Top Needs for 2007??

[carolinatony]

Besides DB's and LB's what else do we need to stay near the top.
And I really would love to see 2 new DBs and 2 LBs next year. We need some younger guys to take over.

Receiver is a need; what about another RB?

 

[LA Pats Fan]

As you stated

1) Linebackers
2) Def Backs

3) TE - Blocking TE - especialy if we lose Graham
4) WR - We have a lot of JAGs here
5) QB - Need to develop another guy for when we trade Cassel
6) RB - SOmone to develope under Dillin
7) OL - New Blood to freshen things up

 

[carolinatony]

Why does everyone always say take a TE? What about a nice OG that can run block. I want another John Hannah who opens holes against everyone.

 

[cstjohn17]

Why does everyone always say take a TE? What about a nice OG that can run block. I want another John Hannah who opens holes against everyone.

Mankins and Neal are signed for the next 4 years, they are the immediate future of our guards. John Hannah is not walking through that door.

Although if a hall of fame players is available at any position I am sure the Patriots will take a look.

Then need for a run blocking TE (or a TE that can block) is evident whenever Graham is not in the line up, he adds a physical presence at attitude to the entire offense.

Offseason needs (not all will be addressed in the draft)
CB, ILB, WR, backup Guard, 3rd TE, OLB

 

[mcbee]

Mankins and Neal are signed for the next 4 years, they are the immediate future of our guards. John Hannah is not walking through that door.

Although if a hall of fame players is available at any position I am sure the Patriots will take a look.

Then need for a run blocking TE (or a TE that can block) is evident whenever Graham is not in the line up, he adds a physical presence at attitude to the entire offense.

Offseason needs (not all will be addressed in the draft)
CB, ILB, WR, backup Guard, 3rd TE, OLB

That would be nice getting Pro Bowl guard. Problem is you don't know if they're pro bowl or bust when you draft them. So it would seem to make sense, when confronted with drafting a good player on the OL or in the DB, to take where the greatest need is.

I don't know that they have enough high draft picks to gamble on players who might be good but would have to beat out already good players instead of players who would be drafted into a void like the defensive backfield. Without Samuel there is one young experienced CB on the team, Hobbs; one injury prone guy, Gay; one old veteran who was cut b/c it was thought he was done, Chad Scott; and one 7th round punt returner, Andrews.

 

[DaBruinz]

As you stated

1) Linebackers
2) Def Backs

3) TE - Blocking TE - especialy if we lose Graham
4) WR - We have a lot of JAGs here
5) QB - Need to develop another guy for when we trade Cassel
6) RB - SOmone to develope under Dillin
7) OL - New Blood to freshen things up

RB - We have Maroney developing behind Dillon. Plus, the Pats have Patrick Pass and Kevin Faulk.

OL- The Pats have all of their O-line signed through 2009 and several players beyond that. I don't see them spending a High draft pick for someone to sit on the bench.

 

[nukin]

As you stated

1) Linebackers
2) Def Backs

3) TE - Blocking TE - especialy if we lose Graham
4) WR - We have a lot of JAGs here
5) QB - Need to develop another guy for when we trade Cassel
6) RB - SOmone to develope under Dillin
7) OL - New Blood to freshen things up

Why would we need a RB to develope under Dillon... we have Maroney...

 

[patsfaninpa]

Why does everyone always say take a TE? What about a nice OG that can run block. I want another John Hannah who opens holes against everyone.

John Hannah was the 3rd overall pick in 73. I hope we don't pick that
high for quite a while. Closest things to him playing today are Faneca and Hutchinson. In Cap era, not wise to spend that much for an interior ol.
I know your point is it would be great to have a player like that. But, to get him. You have to draft very high, or spend too much$$$

 

[patschamps]

These are my choices for the draft:
LT - the Pat's have to protect Brady's blind side better so a Left Tackle would be my first pick. Light might move to RT.

CB - if Asante leaves a CB is needed who can defend the taller receivers.

