You be the GM: 2008 Pats edition

[Crazyeechrispats1]

This post it just what it sounds like I want each and every member to give their beliefs and ideas on what the Patriots should do, what moves to make.
To somehow improve the 2007 edition.

Defensive backfield
1st Resign Assante Samuel to large contract, doubtful.

2nd- Trade the number 7 picks to the Atlanta Falcons for the rights to Deangelo Hall, a third and fifth round draft pick compensation.
Hall is a special kind of player with a ****y attitude yes but he is tired of losing and may not take to the new coach with our ties to Dimitroff this is possible.

3rd- Sign a veteran for example Surtain, Law, Winfield, Otis Smith just kidding about the last one.

Linebacking Corps
If it's been said once it's been said a thousand times that BB emphasizes experience awareness toughness over any cone drill or agility test.
Yet every year we pine for the young linebacker and every year we resign the likes of Chad Brown?

If their is a player in this draft that is smart touch enough and determined to fit this scheme it has to be Dan connor the guy has Patriot written all over him, I don't care about his lack of size, I know his heart is immense he is instinctive and a year in the weight program will make this guy a stud I only wish we could of drafted poz last year and got the penn state package.
I personally met Poz's father and all he did was rave about Connor that tells you about this kid's ability his dad called him a freak a beast and a football genius that is enough for me to hope he is in a Patriots jersey by trading back up or down in the first round cause he will not fall to the second believe me.

If not him Keith Rivers is a intriguing choice but i feel like he is malunga light and am hesitant to draft him high.

Free agents- Well we brought in Slaughter, what no parade?
All kidding aside I would not be surprised if we trade for a veteran LB that no one is even thinking of right now i'd like to see us make a move for Terrel Suggs, the ravens may listen to offers.

Wide Receiver- Suddenly we have alot of question marks here.
1st- Like everybody I'm gonna say Resign Moss unless he wants to kill our cap then against his will trade him for high picks.
Sorry this is a business, If we can resign Moss, we let Stallworth walk unless he wants to play for under 3 million a year not happening.
Kelly Washington has become a key part on a very average special teams I'd offer him 1.5 million for that role and fourth, fifth receiver.

That is the areas I feel need looked at the most.

As far as the draft
If we stay at 7 which I highly highly doubt
1. Chris Long, Jake Long, Kenny Philips- reason I put him this high BB loves Miami players, he has worked well with merriweather, BB loves safeties he is enamored with Ed Reed, I'm the minority who would not mind this pick at all.
I think we could trade down to like 11 and still land him though.
2. Aqua Talib, Dan Connor, which ever is available I think 2 of the best players in the draft.

I won't bother with the other rounds I haven't been able to keep up with the college game enough.
Oh yeah a new frickin PUNTER!

 

[jbb9s]

Re: You be the Gm 2008 pats edition

You touched on the major points. But you may have omitted one: sign a kicker that can hit a 48 yarder in a dome - correction: sign a kicker that you have confidence in to attempt of 48 yarder in a dome.

 

[Crazyeechrispats1]

Re: You be the Gm 2008 pats edition

I still believe Gostkowski would of hit that kick, I never wanna think about it again though.

 

[DocE]

Re: You be the Gm 2008 pats edition

Early ideas:

Cornerback: Re-Signing Samuel is option 1 for me at this position. That said, I don't believe he is significantly better than either Marcus Trufant or Nnamdi Asomugha. If Samuel wants to break the bank, maybe one of the other two would take less to play in New England.

Backup Plan: I have given thought to DeAngelo Hall as well, but he did not look good when I saw him play this year. If he could be had for something less than the no.7, I'd consider him. Assuming the Pats can't land any of the top 3 corners in FA, I'd like to see them acquire Antoine Winfield from the Vikings. Antoine has a hot an cold relationship with head coach Brad Childress and could be available. The Pats late 3rd round pick is the most I would give up for a CB who is past the age of 30. The one great thing about Winfield is that he is tied up for a few more years at salaries under 5 M. Antoine got a huge roster (not signing) bonus when he signed his contract with the Vikings, which means that the Vikings won't have to deal with a cap hit if he's traded.

