If Wheatley and Crable were healthy
 

If those two rooks were healthy and were able to contribute throughout the past seaon I think going into the draft we would have alot more clear picture of what the Pats main priority is in the upcoming draft.

The way I look at it is with a healthy AD, Vrable, Woods and Crable we should be good to strong at the olb position.

Even with a healthy Wheatley coming back which we could only assume CB is one of the main priorities this offseason mainly through the draft. I dont want Deltha back, Hobbs, Wheatley, and Wilhite arent enough we could use an upgrade at the number 1 or 2 cb spot.

Saftey is another position that could use an upgrade along with some nice depth. Sanders is a backup imo, Rodneys future is a big question, Meriweathers a year or 2 away from being a probowl stud.

When it comes to the draft if Maualuga is there at the 23rd pick or even within 6 or 7 spots for the Pats to move up id pull the trigger on him. Ray and Mayo would be a thing of beauty.

Re: If Wheatley and Crable were healthy
 

Before we anoint anybody...i would have like to see them play *ahem* Shawn Crable. The record of Rookies who have been shut down...ie due to injury by BB is not very good the following year. I have no aspirations for Wheatley i think he's going to be one of those players who is always injured. I still see those two positions being Drafted once again...as a just in case measure.

Re: If Wheatley and Crable were healthy
 

[QUOTE=PatsFan2;1260700]Before we anoint anybody...i would have like to see them play *ahem* Shawn Crable. The record of Rookies who have been shut down...ie due to injury by BB is not very good the following year. I have no aspirations for Wheatley i think he's going to be one of those players who is always injured. I still see those two positions being Drafted once again...as a just in case measure.[/QUOTE]

Thats what sucks, if we really knew what we had with those players or even a decent idea we could really work magic elsewhere on the roster with the the picks we could end up with, like another ILB to pair with Mayo or a stud Left or right T.

Re: If Wheatley and Crable were healthy
 

Lil' Terry & Chicken Legs should've had warning flags the size of Garrison flags next to their names on draft weekend. At least Crable's maladies are correctable; Wheatley, OTOH, will simply never be able to withstand the rigors of a 16-game season.

Damn Ken Whisenhunt & Omissioner Goodell: if the Cards had beaten SF just once in '07, then the Pats would've held the 3rd overall pick and prob. could've received NO's 2nd-rounder instead of its 3rd-rounder, and that might've been used on Quentin Groves. Heck, I still think that Cliff Avril would've been the better choice at #78. And by stealing our own 1st-rounder, the Omissioner took away the chance for us to select Brandon Flowers, who would've made drafting lil' Terry unnecessary.

Re: If Wheatley and Crable were healthy
 

I completely agree, I would have loved to have seen a healthy season from both Wheatley and Crable. Obviously, the coaches saw them through a fall training camp and preseason, so they do have a feel for them as players. Still, performing in the regular season is a different deal than camp/preseason. I'd much rather the Patriots knew what to expect from these guys instead of having to project forward.

I think each position could be drafted, but if they are not 100% confident in Wheatley as a starter, then the Pats need to sign or trade for a veteran CB. This team is far too talented to rely on a rookie at CB opposite Ellis Hobbs.

I think the OLB situation could be strong, but it depends on how much Vrabel has left and opinions on that vary. I though '08 was Pierre Woods year to prove he was more than "just another guy" and he didn't do that. Pierre will get another chance in '09, but at worst he's a solid backup who doesn't do anything to hurt the team when he's on the field.

Re: If Wheatley and Crable were healthy
 

I was impressed by Wheatley when he played ...

Re: If Wheatley and Crable were healthy
 

I agree about wheatley......wasn't his injury directly related to his injury issues in college? but at least he got some PT

as for crable, I think he was too thin to be effective this year anyway.......if he can get to 250-255, I still think he has a good chance, but he's still a way's off

I still think a FA OLB is a priority

Re: If Wheatley and Crable were healthy
 

Wheatlley got better and was having a good game vs INDY before his injury which leads me to believe he is atleast was on track.

crable was on IR and even though everyone in this forum thinks the patriots cheat and break rules by praticing and developing players by this so called red-shirt year i do not think so .
It will be training camp when he will get out their especially if draft another OLB/DE . a player who has played last yr in college vs crabel who has not for a roster spot will be hard on him.

redd was a good in special teams which throws a wrench in crabel in that spot during development logic.

Re: If Wheatley and Crable were healthy
 

Wheatley only looked good in one game and unfortunately that doesn't get you in Canton. Like i said before i just don't have a good feeling about him. I just dont want to have to cringe everytime he makes a Tackle.

Re: If Wheatley and Crable were healthy
 

I believe Sanders and Woods are FAs

We might not know but I am sure BB and the staff have a good idea what these guys are capable of and whether it is a good idea to expect more from their sophmore year or if they need to go back to the drawing board.