Who can make this team better in 2012

Never mind what BB does in the Draft.

What player would you reach for in 2012 that makes this team better.

And what would it take to get them.

I must admit, as the day goes on I'm getting more and more down.

I may just have to disappear into a bottle.

resdubwhite said:

Never mind what BB does in the Draft.

What player would you reach for in 2012 that makes this team better.

And what would it take to get them.

I must admit, as the day goes on I'm getting more and more down.

I may just have to disappear into a bottle.

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Mourning is a perfectly reasonable response to Tragedy, my friend.

Nothing wrong with allowing yourself to let it wash over you for awhile.

Defense. Defense. Defense.

I don't know who, but they GD better be able to tackle.

This team really only needs 3 things:

WR: Specifically a speedy deep threat

Pass rush: PLEASE get a "play maker" at this position...someone who makes a big sack/fumble when the team needs it...once again we couldn't get pressure when we needed to.

Secondary: CB and FS. Maybe McCourty is just better as a safety. We still need a CB since Dowling's health is up in the air. Arrington is decent. Moore looked good in the SB.

SyN65 said:

This team really only needs 3 things:

WR: Specifically a speedy deep threat

Pass rush: PLEASE get a "play maker" at this position...someone who makes a big sack/fumble when the team needs it...once again we couldn't get pressure when we needed to.

Secondary: CB and FS. Maybe McCourty is just better as a safety. We still need a CB since Dowling's health is up in the air. Arrington is decent. Moore looked good in the SB.

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Someone that makes the qb think about the pass rush, even when there is no pass rush.

Firstly, more experience will make the team better. Some very young guys out there playing their hearts out. Throw in ota's and a true training camp so the coaches can get these guys playing the way they want sooner rather than later. Btw, the defense did a really good job yesterday that I think everyone can be proud of. Especially for being so young.

2nd, I hate advocating for Wr's early in the draft when you can shore up your front 7 and secondary with those picks. Jeffries and Floyd are fine candidates as is Sanu. But in this case I would rather go with a free agent who knows are system. Someone like Brandon Lloyd for instance. He's got good hands, makes acrobatic catches, his speed is very impressive because he actually is able to run and play at game speed. Bringing him in and resigning Branch on the cheap really saves the Pats room to shore the defense. If you want to take a shot at a dark horse Wr later on I'm on board.

3rd is they need a DE they can rely on. I'd love to have the Hybrid force in Mario Williams and Jays52 makes an excellent point in a couple of his posts on how he could be used. They could also go the Carriker route and see if the chemistry is there. But Williams fills two needs and makes the signing of Carter and Anderson sensible imo. Confusion to it's fullest.

4th would be a safety. Again I could see the free agency route here if they find someone that fits and also draft one but the trouble is noone in this draft really says "draft me and i will be a top safety in this league" type. Barron I predict will be gone by the time the Pats pick and I don't think he is worth trading up for. And sadly there aren't many free agent safeties that really jump out at you. Tyvonn Branch is probably the guy I would want but the Raiders will overpay the man I'm sure. Landry can't stay on the field, Griffin is pretty good and might be a fit but he made 3 million last season. What's he looking for his next contract? As high as I've been on Goldson's bandwagon with his big play potential, his coverage is still shaky at times. Hopefully the Pats have the guy they want already in mind though.

SyN65 said:

This team really only needs 3 things:

WR: Specifically a speedy deep threat

Pass rush: PLEASE get a "play maker" at this position...someone who makes a big sack/fumble when the team needs it...once again we couldn't get pressure when we needed to.

Secondary: CB and FS. Maybe McCourty is just better as a safety. We still need a CB since Dowling's health is up in the air. Arrington is decent. Moore looked good in the SB.

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I like this, but BB has never taken a WR or OLB in the first round while employed with us. As a matter of fact, you would be hard pressed to name 5 OLB's that BB has drafted since he has been here.

After QB, the single biggest premium is on pass rushers, so expect them to climb draft boards as the draft gets closer.

BB can get a burner WR in the second round. The fact that he tried twice and failed should not matter much to him, look at how many times and how many different rounds he used on drafting TE's before he finally got that right.

If there was 1 player I'd grab if he fell to around 8 it would be Coples. He has the versatility to play all over the Dline, the only issue people have with him was the production drop this year/motor issues but to be honest he was asked to do a lot at UNC so Im not surprised that he wasn't as effective on a play by play basis.