Inside Linebacker: Huge concern with no obvious answers. I really believe the Patriots should go young here and try to improve during the season. With the AFC East weak (atleast on paper), the Patriots can afford some on the job training with the hopes that the young guys will play better in January than the older guys could. This plan would probably involve Eric Alexander playing one ILB position, but I have no idea who would play the other spot. At OLB, the pats could rotate Vrabel, Thomas, and Colvin to keep their legs fresh. I wouldn't be opposed to bringing back one of Bruschi or Seau to be the third guy on the inside.

Wide Receiver: Sign Randy Moss. I really HOPE this gets done, but it will take both sides. Randy will have to take less than his open market value, but the Patriots must make an offer that puts him among the highest paid at his position. Since I am the GM in this scenario, I do exactly that. I don't pick up the roster bonuses on either Stallworth or Washington, saving caproom. I offer new contracts to Stallworth, Gaffney, and Washington, but won't break the bank on any of them. There WILL BE a WR of Stallworth/Gaffney caliber in FA who would love to get one on one coverage opposite Randy Moss and receive the ball from Tom Brady.


The Draft: I say to trade down almost every year, and this year is no exception. It seems like it will be tough to do this year, unless McFadden slips to no.7 or someone has a huge combine and becomes appealing at the no.7 spot. I HOPE the Patriots could trade down to the early twenties and take a corner. As of now, I don't see one of the CB's distancing himself from the others. So I will say Mike Jenkins at a pick in the early twenties. I like Erin Henderson from Maryland as an ILB prospect in the 2nd round. I love the draft, but it's a little too early for me to get in to too much detail.



I can't stress enough that I would go with a youth movement on defense with the idea that we be better in January than we are in September. The offense should be strong enough to handle the growing pains, especially early in the year when the weather is nice. I'd absolutely have Brandon Merriweather starting somewhere in the secondary next season. I'd have atleast one new ILB (and hopefully two) and a new CB in the starting lineup as well.

 

[Sivy]

where do I go to try out for the team?

 

[JoePats]

Re: You be the Gm 2008 pats edition

You touched on the major points. But you may have omitted one: sign a kicker that can hit a 48 yarder in a dome - correction: sign a kicker that you have confidence in to attempt of 48 yarder in a dome.

It was on a grass field. Dome makes no difference except that the wind was not a factor.

 

[fumbrunner]

CB
Bye Samuel, nice to know you.

Draft a top tall CB. Talib fits the bill. Is that the #7 pick? Not sure. It is a bit early to draft a CB, but he may not be around later in the first round.

Make a play for Trufant is it doesnt break the bank. He could be the number 2 corner with Hobbs playing nickel. If not, Hobbs stays at #2 and we bring in a cheaper veteran for depth.

LB
Re-sign Seau, offer Bruschi a coaching position (that hurts to say. Love his spirit, but its time to go). Restructure Rosie's contract. Make a play for Pace (ARZ, same size as AD) at OLB. You would have Rosie/Pace/Vrabel outside, AD/Seau/Vrabel inside.

WR
Release Stallworth. He did nothing but screens late in the year and that is an expensive contract for such a player.

SIGN MOSS LONG TERM

Go into next season with Moss, Welker in the slot, Kelly Washington or Chad Jackson on the other side with Gaffney as the #4.

 

[Watson's IQ]

Defensive backfield
1st Resign Assante Samuel to large contract, doubtful.

2nd- Trade the number 7 picks to the Atlanta Falcons for the rights to Deangelo Hall, a third and fifth round draft pick compensation.
Hall is a special kind of player with a ****y attitude yes but he is tired of losing and may not take to the new coach with our ties to Dimitroff this is possible.

