EVERY team has a weakness - Where is that on this team?

[PATRIOT64]

The Pats seem to be loaded in just about every possible catagory but if you had to pick an area of where it may have a bit of a weak spot then where is it?

Saying there is NO weaknesses in any position on this team is not acceptible..There has NEVER been a team in NFL history that was perfect from top to bottom and this team is not perfect either,so in that regards where do you think the weakest area lies in this stacked team of talent?

 

[mgteich]

1) Backup QB
nuff said

2) Backup running back.
I believe that we have a weakness at running back. We have no short yardage back, and are severely handicapped if any of the running backs is injured for an extended period of time.

 

[patchick]

Here was an exercise I mused over a couple of days ago...

Say you could swap out any player in the starting lineup for a well-above-average but not superstar NFL starter at the postion. What position would you choose?

I found myself thinking left tackle.

Matt Light's been solid, hate to speak ill of him, but I wouldn't be a smidgen surprised to see an OT in round 1 next year.

 

[Rob0729]

Here was an exercise I mused over a couple of days ago...

Say you could swap out any player in the starting lineup for a well-above-average but not superstar NFL starter at the postion. What position would you choose?

I found myself thinking left tackle.

Matt Light's been solid, hate to speak ill of him, but I wouldn't be a smidgen surprised to see an OT in round 1 next year.

I think Light is an average to slightly above average LT. The problem is that LTs in the first round of the draft more often than not are busts or disapoints.

Can you name the last great first round LT to be drafted? Or even the last well above average LT to be drafted? I can think of the busts far easier than I can think of any successes in the first round. I think the last very good LT tackle I can think of being drafted is Levi Jones and maybe Bryant McKinniem both in the 2002 draft. I think LT is one of the biggest gambles in the first round.

 

[PATRIOT64]

Sorry Bruschi and Seau lovers but until I see that last year was an abberation for Tedy because of his injury I say ILB is the weakest area,Seau's injury as well leaves me with ? marks also among the strain of playing the long schedule and the toll it usually takes on players in their mid to upper 30s,If at least one of these guys can go the whole season healthy and be productive then this area will be of little concern.

 

[skri65]

1. Speed at the linebacker position

2. Depth at the running back position

3. Reliable depth at the QB position

4. Consistency out of our O-Line

 

[Rob0729]

Sorry Bruschi and Seau lovers but until I see that last year was an abberation for Tedy because of his injury I say ILB is the weakest area,Seau's injury as well leaves me with ? marks also among the strain of playing the long schedule and the toll it usually takes on players in their mid to upper 30s,If at least one of these guys can go the whole season healthy and be productive then this area will be of little concern.

I would say that ILB is one of my biggest area of concern too. Bruschi just doesn't play well in coverage anymore. He has seemed to have lost some of the quickness to make heads up plays like he did in the past. I think we have enough depth to cover up for some of the weaknesses, but we cannot have a rash of injuries at that position

 

[PATRIOT64]

Here was an exercise I mused over a couple of days ago...

Say you could swap out any player in the starting lineup for a well-above-average but not superstar NFL starter at the postion. What position would you choose?

I found myself thinking left tackle.

Matt Light's been solid, hate to speak ill of him, but I wouldn't be a smidgen surprised to see an OT in round 1 next year.

Like I said if ILB is not a position selected for round 1 in next years draft then either one of 2 things is going to happen - we either sign a big time ILB thru FA or we have a below to bad ILB core as Bruschi and Seau may be playing thier last year in 2007 and even if they play again next year,both will be a year older.

If BB does not address this area EARLY next year it will be an utter shock and dissapointment as I don't want to see this area abandoned in 2008,It just can't be if we are going to be a threat in 2008,I am sure he will do what he can to strengthen that area since he is the best in the business.

I think the reason why its not a big issue this year is because we are so talented among the front 3,the OLBs are pretty good and in the secondary is very deep right now,so it overshadows this area and the team can overcome the lack of depth behind the 2 starters there.

IMO there are no ILB behind Bruschi and Seau I could say I would be confident seeing in a starters role in 2008 unless they come in and show something special that I do not anticipate this year in that area.

 

[PATRIOT64]

I would say that ILB is one of my biggest area of concern too. Bruschi just doesn't play well in coverage anymore. He has seemed to have lost some of the quickness to make heads up plays like he did in the past. I think we have enough depth to cover up for some of the weaknesses, but we cannot have a rash of injuries at that position

Your opinion is Right on the money IMO

Did Bruschi even have an interception last year without me going back to the stats?