LB - Belichick says he can't find ILB's in the draft but who knows.

Safety - presuming Harrison will retire, they need a top Safety who can fill in at CB.

TE - if Graham leaves they would love to have another Watson.

2nd CB: Hobbs is struggling badly at CB against tall receivers who can catch the ball over their head.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Safety - presuming Harrison will retire, they need a top Safety who can fill in at CB.

Paging PATSNUTme. . . . Paging PATSNUTme. . . .

 

[BelichickFan]

Why does everyone always say take a TE?

Because we have to assume Graham won't be back - although I hope he is.

Other than DBs and LBs, my order is :

WR - Unless Gabriel re-emerges or one of Jackson or Gaffney emerges, we need another talent to compete next year. Of course, I expect a better Jackson next year but this is an issue. Also, Caldwell, Gabriel and Gaffney's contracts all expire after next year.

That's actually about it for actual needs. I would then list, though :

TE - As noted above.

RB - To take some carries off Lawrence, I'm guessing next year might be Corey's last.

DL - Belichick will always draft them. We don't have a true NT guy to help Vince (I know several have played there). I bet Bill would love a solid backup NT and even a developmental DE.

RT - Unsure if they think Kaczur or O'Callaghan is the definite answer.

QB - Yes, I expect Cassel to be traded after the 2007 season.

 

[mcbee]

Because we have to assume Graham won't be back - although I hope he is.

Other than DBs and LBs, my order is :

WR - Unless Gabriel re-emerges or one of Jackson or Gaffney emerges, we need another talent to compete next year. Of course, I expect a better Jackson next year but this is an issue. Also, Caldwell, Gabriel and Gaffney's contracts all expire after next year.

That's actually about it for actual needs. I would then list, though :

TE - As noted above.

RB - To take some carries off Lawrence, I'm guessing next year might be Corey's last.

DL - Belichick will always draft them. We don't have a true NT guy to help Vince (I know several have played there). I bet Bill would love a solid backup NT and even a developmental DE.

RT - Unsure if they think Kaczur or O'Callaghan is the definite answer.

QB - Yes, I expect Cassel to be traded after the 2007 season.

They only have 5 or 6 quality picks. They are so deficient at CB (if Samuel leaves, that leaves Hobbs and Gay and 30 something Chad Scott) and LB they need alot of picks there.

RBs are a crapshoot and there are always a few guys floating around the league or undrafted. DL is an idea, except LeKevin Smith doesn't get playing time...maybe they could give him some time before drafting another. Eventually they'll need a replacement for Warren when he comes up.

Basically their needs are so great they need to draft DB/LB with the top 5 or 6 picks this year, IMO.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I'm not seeing backup NT as a huge concern.

When Vince came out for a play against the Bears, Wright took his spot at NT. Also Warren could just as easily slide inside and that would get Green on the field.

The back eight of the Pats is paper thin, especially with Wilson, Seau and Harrison all out. It's hard to imagine BB ignoring the back eight for another year. I'd expect some reinforcement through either FA and/or the draft.

I know RB is a concern for most astute Pats followers, but if there is one kid in the offensive backfield in this draft that BB needs to jump all over, it's Brian Leornard of Rutgers. I'm not sure he's fast enough to play RB, but this kid is a perfect Patriots player. Smart, Versatile (Run. block and catch) and extremely hard working.

The more I see Chris LEak play QB for Florida, the more I think he might work for the Pats as the 3rd QB next season. He's still not reading defenses very well, but he has the intangibles, the "it" factor if you will.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I know RB is a concern for most astute Pats followers, but if there is one kid in the offensive backfield in this draft that BB needs to jump all over, it's Brian Leornard of Rutgers. I'm not sure he's fast enough to play RB, but this kid is a perfect Patriots player. Smart, Versatile (Run. block and catch) and extremely hard working.

