Pats Needs/Possible Answers From PatriotsInsider.com (no subscription needed)

[Brady'sButtBoy]

popped up on the Atlanta Falcons section, why, I don't know. If the link has been posted already, sorry, but someone else like me my have missed it (published on 2/24).

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=122&p=2&c=621579

 

[Boston Boxer]

with the money we have...i say we take a run at Clement

 

[cstjohn17]

popped up on the Atlanta Falcons section, why, I don't know. If the link has been posted already, sorry, but someone else like me my have missed it (published on 2/24).

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=122&p=2&c=621579

This was a very good analysis, instead of the usual assessment by the media at least Adam Allen provides some specific action steps.

CB - I first I was taken back by the idea of franchising Samuel and trying to sign Clements. But his logic makes sense, you are protected by franchising Samuel, worst case is you have Samuel under a 1 year deal. Best case is you land Clements and then trade Samuel. All of this depends on how the Patriots value Clements versus Samuel.

WR - Agree, having Brown return would be a step in the right direction. The FA class is weak, better value in the draft.

TE - Agree, Graham is gone. A 3rd TE will have to be brought in, likely a veteran JAG or via the draft.

FB - Evans is signed, position is in ok shape.

ILB - Agree again, even if Seau returns a veteran starter should be signed and 1 or 2 LBs added in the draft to fortify the position.

Exciting time of year, we will know a lot more about the roster within the next 2-4 weeks.

 

[patsfanofNC12]

Don't get me wrong I lie Asante, but I would rather sign Clements and get two draft picks out of Samuel.

 

[pats1]

with the money we have...i say we take a run at Clement

No, the Sox already made the mistake.

 

[Jimke]

Our chances of signing Clements are 0 to nil. If we re-sign and trade

Samuel, it will be cutting off our nose to spite our face. There aren't

any decent replacements out there this year.

Do you honestly think that a good solution to our wide receiver and

linebacker problems is re-signing Troy Brown and Junior Seau. These two

guys are almost senior citizens. I hope we don't let two or three weeks

go by before we sign some UFAs. Last year, we did most of our

shopping in the bargain basement.

 

[ATippett56]

Clements will probably be the most sought after unrestricted free agent in 2007. I seriously doubt the Patriots will indulge in that type of feeding frenzy.

As for inside linebackers, there are plenty in the 2007 NFL draft:

1st Round Patrick Willis, Mississippi
2nd Round David Harris, Michigan
3rd Round Stewart Bradley, Nebraska
5th Round Zak DeOssie, Brown
7th Round Anthony Waters, Clemson
7th Round Desmond Bishop, California

 

[Jimke]

I agree with ATippett56 that there are some possibilites to obtain

linebackers in the draft. In addition to his list of inside linebackers, there

are probably a lot of defensive end/outside linebacker types.

The problem is what do we do for linebackers as we wait for the

draftees to develop into starters? Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel aren't

getting any younger. The only linebacker Bill Belichick has developed from

a rookie is TBC whose time with the team is probably up. Where are

the Mike Vrabel, Roman Phifer, Rosevelt Colvin type of players among

the class of 2007 free agents?

 

[DarrylS]

I Where arethe Mike Vrabel, Roman Phifer, Rosevelt Colvin type of players among the class of 2007 free agents?

Stay tuned, their names will be known in a couple of weeks when they are under long term contracts to the Pats.

 

[cstjohn17]

As far as Clements, their premise was if Clements can be signed THEN trade Asante (big if but at least on paper it sounds good). I don't the percentage is 0%, if they $$$ are right Clements would come here, maybe the odds are 10%... not sure that makes anyone feel better. Of course if they can come up with a long-term contract with Samuel the whole premise is shoot.

LB & WR - I think in both cases they said sign Brown/Seau AND bring in reinforcements. I think the both these cases the new personnel brought in at LB and WR are far more important and should contribute more than either Seau and WR. Especially at ILB, we really need a front-line starter.

Don't get your hopes up for anything splashy in free agency, Colvin is the only player that jumps to mind in the last 6 years.

Our chances of signing Clements are 0 to nil. If we re-sign and trade

Samuel, it will be cutting off our nose to spite our face. There aren't

any decent replacements out there this year.

Do you honestly think that a good solution to our wide receiver and

linebacker problems is re-signing Troy Brown and Junior Seau. These two

guys are almost senior citizens. I hope we don't let two or three weeks

go by before we sign some UFAs. Last year, we did most of our

shopping in the bargain basement.