I love the guy (Tedy) and hope he just has some gas left in the tank and that the reason he was an average joe last year was the injury and not the age.

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

I think Light is an average to slightly above average LT. The problem is that LTs in the first round of the draft more often than not are busts or disapoints.

Can you name the last great first round LT to be drafted? Or even the last well above average LT to be drafted? I can think of the busts far easier than I can think of any successes in the first round. I think the last very good LT tackle I can think of being drafted is Levi Jones and maybe Bryant McKinniem both in the 2002 draft. I think LT is one of the biggest gambles in the first round.

There was Marcus McNeil-played outstanding with SD.

There was also Winston Justice(OK, a RT, but he nonetheless protected Matt Leinart's Blind Side)-he fell to the second round b/c of character issues.

 

[patchick]

Can you name the last great first round LT to be drafted? Or even the last well above average LT to be drafted? I can think of the busts far easier than I can think of any successes in the first round.

This is absolutely true, but I think it speaks to a recent dearth of talent at the position more than draft unpredictability. Traditionally, OL has been considered the safest draft bet. 5 LTs are listed among Peter King's top 100 players in the NFL...all five were drafted in the first two rounds. So maybe the real question is, where have all the left tackles gone?

Oh, and by the way, I do agree with the consensus that ILB is probably the biggest question mark on the team. So how would y'all target/exploit that?

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Expectations.

 

[Fencer]

With Thomas, I'd say ILB is no longer a weakness.

Free safety is the one that hasn't gotten enough mention in this thread.

And kick coverage remains unproven.

 

[nukin]

The Pats seem to be loaded in just about every possible catagory but if you had to pick an area of where it may have a bit of a weak spot then where is it?

Saying there is NO weaknesses in any position on this team is not acceptible..There has NEVER been a team in NFL history that was perfect from top to bottom and this team is not perfect either,so in that regards where do you think the weakest area lies in this stacked team of talent?

The only weakenss is that you think there is weakness *Slap*

Kidding of course.

I think perhaps RB. We will have to see this season unfold with Maroney taking the majority of the runs. I hope he get's a 3k yard season!

 

[Deus Irae]

Your opinion is Right on the money IMO

Did Bruschi even have an interception last year without me going back to the stats?

I love the guy (Tedy) and hope he just has some gas left in the tank and that the reason he was an average joe last year was the injury and not the age.

According to ESPN.com, Ray Lewis had 2 interceptions last season, Jonathan Vilma had 1, Al Wilson had 0, Bruschi had 1.

 

[DarrylS]

The only real concern that is obvious is the backup at qb, we are spoiled with #12 and have not seen enough of Cassell to know if he can really do what we expect of a qb.. Rb is a close second, but expect that Dillon is on a shadow roster somewhere..

 

[Mike the Brit]

1. Innovation on other teams -- they work hard in the off-season too.

2. Quarterback-receiver familiarity.

3. Offensive play design/play calling.

4. Linebacker speed.

5. Safety speed.

6. Running back depth.

Weaknesses? Maybe and maybe not. Things to worry about -- certainly, if you're the worrying kind.

 

[p8ryts]

consistentcy on the o line is a big one. some games the rb is getting stuffed behind the line, the next they are world beaters. let's get some consistent production for game planning.

pass rush is another area I thing we are a step slow on. a good pressure can make db's look a lot better.

 

[danny88]

1. Innovation on other teams -- they work hard in the off-season too.

2. Quarterback-receiver familiarity.

3. Offensive play design/play calling.

4. Linebacker speed.

5. Safety speed.

6. Running back depth.

Weaknesses? Maybe and maybe not. Things to worry about -- certainly, if you're the worrying kind.

That is your number one weakness on this team? That sounds kinf of silly.


The number one weakness on this team is the lb corps. Anyone with a HOF qb is screwed if he goes down. If Palmer or Manning went down both the bengals and colts would be totally screwed. While Matt is no Brady, I think he is better then a handful of backups in this leauge.

Rb depth could be an issue. I dont think it is a huge one.

 

[patsgo]

The Pats seem to be loaded in just about every possible catagory but if you had to pick an area of where it may have a bit of a weak spot then where is it?

Saying there is NO weaknesses in any position on this team is not acceptible..There has NEVER been a team in NFL history that was perfect from top to bottom and this team is not perfect either,so in that regards where do you think the weakest area lies in this stacked team of talent?

i think kicking, both punting and field goals