Something to think about when talking about

[DaBruinz]

who the Pats should draft.

In the AFC Championship game, their defense gave up 38 points, 32 in a single HALF.

Their offense was good enough to put up 27 points and the defense got 7 for them as well.

So, where is the bigger issue? On OFFENSE where people claim the Pats need a BIG TIME WR (people have been saying that since 2001 and I have yet to see one on this team)? Or on DEFENSE, where our LBs are all 30+ except for Mays, Woods, and Alexander? Where our cornerbacks and safeties have a hard time staying healthy because of the physical game that the team plays?

Is there a possibility for the Pats to meet the needs on the offense and defense? Yes, but reality says that the chance is pretty remote.

The Pats need a serious influx of younger talent on defense at LB, CB and Safety.

Part of that "influx" could be handled by moving Eugene Wilson from Free Safety to #2 corner and drafting a free safety to learn from Hawkins and Harrison. Maybe Wilson will stop being so gunshy if he's just hitting on receivers, primarily.

But that still leaves Free Safety, Strong Safety (for behind Sanders) and Linebacker.

I wouldn't be surprised at all to see BB use 3 of the 4 top picks on the defensive side of the ball with the one offensive pick being either an OT or a RB like Brian Leonard.

 

[Oswlek]

who the Pats should draft.

In the AFC Championship game, their defense gave up 38 points, 32 in a single HALF.

Their offense was good enough to put up 27 points and the defense got 7 for them as well.

So, where is the bigger issue? On OFFENSE where people claim the Pats need a BIG TIME WR (people have been saying that since 2001 and I have yet to see one on this team)? Or on DEFENSE, where our LBs are all 30+ except for Mays, Woods, and Alexander? Where our cornerbacks and safeties have a hard time staying healthy because of the physical game that the team plays?

Is there a possibility for the Pats to meet the needs on the offense and defense? Yes, but reality says that the chance is pretty remote.

The Pats need a serious influx of younger talent on defense at LB, CB and Safety.

Part of that "influx" could be handled by moving Eugene Wilson from Free Safety to #2 corner and drafting a free safety to learn from Hawkins and Harrison. Maybe Wilson will stop being so gunshy if he's just hitting on receivers, primarily.

But that still leaves Free Safety, Strong Safety (for behind Sanders) and Linebacker.

I wouldn't be surprised at all to see BB use 3 of the 4 top picks on the defensive side of the ball with the one offensive pick being either an OT or a RB like Brian Leonard.

I am in agreement of where the team needs the most help. One more reason that I would like to throw out there is that NE's top WRs (excepting Brown) are going to be able to work on strengthening their games rather than assimilating an offense.

This factor alone should increase the productivity of the WRs, but they could use some depth.

 

[BradyManny]

I agree with your assessment, DaBruinz.

The entire offense is pretty much set. Depending upon what happens with Graham, you think maybe we add on another TE late in the draft. And maybe we pick up an OL either as depth or upgrade. RB, WR, QB are set. Let's focus on that D.

 

[Jimke]

I agree that day one of the draft should be used to draft a cornerback,

linebacker, safety, and another defensive player in no particular order.

If a wide receiver or running back is the best player on day two, I could see

drafting a couple of offensive players but most of the draftees should be

on the defensive side of the ball.

I also hope that the Pats are more agressive in free agency and

don't wait a month before signing any players. Even if we have a super

draft, most of the draftees will not be ready to play for a couple of

years. We need immediate help on defense.

With regard to Wilson, he might be of some immediate help but

may be gone next year.

 

[ATippett56]

who the Pats should draft.The Pats need a serious influx of younger talent on defense at LB, CB and Safety.

No argument there.

Part of that "influx" could be handled by moving Eugene Wilson from Free Safety to #2 corner and drafting a free safety to learn from Hawkins and Harrison. Maybe Wilson will stop being so gunshy if he's just hitting on receivers, primarily.

That's a huge leap of faith considering Eugene Wilson has not played an entire season at cornerback in the NFL. The better option would be to franchise Asante Samuel for one year to determine whether his 2006 NFL season was a fluke. Also, I would prefer if the Patriots drafted one cornerback on Day One of the 2007 NFL draft and another cornerback on Day Two of the 2007 NFL Draft.

