How to Replace the Seven

[mgteich]

Sure we'd like to improve on the 2007 defense, at least with better young depth. Some even want to improve the offense?????? Belichick does NOT like to count on draftees to contribute in their first year, except for first rounder, but if he has to, he has to.

I think that we now have almost two months to replace or re-sign the following. And yes, I know that Seau could come back in August (or not). I could see Belichick counting on one player to come out of the draft and be a major contributer in 2008, but no more.

MOSS
GAFFNEY
STALLWORTH
SAMUEL
GAY
COLVIN
SEAU

Does this mean that we should expect at least seven free agents to replace those players, plus jags to compete for roster spots. My answer is a strong YES. I expect to see a dozen March free agent signings (or re-signings), to add to the February re-signings.

 

[patsgo]

Sure we'd like to improve on the 2007 defense, at least with better young depth. Some even want to improve the offense?????? Belichick does NOT like to count on draftees to contribute in their first year, except for first rounder, but if he has to, he has to.

I think that we now have almost two months to replace or re-sign the following. And yes, I know that Seau could come back in August (or not). I could see Belichick counting on one player to come out of the draft and be a major contributer in 2008, but no more.

MOSS
GAFFNEY
STALLWORTH
SAMUEL
GAY
COLVIN
SEAU

Does this mean that we should expect at least seven free agents to replace those players, plus jags to compete for roster spots. My answer is a strong YES. I expect to see a dozen March free agent signings (or re-signings), to add to the February re-signings.

other than last year and 2003 our free agent signings have sucked it kinda looks like we are going back wards, to bad i believe in getting younger but moss is a must if we loose him it will be real tough to recover

 

[JoePats]

other than last year and 2003 our free agent signings have sucked

And 2001. Got a few contributors from that group.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Sure we'd like to improve on the 2007 defense, at least with better young depth. Some even want to improve the offense?????? Belichick does NOT like to count on draftees to contribute in their first year, except for first rounder, but if he has to, he has to.

I think that we now have almost two months to replace or re-sign the following. And yes, I know that Seau could come back in August (or not). I could see Belichick counting on one player to come out of the draft and be a major contributer in 2008, but no more.

MOSS
GAFFNEY
STALLWORTH
SAMUEL
GAY
COLVIN
SEAU

Does this mean that we should expect at least seven free agents to replace those players, plus jags to compete for roster spots. My answer is a strong YES. I expect to see a dozen March free agent signings (or re-signings), to add to the February re-signings.

you forgot Wilson and Kyle Brady

 

[mgteich]

Wilson has already replaced by Meriweather in the 3-man safety rotation.
Thomas is coming back from IR to replace Brady as the #2 TE.

you forgot Wilson and Kyle Brady

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Wilson has already replaced by Meriweather in the 3-man safety rotation.
Thomas is coming back from IR to replace Brady as the #2 TE.

Wilson was a wild card. At least he was some depth in emergency raher than rashard baker. at this point we have very little depth

 

[JackBauer]

Wilson was a wild card. At least he was some depth in emergency raher than rashard baker. at this point we have very little depth

Don't forget Willie Andrews, assuming he isn't cut.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Don't forget Willie Andrews, assuming he isn't cut.

I hear ya. Makes you wish they developed some of the younger players more last year when the blowouts were going on.

 

[Disco Volante]

We'll end up needing to replace 4 of those, not seven, IMO. (With Moss, Gaffney, Seau staying)

 

[JackBauer]

I hear ya. Makes you wish they developed some of the younger players more last year when the blowouts were going on.

I actually really like Andrews. He probably has the athleticism to be at least a decent backup safety; unfortunately we can't really say for sure because, as you said, we've never gotten to see him on the field in any meaningful capacity.

 

[ATippett56]

I could see Belichick counting on one player to come out of the draft and be a major contributer in 2008, but no more.

I completely disagree with that notion.

MOSS
GAFFNEY
STALLWORTH
SAMUEL
GAY
COLVIN
SEAU

Does this mean that we should expect at least seven free agents to replace those players, plus jags to compete for roster spots.

Not necessarily especially if Darren McFadden falls to number seven overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. I could envision the Patriots trading the seventh overall pick for the two first round draft picks of the Dallas Cowboys. Also, the New England Patriots second round and early third round draft picks could have a prominent roles as defensive rotational players (nickel cornerback, nickel linebacker, pass rush specialist).

As for free agents replacements:

Jabar Gaffney for Jabar Gaffney
D.J. Hackett for Donte Stallworth
1st Round Draft Pick or 2nd Round Draft Pick for Asante Samuel
3rd Round Draft Pick for Randall Gay
Victor Hobson for Rosevelt Colvin (Adalius Thomas moves outside while Victor Hobson moves inside)
3rd Round Draft Pick from Oakland Raiders (Jonathan Goff) for Junior Seau

 

[Deus Irae]

Sure we'd like to improve on the 2007 defense, at least with better young depth. Some even want to improve the offense?????? Belichick does NOT like to count on draftees to contribute in their first year, except for first rounder, but if he has to, he has to.

