Biggest area of weakness as of today?

In order of worry -
1. Safety - Still don't know if we've found the answer, though now there are some promising options and at the very least, better depth now.
2. DE/OLB - Again, some promising options here. Could very well turn out to be a solid area for us.
2. KR - I can probably count on one hand the times I saw us return a kick past the 20-25. Need a legit threat back there, still don't know why Vereen hasn't ever been tried.
3. RB - This would be 2, but I have faith in Ridley/Vereen. Plus we did win 2 super bowls with Antowain Smith the lead back. I'm not much worried about this spot as long as the line blocks, somebody is going to run behind them. It's just the unproven factor that puts this on my list

I find it odd that so many people worry about the running back committee. It's easily the most replaceable position on the team.

We have three first and second year players there. Ridley showed a lot of positive abilities last year, Vereen has a ton of potential, and we signed Brandon Bolden as an UDFA. Big fan of his.

2012 Draft Prospects - Brandon Bolden, RB

Combine that with our new fullbacks, a much better, dedicated 3rd tight end, and what looks like a renewed commitment to the run, and I'm sure we'll be just fine in 2012. :singing:

Owner.

Head Coach.

QB.

reamer said:

I find it odd that so many people worry about the running back committee. It's easily the most replaceable position on the team.

We have three first and second year players there. Ridley showed a lot of positive abilities last year, Vereen has a ton of potential, and we signed Brandon Bolden as an UDFA. Big fan of his.

2012 Draft Prospects - Brandon Bolden, RB

Combine that with our new fullbacks, a much better, dedicated 3rd tight end, and what looks like a renewed commitment to the run, and I'm sure we'll be just fine in 2012. :singing:

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Danny Woodhead is a huge asset at RB behind that huge line and amazing receiving corps. It's almost as if the defenses have to concede the run to stay home in coverage now.

ay-yo said:

Another weakness: experience on D

Wilson, Hightower, Jones, Dowling all figure to play significant roles. Dennard could be another rookie seeing action. McCourty, Spikes, Love, Chung, Arrington and Deaderick are all young contributors. Gregory has never played in our system.

When our D was good we had a lot of veterans on D. We've had to sift out many busts as we've rebuilt but I believe we're close to done. High hopes for this draft class.

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Marquice Cole could see action in the secondary - smart, very fast who cracked the jets secondary last year in dime packages. Nice pick up that goes overlooked. I like the depth and competition in the defensive backfield this year. Speed everywhere - no more geezers hanging around

reamer said:

I find it odd that so many people worry about the running back committee. It's easily the most replaceable position on the team.

We have three first and second year players there. Ridley showed a lot of positive abilities last year, Vereen has a ton of potential, and we signed Brandon Bolden as an UDFA. Big fan of his.

2012 Draft Prospects - Brandon Bolden, RB

Combine that with our new fullbacks, a much better, dedicated 3rd tight end, and what looks like a renewed commitment to the run, and I'm sure we'll be just fine in 2012. :singing:

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Nice hilight package. I feel better now. Not that I ever thought RB was a big problem. I would have to say FS is the biggest weakness, because we just don't know. But my biggest fear is OL depth. Lose a starter or 2 on the OL and the whole offense unravels.

PlainOldEd said:

Lose a starter or 2 on the OL and the whole offense unravels.

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I know it feels worse for us because of who we have under center, but I think that's true of almost every offense in the league. Teams just don't routinely carry 7 starter quality OL, and losing two of their top five is going to put any offense out of sync.

OL. OT. Mainly if Vollmer is hurt.

I dont trust Solder at all

RB

BJGE gone and Faulk may retire. Last year, he was basically a Player/ Coach anyway. Theres at least 1 roster slot to fill.

S

Nobody has set the woods on fire yet. Chung is serviceable and I dont think hes that good in coverage. Hoping Gregory can step up. Maybe one of the rookies can shore up this bunch.

Teapot said:

OL. OT. Mainly if Vollmer is hurt.

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If Vollmer was hurt that bad a tackle would have been drafted/signed in free agency by now.

Teapot said:

I dont trust Solder at all

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Why? He gave up 3 sacks and 4 pressures all season, that's no reason to worry.

Ice_Ice_Brady said:

What is our biggest area of weakness, as of today. And although we can't be sure how our draft picks will turn out, I think we can agree that linebacker has been addressed and should improve.

Some potential areas: defensive line, secondary, running backs, o-line (depth at the critical tackle positions).

Which do you think is the biggest liability at this moment?

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80% of the fan base? :confused2:

Imo its the pass rush and safety until some of the new guys/rookies actually show they have improved things.

Snake Eyes said:

Why does a DL need to be elite in order to be a good pick at #48?

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Because we have plenty of good defensive linemen. But only one or possibly two elite players there. Wilfork & Jones/Carter). Adding a 7th good player won't matter in the least.

To make you feel better, I suggest we trade for Richard Seymour in his dotage.

Brady_to_Moss said:

WR...we have no slot guys with no real deep threat

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I understand your concern about us having a deep threat but you do realize we have around 20 WR's right now, right?? And why don't people give Lloyd any consideration as a deep threat??

As for our #1 need, tough call. DL could manage since we do have Wilfork, Love, Fanene, Bequette, Jones. I'd say Safety

all the areas of weakness the Pats have had are better described as question marks as of today. You could say that DT is the only position that definitively hasn't improved but then again I wouldn't bank against one of those guys (hopefully Brace) breaking out.

ay-yo said:

1. Safety
2. RBs
3. interior DL

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not sure RB is a weakness...maybe an unknown. Depends if Ridley can carry the ball without a fumble and if Vereen can stay healthy. This group could be a strength if all goes well.

Joey007 said:

And why don't people give Lloyd any consideration as a deep threat?

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Because they have no clue what they're talking about. That fact is that over the past few years Lloyd has been one of the best deep threats in the league.

Joey007 said:

I understand your concern about us having a deep threat but you do realize we have around 20 WR's right now, right?? And why don't people give Lloyd any consideration as a deep threat??

As for our #1 need, tough call. DL could manage since we do have Wilfork, Love, Fanene, Bequette, Jones. I'd say Safety

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i was kidding...