Gay and Samuel get silly money, Capers brought on=new CBs in draft

[RayClay]

Why would the Patriots pay big bucks for CBs when they've proven they can take FAs and low picks and make them into multi millionaires?

For somebody else.

I see two draftees plus Richardson making the club, some serious coaching up, then we pick up some out of fashion role players like Chad Scott.

When Randall Gay gets over 4 mil.........

I'd like to see a trade down and get two for the price of one.

I give up on the LB situation, the Pats will do whatever, there.

 

[upstater1]

They might trade a 4th rounder for a mediocre vet somewhere.

 

[WhiZa]

I believe your right about the Capers signing. All signs point to the Pats picking up an average CB or drafting a lower round CB with potential. BB can let Capers do more with less so the FO can focus their money on other positions, and maybe drafting a LB (or other position of need) with the 7th pick.

 

[mgteich]

We should expect 2 or 3 defensive backs drafted in rounds 2-4. We could see a lot of new blood at defensive back.

CORNER (5)
veteran, Hobbs, veteran
Richardson/draftee, draftee

SAFETY (5)
Harrison, Meriweather, Sanders
draftee/veteran, Ventrone/Andrews/draftee

Why would the Patriots pay big bucks for CBs when they've proven they can take FAs and low picks and make them into multi millionaires?

For somebody else.

I see two draftees plus Richardson making the club, some serious coaching up, then we pick up some out of fashion role players like Chad Scott.

When Randall Gay gets over 4 mil.........

I'd like to see a trade down and get two for the price of one.

I give up on the LB situation, the Pats will do whatever, there.

 

[fair catch fryar]

Why would the Patriots pay big bucks for CBs when they've proven they can take FAs and low picks and make them into multi millionaires?

For somebody else.

I see two draftees plus Richardson making the club, some serious coaching up, then we pick up some out of fashion role players like Chad Scott.

When Randall Gay gets over 4 mil.........

I'd like to see a trade down and get two for the price of one.

I give up on the LB situation, the Pats will do whatever, there.

I read that Jason Webster was visiting today. I don't really know anything about him except that he played for Buffalo and sat out most of this year with an injury. is he on the same level as Randall Gay? What kind of contract is he looking at?

 

[RayClay]

I read that Jason Webster was visiting today. I don't really know anything about him except that he played for Buffalo and sat out most of this year with an injury. is he on the same level as Randall Gay? What kind of contract is he looking at?

He looks like a short Jag, good for depth if he's cheap. BTW I'm, only going by his stats, know nothing personally.

I don't know if the Pats are going to go low rounds. I could see them trading down for low first rounders and getting a starter. We don't have any and I don't see them paying big money for an overrated "star".

A couple 1st or second rounders (obviously depending on trades, since we have neither low 1sts or high seconds) could go into a rotation with Richardson, Scott or other vets and Hobbs.

If the market says Asantes worth over 9 mil, that tells me it's a sellers market. Nobody has been a bigger Asante fan since he was drafted than me and he's not a great cornerback. He's very good.

 

[fair catch fryar]

He looks like a short Jag, good for depth if he's cheap. BTW I'm, only going by his stats, know nothing personally.

I don't know if the Pats are going to go low rounds. I could see them trading down for low first rounders and getting a starter. We don't have any and I don't see them paying big money for an overrated "star".

A couple 1st or second rounders (obviously depending on trades, since we have neither low 1sts or high seconds) could go into a rotation with Richardson, Scott or other vets and Hobbs.

If the market says Asantes worth over 9 mil, that tells me it's a sellers market. Nobody has been a bigger Asante fan since he was drafted than me and he's not a great cornerback. He's very good.

I agree about Samuel. Personally, I really hope they draft some help at LB. BB and Pioli are obviously two of the best at it and know a lot more than so-called media draft experts, but I believe a Gholston, for example, even at the cost of a #7 pick money-wise, is a must do. IMO, That position makes the Pats the most vulnerable and can bolster the backfield much better than a few lower picks that can be starters, nothing more, nothing less.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I hope they bring in some young help at the LB position before the secondary.

 

[RayClay]

I agree about Samuel. Personally, I really hope they draft some help at LB. BB and Pioli are obviously two of the best at it and know a lot more than so-called media draft experts, but I believe a Gholston, for example, even at the cost of a #7 pick money-wise, is a must do. IMO, That position makes the Pats the most vulnerable and can bolster the backfield much better than a few lower picks that can be starters, nothing more, nothing less.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I hope they bring in some young help at the LB position before the secondary.

I can't say I know, but based on their history, I'm predicting cornerbacks high. I don't understand what they plan to do at LB, but if they traded down for 2 low firsts for corners (in line with where the value seems to be) They still have a 2nd, 3rd and a high 3rd from Oakland.

I just don't see A.D. having value at ILB comparable to letting him loose at OLB and no way they spend a #1 on an inside linebacker IMO.

 

[satz]

We tune up the pass rush the corner need to hold WR for max of 8 seconds in zone and we win.

 

[mgteich]

Most are talking about drafting an OLB in the first.

I can't say I know, but based on their history, I'm predicting cornerbacks high. I don't understand what they plan to do at LB, but if they traded down for 2 low firsts for corners (in line with where the value seems to be) They still have a 2nd, 3rd and a high 3rd from Oakland.

I just don't see A.D. having value at ILB comparable to letting him loose at OLB and no way they spend a #1 on an inside linebacker IMO.

 

[fair catch fryar]

I can't say I know, but based on their history, I'm predicting cornerbacks high. I don't understand what they plan to do at LB, but if they traded down for 2 low firsts for corners (in line with where the value seems to be) They still have a 2nd, 3rd and a high 3rd from Oakland.

