Team needs for 2007

[Brady to Brown]

While I expect Bill and Scott think both short and long term. I am going short team in this thread. In order to have a shot at the Super bowl in 2007 the Patriots must.....

1/ Sign an inside LB, someone who can stop the run.

2/ Sign a long ball threat. Someone that the opposition must respect 25 yards downfield.

I did not include draft picks as I would not make any plan that counted on them.

 

[mgteich]

"To have a shot" at the 2008 SB, the patriots need to do absolutely nothing. The team is already stronger than last year (on offense, defense and on ST's). As you might recall, we were within a first down or two of the SB last year.

While I expect Bill and Scott think both short and long term. I am going short team in this thread. In order to have a shot at the Super bowl in 2007 the Patriots must.....

1/ Sign an inside LB, someone who can stop the run.

2/ Sign a long ball threat. Someone that the opposition must respect 25 yards downfield.

I did not include draft picks as I would not make any plan that counted on them.

 

[DaBruinz]

I have to agree with MG. The Pats don't NEED to do anything else. What they will do is evaluate their options accordingly.

I think that the Pats will add 1 vet LB who can play against the run, 2 rookie LBs to learn the position and push for special teams spots, another WR (either FA or Draft) to flesh out the receiving corps some, a couple of DBs (probably CB and FS), and a bunch of jags/UDFA to get them to 83 players (80 plus 3 NFLE exemptions). Currently they are at 66 players either signed or tendered (ERFA/RFA). That leaves 17 spots. As many as 10 could be draft picks and the other 7 will be UDFA or JAGS.

 

[ChoWZa]

They need depth. Think about where they cannot afford an injury besides QB obviously. If Maroney goes down the Pats are in trouble still. If Welker gets hurt? Trouble. If Thomas gets hurt? More trouble. Samuel gets hurt ? More trouble.

 

[pats63]

Need is in the secondary,Asante probly wanting some of that Clements money...Wilson has 1 yr...Hawkins is a back up,not starter...Gay IR...Scott,hate to say Rodney has seen better days...I know Rodney is stud,heart and soul of the secondry...Like to see a CD or Safety @ 1st picks...Hobbs and Sander is our future forsure...

 

[patpatriot]

Sorry; you are wrong MG; the poster is correct. Given the more difficult 07 schedule, the Pats must be significantly better in 07 than last year. They have taken a step towards that goal by signing AT. Some of the other signings are kind of going sideways or backwards instead of forward:

Morris for Dillon: Morris is a better pass receiver than Dillon (he's quite good if I recollect correctly) but is not the runner that Dillon is even in his decrepitude. This is a backwards move in my opinion (tho not very far from a sideways move).


Brady for Graham: no way to spin this as other than a backwards move. Given the Pat's requirements of a TE and the presence of 2 excellent pass catching TEs maybe it's also a not a very far backwards move and is close to a sideways move.

Welker for Brown: A legitimate improvement probably (I'm not dissing Brown here, he can be on my team as long as he wants to).

AT for Seau: a big time improvement.

So there it is. A SB caliber team with a tougher schedule making 2 improvements and 2 slightly backwards moves..

More work is needed if this team wants to get a 1st round bye in 07 (the key to a successful SB run in my and in Bill Parcells opinion.)

Stalllworth would be a big step in the right direction. Hartwell? If he's not too beat up would also move the team forward. We need a couple of rookies to make a big conttribution; one reason I'm high on getting T Ginn to fill the Devin Hester role. We need to have enough quality backups to fill the annual DB injury parade and either a rookie or a vet RB who can really pound the rock, especially in the RZ in case Maroney gets injured or deflates (we may already have this in Morris...unclear as yet...maybe Priest Holmes if he's willing to come along on a Ring Ride for the vet minimum).

In any event, we have lots of dough and plenty of draft picks to continue to improve. Which is good news because a football team is like a shark...it has to keep moving forwards or it will sufffocate and die.

 

[smg93]

health....