Ochmed Jones said:

I like this, but BB has never taken a WR or OLB in the first round while employed with us. As a matter of fact, you would be hard pressed to name 5 OLB's that BB has drafted since he has been here.

After QB, the single biggest premium is on pass rushers, so expect them to climb draft boards as the draft gets closer.

BB can get a burner WR in the second round. The fact that he tried twice and failed should not matter much to him, look at how many times and how many different rounds he used on drafting TE's before he finally got that right.

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Yeah, maybe not necessarily draft someone but go after someone in FA.

I know Jackson is a FA but I doubt we'd pay him the money or put up with his antics. Personally I'd love if he was on the Patriots and would give us a speedy deep threat and great punt returner. Lloyd would be a cheaper option and I'm totally OK with that given his history with McDaniels.

SyN65 said:

Yeah, maybe not necessarily draft someone but go after someone in FA.

I know Jackson is a FA but I doubt we'd pay him the money or put up with his antics. Personally I'd love if he was on the Patriots and would give us a speedy deep threat and great punt returner. Lloyd would be a cheaper option and I'm totally OK with that given his history with McDaniels.

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The huge advantage in going after Loyd is that he's a downfield threat who has proven he can fit into a mcDaniels offense. I'm tired of bringing in free agent receivers only to find out they don't get, can't get the Pat's offense.

TriplecHamp said:

If there was 1 player I'd grab if he fell to around 8 it would be Coples.

He has the versatility to play all over the Dline, the only issue people have with him was the production drop this year/motor issues but to be honest he was asked to do a lot at UNC so Im not surprised that he wasn't as effective on a play by play basis.

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You realize that that would cost us BOTH 1st Rounders AND our 3rd Rounder...right??

A premier 3-4 DE/DT or 4-3 DE is what I would move up for. A premier Guard or Center is on my wish list as well.There are plenty of good WRs to be had in the late 1st/early 2nd.

You guys are going to want to shoot me for this but I don't think we need to draft any DBs (we just need to bring in a couple vets, I'd love a Dawkins or Reed). Our secondary is so young. They will get better with experience.

Off The Grid said:

You realize that that would cost us BOTH 1st Rounders AND our 3rd Rounder...right??

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Trade one of our first this year, along with a second and a 2013 1st rounder. We take Coples with at 8 and trade back with our other 1st into the 2nd round and pick up a 3rd as well. Then we trade one of our 2 seconds into next year to recoup our first that was traded and we make a second and 3rd round selection. The downside to this is we would only make 3 selections in the first 3 rounds this year and we would only have 2 selections in the first 2 rounds next year.

This team was so close to winning it all this year that I feel like its time to take a chance on a blue chip prospect for our D to go along with Ras-I coming back and a couple of D-line free agent signings. Of course this goes against the grain of what many are probably feeling here and its predicated on Coples producing like Aldon Smith/JJ Watt/JPP but if we have a chance at getting the next one of those I'd seriously consider pulling the trigger.

i think you guys go out and get VJ if sd doesn't bring him back, and i expect you to try and get a big pass rush specialist on defense

jcdavey said:

i think you guys go out and get VJ if sd doesn't bring him back, and i expect you to try and get a big pass rush specialist on defense

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this is what Im hoping, VJ or Bowe and either hold on to ocho or develop another receiver. Add a young pass rusher through the draft, along with a safety. Resign Carter or Anderson and add a linebacker that can cover or another pass rusher like Avril. I heard we had somewhere in the area of 20mil so after resigning Welker IDK if all that is possible but thats my dream senario.

edit: Colston is another possibility

COlston would interest me.

I'd imagine NO will do everything to keep him. Although snagging Brees will be their main priority.

Meachem could be a smaller salary option also. No way they keep both.

Patriot Missile said:

Firstly, more experience will make the team better. Some very young guys out there playing their hearts out. Throw in ota's and a true training camp so the coaches can get these guys playing the way they want sooner rather than later. Btw, the defense did a really good job yesterday that I think everyone can be proud of. Especially for being so young.

