Offense - Where Are The Great Needs/Opportunities For Upgrades

It seems that there are opportunities at WR, RB, OT and OG. There are always surprises, but I think that the defense is ready to go except for the need at cornerback, and at developmental DT.

OFFENSE (24)
QB - Brady, Garappolo
WR - Edelman, Amendola, Hogan, Martin, Washington
RB/FB - Lewis, Gaffney, Bolden, White, Brown/Develin
TE - Gronkowski, Bennett, Harbor
OT - Solder, Vollmer, Waddle, Cannon
OG/C - Cooper, Mason, Jackson, Stork, Kline/Andrews

Could use more speed on the outside. I have given up on dobson.

The wr spot is an absurd pile up. Rb would seem the same. As "mediocre" as each may look, a few early round picks build some intense competition. You think Brady literally "sounded the horn," as a joke? Sure JE and DA had that cop stunt, which even had my wife laughing, but I'm hoping like hell that all the new additions are open to working with Tf'nB, ditto for the kids still on the roster from last year, and Bennet...

As things stand speed on the outside is minimal as a "need"

OL - it's entirely possible that what's here (plus a rookie or two) is what will be here and be great. It's also possible that it's a disaster in waiting. Either way looks like we're gonna have to live with the question mark...no realistic acquisitions would make "OL IS DOMINANT" a realistic scenario. They're gonna have to prove it.

RB - the RB group as is, is....meh. There's not 'putting a premium on the position', and there's 'oh my god who's going to carry the ball?' At present its #2. As I've said before, at this point it seems they must be confident they can get what they want in the draft. Not worried about it. Even a decent RB will do if the OL is on point. They'll stack points. If not then it's all back on TB. They'll still win games and prob go AFCCG, but that ain't the goal.

RB and OT

woolster22 said:

The wr spot is an absurd pile up.

Click to expand...

The position isn't a pileup if a rookie could fairly easily win a roster spot.

mgteich said:

The position isn't a pileup if a rookie could fairly easily win a roster spot.

Click to expand...

I think your comment may be what @woolster22 is speaking of, though. The position is such a logjam of average players (aside from #11) that we're actually trying to figure out who has the upper hand. As of now, only Edelman and Hogan are probably considered locks. You would include DA if no financial consideration were given, and even then it's only 3.

In terms of bringing in a rookie WR who could make the team, that can be said of pretty much any season. If they spend a higher/mid round pick at WR, he's almost guaranteed to make the squad.

IllegalContact said:

RB and OT

Click to expand...

Yes, without a doubt. These were clearly the biggest weaknesses which may have prevented us from winning another SB last season.

That couldn't have sat well with players, coaches, and upper mgmt, particularly the straw that stirs the drink that is BB.

supafly said:

I think your comment may be what @woolster22 is speaking of, though. The position is such a logjam of average players (aside from #11) that we're actually trying to figure out who has the upper hand. As of now, only Edelman and Hogan are probably considered locks. You would include DA if no financial consideration were given, and even then it's only 3.

In terms of bringing in a rookie WR who could make the team, that can be said of pretty much any season. If they spend a higher/mid round pick at WR, he's almost guaranteed to make the squad.

Click to expand...

This is all true.

I don't expect the team to cut Amendola.

So for me, we have Edelman, Amendola and Hogan. We also have an open competition for any additional spots. Washington and Martin seem most likely. Neither is anywhere near a lock. So, I would think that we have a pretty wide open opportunity for an additional player or two or three if Amendola is cut.

mgteich said:

The position isn't a pileup if a rookie could fairly easily win a roster spot.

Click to expand...

mgteich said:

This is all true.

I don't expect the team to cut Amendola.

So for me, we have Edelman, Amendola and Hogan. We also have an open competition for any additional spots. Washington and Martin seem most likely. Neither is anywhere near a lock. So, I would think that we have a pretty wide open opportunity for an additional player or two or three if Amendola is cut.

Click to expand...

All I meant is there is a large wr group building up. None of them outside of JE would seem to be a lock for a multitude of issues. Hell, JE with the plate and screws in his foot is not exactly without question either....

The only way the Pats can definitively improve at WR is by getting a big-bodied downfield threat who can perform at a fringe-Pro Bowl (or better) level. And the Pats already have the best TE and QB depth charts in the league, so I doubt we'll see any improvement there.

If we see significant improvement, it'll be at RB and/or OL (specifically G).

OT or any skill position hybrid that can create mismatches lining up out wide. I don't necessarily see the need for an outside receiver (we really don't need any 'specialists'), so much as a RB or H back that can eat a LB for lunch in coverage or mow over a CB.

Vereen fit the bill pretty well as a downfield RB... White has struggled more. Neither were/are good enough pure runners to demand LB coverage. This is where forte would have destroyed opponents for us. Sure, Lewis will wreak havoc on screens, but can he run successful routes downfield?

At H back, I have a feeling we'll always pine for a player the caliber of the psychopathic murderer. Remember when he ran all over the Broncos at RB?

The defense is for the most part set with young fast athletic talent where as the offense is a bit older. I want to see round 2 and 3 go to the best available RB/OT/WR on the board preferable in that order but do not overdraft. If the talent is not there to justify the pick I am just fine with taking the player who falls at LB/CB/DT also in that order. Any one of those 6 spots needs either an infusion of youth or talent. I would even double dip at RB or WR if the right player is there. Basically the 6th round should be throw as much **** at the wall as possible as hard to draft positions and hope someone, anyone sticks. If we walked out of it with a RB 2 WR and 2 CB I would not be sad

It seems like the O is "just OK" everywhere except TE and QB, without glaring holes. I'd love to see them do what they have to do to go from "just OK" to "Pro bowl" at just one of the other positions. A really good G, OT, WR, or RB would make a huge difference. But going to "just a little better" in those positions will leave me yawning (until it wins another SB, of course).

corner is the glaring weakness in my eyes..................... We were extremely fortunate that Butler really came with fire in his eyes and Ryan stayed healthy all year. I will turn cartwheels here in SW Florida if BB uses one of his 3rd round picks and either 60 or 61 to move up some for a corner he really likes the looks of.

But am expecting him to go the other way as usual.......... Dang it all

supafly said:

Yes, without a doubt. These were clearly the biggest weaknesses which may have prevented us from winning another SB last season.

That couldn't have sat well with players, coaches, and upper mgmt, particularly the straw that stirs the drink that is BB.

Click to expand...

There is definitely a need for upgrading the depth RB. White, Boldin and Brown could all be upgraded, and the rest are unknowns. I think both Dixon and Prossie would be great fits to backup Lewis in the backfield, and the Pats need a better backup for him.

It wouldn't surprise me to see Belichick double down at OT. He seems to overload a position in most drafts, and both a longerm starter and swing tackle are needed. If the board fell so that two out of the group of Clark, Haeg and Toner fell to the Pats, I'd be happy.

I think CB is an area that might be addressed earlier than expected. It will be hard to resign both Butler and Ryan with all the FAs next year. Coleman was surprisingly competent last year, the depth beyond him is unknown.

I'd love to see them get a similar small fast guy like Lewis considering the injury risk to him and the fact that the offense was much more effective with an above average player in that role.

I think they desperately need to upgrade from Cannon at swing tackle. His extension was up there with Arrington for worst self scouting by management. Can't win 'em all.

WR I'm far less concerned. And I think one of the second year guards will make the leap under Dante.