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

Health

improve LB Corps,- Half way there

improved Wr corps- one down, hope a second one to go

improved saftey help,

 

[PromisedLand]

health....

Yes, health, and flu shots ...

 

[braveht]

TB has to focus on Tight Ends & Wide Recivers instead of loose/ narrow ones.

 

[c_nice_37]

Better looking cheerleaders!

 

[DaBruinz]

Sorry; you are wrong MG; the poster is correct. Given the more difficult 07 schedule, the Pats must be significantly better in 07 than last year. They have taken a step towards that goal by signing AT. Some of the other signings are kind of going sideways or backwards instead of forward:

No. You ASSUME that the 07 is going to be that much tougher, but there is no guarantee of that.

Morris for Dillon: Morris is a better pass receiver than Dillon (he's quite good if I recollect correctly) but is not the runner that Dillon is even in his decrepitude. This is a backwards move in my opinion (tho not very far from a sideways move).

Yes, if you want to make that erroneous comparison, you'd be right. However, that isn't the case. Maroney is replacing Dillon and Morris is replacing Maroney. Its more of a sideways move.

Brady for Graham: no way to spin this as other than a backwards move. Given the Pat's requirements of a TE and the presence of 2 excellent pass catching TEs maybe it's also a not a very far backwards move and is close to a sideways move.

I love Graham and I think that the Pats couldn't use him the way they needed. Again, I see a Watson replacing Graham, Thomas replacing Watson, and Brady becoming the #3. Not sure I would say a step backwards. More a sideways step.

Welker for Brown: A legitimate improvement probably (I'm not dissing Brown here, he can be on my team as long as he wants to).

The only one that I agree with so far.

AT for Seau: a big time improvement.

AD (he hates going by AT and has said so) isn't replacing Seau. This is yet another erroneous assumption on your part. AD is replacing TBC. Which is a HUGE upgrade.

So there it is. A SB caliber team with a tougher schedule making 2 improvements and 2 slightly backwards moves..

More work is needed if this team wants to get a 1st round bye in 07 (the key to a successful SB run in my and in Bill Parcells opinion.)

Sorry, but I disagree with your assessments. I feel that you don't compare apples to apples.

Stalllworth would be a big step in the right direction. Hartwell? If he's not too beat up would also move the team forward. We need a couple of rookies to make a big conttribution; one reason I'm high on getting T Ginn to fill the Devin Hester role. We need to have enough quality backups to fill the annual DB injury parade and either a rookie or a vet RB who can really pound the rock, especially in the RZ in case Maroney gets injured or deflates (we may already have this in Morris...unclear as yet...maybe Priest Holmes if he's willing to come along on a Ring Ride for the vet minimum).

Stallworth MIGHT be a step in the right direction. There is no guarantee.
Tedd Ginn is going to be too expensive, draft pick wise, to fill the Devin Hester role.

I agree that the Pats could use another RB. Have said so myself on several occasions.

In any event, we have lots of dough and plenty of draft picks to continue to improve. Which is good news because a football team is like a shark...it has to keep moving forwards or it will sufffocate and die.

The Pats have about 2-3 million to spend on other FAs when you consider the the FULL CAP and draft picks and not just the top 51.

What needs to be resolved is the situation with Asante. Get him signed to a long term deal and then figure out what else you need.

 

[Brady to Brown]

I agree that A.D is here to replace Canta play not Seau. But this is why I said they still need someone inside vs. the run. Unless they re up Seau.

 

[ClevTrev]

What needs to be resolved is the situation with Asante. Get him signed to a long term deal and then figure out what else you need.

So, they need to get Asante signed long term for success in 2007?

Hmmmmm . . .

Pioli: "So, what is Asante looking for long term?"

Agent: "Just fair market value."

Pioli: "Where would you like us to start?"

Agent: "Let's establish an 8 year base of $100m with $34m in guarantees."

Pioli: "Based on what in the market?"

Agent: "Based on the fact that Asante outperformed Clements last season, and that's where we start. Take it or leave it."


