Name 5 Upgrades or Replacements

[DaBruinz]

Only in Boston is the #2 priority upgrading the All-Pro tackle ...

If Light was an "ALL-PRO" this is the first I've heard of it. In fact, Mankins was only 2nd team "ALL-PRO" and I thought he was the only Patriot O-lineman to be mentioned. I think you are confusing ALL-PRO with PRO-BOWL. And, for at least the next year, the newbie would play RT while he got used to the game.

Anyway, the only assumption I'll make is Asante is gone.

1. CB - With Asante gone, either draft or FA needs to net starting caliber CB.

Don't make the assumption he's gone. Just make the assumption he's a fa. There aren't many starting caliber FA CBs available.

2. ILB - Bruschi/Seau were much better in rotation. Someone needs to be brought in to start or rotate with them. This is even higher priority if Colvin goes as AD would likely move outside. You could also look at this need as OLB if the thinking is Colving goes & AD moves inside. Depends on your POV.

I agree that ILB needs an upgrade. I don't see Colvin going anywhere. The Pats defense was BEST when Thomas was inside with Vrabel and Colvin on the edges. I agree that new blood is needed here.

3. RT - I think Kaczur can be improved upon. Having him & O'C as backups and another starter at RT really improves the line immensely.

That's the idea of drafting an OT early and having him play RT then move to LT. Also, someone mentioned that Light has been tried at RT and has fared poorly there. I don't know if this is true or not.

4. Punter - Never mentioned really, but I think this is a no brainer & easy upgrade.

WOW. I guess the stats LIE or something. Do you realize that the Pats only had 14 punt returns against them? That's on 44 punts. And they only allowed 5.3 yards per return. That is a HUGE improvement over last year. when the Pats were allowing 11.7 yards per return at the end of the season.

5. FB - Evans is a decent blocker and sounds like he is a good locker room guy, but I swear to God I've never seen an alleged FB go down on first contact more than this guy. I cringe every time he carries the ball. I think there a few guys who can be drafted late -- Owen Schmidt, Jacob Hester - who are more versatile and would represent an upgrade.

I like Hester. He has "PATRIOTS" TYPE written all over him. I wouldn't mind seeing him in a Pats uniform, though he is lighter than either Evans or Eckel.

 

[DaBruinz]

Before we replace probowlers, let's look at some the folks currently on the roster. There are probably 10 upgrades I would list before I even considered an OL.

1) CB Mixon
2) CB Spann
3) LB open (Bruschi's spot)
4) LB open (seau's spot)
5) WR Jones
6) DS open (Paxton's spot)
7) WR Spach (Washington's spot)
8) WR Stallworth (we won't pick up his option)
9) DB Moore
10) DL Thomas
-----------------------------------------------------

Active Players By Position
QB - 3 Tom Brady, Cassel, Gutierrez
RB - 3 Faulk, Maroney, Morris
FB - 2 Evans, Eckel
C - 1 Koppen
G - 4 Neal, Hochstein, Mankins, Yates
OT - 4 Light, Kaczur, O'Callaghan, Britt
WR - 5 Welker, Stallworth, Chad Jackson, Jones, Spach
TE - 3 Watson, Dave Thomas, Kyle Brady

DE - 4 Warren, Green, Seymour, Wright
DT - 4 Wilfork, Le Kevin Smith, Santonio Thomas, Moore
LB - 8 Vrabel, Colvin, Adalius Thomas, Woods, Alexander, Lua, open, open
CB - 4 Hobbs, Spann, Richardson, Mixon
S - 5 Sanders, Harrison, Meriweather, Andrews, Ventrone

P - 1 Hanson
K - 1 Gostkowski
LS – 1 open

53 Active Players

Just a couple points of information:
1) Rashad Moore is a DT, not a DB
2) Stephen Spach is a TE, not a WR

 

[mgteich]

I fixed the typo on Moore. Spach is listed as a WR because I wanted it to be clear that we had 5 WR spots and 3 TE spots. Clearly it is important to upgrade on Spach as a WR.

Just a couple points of information:
1) Rashad Moore is a DT, not a DB
2) Stephen Spach is a TE, not a WR

 

[carolinatony]

1 - a LB under 30( two are better)
2 - CB
3- Power RB
4 - OL depth
5- TE- Not happy with current production

maybe a backup QB for Brady so if we are winning by 30+ in the 4th BB won't get scared to pull him.