Amen. I would jump for joy if the Pats take Leonard. [Though I probably can't jump as high as Leonard can. ]

The more I see Chris LEak play QB for Florida, the more I think he might work for the Pats as the 3rd QB next season. He's still not reading defenses very well, but he has the intangibles, the "it" factor if you will.

I'm not as sold on Leak--b/c while he might make a good 3rd QB next year, do you think he could mature enough to be Brady's main backup in '08?

 

[cstjohn17]

Re: Top Needs for 2007?? - FAs and Draft

I did a quick rating of the players on the signed roster plus ERFAs (I will share this later, should be good for a laugh). No real surprises, it showed the following ratings.

LB, CB - High priority
WR, TE, Safety, Oline - Medium priority
DL, RB, QB - Low priority

2007 offseason
-my wishes, not necessarily what I think they will do. Although I did try to stay somewhat in reality
- expect this is the year that at least 2-3 new faces are brought in at LB. Personally I am tired of hiring how good Izzo and Davis are on special teams when we tend to be worse than average in coverage


Veteran FAs
CB - Clement or Samuel - Patriots spend money on a good young CB to serve as foundation for next 5 years
ILB - mid tier player, EJ Henderson (MIN), Kawika Mitchell (KC)
TE - Graham resigned, I found it interesting he was added as a captain

Draft
1) CB - Antoine Cason, Arizona, Jr. or Darrelle Revis, Pitt, Jr.
1) LB - Brandon Siler, Florrida (takes over for Bruschi)
2) WR\KR\PR- Johnnie Lee Higgins, Texas-El Paso

Because we have to assume Graham won't be back - although I hope he is.

Other than DBs and LBs, my order is :

WR - Unless Gabriel re-emerges or one of Jackson or Gaffney emerges, we need another talent to compete next year. Of course, I expect a better Jackson next year but this is an issue. Also, Caldwell, Gabriel and Gaffney's contracts all expire after next year.

That's actually about it for actual needs. I would then list, though :

TE - As noted above.

RB - To take some carries off Lawrence, I'm guessing next year might be Corey's last.

DL - Belichick will always draft them. We don't have a true NT guy to help Vince (I know several have played there). I bet Bill would love a solid backup NT and even a developmental DE.

RT - Unsure if they think Kaczur or O'Callaghan is the definite answer.

QB - Yes, I expect Cassel to be traded after the 2007 season.

 

[Seneschal2]

Besides DB's and LB's what else do we need to stay near the top.
And I really would love to see 2 new DBs and 2 LBs next year. We need some younger guys to take over.

Top need for me is a playmaker in the secondary. Be it a solid cover corner or a ballhawking safety, we need a difference-maker back there. We have a potentially dominant DL, and while that unit remains signed and intact, let's give them some quality support.

At LB, I don't expect an ILB to be drafted early (if at all). We may go the veteran FA route again. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see us grab an DE/OLB early (with some pass rush skills). Hoping to find a diamond-in-the-rough this draft.

 

[carolinatony]

My take on this as following either by Draft or FA

First -are DBs and LBs.. 2 of each imo

WR - Even if Jackson shows more we need a Top receiver
OL- We need a stud to open holes no matter who we are playing. Hard to find another John Hannah
RB - To help Maroney and Dillion is getting older
ST- When was the last time we returned a kick for a TD

 

[skaIownsIyou]

These are my choices for the draft:
LT - the Pat's have to protect Brady's blind side better so a Left Tackle would be my first pick. Light might move to RT.

sure, move the experienced tackle to the strong side, and put an inexpereienced rookie to cover brady's blind side....logic anyone?

 

[carolinatony]

We need a pro-bowl OL imo... This will take care of Brady and help all O all around

 

[DaBruinz]

We need a pro-bowl OL imo... This will take care of Brady and help all O all around

And how does one go about getting a Pro-Bowl O-lineman? Can you please let me know how many Pro-Bowl O-linemen have been taken in the draft the last 3 years?

Or how many have changed teams in the last 3 years?