Why Clady or Albert?

[Gator Mike]

This has been killing me.

Why would or should the Patriots use a First Round Pick on an offensive lineman, such as Clady or Albert? I thought our offensive line was pretty darn good last year, and they're all signed for a couple more years, I believe. Brady was pretty well protected last year, I thought. The run blocking seemed fine to me. One one starter is over age 30.

Where's the pressing need for help on the offensive line?

If the Pats want to use a 3rd round pick on someone they can develop, then that's fine. But a Top 10 pick?

Is it just an overreaction to the Super Bowl? I don't get it.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

This has been killing me.

Why would or should the Patriots use a First Round Pick on an offensive lineman, such as Clady or Albert? I thought our offensive line was pretty darn good last year, and they're all signed for a couple more years, I believe. Brady was pretty well protected last year, I thought. The run blocking seemed fine to me. One one starter is over age 30.

Where's the pressing need for help on the offensive line?

If the Pats want to use a 3rd round pick on someone they can develop, then that's fine. But a Top 10 pick?

Is it just an overreaction to the Super Bowl? I don't get it.

:eat3:


1010101010

 

[stinkypete]

I personally believe that top 10 picks should be spent on linemen (O or D)or quarterbacks unless there is a truely special player available. There will not be a truely special player available at #7, so linemen it is.

My reasoning echoes Belichick's, there are only so many 300 lb. athletes with top measurables around. If you have an opportunity to add one to your team, you take advantage.

 

[Deus Irae]

This has been killing me.

Why would or should the Patriots use a First Round Pick on an offensive lineman, such as Clady or Albert? I thought our offensive line was pretty darn good last year, and they're all signed for a couple more years, I believe. Brady was pretty well protected last year, I thought. The run blocking seemed fine to me. One one starter is over age 30.

Where's the pressing need for help on the offensive line?

If the Pats want to use a 3rd round pick on someone they can develop, then that's fine. But a Top 10 pick?

Is it just an overreaction to the Super Bowl? I don't get it.

The three most important positions to fill with truly quality players in a 3-4 scheme like the one the Patriots use are quarterback, left tackle and the nose tackle. When you have a chance to get a top 10 talent in those positions, you need to take it. Clearly, with Brady and Wilfork, the team is set at QB and NT for the better part of another decade barring injuries. That leaves the tackle position as the one which can best use the talent infusion. When you add in the amount of 4 receiver/1 rb sets that the Patriots run, it's nearly as important to have greatness at right tackle as it is to have it at left tackle. Therefore, even bringing in a left tackle and letting him learn the ropes on the right side while Light is still playing at a high level would be a tremendous benefit for this team.

The question, it seems to me, is not "Why Clady or Albert?" but, rather "are any of the remaining left tackles potential pro bowlers and elite players?". If Belioli believe the answer to that question to be yes, then it behooves them to draft that tackle given how rare such tackles have been in the past decade.

 

[PATRIOT64]

They talk about the right side being weak but it was decent most of the year in 2007.

I do not see Albert drafted on this team,Clady is way too high at #7 so expect a 2nd to 5th round OL,maybe even 2 drafted but not in the first.

 

[Deus Irae]

They talk about the right side being weak but it was decent most of the year in 2007.

I do not see Albert drafted on this team,Clady is way too high at #7 so expect a 2nd to 5th round OL,maybe even 2 drafted but not in the first.

Given that, at least prior to the Allen trade, many believed Clady would be taken at #5 by the Chiefs, or by the Ravens at #8 if Ryan was off the board (the other option I saw here a lot was a corner), I'm not sure where you're getting this notion that #7 is way too high for him.

P.S. Another thread here notes that Gosselin has Clady rated at the #9 overall prospect, which is where Kiper had him rated in the last rating list of his that I saw.

 

[PATRIOT64]

Given that, at least prior to the Allen trade, many believed Clady would be taken at #5 by the Chiefs, or by the Ravens at #8 if Ryan was off the board (the other option I saw here a lot was a corner), I'm not sure where you're getting this notion that #7 is too high for him.

I just don't see 3 offensive lineman in the top 10 - I am sure its very possible but I just don't see it

Jake Long is already there and Brandon Albert has risen up many boards so much that it is now expected by many for him to land no further than #10 so that leaves Clady just outside of these

I could also be wrong and 3 OL are drafted in the top 10 - its possible

Its also possible if Clady IS drafted in the top 10 if NE wants an OL they take him over Albert - I personally hope this team passes on an OL till at least day 2

 

[bakes781]

I have the Pats taking Clady & no I'm not thrilled about it, but he is the BPA IMO. With the Chiefs trading Allen they now have a need at DL so it really stacks the odds against us getting Gholston or Long. CB would be a reach. So unless you take Sedrick Ellis there's really no other choice at #7. A trade down is possible, but only if Matt Ryan falls IMO.

