This Pats team was very inconsistent this year, and just not very good at points.
1) Moss and Welker need some help. Moss had a great 07 season because he was single covered a lot, now he usually isn't. Welker does good because of Moss and vice versa, but after that there is no one who can do much. Edelman showed us he can replace Welker while he rehabilitates, but we don't have any other threat. While Donte Stallworth didn't do much while he was here, he was a respectable receiver who could make a play. Sam Aiken, Isiah Stanback aren't useful guys. I'm not saying get a guy like Boldin or Marshall, but someone who is a decent WR, not a srub.
Who do you propose? And what happens to Tate and Edelman? Do you hurt their growth by bringing in someone who takes reps away from them. Also, I am not sure how you can say that Aiken and Stanback aren't useful guys? They aren't spectacular WRs, I agree. But teams need to have guys who can excel on special teams. Aiken is one of the best there.
2) No running game. This offense is so unbalanced, and the running game is not very good. We need to draft a good RB who can bang the ball like a Ray Rice or MJD. This team needs some balance so that they can pass out of more formations than just the shotgun and work the play action. Not sure how this could be addressed this offseason.
The issue with the running game is not the backs. It's the O-line. This O-line is not great at run blocking. And they need someone at C and RG who can help clear the paths. Maroney, Morris, Faulk, and Taylor are all more than competant. The lack of consistency from the O-line is the big issue.
3) No pass rush. This team just couldn't pressure the QB and that has been the story of the past two seasons. For one reason or another, no one can make a play. Julius Peppers would be a huge addition to this pass rush.
I agree that the Pats couldn't pressure the QB consistently. The Pats need an OLB and an ILB to compliment Mayo, Guyton, and TBC. McKenzie and Crable were supposed to be those players, but both were hurt. McKenzie is Rookie Camps and Crable at the end of pre-season. Peppers is going to be 30 years old and he's going to command a LOT of money. Personally, I'd rather try and find someone who busts his rear end all the time, but just can't get playing time where he's at currently. The only problem with that is that with no cap, players like that will be RFAs.
4) No pass rush = bad secondary. Meriweather had a good season as did Leigh Bodden, but there is no real playmaker on the back end, like a Harrison or Law. Shutdown corners are hard to find, but we had one and let him go. Can't do that again. Also, with a lack off pass rush, the secondary is more exposed.
Bodden, Butler, Meriweather, Sanders, McGowan, Wilhite are a good corps.. Hopefully, the Pats will offer Bodden a 3 year deal.
5) No playmakers on defense. This defense has no playmakers, and it shows. When teams have playmakers, even the guys who are scrubs can make a play because people around them are making plays, we don't have that.
I have to disagree with you. The Pats have play-makers in Mayo, Meriweather, and Bodden. The problem is that guys like Thomas, Green and Woods didn't step up. And when you have such players like this not stepping up, it hurts the team
6) Minor issue, but Chris Hanson is a terrible punter. When we need a big boot he comes up lame, would like to see a guy with a bigger leg, but he will probably stay because he's the holder.
People keep saying this but usually they say it without having actually looked at the stats.
NFL Stats: by Team Category
Chris Hanson Splits - New England Patriots - ESPN
The Pats punted just 56 times this year. 7 of the punts were downed. 8 went OOBs. 18 of 56 were inside the 20 and 5 touchbacks. There were 16 fair catches and 20 returns for 180 yards. 13 of 56 punts came inside the opposing 50 with 8 of those 13 being inside the 20 and 3 going for TBs. All of that really hurts your NET avg...
7) The Oline needs a few tweaks. Neal can't stay healthy, Kazcur is not very good although he did sign an extension. Vollmer is the future at LT and Light could move over to the right side.
Light would need to move inside to LG with Mankins moving to RG. Light is NOT a right tackle. Kaczur is a decent swing tackle, but I'd see if the Pats couldn't trade him to KC and let LeVoir be the swing tackle.
Overall, I really think this team is just a few players away from being an elite team again. They have a lot of picks, an uncapped year, and some money to throw around.
My moves personally would be....
Re-sign Faulk
Re-sign Wilfork
Re-sign Bodden
Re-sign Gostkowski
Sign Tony Scheffler as a pass catching/blocking TE
(RFA)
Sign LenDale White as a goalline bruiser back
(RFA and doesn't solve the real issue and is a real head case)
Sign Lee Evans as a 2nd/3rd WR when Welker is back
(Eligible to be franchised by the Bills)
Sign Jason Taylor as a OLB
(He's a 1 year stop gap)
Trade for Julius Peppers to play DE/OLB hybrid
(Can't see the Pats signing both)
Sign Keith Bulluck to play MLB with some veteran leadership
(NO WAY. Bullock is a head case. Also, I believe that the Pats will try and go back to the 3-4 since that is what their players are best suited for)
QB Brady
RB Morris/Taylor/White
TE Scheffler/Baker
WR Moss/Edelman/Evans/Welker
DL Wilfork/Warren/Peppers
LB Mayo/Taylor/Banta-Cain/Bulluck
DB Bodden, Springs, Meriweather, McGowan/Sanders