 

[Ring 6]

I think BB is having a 2002-like revelation regarding his defense.
I think we have had success fitting draft picks in on the defense, moreso than most people recognize. Wilson, Samuel, Wilfork, Warren, Seymour all played big roles as rookies on SB champs, and Hobbs started half a year as a rook too.
The one spot it hasn't happened is LB, but we havent really drafted any.
I see absolutely no reason one 1st round LB couldn't step in and play a big role, it just has to be the right guy, not the kind of LB other teams draft in round 1 (small and fast) but a guy who fits our system.

I also think free agency is going to play a big part in tweaking this roster for next year.
BB has no problem bringing in top FAs as long as he is paying for what they will be rather than what they used to be, and there is a need.
I expect the LB corps to be overhauled as follows:
Vrabel and Colvin return at OLB and a quality 3rd OLb is found, developed or drafted.
Bruschi returns at ILB and bioth a vet and rookie are added.
The LB corp is rounded out by the role players.

Basically, we upgrade the aging Seau, find a competant backup so Vrabel can stay outside, and find a #3 OLB.

I think BB is not going to let Samuel go, because of the options to replace him, the relaitve cost compared to cap room, and the difficulty in starting over again at corner.

 

[PaulNEPats]

I agree that we don't need a Chad Johnson type receiver (although that would be nice!). However, we do need a mid-range #1 (like Deion Branch) that can be a go-to guy and commands double coverage. If we don't find someone that can offer this, we'll run into the same running problems that we did in the 2nd half of the season (even though LoMo ran into the rookie wall).

That said, while it's a big hole on the current roster, there is a larger one - Linebackers! We need some serious depth in this area, along with another Safety. We may need another CB too depending on what happens with Asante.

There are several holes that need to be filled, and it all starts with defense.

 

[ATippett56]

I think BB is not going to let Samuel go, because of the options to replace him, the relaitve cost compared to cap room, and the difficulty in starting over again at corner.

It's also time to let go Chad "Charred" Scott and Ray Mickens since these cornerbacks are in the twilight of their careers. Hopefully, Randall Gay will be offered a restricted free agent tender and will stay healthy for an entire season.

 

[DaBruinz]

That's a huge leap of faith considering Eugene Wilson has not played an entire season at cornerback in the NFL. The better option would be to franchise Asante Samuel for one year to determine whether his 2006 NFL season was a fluke. Also, I would prefer if the Patriots drafted one cornerback on Day One of the 2007 NFL draft and another cornerback on Day Two of the 2007 NFL Draft.

Please show me where I said anything about NOT franchising Samuel in my original post.

 

[ATippett56]

Please show me where I said anything about NOT franchising Samuel in my original post.

In defense of my post, you did not explicitly state that you would franchise Asante Samuel for one year.

 

[DaBruinz]

In defense of my post, you did not explicitly state that you would franchise Asante Samuel for one year.

Well, that's because this was in regards to the DRAFT and not Free Agency. So, why would I mention Asante since he is a Free Agent?

 

[DaBruinz]

The Best Defense is a Good Offense, and as we saw in the AFC CG, our offense did diddly squat in the 2nd half, and therefore, our defense suffered, and we lost the game.

All season, at least for the majority of it, our defense saved the day, and many games.

I am not saying not to draft defensive players, and I do believe our first round picks should be on the defensive side of the ball...but if we are able to get a shot at a potential top notch offensive player, we should not pass it up...and go defense in free agency.....

NEM -
This offense was as productive as any except the 2003 one. The issues in the play-off game were a combination of poor play-calling by McDaniels & Brady and execution by the offense.

Most of that execution can be fixed through repetition and familiarity. The play-calling issues and Brady's recognition of defense can ALSO be fixed through film study.

Yes, if the best value available in the draft is an offensive player, then I would expect the Pats to take that player. But, as others have said, this seems to be a similar situation to 2002 where the Pats need SPEED at LB. There are some good LBs out there. Carlos Polk, Adalius Thomas, Jarrett Johnson. The Pats, I am sure, have already compiled their list of who they are going after and to what value they are worth. Hopefully, the players take a look at what the Pats can offer and decide that money isn't a bigger factor than winning and are willing to come here.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

The one thing I will never in my life understand, except in retrospect, is a Patriots draft.

I'd love to see Donnie Edwards or Adalius Thomas signed in FA, and 1 first-day blue-chip ILB, plus 1 late 1st day/second day LB come out of the draft. I'd love to see Asante franchised and at least ACTING happy with it. I'd love to see a run at a mid-range FA receiver, though it is something of a luxury. I'd also love to only have to use only one batch of secondary help some day, instead of rotating in the second and third strings at most positions. Also, I wish that I could drink chocolate champagne, and drive the tractor of innocence to the life I never knew, to quote King Missile.