 

[VOODOOZF]

They must get younger at cb + lb.

Everything else is trivial at this point.

 

[Deus Irae]

1.) Use the first round pick to draft the best LT available, even if it's a long-term prospect. Allow him to play RT for a year or two before switching him over.

2.) If the team has no confidence in the kicker, get rid of him now.

3.) The team needs 1-2 CB's, even if Gay or "Overated, but gonna get paid" should return.

4.) It's time to look for another ILB, but I wouldn't panic unless there's a retirement.

5.) Kyle Brady vs. Daniel Graham was a bad decision, but I don't know that there's an upgrade of any significance out there.

 

[DropKick Flutie]

1. Moss- Time for Chad Jackson to step up.
2. Seau- Sign Lance Briggs
3. Tedy- Draft Dan Connor in the 2nd
4. Samuel- Use the 1st rd pick and get the best available CB, and sign Hobbs
5. Harrison- They need lots of help at SS, and Harrison is just about out of gas.

This instantly make the D younger, faster, and set for the future. They lose a little in toughness, but these guys didn't look that tough in the playoffs anyway.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Every move in my plan is on defense, that is what I believe lost the superbowl.

1. Sign Terrell Suggs if he isn't franchised. He is 25 years old and has the flexibility to rush the passer standing up or down. He will either replace Vrabel or Thomas so they will move inside on first and second downs.
2. Samuel will walk so I say a draft pick will replace him or a veteran free agent
3. Merriweather will start at free safety and James Sanders will move to SS fulltime. Rodney Harrison will be used more as a big nickel package.
4. Veteran free agent to replace Hobbs, please move him to nickel.
5. Draft DE/OLB Vernon Gholston with the first pick. This guy is a beast! Just look at him. Aside from his physical attributes, he can really provide a good pass rush. I assume he wouldn't start right away but he will be used a lot on third downs.

My projected starting lineup on defense on first and second downs:

DE: Seymour
NT: Wilfork
DE: Warren
OLB: Suggs if signed
ILB: Vrabel
ILB: Thomas
OLB: Colvin
CB: Free Agent or rookie
CB: Free Agent or rookie
FS: Merriweather
SS: Sanders

On third downs, use your imagination with this new linebacking crew and the potential addition of Gholston through the draft.

notable reserves:
Jarvis Green
Rodney Harrison
Junior Seau
Teddy Bruschi
Vernon Gholson (if drafted)
Ellis Hobbs
Randall Gay if re-signed

I cannot guarentee that Suggs will want to sign with the Patriots because I have read awhile ago that Suggs may want to go back to his hometown of Arizona. However, this all comes down to whether or not he is franchised. But I can guarentee this, if Suggs isn't franchised, the Pats will pursue him hard. Write that down.

 

[Wotan_the_Wanderer]

If the Pats lose Asante, they are in deep trouble. At best, Hobbs is

average. Gay if he is re-signed is below average. Maybe, the Pats

should trade their front seven and Dean Pees to the Giants for their

front seven and Steve Spagnuolo. Then, the Pats might have a good

enough pass rush to cover for less than adequate defensive backs.

The Pats go 18-1 with a top five defense and yet they need to go into rebuild mode?

 

[tombonneau]

If Light was an "ALL-PRO" this is the first I've heard of it. In fact, Mankins was only 2nd team "ALL-PRO" and I thought he was the only Patriot O-lineman to be mentioned. I think you are confusing ALL-PRO with PRO-BOWL. And, for at least the next year, the newbie would play RT while he got used to the game.

I'm not confused. Light is a 2007 AP All-Pro tackle.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d805db597&template=with-video&confirm=true

Consider this to be the second time you've heard about it.

As far as ML goes, I think he's a tad overrated (his high # of false starts are inexcusable -- let's put it this way: he's the only offensive lineman my GF knows by name; that's not a good thing) but he is still above-average and when I think of positions in need of upgrade, LT is not one of them.

Don't make the assumption he's gone. Just make the assumption he's a fa. There aren't many starting caliber FA CBs available.