3rd- Sign a veteran for example Surtain, Law, Winfield, Otis Smith just kidding about the last one.

1. I agree that it's doubtful.

2. I don't want Hall on this team, and I certainly don't think he's worth a first round pick, even if we're getting other picks back. If they'd take a second, maybe.

3. Agree 100% on this one.

 

[oldskool138]

I know I'm going to take some flak for this but fire Dante Scarnecchia. I know he's been around forever but there's no excuse for the O-line playing like that in the SB. Obviously, his guys weren't prepared and made no adjustments (or if they did, they made the wrong ones). (BTW, they were getting Tom Brady killed before Neal went down).

 

[dhamz]

Obviously, his guys weren't prepared and made no adjustments (or if they did, they made the wrong ones). (BTW, they were getting Tom Brady killed before Neal went down).

How about they just got beat because the Giants guys were better?

There is some bizarre belief on this board that there is always a coaching answer to their guy being better than your guy and outplaying him on a particular Sunday.

 

[signbabybrady]

I know I'm going to take some flak for this but fire Dante Scarnecchia. I know he's been around forever but there's no excuse for the O-line playing like that in the SB. Obviously, his guys weren't prepared and made no adjustments (or if they did, they made the wrong ones). (BTW, they were getting Tom Brady killed before Neal went down).

Blaming Scarnechea for the way the line performed would be like blaming Seely for the fact that belichick had no confidence in Gostkowski

 

[fumbrunner]

How about they just got beat because the Giants guys were better?

There is some bizarre belief on this board that there is always a coaching answer to their guy being better than your guy and outplaying him on a particular Sunday.

Did you see the Pats drive that resulted in the touchdown? That was consistent with their first game against the Giants as well. Shotgun, hurry up spread 'em out. The COACHES refused to go to that until late in the game.

 

[upstater1]

$9 million under the cap now. I first focus on creating more cap room

1. I send Stallworth on his way. Add $3 million
2. I bring back Bruschi and Seau for the vet min. Add $2 million (Bruschi's current salary)
3. I redo Colvin and Brady (at $7 mill and $15 mill for next year). I shave another $6 or 7 million.
4. Cap number going into FA is: $20 million

FA:
5. I sign Moss for $7.5 million
6. Look seriously at Calvin Pace or other top available LB, try to bring them in for $6 million.

Draft:
7. I trade the #7 pick in the draft for Chad Johnson, pay him the remaining $7 million.
8. I draft CBs and LBs exclusively for the rest of the draft.

9. I sue the NFL and get my own 1st round pick back

 

[oldskool138]

How about they just got beat because the Giants guys were better?

There is some bizarre belief on this board that there is always a coaching answer to their guy being better than your guy and outplaying him on a particular Sunday.

Were they better in the regular season game? Let me check the Pats website for the score of that game........

Oh yeah, the Pats won that game.

Coaching allowed the Pats to win against a heavily favored (and more talented) Rams team in 2001...yeah, coaching is all BS anyways.

 

[signbabybrady]

This is an easy year to be the GM.....

Keep as many of the free agents as you can....especially Asante, Bruschi, Seau, and Randy....

If you can keep Both Stalworth and Moss great if not you need to replace the one that leaves Ideally we still have Moss and with welker you fill the other WR spots with guys you have and cheap options as it is a minor detail.

The offense will be fine next year MAroney will get better and Morris will be healthy....I know everyone loved the way Morris played to start the year but if you want to improve the postition he may be in trouble Maroney and Faulk are locks, and you will probably keep evans as a FB if not you need another FB, so Morris would be where you improve if you feel the need.

I think the position is fine.

O-line was a strength..I know this is hard to hear with the way they played in the SB.

And With Tom at QB the Offense is all set. Maybe some help at TE but that should be cheap to do maybe even use another draft pick no not #7.

Now onto the Defense.

