I tried to think like the FO does. Here's my shot:
Resign Moss, Gaffney, Gay, Bruschi, Wright
Renegotiate/extend Colvin, Kelly Washington
Lose Samuel to FA. I love the guy, but BB has constantly let his DB's go rather than offer huge money. I expect a fair offer, something like 5 mil a year for about 5-6 years with a bunch of guaranteed money, but Asante will bolt for the huge 7 mil a year over 7 years with 15 mil guaranteed. Hopefully he takes a hometown discount but I doubt it.
Don't pick up Stallworth's option. Great teammate, great YAC threat, but both Moss/Gaffney are more valuable better investments. CJ should be able to fill in this role somewhat next year. He'll have no more excuses.
Lose Seau and Brown to retirement.
FA acquisitions:
LB Victor Hobson, Jets: Experience in a 3-4 in multiple positions. Physical, strong at the point of attack. Has produced quietly in a similar defensive scheme. Will play inside for us. Dansby, Suggs, Briggs will all be too expensive. Another option who is probably even more likely is Keith Brooking if he gets released from Atlanta.
Draft:
-trade down to around 10-12. Add a pick for next year
1) CB Malcom Jenkins, Ohio St.
Productive, physical corner, Can turn and run. Good ball skills and athleticism (the two big keyes for NE corners). Experienced and mature. Will start off as #3 corner but should work his way up the depth charts quickly.
2) RB Steve Slaton, West Virginia
Faulk is one of the keys to our offense. If he ever goes down or retires the offense will take a serious step back. Slaton could be groomed as his replacement in 2-3 years. The kid is a little small, like Kevin, but has tons of speed and elusiveness. He is also a great receiver. Obviously he would need to work on his pass blocking, but what college RB doesn't. Most importantly, he's a huge big play threat and can return kicks. I don't think BB really wants to use Maroney or Hobbs or Welker as kick returners, Slaton could fill that job well. This pick could be a Peyton Hillis
3a) S/CB Jon Hefney, Tennessee
Very underrated player. Small, but very athletic and particularly instinctive. Played both corner and safety and excelled at both. Great tackler, excellent ball skills. Will probably never start, but could be great and very effective immediately in nickle/dime packages.
3b) DT Trevor Laws, Notre Dame
Has played 4-3 and done so effectively. He's played both end and nose in the 34 and produced as well. I'm sure he'll get a glowing review from Weiss as well. He reminds me a lot of a former BB/Pioli pick now doing pretty well with the Browns - Ethan Kelly. He's equally as athletic and powerful but has better technique. A nice backup for the nose and to spell VW once in awhile.
4) OLB Bruce Davis, UCLA
IMO, the closest thing to Bruschi you are gonna get. Intense, great hand play, explosive around the edge with an array of pass rush moves. Is used to attacking and engaging bigger players. Got some experience this year dropping into coverage and looked fairly comfortable doing it. Will probably need a few years for a complete transition, but should be a good STer right away and a nice pass rushing option should we need it. This is probably the earliest I see a LB being selected. Any earlier and the value just won't be there as the learning curve is just too steep in this defense.
5) P Durant Brooks, GT
Don't know much about him, only that he's the consensus top P. BB doesn't seem to have a problem trusting the kicking game to young players, so why not.
In later rounds look for an OL or two for the pipeline, maybe a young WR for the PS and try to stockpile picks for next year.
QB: Brady, Cassell, Guttierez
RB: Maroney, Morris, Faulk, Slaton
FB: Evans, Eckel
WR: Moss, Welker, Gafney, CJ, Washington, Bam
TE: Graham, Thomas, Brady
OL: Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kazcur, O'Callaghan, Hotchstein, Yates, Britt
DL: Seymour, Warren, Wilfork, Green, Laws, Wright, Smith, Thomas
LB: Colvin, Vrabel, Bruschi, Thomas, Hobson, Alexander, Woods, Davis, Izzo
CB: Hobbs, Gay, Jenkins, Hefney, Richardson
S: Harrison, Sanders, Meriweather, Andrews
ST:Gost, Paxton, Brooks
Thoughts?
