are pretty bad in coverage (see Cotchery's 59 yard catch and run). Hopefully Spikes improves with age, which he should.

Safety-who knows with Meriweather. Chung has a long way to go in pass coverage.

CB - McCourty's a stud. Bodden is solid, nothing great. Arrington and Butler are very bad.

 

[Coach42]

1.) Illogical overreactive fan base
2.) Insane local radio hosts
3.) OG
4.) OLB
5.) DE

 

[Dufflebagz]

Someone who could put pressure on the QB from DT would be nice. Perhaps Pryor, Deaderick, or Love's the answer, but who knows.

So, we have the best DT in the NFL(yes, THE BEST) and that's one of your top priorities?

All the inside linebackers are pretty bad in coverage (see Cotchery's 59 yard catch and run). Hopefully Spikes improves with age, which he should.

Mayo = our stud and leader
Spikes = run stuffer
Guyton = for passing downs/ playmaker?

Safety-who knows with Meriweather. Chung has a long way to go in pass coverage.

Meriweather, Sanders, Chung, Page, McGowan....we don't even have enough room for all of our starting caliber safetys.

CB - McCourty's a stud. Bodden is solid, nothing great. Arrington and Butler are very bad.

On one side we have a stud and on the other side a solid player, with competition for the 3rd and 4th CB...I don't see much of a problem.

 

[BradyToAmendola]

So, we have the best DT in the NFL(yes, THE BEST) and that's one of your top priorities?.

Wilfork's moved around often. He doesn't just play DT. Certainly when he comes off the field there's a downgrade there.

Mayo = our stud and leader
Spikes = run stuffer
Guyton = for passing downs/ playmaker?

Not sure what the point is here. They're still very bad in pass coverage.

Meriweather, Sanders, Chung, Page, McGowan....we don't even have enough room for all of our starting caliber safetys.

Meriweather might not be with the team next year, he's a big question mark. I personally don't think he's as good as others think, certainly not a Pro Bowler. As I said before, Chung has a long way to go. Page is a JAG. Sanders is decent, very JAGish. A lot of the players have said he's a good on-field leader and stuff like that, so I guess that's a positive for him.

On one side we have a stud and on the other side a solid player, with competition for the 3rd and 4th CB...I don't see much of a problem.

The nickel corner is going to be a weak link if it stays the way it is. Or if there's an injury and everyone has to move up a spot, then that's an issue.

 

[Dufflebagz]

Wilfork's moved around often. He doesn't just play DT. Certainly when he comes off the field there's a downgrade there.

Whenever a starter comes off the field it's a downgrade.

Not sure what the point is here. They're still very bad in pass coverage.

I'm saying we have a very solid ILB corp....they have one weakness and if Guyton is on the field it's not a big deal at all.

Meriweather might not be with the team next year, he's a big question mark. I personally don't think he's as good as others think, certainly not a Pro Bowler. As I said before, Chung has a long way to go. Page is a JAG. Sanders is decent, very JAGish. A lot of the players have said he's a good on-field leader and stuff like that, so I guess that's a positive for him.

Meriweather is on the team now so I'm going to include him. Chung is pretty solid, just needs to work on pass coverage. Page is a JAG, but this team thrives off JAGs. Sanders is arguably our best safety.

The nickel corner is going to be a weak link if it stays the way it is. Or if there's an injury and everyone has to move up a spot, then that's an issue.

I agree with this, but it's not even a top 3 priority.

 

[*ChungFu*]

1.Hog DE-Need a DE that can tie up blockers or throw an OT into the OG or backfield on occasion.
2.Pass-rushing OLB-Someone coming like a freight train off the edge.
3.OG-Need to re-establish a stout middle with ability to run-block.
4.OC-Same as #3.
5.Blitzing Safety-Someone that can time up a blitz and throw off a QB if not actually sack him.
I don't care if Spikes is ever a coverage guy. TJ never was. As long as Spikes can get into a drop to cover an area with his arms up I am fine with that.

 

[mgteich]

We were 14-2 and division champs. What stands in the way of a repeat?
OG
OT

Where can we improve with the most effect?
WR
DE
RB

 

[*ChungFu*]

One thing I'd like to add as an "issue" is the nastiness or physical toughness on defense. That was mentioned a lot following last year's draft. What happened? Our defense was neither intimidating or hard hitting for the most-part. I know that the hammer from the commish may have affected that but, we were led to expect some serious upgrade in that department. Wilfork, Meriweather, Sanders, Chung, Mayo, Cunningham and Spikes looked like some players that would bring the lumber but the solid collisions and establishment of areas you did not wish to tread on was never really a hallmark of this team. That needs to change. If there is one guy that continues to kick ass with clean hits its Ray Lewis. His tackling should be a teaching-aid at camp.