I think that we now have almost two months to replace or re-sign the following. And yes, I know that Seau could come back in August (or not). I could see Belichick counting on one player to come out of the draft and be a major contributer in 2008, but no more.

MOSS
GAFFNEY
STALLWORTH
SAMUEL
GAY
COLVIN
SEAU

Does this mean that we should expect at least seven free agents to replace those players, plus jags to compete for roster spots. My answer is a strong YES. I expect to see a dozen March free agent signings (or re-signings), to add to the February re-signings.

Why on earth do you think we should "expect" any such thing? This group of free agents is looked upon as a terrible group. So, your theory is that the team should sign a boatload of stiffs to keep a larger bunch of idiots in the fan base happy, even though the stiffs have no real shot of helping the team?

 

[Pats726]

We'll end up needing to replace 4 of those, not seven, IMO. (With Moss, Gaffney, Seau staying)

I tend to agree with those 3....meaning only 4 OF the 7....KBrady's cut may be replaced on the roster by Thomas, but replacing what Brady does is still needed and Thomas and Brady are more opposites as TEs. My guess is that they draft a TE, find a lesser known blocking TE FA to compete wuth Spach for taht spot. Four spots open...starting CB, 3rd CB spot....FA and draft pick to compete with Spann, Richardson, Mixon etc. Law may help here as well. 2nd WR...I am sure they can find a FA to compete with Gaffney/CJackson..With all the players getting cut, they will find a player tofill that role. Colvin....A draft pick, Woods other FA..with Thomas outside they need only a situational pass rusher. More important will be a later round ILB who can fill into the inside rotation and I also would not count Alexander out from stepping up.
There are plenty of FAs out there with more to follow later..I would expect some rookies to be in the mix, but only 2 possibly being counted on...(OK a bit more tha Mgteich's original asserertion of 1..) Not to worry or panic..

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

I completely disagree with that notion.

Not necessarily especially if Darren McFadden falls to number seven overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. I could envision the Patriots trading the seventh overall pick for the two first round draft picks of the Dallas Cowboys. Also, the New England Patriots second round and early third round draft picks could have a prominent roles as defensive rotational players (nickel cornerback, nickel linebacker, pass rush specialist).

As for free agents replacements:

Jabar Gaffney for Jabar Gaffney
D.J. Hackett for Donte Stallworth
1st Round Draft Pick or 2nd Round Draft Pick for Asante Samuel
3rd Round Draft Pick for Randall Gay
Victor Hobson for Rosevelt Colvin (Adalius Thomas moves outside while Victor Hobson moves inside)
3rd Round Draft Pick from Oakland Raiders (Jonathan Goff) for Junior Seau

I like the Hobson deal, another name to consider, Boss Bailey...

the main thing is to resign Moss, and then focus on the rest of FA, once the moss thing is settled we can move on, but until then we wont be able to do anything..

 

[Vern]

I could see Belichick counting on one player to come out of the draft and be a major contributer in 2008, but no more.

MOSS
GAFFNEY
STALLWORTH
SAMUEL
GAY
COLVIN
SEAU

The flip side of no immediate help in the draft is that you DO expect help from guys who were drafted in prior years but played only supporting roles. At some point, often year two, those guys go from JAGs to key players. Both Samuel and Jarvis Green did that, even Gay did that at some level (enough that you put him on that list above). Now, not all of them do, but you have to consider the rise of:

Two WRs with talent but almost no contribution on offense in 07
Kelley Washington
Chad Jackson

Those two could very realistically add up to Stallworth and Gaffney, perhaps even better. So much so that if they sign Gaffney, it's not even clear how big a loss Moss is. The offense wouldn't be the "redonculous!" of 07 but would be as potent at 04 if not more. But even if you disagree, you're down to Moss.

Next you have two, maybe three up-and-comers in the secondary:

Meriweather
Willie Andrews
Richardson

I suspect either Andrews or Richardson to replace Gay as the starting slot CB easily (Gay is not a starter really). Now,Samuel? I have mixed feelings about it. He was no Ty Law. If Meriweather can become an impact player, even at Safety, the net evens out.

Point being, you have a first and a second rounder in that class, as well as some guys with talent. This is not some wishful thinking about guys like Eric Alexander. If they blew those draft picks in 06-07, you'll only really start to see that this year.

With all the so-and-so sucks threads, I can see how people have argued themselves into a panic with some of these guys, but as I see it, you have raw young guys learning the system for a year or two and now is their time to step up.

In short, you're down to replacing Colvin and maybe Seau with a real impact ILB somehow. Moss would be great, but won't help the D get better.

Thats two key pieces, really one that's a must - LB!

Four picks in the top 100 mean lots of options for trades too - are Welker and Moss acquisitions such distant memories that we think they were Free Agents last year?