 

[Pats726]

If they think Clady or Albert is top notched...not just teh best OL available BUT one who they think that can be all pro..then yes..do it..but I do not see a real need to get linemen..I agree later day 2..there are many that may fill the bill...I am thinking more they will either get a blue chipper or trade down...and by blue chip..I mean one who they think will be here for years,,,an all pro.. no CB...NOT at 7

 

[bakes781]

If they think Clady or Albert is top notched...not just teh best OL available BUT one who they think that can be all pro..then yes..do it..but I do not see a real need to get linemen..I agree later day 2..there are many that may fill the bill...I am thinking more they will either get a blue chipper or trade down...and by blue chip..I mean one who they think will be here for years,,,an all pro.. no CB...NOT at 7

Well The Sporting News has Ryan Clady rated #1 ahead of Jake Long for whatever that's worth.

 

[Pats726]

Well The Sporting News has Ryan Clady rated #1 ahead of Jake Long for whatever that's worth.

And many do not think Clady would be a fit here..for whatever reason..if they think he'll be a fixture on the line and worth the ton of dough..they'll do it..I just do not think they will make that move..if they do..I feel they KNOW he's a fixture for a long time..

 

[nickw308810]

I think that Albert has a legit shot of being our pick for a few different reasons.

I tend to believe that Brady is comfortable with having Matt Light at LT, and with him coming off a pro bowl season it would be tough to try to move him to the other side.

That being said, I think Albert would be a quality pick up for us because he could slot in right away as a RG/RT more easily than some of the other prospects. Then in a few years when the front office is ready to move Light from the LT spot, Albert would be able to fill in. The value in the pick is that you get a guy who can come in right away (hopefully of course) who can solidify either your RG/RT spots and then eventually be your starting LT. I would rather have a guy who has been in our system a few years protecting the best QB in the league than a rookie in say 2010.

For those who say that we don't need an OL, I would disagree. In the games I got to see this season (live in Florida, don't get to see them all), it looked like we were much more comfortable running to the left side compared to the right. Brady's quick release and ability to avoid the rush could also be a big reason why they looked so good earlier in the season.

I think that we will go OL either in the 1st or not again until near the end of the draft for depths purposes. It isn't like our right side of the line is horrible and I doubt a 3rd rounder is going to beat out either Neal or Kaczur, but if the Pats fell in love with someone such as Albert I could definitely see the value in adding a player of his caliber.

 

[mgteich]

???
You would draft a RG, and have him start at LT, and move our pro-bowl to LT? This make absolutely no sense whatsoever. If we believe that we need a RG who projects as a pro-bowler RG or a starting RT, then Albert is our man. Otherwise, we should be looking elsewhere. If we need an immediate starter at LT, or one that can start in a year, then Clady or Otah or Williams or a couple of second rounders should be considered long before Albert.

I think that Albert has a legit shot of being our pick for a few different reasons.

I tend to believe that Brady is comfortable with having Matt Light at LT, and with him coming off a pro bowl season it would be tough to try to move him to the other side.

That being said, I think Albert would be a quality pick up for us because he could slot in right away as a RG/RT more easily than some of the other prospects. Then in a few years when the front office is ready to move Light from the LT spot, Albert would be able to fill in. The value in the pick is that you get a guy who can come in right away (hopefully of course) who can solidify either your RG/RT spots and then eventually be your starting LT. I would rather have a guy who has been in our system a few years protecting the best QB in the league than a rookie in say 2010.

For those who say that we don't need an OL, I would disagree. In the games I got to see this season (live in Florida, don't get to see them all), it looked like we were much more comfortable running to the left side compared to the right. Brady's quick release and ability to avoid the rush could also be a big reason why they looked so good earlier in the season.

I think that we will go OL either in the 1st or not again until near the end of the draft for depths purposes. It isn't like our right side of the line is horrible and I doubt a 3rd rounder is going to beat out either Neal or Kaczur, but if the Pats fell in love with someone such as Albert I could definitely see the value in adding a player of his caliber.

 

[nickw308810]

???
You would draft a RG, and have him start at LT, and move our pro-bowl to LT? This make absolutely no sense whatsoever. If we believe that we need a RG who projects as a pro-bowler RG or a starting RT, then Albert is our man. Otherwise, we should be looking elsewhere. If we need an immediate starter at LT, or one that can start in a year, then Clady or Otah or Williams or a couple of second rounders should be considered long before Albert.

