Restocking the Patriots: first notions (offense)

[Deus Irae]

I'm bored, so I thought I'd do a quick fix thread about the offense, based upon current draft positions of soon-to-be rookies, and based upon the current FA crop. So, here goes:

Draft Cox and Poe in the first round, and sign Sign Goldson/Branch/Griffin/Landry for defense, and then....

Draft Adams

Sign Lloyd
Re-sign Welker
Re-sign Koppen
Re-sign Connolly
Re-sign Branch
Release Johnson
Let BJGE walk (Unless he's willing to take committee RB money and he can be RB4)
Convince Light and Waters to return

Starters

Light/Solder
Mankins
Koppen/Connolly
Waters/Connolly
Vollmer/Solder
Gronk
Hernandez
Welker
Lloyd
Ridley
Brady

Bench

Vereen
Woodhead
RB4
Branch
Adams
Edelman
Wendell
Ohrnberger
TE3/FB
Mallett
Hoyer
Cannon (added when tatepatsfan noticed the oversight)

Depending upon how the rest of the draft board falls, drafting another C and/or G could still be an option to compete against the likes of Wendell and Ohrnberger.


Have at it.

 

[patsinthesnow]

I'm bored, so I thought I'd do a quick fix thread about the offense, based upon current draft positions of soon-to-be rookies, and based upon the current FA crop. So, here goes:

Draft Cox and Poe in the first round, and sign Sign Goldson/Branch/Griffin/Landry for defense, and then....

Draft Adams

Sign Lloyd
Re-sign Welker
Re-sign Koppen
Re-sign Connolly
Re-sign Branch
Release Johnson
Let BJGE walk (Unless he's willing to take committee RB money and he can be RB4)
Convince Light and Waters to return

Starters

Light/Solder
Mankins
Koppen/Connolly
Waters/Connolly
Vollmer/Solder
Gronk
Hernandez
Welker
Lloyd
Ridley
Brady

Bench

Vereen
Woodhead
RB4
Branch
Adams
Edelman
Wendell
Ohrnberger
TE3/FB
Mallett
Hoyer

Depending upon how the rest of the draft board falls, drafting another C and/or G could still be an option to compete against the likes of Wendell and Ohrnberger.


Have at it.

I like it, but do you mean Dontari Poe in the first round, the mammoth 6'5 350 pound NT? Curious how you see using him with Wilfork and Love.

 

[tatepatsfan]

Maybe I am misreading it, but I think you left out Cannon. I feel confident he'll be on the team next year.

I think BGJE is a very interesting free agent for us. It's been well documented how trustworthy he is, but then again, he's not really a "game changer" either. I'd like to see him back, but I really doubt we give him more than say 2 or 3 mil a season.

Welker will almost certainly be back. I like bringing Branch back too, but only as a 3rd or 4th WR. At least one of Connolly or Koppen will be back. I'd like to see both back too.

Convincing Light and Waters to retire is ideal, but might perhaps be easier said than done.

 

[Deus Irae]

I like it, but do you mean Dontari Poe in the first round, the mammoth 6'5 350 pound NT? Curious how you see using him with Wilfork and Love.

Yes, sorry....

Dontari Poe
Fletcher Cox
Joe Adams

I'd initially look at Poe as backup NT, NT when Wilfork bounced outside, and part of the DT rotation when the Patriots went into sub packages.

 

[Zeus]

I'm bored, so I thought I'd do a quick fix thread about the offense, based upon current draft positions of soon-to-be rookies, and based upon the current FA crop. So, here goes:

Draft Cox and Poe in the first round, and sign Sign Goldson/Branch/Griffin/Landry for defense, and then....

Draft Adams

Sign Lloyd
Re-sign Welker
Re-sign Koppen
Re-sign Connolly
Re-sign Branch
Release Johnson
Let BJGE walk (Unless he's willing to take committee RB money and he can be RB4)
Convince Light and Waters to return

Starters

Light/Solder
Mankins
Koppen/Connolly
Waters/Connolly
Vollmer/Solder
Gronk
Hernandez
Welker
Lloyd
Ridley
Brady

Bench

Vereen
Woodhead
RB4
Branch
Adams
Edelman
Wendell
Ohrnberger
TE3/FB
Mallett
Hoyer

Depending upon how the rest of the draft board falls, drafting another C and/or G could still be an option to compete against the likes of Wendell and Ohrnberger.


