15 Offseason Needs

[Digger44]

Nice post Rook.

I think for defense the Pats need to pick up a tough, run-stuffing inside linebacker, and one strong addition to the secondary.

As for offense, the team seems pretty solid; I think we just need to re-sign the key players at good prices. The only change I would make on offense is to use more play-action plays.

How do you run more play action with this years running game? The play action is designed to deceive the defense. If you can't run the ball in the first place, how is effective to try to get them to bite on a run?

 

[fgssand]

If there is a 1-1.5 million difference between Adam and Longwell, then I absolutely bring Longwell in. Like I said already if I have to choose between Vinatieri and Givens or Seymour, I say lets start looking for a new Kicker and WR. Seymour is going to be asking for big money and he deserves it. We're going to have a tougher time getting by without him than we will without Vinatieri. If we can sign both for whatever money they're asking and keep the rest of the team intact then I say go for it.

Just remember that dude when the kick goes wide right and we lose a game....
No freaking way do i want to worry about missed kicks, how soon they forget.

 

[mgteich]

The missed kick (wide right) in the Denver game could have lost the game. In the end, there were a few other plays that were as critical.

Just remember that dude when the kick goes wide right and we lose a game....
No freaking way do i want to worry about missed kicks, how soon they forget.

 

[pepper03]

Just remember that dude when the kick goes wide right and we lose a game....
No freaking way do i want to worry about missed kicks, how soon they forget.

Has anybody else besides me wondered if AV is hurt?

It seems like towards the end of the season and the Jacksonville game they passed up a couple of chances at FG's in the 48-53 yard range to either punt or go for it on fourth down.

I am wondering whether his back is acting up again.

However, no way I want to lose him. Until he starts missing kicks with the game on the line I'm keeping him.

The kick he missed in Denver was barely wide-it's not like he shanked it like Vanderjerk.

I'd like to see some changes as well in kick coverage. One thing that hurt in the Denver game was field position-the Pats average field position was 26 yards worse than Denver. That sure didn't help. With starters playing special teams and all these other guys like TBC and Izzo who've been around forever, you'd expect better performance.

 

[dryheat44]

Has anybody else besides me wondered if AV is hurt?

I'd like to see some changes as well in kick coverage. One thing that hurt in the Denver game was field position-the Pats average field position was 26 yards worse than Denver. That sure didn't help. With starters playing special teams and all these other guys like TBC and Izzo who've been around forever, you'd expect better performance.

Our kick coverage wasn't bad at all. We were playing on the short field the entire first half because of:

1) The failed fourth and one at Denver's 36.
2) Denver driving to our 3 and failing on fourth down.

 

[Ring 6]

There will be a day when time catches up with Vinatieri. It will be sooner rather than later, but I dont that it is today.

There is evidence that its getting close, and/or his he slipped to the point he isnt worth more money than any K ever.

As mentioned above, more than ever this year we disdained FG attempts that he would have made in the past. Has he lost 5 yards on his range?
Not only the miss in Denver, but the make was a duck.

I didnt check the numbers but his FG made % was not very exciting this year.

Really, there is very litte difference in most NFL quality kickers ON AVERAGE in what they make and what they miss. All them (or mostly all) make most of their kicks.

The difference is the clutch kick, and if AV isnt clearly better in the clutch his value goes down a lot to me.

 

[Alk]

Just remember that dude when the kick goes wide right and we lose a game....
No freaking way do i want to worry about missed kicks, how soon they forget.

I haven't forgotten. I just think this team has improved to the point where there isn't going to be many games where we need a clutch kick. I can't think of any this season. Bottom line is, if he would come in here for a reasonable price, I'm all for it. If he's going to demand 3 million again, you can count me out.

 

[pepper03]

Our kick coverage wasn't bad at all. We were playing on the short field the entire first half because of:

1) The failed fourth and one at Denver's 36.
2) Denver driving to our 3 and failing on fourth down.

Good points-must have had a brain cramp forgetting them.

However, I think overall this year our coverage wasn't as good as I would have hoped.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Patriotic Fervor]

Quote:
10. Starting KR (Dwight or draft)
I found having Dwight returning kicks was very reassuring. Plus, he provides good depth at WR. I'd rather keep Tim than Bethel.

I don't remember Dwight returning many kicks. Besides Bethel, we have Hobbs, and Davis.

One disturbing thing I noticed about Dwight's returns this past season, such as they were, was his penchant for always moving to the right. I'm sure other teams picked up on this, and stacked coverage so as to force him out of bounds before much of any yardage had been gained.

I could be wrong, and maybe he broke a few to the left, but that's not his first impulse.

But I guess I'd rather have him back there than Bethel, who it seems has apparently hit the wall in terms of developmental potential.

 

[Patriotic Fervor]

Just remember that dude when the kick goes wide right and we lose a game....
No freaking way do i want to worry about missed kicks, how soon they forget.

Bring back Teddy Garcia!!!!!!

 

[ClosingTime]

The most accurate kicker in NFL history will likely be available to sign. Vandershank would look great in a Pats uniform.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

 

[dryheat44]

The most accurate kicker in NFL history will likely be available to sign. Vandershank would look great in a Pats uniform.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Except that he can't kick outdoors, and his range is about 35 yards, meaning we'll have to waste a spot on a kickoff specialist too.

Vandy will be in the CFL in two years.

 

[ClosingTime]

But he makes every regular season FG.

 

[drew4008]

[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1][font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][size=-1]Samardzija[/size][/font][/size][/font] didn't declare for the draft. He's going to be a definite 1st round pick in 2007.

Unless he pursues a baseball career, as he's a very good pitcher. And also, he doesn't have very good speed, so he may slip if he doesn't have quite as good a season next year. Remember they have Rhema McKnight coming back next year as well, who was supposed to be the next big thing before getting injured.

 

[drew4008]

Vandy will be in the CFL in two years.

Wasn't he already there to start his career?