What? I didn't say I would start him at LT any time soon, but as a lot of people think he can make the projection as a LT, I could very well see us drafting him, having him become a pro bowl RG or starting RT as you say, then in a few years when Light can't handle the position anymore, have Albert make the switch after he has a few years in our system. I am guessing that Light isn't moving to the right side anytime soon, but age is going to catch up to him sometime.

 

[Seneschal2]

I personally believe that top 10 picks should be spent on linemen (O or D)or quarterbacks unless there is a truely special player available. There will not be a truely special player available at #7, so linemen it is.

My reasoning echoes Belichick's, there are only so many 300 lb. athletes with top measurables around. If you have an opportunity to add one to your team, you take advantage.

As a ground rule, this philosophy makes sense. And I'd also add pass rushers to the OL/DL positions -- although, nothing is written in stone.

The topic: How great a need is the RG position if Neal's health is a serious concern? As fans, we don't really know the truth on roster issues. IF there is a legitimate concern, is Albert that much of an elite prospect to warrant the #7? Sure he's versatile, but setting that quality aside for a moment, IF there's a priority need, and he's highly rated, sounds to me like he would be classified as a value pick. As we can see though, there's several IFs attached to the possibility.

Clady as we know is considered by most to be the best LT prospect in this draft. Do we have an opening there? Or do we just plug him into the revolving position known as RT, knowing we have a potential Light replacement down the road?

Tough questions...but the answers are there.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Yeah, think about it this way, If Brady wasn't on his back for most of the Super Bowl, the Pats probably would have put up 30+ points and won by at least 10 points. If Clady is there, you take him. Build a line that keeps Brady untouched, and this offense is unstoppable. Then again, if Gholsten is still there, I rather have him over any O-Lineman. I've been thinking about this for days, I really have NO CLUE as to what the Pats will do !

 

[JoeShmoe]

Where's the pressing need for help on the offensive line?

Think about it this way. 18 teams tried to beat the Pats last year and couldnt - there was all this talk of a blueprint. Now the NYG jets did it by putting severe pressure on the OL from everywhere. Sure, it may have be a one-off peformance but this year teams are (a) going to double team Moss and (b)try and knock Bradys head off ths year from all across their D. The team must know this and will hopefully be planning to do something about it both in personell and strategy

If Neal's injury is serious (and knee injuries are serious) then you have a real hole there unless you think Hochstein or O'Callaghan are good enough. If nothing else you make the run game even weaker which I think we need to see more of next season to take the pressure off Tom and let him run more play action. Why not get a young OL locked up to protect Brady the rest of his career who can start straight away in 08 if he plays well in camp/pre-season?

Personally I think we either try and trade down - out to the 15-30 range and maybe try and pick up Clady, DRC or Mayo and an OL and CB in the 2nd OR we take Albert

 

[DaBruinz]

This has been killing me.

Why would or should the Patriots use a First Round Pick on an offensive lineman, such as Clady or Albert? I thought our offensive line was pretty darn good last year, and they're all signed for a couple more years, I believe. Brady was pretty well protected last year, I thought. The run blocking seemed fine to me. One one starter is over age 30.

Where's the pressing need for help on the offensive line?

If the Pats want to use a 3rd round pick on someone they can develop, then that's fine. But a Top 10 pick?

Is it just an overreaction to the Super Bowl? I don't get it.

How about you take a step back and take off the rose colored glasses.

The right side of the O-line is mediocre at best and benefitted tremendously from having Kyle Brady on the right side helping them out. Kaczur is a JAG. Neal is injury prone. Light turns 30 to start this season. Neal will be 31. Kaczur and Koppen will be 30 next off-season.

Personally, I think that Alberts is the better pick over Clady, but that is just me. And I've also had the Pats trading back before taking him.

The Right side of the O-line needs help And it needs starting help that is better than Neal or Kaczur. You'll only get that from a select frew players.

 

[upstater1]

Why the hell did the Bucs allow SF to win that game late in the year?

If that hadn't happened, we wouldn't even be having these discussions. We'd be sitting in the first 6 of the draft and choosing between McFadden, Gholston or Chris Long.

 

[unoriginal]

The right side of the O-line is mediocre at best and benefitted tremendously from having Kyle Brady on the right side helping them out.

Uh... que?

Kyle Brady really only ever stayed in to block on running plays. Britt saw almost as much work as a blocking tight-end as Brady did in the 2nd half of the year. And no matter how you slice it whoever was kept in to block never did it near enough to be a "tremendous" benefit to either of our tackles in pass-blocking.

And Brady really wasn't that great, which is why he's out. He whiffed on a fair number of blocks, especially in the Super Bowl.