Resign Moss, Gaffney, Gay, Bruschi, Wright
Renegotiate/extend Colvin, Kelly Washington
Lose Samuel to FA. I love the guy, but BB has constantly let his DB's go rather than offer huge money. I expect a fair offer, something like 5 mil a year for about 5-6 years with a bunch of guaranteed money, but Asante will bolt for the huge 7 mil a year over 7 years with 15 mil guaranteed. Hopefully he takes a hometown discount but I doubt it.
Don't pick up Stallworth's option. Great teammate, great YAC threat, but both Moss/Gaffney are more valuable better investments. CJ should be able to fill in this role somewhat next year. He'll have no more excuses.
Lose Seau and Brown to retirement.
FA acquisitions:
LB Victor Hobson, Jets: Experience in a 3-4 in multiple positions. Physical, strong at the point of attack. Has produced quietly in a similar defensive scheme. Will play inside for us. Dansby, Suggs, Briggs will all be too expensive. Another option who is probably even more likely is Keith Brooking if he gets released from Atlanta.
Draft:
-trade down to around 10-12. Add a pick for next year
1) CB Malcom Jenkins, Ohio St.
Productive, physical corner, Can turn and run. Good ball skills and athleticism (the two big keyes for NE corners). Experienced and mature. Will start off as #3 corner but should work his way up the depth charts quickly.
2) RB Steve Slaton, West Virginia
Faulk is one of the keys to our offense. If he ever goes down or retires the offense will take a serious step back. Slaton could be groomed as his replacement in 2-3 years. The kid is a little small, like Kevin, but has tons of speed and elusiveness. He is also a great receiver. Obviously he would need to work on his pass blocking, but what college RB doesn't. Most importantly, he's a huge big play threat and can return kicks. I don't think BB really wants to use Maroney or Hobbs or Welker as kick returners, Slaton could fill that job well. This pick could be a Peyton Hillis
3a) S/CB Jon Hefney, Tennessee
Very underrated player. Small, but very athletic and particularly instinctive. Played both corner and safety and excelled at both. Great tackler, excellent ball skills. Will probably never start, but could be great and very effective immediately in nickle/dime packages.
3b) DT Trevor Laws, Notre Dame
Has played 4-3 and done so effectively. He's played both end and nose in the 34 and produced as well. I'm sure he'll get a glowing review from Weiss as well. He reminds me a lot of a former BB/Pioli pick now doing pretty well with the Browns - Ethan Kelly. He's equally as athletic and powerful but has better technique. A nice backup for the nose and to spell VW once in awhile.
4) OLB Bruce Davis, UCLA
IMO, the closest thing to Bruschi you are gonna get. Intense, great hand play, explosive around the edge with an array of pass rush moves. Is used to attacking and engaging bigger players. Got some experience this year dropping into coverage and looked fairly comfortable doing it. Will probably need a few years for a complete transition, but should be a good STer right away and a nice pass rushing option should we need it. This is probably the earliest I see a LB being selected. Any earlier and the value just won't be there as the learning curve is just too steep in this defense.
5) P Durant Brooks, GT
Don't know much about him, only that he's the consensus top P. BB doesn't seem to have a problem trusting the kicking game to young players, so why not.
In later rounds look for an OL or two for the pipeline, maybe a young WR for the PS and try to stockpile picks for next year.
QB: Brady, Cassell, Guttierez
RB: Maroney, Morris, Faulk, Slaton
FB: Evans, Eckel
WR: Moss, Welker, Gafney, CJ, Washington, Bam
TE: Graham, Thomas, Brady
OL: Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kazcur, O'Callaghan, Hotchstein, Yates, Britt
DL: Seymour, Warren, Wilfork, Green, Laws, Wright, Smith, Thomas
LB: Colvin, Vrabel, Bruschi, Thomas, Hobson, Alexander, Woods, Davis, Izzo
CB: Hobbs, Gay, Jenkins, Hefney, Richardson
S: Harrison, Sanders, Meriweather, Andrews
ST:Gost, Paxton, Brooks
Thoughts?