2nd, I hate advocating for Wr's early in the draft when you can shore up your front 7 and secondary with those picks. Jeffries and Floyd are fine candidates as is Sanu. But in this case I would rather go with a free agent who knows are system. Someone like Brandon Lloyd for instance. He's got good hands, makes acrobatic catches, his speed is very impressive because he actually is able to run and play at game speed. Bringing him in and resigning Branch on the cheap really saves the Pats room to shore the defense. If you want to take a shot at a dark horse Wr later on I'm on board.

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Who is this Jefferies that you are referring to? Do you mean Alshon JEFFERY?

Why do people insist on bringing back a guy who disappeared for the 2nd half of the season.

Patriot Missile said:

3rd is they need a DE they can rely on. I'd love to have the Hybrid force in Mario Williams and Jays52 makes an excellent point in a couple of his posts on how he could be used. They could also go the Carriker route and see if the chemistry is there. But Williams fills two needs and makes the signing of Carter and Anderson sensible imo. Confusion to it's fullest.

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Mario Williams was playing OLB in Phillips 3-4 Scheme, not DE. Williams excels at rushing from outside the tackle. He wouldn't be a good fit in the 3-4DE.

Patriot Missile said:

4th would be a safety. Again I could see the free agency route here if they find someone that fits and also draft one but the trouble is noone in this draft really says "draft me and i will be a top safety in this league" type. Barron I predict will be gone by the time the Pats pick and I don't think he is worth trading up for. And sadly there aren't many free agent safeties that really jump out at you. Tyvonn Branch is probably the guy I would want but the Raiders will overpay the man I'm sure. Landry can't stay on the field, Griffin is pretty good and might be a fit but he made 3 million last season. What's he looking for his next contract? As high as I've been on Goldson's bandwagon with his big play potential, his coverage is still shaky at times. Hopefully the Pats have the guy they want already in mind though.

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The Pats could have had Goldson and for some reason didn't. That reason isn't known to us. It's been mentioned there could have been several different reasons. From him not liking the Patriots system to the Patriots feeling that he wasn't a fit, to money. We just don't know.

There are 3 guys in the draft that I think could help this team at Safety. George Iloka, Trumaine Johnson and Stephon Gilmore. Johnson and Gilmore would be more conversion projects, but they have the ability and they aren't afraid of tackling.

I think NO probably lets Colston walk if he asks for much more than he was already making. They seem to have a similar philosophy to us where there is always a cheaper replacement. Their battle is on the Brees front. With the emergence of Graham, I think they hold Meachem for cheap and let Colston go because a team like Washington shells out dinero for him. Sidebar: I'm not saying he goes to Washington, just citing them as the posterchild for overspending.

jcdavey said:

i think you guys go out and get VJ if sd doesn't bring him back, and i expect you to try and get a big pass rush specialist on defense

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You have 3200 posts here and you're not a Patriots fan?

DaBruinz said:

Who is this Jefferies that you are referring to? Do you mean Alshon JEFFERY?

Why do people insist on bringing back a guy who disappeared for the 2nd half of the season.



Mario Williams was playing OLB in Phillips 3-4 Scheme, not DE. Williams excels at rushing from outside the tackle. He wouldn't be a good fit in the 3-4DE.



The Pats could have had Goldson and for some reason didn't. That reason isn't known to us. It's been mentioned there could have been several different reasons. From him not liking the Patriots system to the Patriots feeling that he wasn't a fit, to money. We just don't know.

There are 3 guys in the draft that I think could help this team at Safety. George Iloka, Trumaine Johnson and Stephon Gilmore. Johnson and Gilmore would be more conversion projects, but they have the ability and they aren't afraid of tackling.

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I think Gilmore would be a great fit on this team - he's got size, seems to have good on-field awareness, also seemed to display an ability to track the ball down the field - something our guys need some work on imo.

Additionally, the pats Defensive Backs Coach, Josh Boyer said in an interview this year that the patriots don't evaluate prospects as strict "safeties" or "cornerbacks" anymore, but instead as "defensive backs." (Others on this board have also pointed it out - I believe Off the Grid did in the McCourty fs/cb thread). Anyway our last two DBs - Dowling and McCourty - both appear to have the capability of playing either CB or S pretty respectably.

Gilmore fits that mold too - he's 6'1, 193 lbs and he can tackle. I think this is BB's next "TE" project - he's collecting an array of guys that can move all over the secondary - I'm not a huge x's and o's guy but to me that seems like a great way to disguise coverages in a pretty revolutionary way