Filling holes
 

Contemplating the focus on offense, I had a little moment of something that feels like clarity.

We know that Belichick always fills gaping roster holes in the draft. Usually he uses free agency to do that in order to approach the draft without absolute needs tying his hands, so that he can take advantage of opportunities as they come. But in the rare case that a job was just sitting open -- Mankins, Gostkowski -- he aggressively fills it.

For all that we wanted to see upgrades at DL & OLB, those positions are at least filled. What's more, the talent there is young enough that they should be able to at least modestly upgrade themselves. But with Neal retiring and Light, Faulk, Taylor and Morris all unsigned and aging, OL and RB had multiple, genuine gaping holes. And now the team has two new o-linemen and 2 new RBs.

There's been a lot of grousing on the board that BB got cute playing with value and ignored need. What if it's the reverse?

Re: Filling holes
 

I read today that Belichick is very high on Eric Moore and would like to see how he progresses with a full offseason with the team. This could've been a factor to why they didn't target outside linebackers as early as we though they would. Moore looked great in the few games he played in down the stretch and concistently made big plays.

Re: Filling holes
 

I'd add safety to that list. We have a 2012 need at safety. It takes a year to learn the position. So one could argue that OT, S, RB, RB, and OG were ALL needs picks.

Even Mallett and Smith fill 2012 needs, when Hoyer is an RFA and Crumpler will likely be gone.

I WOULD argue that, from Belichick's perspective, these were all likely to be needs before DE and OLB.

Re: Filling holes
 

Where was this? I'd love to be able to link to it every time somebody complains about the pass rush!

Re: Filling holes
 

It's the section where he adresses the current outside linebackers already on the roster:

2011 NFL Draft: Notes From Bill Belichick's Day Three Press Conference - Pats Pulpit

Re: Filling holes
 

That title sounds more like the title of an adult film :eek:

Re: Filling holes
 

Ah, nice find. Moore definitely flashed a lot of ability, and a full (or as close to full as possible) offseason should help him have a bigger role. I'll jump on the Cunningham and Moore as starters bandwagon!

Re: Filling holes
 

Well, I'd say that Moore at least challenges TBC for the sub-package OLB/edge-rusher role, but he's also 30 yrs old and only 6 months younger than TBC, so it's not like he's a long term solution either.

Re: Filling holes
 

Good link. I think this quote sums up why we didn't draft a DE or OLB in the early rounds:

"The draft fell in a way that shifted the Patriots away from certain players. There were early runs on OLBs and DEs that forced OLBs with less value up the draft board. Belichick does not overdraft a player and thought their value was not worth the pick and didn't trade up to beat the inflation. (my thoughts: Implied that he did not have a first round grade on Muhammad Wilkerson and Cameron Heyward). There were some players he had his eyes on, but the players were unavailable because the teams were unwilling to trade. (my thoughts: Aldon Smith). The draft fell so that players were drafted higher than they were valued. In response, the Patriots drafted players who dropped because less valued players were rising up the board."

Re: Filling holes
 

I think most would agree that Solder fits both criteria.

Dowling, for them not to trade out of 33 when you know there must have been some great offers means they simply love this kid so there was certainly value. If he hadn't been hurt his senior year we could have been talking about a top 20 pick. Need? If philosophically they are going to press with McCorty, Dowling and Boddin and what the depth to do so in case of injury then there's a need. If they plan on auditioning Boddin and\or (and I think it's both) at FS that certainly creates a need with Sanders and Meriweather being free agents in a year. Personally I think Sanders for all the board's lust to get rid of him is resigned and Meriweather is allowed to walk so this is certainly a need. Not to steal the thread and get off topic but Sanders is such a perfect Patriot. He's not flashy, not perfect but he has a great attitude, DOES HIS JOB and understand the scheme and team goals. /rant

Vereen need to replace Faulk. I hope Faulk does one more year to tutor him and then gets a job with the organization in some capacity if not coaching.

Ridley is a replacement for Morris/Taylor and some young depth. They obviously saw something they liked about him and perhaps they took him this early because the Steelers had showed a lot of interest. I think most people saw him going a round or two later. Interestingly his 40 and short shuttle are both .05 slower than Ingram but his 3 cone is .35 faster indicating has better short area speed and agility which should make him an ideal banger. I've wanted a kid like this for a while for our offense.

Mallet. I don't think there's any other take than this is pure value and risk\reward at a time in the draft where you can gamble on the upside. Personally I think Hoyer has shown more than Cassel ever did to this point so I think Mallet is going to have to want it because Hoyer will fight for it. I think it was a great pick even if he never makes it. Side note on Cassel. His two big years 2008 and 2010 he played the NFC and AFC West. Obviously he's in the west now but look at his big games. None of them come against a great defense, ever. Great defenses obviously slow down great QBs but great QBs will have a day against them at least periodically. Cassel has a much tougher schedule this year and will not repeat last year's performance.

Cannon upside since he may not be ready this year or at least start on the pup.

Smith, Carter and Williams are all competition.