Im starting to think we go TE early

[Patsmaniac]

I know we have Watson, Brady, and Thomas, but how long will Brady be here for? How reliable will Thomas ever be and will be keeping Watson when his contract is up? It seems that our system needs some healthy TEs and I am starting to think we draft on day one to groom. Thoughts?

 

[Crazyeechrispats1]

Hope to heck not it should be a heavy dose of DB,LB WR, RB.
Thomas will be back and should stay healthy.
Plus the other Brady is a gamer my gf met him and he's an awesome guy and heck of a player even if he wins the superbowl i'd bet on him being back.

 

[Ishdul]

You're right, we must have the backup to the backup's backup at all positions.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I know we have Watson, Brady, and Thomas, but how long will Brady be here for? How reliable will Thomas ever be and will be keeping Watson when his contract is up? It seems that our system needs some healthy TEs and I am starting to think we draft on day one to groom. Thoughts?

Thomas and Watson are signed through 2009; Brady is signed through next year.

 

[Patsmaniac]

I hope regardless of what happens that K Brady is back. LEts hope that Thomas has a coming out party next year.

 

[sebman2112]

Actually, I almost posted something about this the other night. I could see them spending a third rounder on a TE.

 

[cstjohn17]

I think we will see a Punter on day 1 instead of TE, whose spot would a TE take? Watson? Thomas? Brady? It would be almost impossible to carry 4 TEs on a roster.

 

[sebman2112]

I think we will see a Punter on day 1 instead of TE, whose spot would a TE take? Watson? Thomas? Brady? It would be almost impossible to carry 4 TEs on a roster.

It will depend on David Thomas' recovery from injury, if he has anymore setbacks, and if he continued to improve. I could see them drafting another TE simply because they've had problems keeping the current crop healthy, Brady isn't getting younger, and they had to resort to playing Rivers for a stretch of the season. If they draft a TE the highest I think they'd go would be 3rd or 4th round though. Also, let's see how Thomas recovers from his injury before we guarantee his 2008 and 2009 roster spot. I think David will reover, but nothing is sure, especially since he's already had setbacks.

 

[sebman2112]

I think we will see a Punter on day 1 instead of TE, whose spot would a TE take? Watson? Thomas? Brady? It would be almost impossible to carry 4 TEs on a roster.

Hasn't Chris Hansen improved of late?

 

[cstjohn17]

It will depend on David Thomas' recovery from injury, if he has anymore setbacks, and if he continued to improve. I could see them drafting another TE simply because they've had problems keeping the current crop healthy, Brady isn't getting younger, and they had to resort to playing Rivers for a stretch of the season. If they draft a TE the highest I think they'd go would be 3rd or 4th round though. Also, let's see how Thomas recovers from his injury before we guarantee his 2008 and 2009 roster spot. I think David will reover, but nothing is sure, especially since he's already had setbacks.

Anything is possible, it seems pretty far down on the list of needs.

 

[dryheat44]

Honestly, assuming that we exercise the Niners pick, it's not going to come down to need. We don't NEED any particular position, except arguably CB and that's not going to happen.

What is going to happen is Belichick will draft the guy whom he feels most comfortable in signing to a huge contract. Since there's no Vernon Davis type TE in this draft, I don't see any way that it's not an offensive or defensive lineman. They're the safest positions for BB to project into his system, and have the lowest bust rate. Nothing kills a team faster than having to commit a huge cap number to a guy who doesn't produce.

I'm going on record as saying we'll be drafting at #2 and taking Jake Long. That is IF we use the pick. I'm betting we won't.

 

[cstjohn17]

I'm going on record as saying we'll be drafting at #2 and taking Jake Long. That is IF we use the pick. I'm betting we won't.

This is a very good article on the league's Left Tackles, where they were drafted, salaries, etc., from PatriotsDaily.com

I think most of us agree that trading down is the only logical choice, it is not always easy because other teams are not thrilled about the large cap hits either.

If we are forced to pick in the top 5, I would go with Jake Long, McFadden and then Dorsey. After that I would let the clock run out until at least the top 7 picks have completed,and then, even though I wouldn't be thrilled I would look at Phillips, Chris Long, Laurinaitis, Campbell, Jenkins.

 

[dryheat44]

I actually read that on FootballOutsiders.com

If you like that type of analysis (and Barnwell's probably their worst writer), check out the site. It's a daily read for me.

 

[sebman2112]

I'll tell you who I have to most interest in for the Patriots right now:

Kenny Phillips, Antoine Cason, and Rey Maualuga (if he comes out). Jake Long would be an option for me, but I don't think NE's going to keep a pick in the top 5.

I like Jonathan Stewart as a potential pick at RB. Jonathan Goff is my potential second round pick at LB, and if the NCAA doesn't allow Jasper Brinkley to return to college in 2008, then I'll have him as a late first day/early second day option as a run stuffing SILB. Steve Slaton would also be interesting, if he gains some weight.

Does anyone on here like Matt Forte?

I'm always interested to see what heatster thinks, as last year I remember him liking some of the same guys I thought would be impact players coming out (Marshawn Lynch, Anthony Spencer). Heatster always loves a good O-linemen too, lol!

 

[carolinatony]

I know BB loves to pic TE's over LB's but in the top 10?? I don't think so.
By the way is there a TE WITH ALL PRO written all over him?
Who the top TE coming out?
thanks

 

[ayjackson]

Based solely on what I've read at Scouts Inc and a few other places, I see no reason why Laurenaitis couldn't excel at SILB for the pats. Good coverage, good tackler, finds the ball carrier and has good size. I'm not going to say BB will draft a linebacker, but I'd have no problem with Laurenaitis at #4 - he's said to be better than Hawk (who went four or five, I think).

I agree with Dryheat that BB will find the safest and most reliable pick to be a lineman (and most worth the money) based on history. However, if he isn't opposed to picking a LBer, that is where the most value could come from.