 

[Brarrell]

As far as Clements, their premise was if Clements can be signed THEN trade Asante (big if but at least on paper it sounds good). I don't the percentage is 0%, if they $$$ are right Clements would come here, maybe the odds are 10%... not sure that makes anyone feel better. Of course if they can come up with a long-term contract with Samuel the whole premise is shoot.

LB & WR - I think in both cases they said sign Brown/Seau AND bring in reinforcements. I think the both these cases the new personnel brought in at LB and WR are far more important and should contribute more than either Seau and WR. Especially at ILB, we really need a front-line starter.

Don't get your hopes up for anything splashy in free agency, Colvin is the only player that jumps to mind in the last 6 years.

And why is that? This franchise is in the top three financially, the QB is in his prime its about time to spend some money. They came within one first down of going to the superbowl. So to the FO and Owner "SPEND THE MONEY" the season ticket holders are holding up their part of the bargain paying the most expensive ticket in the NFL, combined with the some of most expensive parking in the league.

 

[cstjohn17]

And why is that? This franchise is in the top three financially, the QB is in his prime its about time to spend some money. They came within one first down of going to the superbowl. So to the FO and Owner "SPEND THE MONEY" the season ticket holders are holding up their part of the bargain paying the most expensive ticket in the NFL, combined with the some of most expensive parking in the league.

Maybe the original qoute was wrong, I said "Don't get your hopes up for anything splashy in free agency, Colvin is the only player that jumps to mind in the last 6 years.".

Maybe I should have said "Get your hopes up if you want to be disapointed.", history indicates that they won't go after any of the top free agents. In many ways they have already signed a premier free agent (at least for one year) by franchising Samuel.

 

[Remix 6]

Clements will probably be the most sought after unrestricted free agent in 2007. I seriously doubt the Patriots will indulge in that type of feeding frenzy.

As for inside linebackers, there are plenty in the 2007 NFL draft:

1st Round Patrick Willis, Mississippi
2nd Round David Harris, Michigan
3rd Round Stewart Bradley, Nebraska
5th Round Zak DeOssie, Brown
7th Round Anthony Waters, Clemson
7th Round Desmond Bishop, California

no way are Waters and Bishop anything worse than 4th rounders at WORST.

dont be suprised to see DeOssie jump to 3rd-4th round with a very good workout

Bishop will be a 2nd-3rd rounder..WAters a 3rd-4th because the knee

 

[JoeSixPat]

Chad Jackson was New England's No. 1 pick last year

Although hindsight is 20/20, I really wish New England would have considered taking a running back with last year's No. 1 pick, especially with Dillon now asking for his release.

Let's hope the front office listens to the advice of Scout.com as they really know Patriots football inside and out.

 

[JDP111]

There are quite a few RB's in this draft that would present good value in the mid rounds. The Pats definately should pick a back to help stock their depth long term. It's nice to have dual backs that can carry the ball on first down. I like Kenny Irons who should be there in the second round.

 

[broadwayjoe]

this is a joke i hope

I just feel the sarcasm towards scouts.com for that statement.

 

[JoeSixPat]

this is a joke i hope

That depends on whether you think Jackson was our #1 pick last year.

 

[salty]

Although hindsight is 20/20, I really wish New England would have considered taking a running back with last year's No. 1 pick, especially with Dillon now asking for his release.

Let's hope the front office listens to the advice of Scout.com as they really know Patriots football inside and out.

I was going to post that quote before I saw that I'd got beaten to it. I think the quote shows that this site didn't do their homework. Sign Clements and trade Samuel? There is no way that happens. Draft a WR high? Well we need somebody that can contribute at a high level THIS year, plus we need to focus on D early in the draft. These people don't know the Pats very well.

 

[patsfan55]

No, the Sox already made the mistake.

ugh dont remind me
i keep forgettin bout him since we now have six other starters

 

[patsfan55]

Draft a WR high? Well we need somebody that can contribute at a high level THIS year, plus we need to focus on D early in the draft. These people don't know the Pats very well.

EXACTLY
which is why i wouldnt mind a run at stallworth, engram, curtis and others
honestly, im not a big fan of bennet's
i def wouldnt mind drafting a wr high, but it wouldnt solve our current probs

i wouldnt mind a depth chart like this:
fa, gaffney, caldwell, draft pick, troy brown, chad jackson