The Dline is fine Hopefully with an offseason of rest not Rehab Seymour can return to form. Ty and Wilfork should continue to improve. only questions are with the RFAs (Moore and Wright).

LBer here is where everyone sees a need as do I but the simple thing is you only really need one guy...A coverage ILBer....Thomas, Colvin, Vrable on the outside Brushci, Seau, And new Covrage LBer on the Inside and Woods Slaughter izzo and the like as backups/sters.
The trick is finding someone who is actually better than the 5 we had last year who I hope all return.

DBs This in my opinion was a weakness if there was a weakness on this ridiculously talented team. Hopefully the safeties can meet in the Middle Sanders and Merriweather need to continue to develope and ROdney needs to find away to hang on for another year. Neither should be issues and Safety should be fine next year. CB on the other hand is trickier as it all depends on Asante....as most expect he will be gone leaving us with a huge hole at corner. As hobbs would be the only one left with any skill. If he stays than you are a nickle back away and maybe Gay stays too in which case you could really improve the depth of this position with any kind of accusition.


That leaves you with the Draft to get make improvements. As we only have 8mil available cap space now and all of those Free agents to resign I don't see us being huge players in Free agency so it is a damn good thing we have the #7 overall because that should allow us to bring in a stud to add to this near perfect team.

 

[allworldrussfrancis]

First, I could never top Pioli and Belichick, but since I don't live in their real world, here is one fan's fanstasy:

- Redo/Extend Brady and Redo Colvin
- Resign Asante if it won't break the bank. If he would strangle our cap, send him packing and try to pick up a solid veteran through FA or trade
- Resign Moss
- Trade #7 for two low first rounders
- Trade one of first rounders to CINN for Chad Johnson
- Trade second or third round pick to MIA for Jason Taylor and convert to OLB
- Draft TE and DBs with remaining top picks

If everything works - offense is even better than last year. Defense is improved.

 

[fumbrunner]

First, I could never top Pioli and Belichick, but since I don't live in their real world, here is one fan's fanstasy:

- Redo/Extend Brady and Redo Colvin
- Resign Asante if it won't break the bank. If he would strangle our cap, send him packing and try to pick up a solid veteran through FA or trade
- Resign Moss
- Trade #7 for two low first rounders
- Trade one of first rounders to CINN for Chad Johnson
- Trade second or third round pick to MIA for Jason Taylor and convert to OLB
- Draft TE and DBs with remaining top picks

If everything works - offense is even better than last year. Defense is improved.

Wow, A late first rounder for Chad Johnson and a second or third for a player one year removed from defensive player of the year? Can I join your dream world?

 

[jbb9s]

Re: You be the Gm 2008 pats edition

It was on a grass field. Dome makes no difference except that the wind was not a factor.

That a big "except" wouldn't you say?

 

[chrisfx811]

Get Art-omatic Carmody out of Louisville fg's & kickoffs.
New punter.
Bring in another versatile, fast lb to go with AD, Vrabel, Colvin.
D-line is fine, unless BB plans to incorporate more 4-3 at times.
Add size in the secondary @ cb.

Morris being healthy, imho, really should shore up the run game if our o-line can re-learn how to run block.

What's the # for Moss? How much are they looking at to keep him realistically? >$9 mil/per? I wouldn't break the bank to sign him, but there will be a load of teams that will.

If BB pursues Ed Reed, what happens with Rodney & Merriweather? Can one of them, effectively play out of position?

 

[upstater1]

Wow, A late first rounder for Chad Johnson and a second or third for a player one year removed from defensive player of the year? Can I join your dream world?

I think late first rounder is way too optimistic for Johnson.

On the other hand, no team will be clamoring to give up a 2nd rounder for a 37 year old DE who makes $9 million a year. I'd say you could get Taylor for a 4th. The problem is, Miami can't afford to give him up because of his signing bonus. It's on the books. He can't leave Miami.