What the Patriots really need to draft is....
 

A power runningback. This offense has to get back to a more balanced attack and to do that they need that guy who they can hand the ball off to 20-25 times a game and pound the ball consistantly.

Maroney is not the answer-way to inconsistant and cannot be relyed on. Even in his best games, it still wasn't what this team needed and then he started to fumble every game.

Morris and Taylor are over the hill guys who can be serviceable for a few carries once in awhile, but not an every game back anymore.

Kevin Faulk is still Kevin Faulk and has a spot on this team

BJGE- I think he to could be a guy to be the 2nd back in the 2 back system that is needed these days. 5 to 7 carries a game to give the main guy a breather. We need that Corey Dillon type back in here again, that is what brought championships here, not the passing attack this offense has fallen in love with.

Re: What the Patriots really need to draft is....
 

1 power RB.
2 OG who can actually block and have size, unlike the dimunitive Ohrenberger
1 center who can block
2 rush linebackers
1 3-4 DE now that Green is finally gone
1 ILB who can shed blocks even if he's no great shakes in the passing game
2 WR who can run short routes, get open.
1 TE who can block and be a good all around weapon.

11 players.

This team needs 11 players and we are SET!

Re: What the Patriots really need to draft is....
 

Bill should've drafted Jacksonville's Rashad Jennings in the 7th round - instead of Darryl Richard - this past year. He also had the chance to draft Atlanta's Jason Snelling, or GB's DeShawn Wynn, or the Jints' Ahmad Bradshaw, in the 7th round in '07. There should be no need to expend a top-100 pick on a position which traditionally contains value late - or even very late - into the draft. The FO is just too lazy to look for them. Gotta fulfill the Randy Ratio, after all.

Re: What the Patriots really need to draft is....
 

We had no need for a Jennings with Maroney, Morris, Taylor, Faulk and BJGE already on the roster.

It sure was lazy of the Patriots digging up that Edelman guy in the seventh round though :rolleyes:

Re: What the Patriots really need to draft is....
 

There isn't a top guy like that in the draft. Someone will be there, of course, but there's no predictable workhorse to be had. I wouldn't mind a Ben Tate in the middle rounds, he could be a younger version of Morris. But a workhorse back in the first or second round really isn't the strength of this draft.

Re: What the Patriots really need to draft is....
 

And a partridge in a pear tree.

I would add one all-purpose back to eventually replace Kevin Faulk, and eventually a RT for when Vollmer moves to LT.

Re: What the Patriots really need to draft is....
 

Faulk's a FA, his eventual replacement may be in 2010 although with the lack of leaders on the team I think Belichick will bring Faulk back.

I really like McCluster for that role even though he's going to the combine as a WR. If he got a little bigger I think he could survive as a part time RB.

Re: What the Patriots really need to draft is....
 

RB's are a dime a dozen. You can find them in the middle to late rounds or sign a vet who was cut for a year or two like we do every year. I suggested bringing in McGahee b/c I thought he would be cut by the Ravens after this season, but they are using him more again which leads me to believe they might want to keep him.

The only way I want to go RB first round is if we get a gamebreaker a la CJ Spiller. He'd bring a home run element out of the backfield and a replacement for Faulk who can catch the ball out of the backfield with ease.

I think we have bigger needs in the trenches than to go with a power RB in the first round. We could use o-line help as well as d-line and LB help.

Re: What the Patriots really need to draft is....
 

we need an offensive coordinator who will realize you cant line up in the spread offense with such a depleted receiving core.
i felt sorry for fred taylor and all the other running backs we have watching on the sideline in the game against the ravens

Re: What the Patriots really need to draft is....
 

This team doesn't need 11 players. They need players who can fit into the system and relieve some of the pressure. Getting rid of the zone blocking scheme in its entirety would be better for the Pats running and pass games, though I agree with the need of upgrading from Koppen.

On defense, having a stout D-line that can hold up against the opposing O-lines and some LBers who are quick enough to shoot the gaps would help out greatly.