Certainly a very valid and fair viewpoint. Apologies for being on a different wavelength regarding the personal opinion on Mallett, instead of the actual point about the boards'/posters' tendencies.
I don't know if we'll ever find out the specifics behind the thinking regarding BB's choice. Maybe he felt there was just too much upside + value with Mallett falling? Maybe he just didn't like this particular draft very much, which is kind of the feeling that I get. I am hoping that the other front 7 (specifically OLB) need (s) will be addressed via free agency of course, and feel as though he may prefer more seasoned vets with experience, as opposed to having to groom starters at that specific position.
With a healthier and more experienced front line + the addition of Stroud (and even possible retention of G.Warren--still up in the air), and BB's tendency to address and solidify the back part of the defense, the only perceived 'weakness' that I see would be ONE outside LB'er. I do agree that it was a typical BB WTF type pick for some, no doubting that. But if either of the reasons listed above regarding his reasoning are true, or even the theory of not wanting the 2-3 yr learning curve at OLB, he still may have set the team up for more immediate results this year AND possibly addressed the future at the same time.
All in all, I can certainly respect your feeling on wanting to address a current weakness rather than worry about a developmental QB. Obviously, only time will tell if it was the right choice or not. One thing's for sure, our teams' coach certainly gives us plenty to talk about, and keeps us on our toes all through the year--off season or not
In a dispassionate review of the Patriots roster prior to the Draft, there appeared to be several openings for players.
Most Teams carry three QBs, including the Pats, yet for two years the Pats only carried two, so an opening at reserve QB was there. Filling it with a 3rd round pick, who some think might be a First Round in god-given QB talent, is a superb addition to the QB reserves.
The Pats were now deep with six young safeties, but there was at least one CB position open.
There appeared to be openings at RB, with age and injury affecting three of the five positions there. Finally, there was at least one opening on the Offensive line with the retirement of Stephen Neal. In addition the end was in view for Matt Light within a few years. Login Mankins contract tribulations added some uncertainty, so there was an opening for one or more on the Offensive line.
Realistically, BB felt there was one development position open at OLB. He has said he likes his OLBs which people ignored. He likes the development of Cunningham and Ninkovitch. TBC is a pass rush specialist who will be fresher, perhaps healthier, as a situation substitute for Pass Rushing, than as a full time OLB, with acknowledged weakness versus the run.
BB knows that developing an OLB from a DE, is a multi-year process, helped by having a low priced candidate that he can stash on the PS or the end of the roster, for a year or three. BB also knows that the "Pass Rush" is not that far from being fully acceptable. The difference between 36/year last season, versus 41/year during the Super Bowl years, is a mere difference of 5 sacks over 16 games, and is up from 29/year at the lowest depths of De-construction and Re-building.
Fans always want to compare the Pats sack numbers with gambling, penetrating, blitzing Defenses. BB knows that numbers are not comparable. Read-and-React, fundamentally sound, two-gap Defenses will never accumulate the same number of sacks. A 40 sack season on a two-gap Defense is like 50-60 sacks, on a blitz happy, gambling, Defense such as the Jets employ.
The proof of the pudding, is the results. The Patriots Defense was now back in the Top Ten in the only Defensive stat that counts, Points Allowed, in the 2010 season. Even better results are reasonably anticipated from mere added experience for the Players already on the roster. The improvement over the season was obvious; first half 23.5 points per game, improved to 15.6 points per game over the second half, while playing 5 of the 8 versus Playoff participants, including both Super Bowl contestants.
I would judge that Belichick filled all of the remaining open rebuilding positions, with candidates. Some of which may actually turn into NFL players. Meanwhile he has given himself another advantage for the 2012 Draft, even if it is to only receive the Annuity or Interest benefits, of then trading picks into 2013.