Well, in order to make a realistic "Need" list, you need to make an assumption. If Vegas had odds, I'd imagine Asante staying a Patriot would be something like 10-1.

WOW. I guess the stats LIE or something. Do you realize that the Pats only had 14 punt returns against them? That's on 44 punts. And they only allowed 5.3 yards per return. That is a HUGE improvement over last year. when the Pats were allowing 11.7 yards per return at the end of the season.

I'd say this more attributable to the PR coverage team and the excellent ST play of Washington than the prowess of Hanson. Plus, 44 is not a lot of punts. That's 32% punts being returned. Not sure what the league average is on that, but doesn't strike me as out of this world.

Anyway, Hanson is an average punter. Sure he looks great when compared to Walter, but I think when you look for an area of improvement, punter is one of them. It's not a weakness, but it can def. improved.

I like Hester. He has "PATRIOTS" TYPE written all over him. I wouldn't mind seeing him in a Pats uniform, though he is lighter than either Evans or Eckel.

Agree to agree on this one. I think Hester -- while a tad light as you note -- is a great Patriot type of guy. If he puts on a few pounds I think he'd be a great addition to this offense.

 

[Rob0729]

1.) Use the first round pick to draft the best LT available, even if it's a long-term prospect. Allow him to play RT for a year or two before switching him over.

No way do I want the Patriots using a first round pick on a LT. Other than QB, I don't think there has been a position with more first round and even top 10 pick busts than the tackle position. Can you even name five above average to great LTs taken in the first round from the draft after Jones and Pace were taken until today. I don't know if you can and that was a decade ago now.

I think the only ones are Chris Samuels and Joe Thomas. That's in a decade of first round picks.

 

[DropKick Flutie]

The Pats go 18-1 with a top five defense and yet they need to go into rebuild mode?

Don't you think it's about time to? How many years do Seau, Tedy, Harrison, and Vrabel have left? If you rebuild ahead of time, you set up for the future.

 

[mgteich]

Don't panic unless there is a retirement. It might be too late by then. We tried that strategy in 2005. Bruschi had a stroke. We did nothing. Phifer and Ted Johnson retired. We then solved the rpoblem by signed Beisel and Chad Brown to play ILB.

1.) Use the first round pick to draft the best LT available, even if it's a long-term prospect. Allow him to play RT for a year or two before switching him over.

2.) If the team has no confidence in the kicker, get rid of him now.

3.) The team needs 1-2 CB's, even if Gay or "Overated, but gonna get paid" should return.

4.) It's time to look for another ILB, but I wouldn't panic unless there's a retirement.

5.) Kyle Brady vs. Daniel Graham was a bad decision, but I don't know that there's an upgrade of any significance out there.

 

[blackglass3]

1. Moss- Time for Chad Jackson to step up.
2. Seau- Sign Lance Briggs
3. Tedy- Draft Dan Connor in the 2nd
4. Samuel- Use the 1st rd pick and get the best available CB, and sign Hobbs
5. Harrison- They need lots of help at SS, and Harrison is just about out of gas.

This instantly make the D younger, faster, and set for the future. They lose a little in toughness, but these guys didn't look that tough in the playoffs anyway.

Yes, please. Maybe start running a 4-3 with Seymour, Green, Wilfork, Warren; then start AD, Vrabel, Briggs (this is assuming Colvin is gone) with Bruschi (and maybe Seau) rotating in.

 

[blackglass3]

Don't panic unless there is a retirement. It might be too late by then. We tried that strategy in 2005. Bruschi had a stroke. We did nothing. Phifer and Ted Johnson retired. We then solved the rpoblem by signed Beisel and Chad Brown to play ILB.

Man, those games until Bruschi came back were rough to watch. Beisel just getting throw all over the field and not shedding one block ever. And don't forget Duane Starks.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Yes, please. Maybe start running a 4-3 with Seymour, Green, Wilfork, Warren; then start AD, Vrabel, Briggs (this is assuming Colvin is gone) with Bruschi (and maybe Seau) rotating in.

where's the speed and pass rushers?

usually the d end in a 4-3 is a speed rusher

 

[Deus Irae]

No way do I want the Patriots using a first round pick on a LT. Other than QB, I don't think there has been a position with more first round and even top 10 pick busts than the tackle position. Can you even name five above average to great LTs taken in the first round from the draft after Jones and Pace were taken until today. I don't know if you can and that was a decade ago now.

