It Is Still WR, DL, OT and WR.

[mgteich]

We still need to re-sign or replace Vollmer, Lloyd and Edelman. Also, we all want us to sign a pass-rusher.

If we want Edelman, we will have to move quickly. He is the highest WR on the nfln board.

 

[supafly]

We still need to re-sign or replace Vollmer, Lloyd and Edelman. Also, we all want us to sign a pass-rusher.

If we want Edelman, we will have to move quickly. He is the highest WR on the nfln board.

I hear you and agree with you, but it doesn't appear that Belichick is very concerned about retaining him or it'd likely have been done by now considering it's a lower money deal.

And NFLN's "board" of WR rankings is certainly questionable depending upon what teams are looking for. There are players out there like Llyod, Hixon, Henderson etc who have all offered about 10x what Edelman ever did as a WR. Even comparable players like Cribbs, Stokely etc could be considered to have shown a lot more despite their issues such as age/injury etc. That's not even bringing up guys like Moss etc. I think it all depends on what a specific team would be looking for in a WR--but Edelman certainly hasn't shown anything at all that would lead him to be the "#1 WR available" besides maybe some gadget plays and ST ability.

Even some of the lower level players like L.Robinson etc have shown much more of an ability to play the WR position better than Edelman, which makes their list look stupid.

I'd like Edelman to stay here due to his work with Brady, his knowledge of the offense, his gadget play success, and his ST ability--but I don't think we'd be seeing the kind of complete receiver that they are attempting to suggest as their #1 current choice.

 

[mgteich]

I agree with you evaluation of Edelman. I think folks recall the beginning of the season when Edelman was our #3 WR and was getting reps at #2. After all, the media discussed this issue for over a month, as we did.

I hear you and agree with you, but it doesn't appear that Belichick is very concerned about retaining him or it'd likely have been done by now considering it's a lower money deal.

And NFLN's "board" of WR rankings is certainly questionable depending upon what teams are looking for. There are players out there like Llyod, Hixon, Henderson etc who have all offered about 10x what Edelman ever did as a WR. Even comparable players like Cribbs, Stokely etc could be considered to have shown a lot more despite their issues such as age/injury etc. That's not even bringing up guys like Moss etc. I think it all depends on what a specific team would be looking for in a WR--but Edelman certainly hasn't shown anything at all that would lead him to be the "#1 WR available" besides maybe some gadget plays and ST ability.

 

[bagwell368]

We still need to re-sign or replace Vollmer, Lloyd and Edelman. Also, we all want us to sign a pass-rusher.

If we want Edelman, we will have to move quickly. He is the highest WR on the nfln board.

Umm... you can't be including the RFA's...

 

[supafly]

I agree with you evaluation of Edelman. I think folks recall the beginning of the season when Edelman was our #3 WR and was getting reps at #2. After all, the media discussed this issue for over a month, as we did.

Sure, he saw his chance as a WR2 for a couple of games. The problem is that he didn't do anything with that chance and it was pretty much a complete failure. I just don't see much of what that opportunity would prove for teams looking for a WR, that's all.

Like I said, I certainly hope he comes back. I would like to see his continued progression as an actual WR lined up outside, or even as a backup option to the slot in case Amendola misses time. Above all else, his punt return ability is awesome in my opinion.

It just doesn't seem as though Belichick is too interested, or maybe he doesn't see it as a viable option due to Edelman wishing to be paid more or start for someone.

 

[supafly]

Umm... you can't be including the RFA's...

It's NFL network's board of UFA's. I also saw Evan Silva's list which had Edelman as the #1 WR option available. I'm not exactly sure what they're smoking.

 

[mgteich]

Perhaps they have the same source.

It's NFL network's board of UFA's. I also saw Evan Silva's list which had Edelman as the #1 WR option available. I'm not exactly sure what they're smoking.

 

[ALP]

I don't know much about where the draft strength positions are but, if we bring Lloyd back (hopefully) we then draft a young WR (or 2) and either get one of the two remaining FA RTs or draft one, and then shore up the DL

I'd assume we would also spend a pick or two towards a CB, and other OL position

 

[supafly]

I don't know much about where the draft strength positions are but, if we bring Lloyd back (hopefully) we then draft a young WR (or 2) and either get one of the two remaining FA RTs or draft one, and then shore up the DL

I'd assume we would also spend a pick or two towards a CB, and other OL position

My opinion would be that DL, S, and WR are 3 very deep/strong positions in the draft this year.