Have at it.

Agree that they shouldn't overpay BJGE, although I think he's a better player than people generally think. You are putting a lot a faith in Ridely and Vereen. Would RB4 be a rookie or a veteran free agent?

 

[patsinthesnow]

Yes, sorry....

Dontari Poe
Fletcher Cox
Joe Adams

I'd initially look at Poe as backup NT, NT when Wilfork bounced outside, and part of the DT rotation when the Patriots went into sub packages.

Oh thanks, I also thought you ment Mike Adams too, lol.

That'd actually be interesting, gives the pats alot of flexibility at the line. Wilfork-Poe-Love, ultimate run stuffers.

 

[Deus Irae]

Agree that they shouldn't overpay BJGE, although I think he's a better player than people generally think. You are putting a lot a faith in Ridely and Vereen. Would RB4 be a rookie or a veteran free agent?

Either would work. My guess is that, if the team lets BJGE walk, it'll be because they are confident in Ridley as the RB1, so the team will be looking for a rotation guy who can maybe get a couple of carries, but would be more important as an injury hedge.

 

[Zeus]

Either would work. My guess is that, if the team lets BJGE walk, it'll be because they are confident in Ridley as the RB1, so the team will be looking for a rotation guy who can maybe get a couple of carries, but would be more important as an injury hedge.

Even though we didn't see all that much of either Ridley or Vereen, the talent is evident. How much they improve with the benefit of a full offseason will be key. In particular, conditioning/durability, blitz pick-up and (especially) ball security will make or break these guys.

 

[Gronkandez]

Even though we didn't see all that much of either Ridley or Vereen, the talent is evident. How much they improve with the benefit of a full offseason will be key. In particular, conditioning/durability, blitz pick-up and (especially) ball security will make or break these guys.

I agree with this.

I think RB4 should be a good ST player a la Sammy Morris only not that old. Let BJGE walk.

I don't think the Pats should re-sign Branch if they get Lloyd and draft Joe Adams. Welker/Lloyd/Edelman/Adams + Underwood or some other JAG is enough.

 

[Deus Irae]

I agree with this.

I think RB4 should be a good ST player a la Sammy Morris only not that old. Let BJGE walk.

I don't think the Pats should re-sign Branch if they get Lloyd and draft Joe Adams. Welker/Lloyd/Edelman/Adams + Underwood or some other JAG is enough.

Just to explain my reasoning behind the Branch re-signing here:

1.) He'd be able to mentor Adams, who seems like he's got some of the same skills

2.) If Adams isn't ready yet, Branch would work well in the empty backfield sets

Lloyd
Welker
Gronk
Hernandez
Branch

I think Branch is in decline, but I don't think we're looking at a complete breakdown, and I think he's still got another season of decent play left in him. I don't want him as a starter but, if he'll take an appropriate deal, I see him as still having real value to the team.

 

[Zeus]

Just to explain my reasoning behind the Branch re-signing here:

1.) He'd be able to mentor Adams, who seems like he's got some of the same skills

2.) If Adams isn't ready yet, Branch would work well in the empty backfield sets

Lloyd
Welker
Gronk
Hernandez
Branch

I think Branch is in decline, but I don't think we're looking at a complete breakdown, and I think he's still got another season of decent play left in him. I don't want him as a starter but, if he'll take an appropriate deal, I see him as still having real value to the team.

Agree again. Branch is still a more than serviceable player for the right money and (as you point out) in the proper role. His understanding of the offense and his connection with Brady can't be easily replaced on the open market.

The key here is Lloyd. The more I think about it, the more I feel that he is absolutely ideal for this offense. (Apologies - I'm reluctant to even bring this up but had they acquired Lloyd during the season when they had the chance, there probably would have been a parade in Boston instead of NY.)

