I have some interest in these mid-level UFAs –
- James Jones, WR
- Andre Roberts, WR
- Brandon LaFell, WR
- Danario Alexander, WR*
- Kenny Britt, WR*
- Garrett Graham, TE
- Scott Chandler, TE
- Dustin Keller, TE*
- J'Marcus Webb, OT
- Marshall Newhouse, OT
- Jamon Meredith, OG
- Eben Britton, OG
- Evan Dietrich-Smith, OC
- Everson Griffen, DE
- Robert Ayers, DE
- Anthony Spencer, DE*
- Matt Shaughnessy, DE
- Pat Sims, DT
- Ziggy Hood, DT
- Vaughn Martin, DT
- D'Qwell Jackson, LB
- Jon Beason, LB
- Pat Angerer, LB*
- Captain Munnerlyn, DB
- Terrell Thomas, DB*
- Louis Delmas, DB*
- Stevie Brown, DB*
- Michael Mitchell, DB
- Nick Collins, DB*
*Health dependent
Great list. I want to resign Talib and Blount (Blount? so we can trade Ridley because this years Draft has crap at RB, so his value should be higher). I want to trade Mallett if we get at least a mid second. I think Edelman might be gone if he wants $6mm.
I think BB has a better knack for Trades and FA signings than the Draft if you graded him.
Impact to the Team in right-now mode would be my concern gong into 2014 for the Pats. We are blessed with a good solid core that one or two holes filled or upgraded can be the difference. TB and one more Ring at least for him should be a goal. Draft picks are nice but look at our production from last years Draft class and grade them:
I rate the three kid WRs as a "C". Injuries (Boyce and Dobson)and "dog house" sits were apparent, late with Thompkins especially.
Vellano was undrafted and remember Jones was a FA pick up so he doesn't count."C" with a bullet because Vellano was a find and was decent in injury panic mode.
Collins was coming on. Logan Ryan did well. I could give them a "B-" and I could say they were good but neither were starters unless injuries pushed them up.
A few other cameos by some rookies, but MEH.
Punter? O.K. if we have to.
Not one impact player started. So let's not anoint this years class 2014 as H.O.F. ready by expectation as well.
Banking on a Draft to improve a Team significantly is risky at best. One or two players will be dominant and elite. Some very good and arrow up. The others?...... "we'll see".
The Super Bowl this year was a superb example of how two Teams used their rosters to get to the Championship game without relying solely on the Draft, but relied more on FAs and Trades. Youngsters did not impact that game. I believe one starter in 44. Now they finished off their roster with kids that is true, but not one roster player from the 2013 Draft for either Team was impactfull.
The caveat: Both Teams did have a steady group of maturing younger players 2,3,4 years etc.who were mediocre to decent when Drafted, but have become stars.
That is why the FA investments mold the Team and compliment your Draft picks, because you have more control if there is a player you just got to have to fill a hole now. Same process in Trades. As Example: Even though Harvin was hurt, how much better would the Pats be going into 2014 with him on the roster? Yes I know about the money. Just sayin.
Most GMs in the NFL don't have the stones to make a trade so they become lazy and sit and wait on the almighty Draft when we all know 17% is the success number in a Drafted class. Some will say "well it's hard to make a Trade because of CBA rules". That is crap.
Don't get me wrong. I love the Draft. But your targeted player depends on your alignment and tape on the college game, not Pros. I love the Pats to build each year, but I do not look at "All Pro from year one" from the Draft and know a chance of being elite is less than 20%. Again as Example: Harvin=elite via Trade. In our past: Moss=elite via Trade. Harrison=elite via FA.
FAs and Trades have NFL tape.
So this is my most exciting time of the year for the Pats even over the Draft.
I agree on S Louie Delmas. After McCourty would be the best S on the Pats right now.
C Evan Dietrich-Smith. I want Mack in a perfect world, but the Browns can shower him with money. Smith is logically a better fit CAP wise. Good player. Up grade significantly from Wendell and Connelly. Understands the pass game via GB and Rodgers in protecting him.
LB D'Quell Jackson. Probably better than Mayo at this juncture. Great rotation if they sign him! An upgrade over Spikes and Mayo in coverage for sure. A lot of flexibility with his signing combined with Collins, Mayo, Hightower and Ninkovich. I think Nink is actually the best fit at MLB for the Pats. Think about it?
Some I add:
NT/DT Terrance Cody. A low tier FA signing. Still young at 25 but without his game to NFL expectations. Now with Ngata and Wilfork as your teachers how bad can that be? He was dominant at Alabama. He can be in the NFL but he played behind Ngata (tough to beat out). At 25 he could be Wilfork's heir.
DE I really want Michael Johnson or Jared Allen at DE, but Johnson who the Pats sniffed last year and Allen might be too costlly. DE Will Smith might be a mid tier veteran gem. One of the top rated DE's in a 4-3 but was less effective as a 3-4 LB and out of position. 7.5 sacks average per year. Stouter than Nink and Jones. The Vet rotation DE we all were interested in finding.
(will be CAPeroo)WR Sidney Rice. He has the tools to be elite and when healthy has been on the cusp. He is only 27. We have taken chances on some dinged players before. An actual #1 WR in the market that Pats could get and should be reasonable? Sign him!
(will be CAPeroo) TE Owen Daniels. Fabulous receiver and decent TE . This guy could anchor the TE spot until a Drafted kid (yes I want a TE to be Drafted) or Gronk get healthy and then you would have a superb rotation. Prediction: If we loose Edelman he leads the Team in receptions in 2014 if signed.
Trades?
WR Justin Blackmon from the Jags on a one year to see if the kid could be straight from his drinking issues.
SS Antre Rolle from the Giants if they want to keep Stevie Brown, would help us. The Giants happen to need a RB.
C/G Stefen Wisniewski from the Raiders who need a QB.
Draft? I will take a shot (pending FA signings) :
1-Jace Amaro TE
2-RaShede Hagemen DT (from Mallett Trade)
2-Telvin Smith SS (from Ridley Trade)-That's right... I see a great SS!
2-Trent Murphy DE
3-Joel Bitonio T/G
4-A.J. McCarron QB
6-Jeff Janis WR (from Eagles)
6-Joe Don Duncan TE/ Long Snapper-Saves a roster spot. Great production
6-Colt Lyerla TE (COMP)
7-Shaquil Barrett OLB
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