I would have to think we see at least one DL and one WR taken without a doubt.

 

[mgteich]

Add RT (which also good in the draft, and the draft matches our current three needs. Of course, that is the situation now. These needs are also the very needs that are at top of our free agent wish list.

My opinion would be that DL, S, and WR are 3 very deep/strong positions in the draft this year.

I would have to think we see at least one DL and one WR taken without a doubt.

 

[jmt57]

It Is Still WR, DL, OT and WR

I would suggest WR, DE, DT and WR, with a question mark at OT.

WR: Obvious holes to fill

DE: Agree, a situational pass rusher such as Abraham or Freeney for the short term.

DT: Would really like to see Wilfork take fewer snaps, to keep him fresher in the 4th quarter. Would also like to see more push in the interior, and somebody take advantage of Wilfork's double teams. Have Love and Deaderick hit their ceiling? How much do you want to count on Armstead and/or Pryor?

OT: Even if Vollmer departs, the starters would be Solder and Cannon with Svitek the game day backup and Zusevics the 4th tackle. We can debate whether or not to count on Cannon, but it seems like other positions above are higher priorities.

 

[mcmurtry86]

Even some of the lower level players like L.Robinson etc have shown much more of an ability to play the WR position better than Edelman, which makes their list look stupid.

The only reason Robinson is available is because of severe concussions and the question as to whether or not he will be able to play (and if so, will one more big hit end his career?).

He might have more WR ability but he's pretty much all risk and downside at this point of his career.

 

[Metaphors]

My reading between the lines:

1) I can't believe Vollmer won't be back. His market value has been established (around 4 years, $30M, $15M guaranteed) and the Pats have the short and long-term cap situation to handle it. The Pats haven't been tied to any other big money FAs and they always spend to the cap. Brady has a 5-year clock ticking and it makes little sense to have him constantly looking out of the corner of his eye for edge rushers. Nothing else makes sense (assuming his health checks out).

2) Edelperson is a little trickier. Still a spot on the WR depth chart but the return candidates are pretty much in place. I think he is back, primarily to ease the Welker withdrawl...but not overly confident in that assessment. Lloyd's return is a serious question mark. Regardless, there is a spot for a young WR that can be a playmaker quickly...not a development project.

3) Talib on a one-year deal is a clear indicator. If he does well, the Pats won't be able to afford him. If he bombs, the Pats won't want to pay for him. Either way, he goes buh-bye in 2014. This is the year to get a young CB with #1 potential to work their way up the depth chart.

4) The interior of the OL and DL could use some youth but the team seems ready to go with what they have.

5) Pats have young options at rush end and seem poised to add a vet at some point. I'm not seeing a big draft investment here (not this year with this DE class) but possibly a late slider (like TBC) that can spend the year inactive (like Bequette).

So I see the remaining work to be done:
1) Re-sign Vollmer
2) Re-sign Edelperson (he just seems to fit here) and let Lloyd walk
3) Draft a CB and WR with the 1st 2 picks in the draft
4) Look for a slider with the 3rd pick at OG or DT. Trade back for picks otherwise.
5) Pick up a rush end late (one 3rd rounder always slides unexpectedly)

So for your needs list, how about:
OT Vollmer
WR Edelperson
WR Terrence Williams
OG JC Tretter
DT Sylvester Williams
DE Lavar Edwards
CB Desmond Trufant

 

[Brady6]

We still need to re-sign or replace Vollmer, Lloyd and Edelman. Also, we all want us to sign a pass-rusher.

If we want Edelman, we will have to move quickly. He is the highest WR on the nfln board.

DL Alan Branch is the perfect fit for this team and we could run a huge 4-3 under front as a base.