I say, good luck to Asante after 2007! The draft choices this season will be an indicator of the team's plans.

 

[patpatriot]

No. You ASSUME that the 07 is going to be that much tougher, but there is no guarantee of that.

Thanks for the detailed reply. You know, when you look at the non-conference schedule, It's really not all that much harder. So I guess you are correct. In the conference, I expect the Jets to be much better, Buffalo to be about the same, and Miami to also be the same.

2007-------- - 2006
Cincinnati ----Cincinnati
Pittsburgh ----Denver
San Diego ----Minnesota
Indianapolis --Indianapolis
Washington --Green Bay
Baltimore ----Chicago
Cleveland ----Detroit
Dallas -- ----Houston
N.Y. Giants --Jacksonville
Philadelphia --Tennessee

Yes, if you want to make that erroneous comparison, you'd be right. However, that isn't the case. Maroney is replacing Dillon and Morris is replacing Maroney. Its more of a sideways move.

Morris isn't as good as Maroney...better receiver but not as good a runner and definately not Dillon's equal around the goal line. That's where I think we might have a bit more trouble.

I love Graham and I think that the Pats couldn't use him the way they needed. Again, I see a Watson replacing Graham, Thomas replacing Watson, and Brady becoming the #3. Not sure I would say a step backwards. More a sideways step.

I think it depends on Thomas. I think he is capable of being a terrific receiver maybe better than Graham, and an adequate blocker. Yes Brady is Graham's equal as a blocker but neither he nor Thomas has the speed to threaten the deep middle seam like Graham did.

AD (he hates going by AT and has said so) isn't replacing Seau. This is yet another erroneous assumption on your part. AD is replacing TBC. Which is a HUGE upgrade.

I dunno ...maybe Vrabel goes back to the outside where he can set the edge better than *AD* at least on 1st and 2nd downs. Either way AD is is indeed a big improvement over either Seau or TBC.

Stallworth MIGHT be a step in the right direction. There is no guarantee.
Tedd Ginn is going to be too expensive, draft pick wise, to fill the Devin Hester role.

I think he's worth it just be a KR, PR, and be the deep threat we need to get the opposing safeties to back off of the LOS. Hester is a game changer; Ginn has that potential as well. Since he's very raw as a reciever, I can see him dropping into the 20 range in the draft. I like him because I think he'll provide an immediate impact.

The Pats have about 2-3 million to spend on other FAs when you consider the the FULL CAP and draft picks and not just the top 51.

What needs to be resolved is the situation with Asante. Get him signed to a long term deal and then figure out what else you need.

I thought we were still in the 11-13 million dollar range of cap room no? As far as Asante goes, that's a ticking bomb. I say we get him to play in 07 with the promise that we won't tag him in 08. If he gives a repeat performance in 07; then we sign him for big bucks or let him loose.

 

[signbabybrady]

I say the thing that this team needs the most is another title

 

[AllabouttheVinces]

#1 need for 2007 is to add another CB. The 2007 schedule has more strong passing teams than we saw last year. Besides, the depth at CB is Chad Scott, Blue Gay (off injury) and ??? Troy played too much DB again in 2006 because we had no depth. A #1 pick could make an impact in 2007, but BB probably would break him in slowly.

 

[Ghost of Ben Dreith]

If Brady keeps this pace up....maybe a day care center.

 

[signbabybrady]

If Brady keeps this pace up....maybe a day care center.

one every 29 years is to much???

 

[Ghost of Ben Dreith]

one every 29 years is to much???

If the National Enquirer's calculations are correct, and they are.....and.....this week's issue says Giselle will swell.....then it is 2 in 3-4 months....


But...since I am here again and don't want to troll up (trollup....like Giselle) the thread...for players...not peripherals....

they need IMHO another LB to rotate in with the starters on a consitent basis, and they need another SS in the draft. I would have loved to see Duckett here at 1.5M for 1 year, but Lions got that one. I don't like their RB situation at all right now, not terrible, just not as good as I hoped.