 

[Gronkandez]

Just to explain my reasoning behind the Branch re-signing here:

1.) He'd be able to mentor Adams, who seems like he's got some of the same skills

2.) If Adams isn't ready yet, Branch would work well in the empty backfield sets

Lloyd
Welker
Gronk
Hernandez
Branch

I think Branch is in decline, but I don't think we're looking at a complete breakdown, and I think he's still got another season of decent play left in him. I don't want him as a starter but, if he'll take an appropriate deal, I see him as still having real value to the team.

I respect what Branch has done for this team but at this point, where his skills are now, I want him out. It'll make me mad if they bring him back.

Same with BJGE. It's nice that he's the anti-Maroney, always falls forward and never fumbles but PLEASE give me a guy who can make the defense pay with a big run. Ridley and Vareen are those guys. No need to keep an RB4 with no ST ability for five runs/game.

 

[Deus Irae]

One change needs to be made already, apparently. The Patriots have apparently released Ohrnberger (Just saw another thread title claiming he and Wright have been let go), so he can be removed from the backups list.

 

[bucky]

I agree with the general premise of all these moves. Here are the items I would raise:

1) I would place some importance on getting a #3 TE who's ready to contribute (no doubt BB will be drafting one at some point again this year). As it stands today, an injury to either Gronk or Hernandez would take the team out of their preferred sets.
2) I don't think they need Waters, Connolly, and Koppen. 2 of the 3 is enough. Wendell is not much worse than Connolly or Koppen. I also think Waters would want a raise if her were to come back - which leads into the 3rd and most important comment.
3) I'd love to see the salary cap implications of all these moves. Because I'd want to put as much $$ towards the defense as possible. Koppen and Connolly would probably both want starter money. Lloyd will want to get paid like a #1 WR, but on this team he'd be a 3rd or 4th option.

One thing that nobody has talked about: if Light retires, and 85 and Wright are released, the Pats will have close to $17 mil of dead money hitting the cap - which is a lot!

 

[fumbrunner]

I don't think the team is ready to hand over the RB 1 position to an unproven 2nd year player. I expect the backfield to look exactly the same as this year, with Vereen taking Faulk's spot.

 

[Raymond]

but had they acquired Lloyd during the season when they had the chance, there probably would have been a parade in Boston instead of NY.)

Also the same result if Gronk had no ankle sprain.

 

[Gronkandez]

I don't think the team is ready to hand over the RB 1 position to an unproven 2nd year player. I expect the backfield to look exactly the same as this year, with Vereen taking Faulk's spot.

I completely disagree. I vehemently disagree. I am now angered.

BJGE has ZERO big play ability. If Ridley and Vareen are both Lomo then fine, but I doubt that is the case. They both flashed talent this year. Vareen only had one good run in limited playing time but that was all I needed to see. I am pumped for this duo next year. RB4 should be a new guy who can play special teams.

 

[ausbacker]

I completely disagree. I vehemently disagree. I am now angered.

BJGE has ZERO big play ability. If Ridley and Vareen are both Lomo then fine, but I doubt that is the case. They both flashed talent this year. Vareen only had one good run in limited playing time but that was all I needed to see. I am pumped for this duo next year. RB4 should be a new guy who can play special teams.

Correct me if I am wrong but I consider a touchdown to be a big play. Green-Ellis is pretty good at scoring touchdowns.

 

[Gronkandez]

Correct me if I am wrong but I consider a touchdown to be a big play. Green-Ellis is pretty good at scoring touchdowns.

Yet Brady run QB sneaks all the time on the goal line and busts up his shoulder doing so.

I will agree though that the GL area is the one spot where I don't have as much confidence in Ridley and Vareen, however the Pats have plenty of passing plays that are effective inside the 5.

 

[Wilfork#75]

I don't really like the idea of letting BJGE walk and hand the starting spot over to Ridley. While he definitely flashed last year, what he did prove is that he wasn't ready to carry the load. Possession is far too important to just hand over, so until Ridley can prove he can hang onto the ball, Benny would be my guy. He's not a sexy player, but he is as reliable as they come, and with Brady at QB, I think that's all you need at RB. I also don't think anyone will offer big money to him so he should be retained at a reasonable price. Ridley is the future, but he has to earn it.