The thing is, no matter how humble or how insanely optimistic your plan for the Pats' draft is, they will do something else. But okay, I'll play the guessing game too, over the next few months.

By the way, I also want a specialist to explain Reche's eyes. I would love to hear there is a medical explanation, which also explains drops, because his dilated pupils are bringing in TOO much light. Then I'd like there to be a pill he can take, which controls the issue, at which point his 700 odd yards become something sick like 1400 yards, all because of a little pill. Note: I am sure various experts have checked this out, so I am truly sorry for riffing on the old-hat pupils thing, especially since it's off-topic.... but, dayum.

PFnV

 

[363839]

Yeah db is pretty thin and the pats should draft that position high, but don't
forget linebacker. Specifically middle linebacker. We want Vrabel on the outside and Tedy may not even be back next year. Is Eric Alexander really the answer?
I would love to see us pick up a lb in the first round. I don't know who, though.
They will definitely go heavy on D in this draft.
Now watch them draft a guard, a tight end and a receiver on day one.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Yeah db is pretty thin and the pats should draft that position high, but don't
forget linebacker. Specifically middle linebacker. We want Vrabel on the outside and Tedy may not even be back next year. Is Eric Alexander really the answer?
I would love to see us pick up a lb in the first round. I don't know who, though.
They will definitely go heavy on D in this draft.
Now watch them draft a guard, a tight end and a receiver on day one.

"Inside linebacker," unless you're saying we switch to a 4-3...?

PFnV

 

[363839]

"Inside linebacker," unless you're saying we switch to a 4-3...?

PFnV

Thank you.
We need 2 inside linebackers.
But I guess BB just doesn't draft those guys very high.
Hopefully he'll seee something in this draft.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I think BB is having a 2002-like revelation regarding his defense.
I think we have had success fitting draft picks in on the defense, moreso than most people recognize. Wilson, Samuel, Wilfork, Warren, Seymour all played big roles as rookies on SB champs, and Hobbs started half a year as a rook too.
The one spot it hasn't happened is LB, but we havent really drafted any.
I see absolutely no reason one 1st round LB couldn't step in and play a big role, it just has to be the right guy, not the kind of LB other teams draft in round 1 (small and fast) but a guy who fits our system.

I also think free agency is going to play a big part in tweaking this roster for next year.
BB has no problem bringing in top FAs as long as he is paying for what they will be rather than what they used to be, and there is a need.
I expect the LB corps to be overhauled as follows:
Vrabel and Colvin return at OLB and a quality 3rd OLb is found, developed or drafted.
Bruschi returns at ILB and bioth a vet and rookie are added.
The LB corp is rounded out by the role players.

Basically, we upgrade the aging Seau, find a competant backup so Vrabel can stay outside, and find a #3 OLB.

I think BB is not going to let Samuel go, because of the options to replace him, the relaitve cost compared to cap room, and the difficulty in starting over again at corner.

so you think that the pats will retain samuel at about 6-7 million a year and then will make a splash with a top free agents which will be another 5-6 million. then you figure these two contracts will be 3-4 years. now consider warren will be a free agent after 2008 and he will command BIG money. you can't keep everyone and bring in big contracts at the same time.

their best bet is to try to keep graham, keep asante one year at the most franchising him, but highly doubtful, try to bring in a wr for 3-4 like a bobby engram or kevin curtis, and go after donnie edwards or london fletcher for 2-3 year and frontload the contract to avoid late year hits. and use the two #1's on two quality players(preferably defense), and continue to draft solid. and hope there is a huge jump with 2006 draftees from year one to year two..

 

[BradyManny]

try to bring in a wr for 3-4 like a bobby engram or kevin curtis

Though I've repeatedly said I'm fine with our wideouts for next year, Bobby Engram really would be a nice addition for not too much $. Good call, I like your other suggestions as well.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

i don't think they'll make a huge splash with a big name in free agency. i would go after midlevel guys and try to use those #1's for playmakers.

 

[everlong]

The offense was the problem this year more than the defense in every game except for the last one.

That said the offense is much younger than the defense so it has a lot of room to grow. Brady will develop more chemistry with the receivers and hopefully most of all Jackson. Maroney should only get better, etc.

The defense needs more depth and to get younger before all the vets leave. There's a ton of experience that needs to be passed on.