LDE - Armstead 6'5 300 lbs
3DT - Branch 6'6 325 lbs
NT - Wilfork 6'2 325 lbs
RDE - Jones 6'5 265 lbs

Avg height - 6'45
Avg weight - 303.75 lbs

 

[Brady6]

My reading between the lines:

1) I can't believe Vollmer won't be back. His market value has been established (around 4 years, $30M, $15M guaranteed) and the Pats have the short and long-term cap situation to handle it. The Pats haven't been tied to any other big money FAs and they always spend to the cap. Brady has a 5-year clock ticking and it makes little sense to have him constantly looking out of the corner of his eye for edge rushers. Nothing else makes sense (assuming his health checks out).

Jake Long received 4/36/16 as an elite 27 year old LT. That makes Vollmer's value 4/20/8 at best.

4/30/15 you'd have to be crazy. Winston received 4/22 last year and he was the same age started every game since his rookie season and performed just as well in 2011 as Vollmer did in 2012.

 

[stcjones]

I think Edelman is very well suited to our style of offense....Not sure how much other teams value him out there....or how successful/effective he would be in another teams offensive schemes. Just doesn't seem like any teams are knocking on his door just yet

I hear you and agree with you, but it doesn't appear that Belichick is very concerned about retaining him or it'd likely have been done by now considering it's a lower money deal.

And NFLN's "board" of WR rankings is certainly questionable depending upon what teams are looking for. There are players out there like Llyod, Hixon, Henderson etc who have all offered about 10x what Edelman ever did as a WR. Even comparable players like Cribbs, Stokely etc could be considered to have shown a lot more despite their issues such as age/injury etc. That's not even bringing up guys like Moss etc. I think it all depends on what a specific team would be looking for in a WR--but Edelman certainly hasn't shown anything at all that would lead him to be the "#1 WR available" besides maybe some gadget plays and ST ability.

Even some of the lower level players like L.Robinson etc have shown much more of an ability to play the WR position better than Edelman, which makes their list look stupid.

I'd like Edelman to stay here due to his work with Brady, his knowledge of the offense, his gadget play success, and his ST ability--but I don't think we'd be seeing the kind of complete receiver that they are attempting to suggest as their #1 current choice.

 

[SwedishPat]

DL Alan Branch is the perfect fit for this team and we could run a huge 4-3 under front as a base.

LDE - Armstead 6'5 300 lbs
3DT - Branch 6'6 325 lbs
NT - Wilfork 6'2 325 lbs
RDE - Jones 6'5 265 lbs

Avg height - 6'45
Avg weight - 303.75 lbs

What we need is not a huge dline. What we need is a D-line who can put pressure on the QB. A DT who can hold his ground OK against the run but put pressure up the moddle. A LE who can rush the passer. We can stop the run, but not rush the passer. A huge D-line does not solve that.

 

[Brady6]

What we need is not a huge dline. What we need is a D-line who can put pressure on the QB. A DT who can hold his ground OK against the run but put pressure up the moddle. A LE who can rush the passer. We can stop the run, but not rush the passer. A huge D-line does not solve that.

The concept of a 4-3 under is for the LDE, DT & NT to control the run and the RDE and SLB to rush the passer. I think that allowing Jones and Hightower to be our primary pass rushers in the base would result in great results. You can also generate pressure by collapsing the pocket.

 

[Metaphors]

Jake Long received 4/36/16 as an elite 27 year old LT. That makes Vollmer's value 4/20/8 at best.

4/30/15 you'd have to be crazy. Winston received 4/22 last year and he was the same age started every game since his rookie season and performed just as well in 2011 as Vollmer did in 2012.

My bad. I originally had 5 years (matching Brady's window) but changed it without altering the money. Make that 4/24/12. I'm figuring a legit $6M per is fair. This is Vollmer's one big score (will be turning 33 in 4 yrs) and I doubt he goes for much less. The rub will be if he gets interest as a LT from another team, then his market value increases (as does my blood pressure).

 

[Deus Irae]

We still need to re-sign or replace Vollmer, Lloyd and Edelman. Also, we all want us to sign a pass-rusher.

If we want Edelman, we will have to move quickly. He is the highest WR on the nfln board.

It's still WR, DL, OT, WR, S, CB, not in that order.

They've not fixed anything, but at least they've weakened the offense!