 

[NewFeep]

1. OLB (pass rushing nightmare of a beast)

2. DE (the next Richard Seymour)

3. C/G (animal in the middle)

4. Free Safety ( Ed Reed clone type)

Find 4 players and you can talk about a 14+ win season again and NOT being eliminated in round 1

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I agree with most of the stuff said about the pass rush and O-Line (sign the beast!). But, at the risk of upsetting some folks, I also think we need a running threat at a high level (an LT or Curtis Martin level); the law firm and Woody are fine, but we need a dominant back, who changes an opponent's game play just by taking the field. It's still all on Tommy and as he gets into his mid thirties, he needs company.

 

[NewFeep]

I agree with most of the stuff said about the pass rush and O-Line (sign the beast!). But, at the risk of upsetting some folks, I also think we need a running threat at a high level (an LT or Curtis Martin level); the law firm and Woody are fine, but we need a dominant back, who changes an opponent's game play just by taking the field. It's still all on Tommy and as he gets into his mid thirties, he needs company.

Good point.... how about mark Ingram at #33?

 

[Ron Sellers]

We were 14-2 and division champs. What stands in the way of a repeat?
OG
OT

Where can we improve with the most effect?
WR
DE
RB

I suppose I can understand OLB not being the #1 issue.

But OLB is not among the top five? Seriously?

Q: What is the #1 problem we have discussed for the past two years?
A: Pass Rush

Q: Where does the pass rush come from in a 3-4 defense?
A: OLB


OG and OT are fixed by signing Mankins and Light.
Top two issues are OLB and DE.
Another interior lineman (RG / C) is next.
WR and RB are secondary issues.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

1.) Illogical overreactive fan base
2.) Insane local radio hosts
3.) OG
4.) OLB
5.) DE

3-5 can be argued, and the thread will go forever on just that premise. You nailed issues 1 & 2 though.

 

[patsfan-1982]

other then OL i think the offense is pretty much set if they re-sign Mankins, and light, and add a right G in the draft or FA it's one of the best OL's in football.

QB set with Brady and hoyer

RB 1555 yerds and 18 TD's from Woodhead, and BJGE there is relly not much more you can ask for on a pass first team.

WR Wes Welker, and Deion Branch, 134 rec 1554 yerds 12 TD's one of Brandon Tate, Julian Edelman, or Taylor Price, needs to step up and become that #3 WR

TE set with Gronk and Hernandez, who had 87 rec 1109 yerds and 16 TD's

i dont care how many TD's Brady, throws or how many points they put up in the regular season come playoff time teams will find a way to hold them under 25 points that's way IMO all of the big needs for this team are on defense.

#1 3-4 DE they need a guy that can hold the point of attack in the run game and open holes for the OLB's to make plays

#2 a pass rushing OLB im not talking about a 10 sack guy who gets most of he's sacks when the team is up by 30 points im talking about a James Harrison, type guy that teams have to game plan around who can get pressure on the QB every play... useing dose two #1's and tradeing up to get Robert Quinn, would be a smart move IMO


the way i see it the pats are two players away from being a top 10 defense and that what they will need to be if they want to win the SB again

 

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

other then OL i think the offense is pretty much set if they re-sign Mankins, and light, and add a right G in the draft or FA it's one of the best OL's in football.

QB set with Brady and hoyer

RB 1555 yerds and 18 TD's from Woodhead, and BJGE there is relly not much more you can ask for on a pass first team.

WR Wes Welker, and Deion Branch, 134 rec 1554 yerds 12 TD's one of Brandon Tate, Julian Edelman, or Taylor Price, needs to step up and become that #3 WR

TE set with Gronk and Hernandez, who had 87 rec 1109 yerds and 16 TD's

i dont care how many TD's Brady, throws or how many points they put up in the regular season come playoff time teams will find a way to hold them under 25 points that's way IMO all of the big needs for this team are on defense.

#1 3-4 DE they need a guy that can hold the point of attack in the run game and open holes for the OLB's to make plays

#2 a pass rushing OLB im not talking about a 10 sack guy who gets most of he's sacks when the team is up by 30 points im talking about a James Harrison, type guy that teams have to game plan around who can get pressure on the QB every play... useing dose two #1's and tradeing up to get Robert Quinn, would be a smart move IMO


the way i see it the pats are two players away from being a top 10 defense and that what they will need to be if they want to win the SB again

I agree with you that BJGE and Woodhead did great things for us this year but as it stands, they are the only two RBs under contract. Obviously it's a position that needs to be addressed and I'd like to see them do more than simply bring in some JAGs and see which one sticks. I wouldn't be disappointed if they use a high pick on the position. Adding another RB that can cause problems can only help Brady.