I just don't see A.D. having value at ILB comparable to letting him loose at OLB and no way they spend a #1 on an inside linebacker IMO.

Based on their draft history and draft formula, you're probably right and I can't disagree, but MAN, I would love to see one of their projects, like Woods or Alexander, step up and be a monster. IMO, we're due for a breakthrough in this position. It's just hard to estimate from who?

 

[RayClay]

Most are talking about drafting an OLB in the first.

Most of who? I've been talking about it a few years, hasn't happened.

I would agree that no CB is worth #7.

 

[RayClay]

We tune up the pass rush the corner need to hold WR for max of 8 seconds in zone and we win.

We only have 1 corner right now. If Scott is healthy and not washed up we have 1+. Richardson is a ?.

I'd love to draft a monster pass rusher, but isn't that what we acquired A.D. for?

Plus, our pass rush has been contingent on all 4 LBs possibly rushing.

Remember, ILB position could be vacant at anytime (sorry, but it's the truth) and we cut Lua. That one made me go hmmmmm...

 

[Ring 6]

We have Adalius Thomas and Mike Vrabel at OLB. With Pierre Woods backing up.
We have Ellis Hobbs at corner with IR'd Richardson, roster yo-yo Spann and aging IR'd Scott as our other alternatives.

How in the world can anyone think OLB is a higher priority than corner?

 

[Ring 6]

We only have 1 corner right now. If Scott is healthy and not washed up we have 1+. Richardson is a ?.

I'd love to draft a monster pass rusher, but isn't that what we acquired A.D. for?

Plus, our pass rush has been contingent on all 4 LBs possibly rushing.

Remember, ILB position could be vacant at anytime (sorry, but it's the truth) and we cut Lua. That one made me go hmmmmm...

Why is it a surprise we cut Lua?
He was a 7th round pick, missed a season, and evidently didnt impress anyone during that missed season.
The statement on Lua was that there are many better players we can put in his spot.
If he had ANY shot at making the team, we would have signed him for next to nothing. As it is, BB determined he isn't one of the 80 most likely guys to make the squad.
He was cut because he isnt good enough. Not good enough at a postion of need is no different than not good enough at a positon with little need.

 

[RayClay]

Why is it a surprise we cut Lua?
He was a 7th round pick, missed a season, and evidently didnt impress anyone during that missed season.
The statement on Lua was that there are many better players we can put in his spot.
If he had ANY shot at making the team, we would have signed him for next to nothing. As it is, BB determined he isn't one of the 80 most likely guys to make the squad.
He was cut because he isnt good enough. Not good enough at a postion of need is no different than not good enough at a position with little need.

Because we have no depth at that position and we could have cut him in camp if he showed nothing, why wait?

I'm hoping this means we're making room for some young ILBs (actual decent draft picks) and maybe keeping Bruschi for depth.

I know I'm projecting, but it's still curious they didn't just cut him earlier.

Would an injury settlement have cost more than paying him for the year?

 

[Garbanza]

We have Adalius Thomas and Mike Vrabel at OLB. With Pierre Woods backing up.
We have Ellis Hobbs at corner with IR'd Richardson, roster yo-yo Spann and aging IR'd Scott as our other alternatives.

How in the world can anyone think OLB is a higher priority than corner?

They are both an area of extreme concern. Thomas and Vrable outside - Brusch inside. Who else? And if you say Woods Pierre Woods as back-up, I'll puke.

Sometimes I wonder if you are on the Pats payroll.

 

[Seneschal2]

We have Ellis Hobbs at corner with IR'd Richardson, roster yo-yo Spann and aging IR'd Scott as our other alternatives.

How in the world can anyone think OLB is a higher priority than corner?

It's not. As you know, the draft selections will be about value. And of course, need is factored into that value. CB is clearly the priority need but has some depth to the position this draft. Hypothetically, if an DE/OLB is rated higher on the Pats board than any CB, and there are fewer options to draft a pass rusher later on, then maybe BB & Co. take the edge rusher first, then go CB later.

All of which falls under the 'players who fit the system' category. The consensus rankings really don't mean diddly to BB. Just because there may be 3 CBs slated to go in round one doesn't mean any of them fit the Pats best. BB may have his eyes set on that 4th ranked CB (or 5th, etc.).

Regarding AD and where he's destined to play -- I really don't know. Not getting any clues from the BB camp either. Do know however, he wasn't overly impressive in his opportunities from the edge (except the last series in SB). Wasn't impressive inside either. Maybe it's just a learning curve inside or out. As always though, I want what BB wants...and when he was acquired -- I thought that was inside. Wish we had more concrete info...

 

[fgssand]

We have Adalius Thomas and Mike Vrabel at OLB. With Pierre Woods backing up.
We have Ellis Hobbs at corner with IR'd Richardson, roster yo-yo Spann and aging IR'd Scott as our other alternatives.

How in the world can anyone think OLB is a higher priority than corner?

That all depends on how good the player is at OLB or ILB (for the sake of this discussion) - If the Patriots feel Long or Gholston is the next LT, Roman Phieffer, Willie Mcg or Pepper J, then you make the pick and worry about filling the need at CB down a few rounds (it is a very deep draft for CB's).

 

[mgteich]

Highest priority doesn't equal our first draft pick.

We have Adalius Thomas and Mike Vrabel at OLB. With Pierre Woods backing up.
We have Ellis Hobbs at corner with IR'd Richardson, roster yo-yo Spann and aging IR'd Scott as our other alternatives.

How in the world can anyone think OLB is a higher priority than corner?