I think the only ones are Chris Samuels and Joe Thomas. That's in a decade of first round picks.

Since the Pace draft (1997), there have been 28 tackles taken in the first round.

1998:
- William "Tra" Thomas (Multiple time pro bowler)
- Victor Riley (played from 1998-2005)
- Mo Collins (played until 2003)

1999:
- John Tait (Still playing after 9 seasons)
- Matt Stinchcomb (Played from 1999-2006)
- L.J. Shelton (Still playing)
- Aaron Gibson (played from 1999-2004)

2000:
- Chris Samuels (5 time Pro Bowl selection)
- Stockar McDougle (played from 2000-2006
- Chris McIntosh (played only through 2002)

2001:
- Kenyatta Walker (played 2001-2006 for Tampa)
- Jeff Backus (Still playing for the Lions, with a 6 year $40 million contract)

2002:
- Mike Williams (played for Buffalo and Jacksonville)
- Bryant McKinnie (Still playing for Minnesota)
- Levi Jones (Still playing for Bengals, w/6 year $40 million contract)
- Mark Colombo (Has played for Chicago and Dallas, allowed only 1 sack in 2006)

2003:
- Jordan Gross (Still playing for Carolina)
- George Foster (has played for Denver and the Lions)
- Kwame Harris (Still playing for the 49ers)

2004:
- Robert Gallery (failed as a tackle, better as a guard)
- Shawn Andrews (Multiple pro bowls, All Pro)
- Vernon Carey (has played his whole career in Miami)

2005:
- Jammal Brown (Pro Bowl and All Pro selection)
- Alex Barron (Has started 43 of 44 games played in his career)

2006:
- D'Brickashaw Ferguson (Still with the Jets, too soon to tell, but disappointing)

2007:
- Joe Thomas (Pro Bowler already)
- Levi Brown (Too soon to tell for certain, started 11 of 13 games as a rookie)
- Joe Staley (Started every game as a rookie)

If you think only Chris Samuels and Joe Thomas fall into the 'above average to great' category from that list, I don't know what to tell you other than you're wrong.

 

[Deus Irae]

Don't panic unless there is a retirement. It might be too late by then. We tried that strategy in 2005. Bruschi had a stroke. We did nothing. Phifer and Ted Johnson retired. We then solved the rpoblem by signed Beisel and Chad Brown to play ILB.

Colvin
Thomas
Seau
Bruschi
Vrabel


That's the "starting 5" rotation, and there was no major problem with it this season, in terms of play, although the middle seemed a bit slow at times. If they all come back next season, there's no reason for panic. If Seau or Bruschi call it a career, ILB becomes an immediate need. Arguing that the team wasn't prepared for a player to have a stroke followed by 2 retirements (one premature due to concussions, and on the day that training camp opened) is a bit silly, in my opinion. There's not a team in the NFL I can think of that's really ready to lose 3 linebackers of that ability under those circumstances without having a major problem.

 

[ATippett56]

Colvin
Thomas
Seau
Bruschi
Vrabel


That's the "starting 5" rotation, and there was no major problem with it this season, in terms of play, although the middle seemed a bit slow at times.

The problem is Bruschi and Seau should hang 'em up. It's time for some fresh blood at inside linebacker and the NFL draft is the place to start.

Jonathan Goff, ILB from Vanderbilt
Spencer Larsen, ILB from Arizona

 

[Deus Irae]

The problem is Bruschi and Seau should hang 'em up. It's time for some fresh blood at inside linebacker and the NFL draft is the place to start.

Jonathan Goff, ILB from Vanderbilt
Spencer Larsen, ILB from Arizona

What would lead you to believe that the draft is the place to start looking for linebackers, when his linebackers have almost exclusively been seasoned veterans since his taking over the coaching/grocery work for the Patriots? Anything is possible, but I wouldn't go betting the farm on it, especially since I don't see a whole lot of ILB talent just waiting to be plucked this season and jump right into the rotation of the best team in the NFL.

As a P.S., Bruschi and Seau did just fine for the Patriots in the playoffs.