A three-step plan to return to glory

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Are you ready for this. After pouring over the cap, state of the NFL, state of the Patriots, recent trends in the league, and overall obsession with football, I've concluded the Patriots will return to glory if they follow this extremely complicated three-step process.

Step 1: Draft the best defensive player available with pick #17.

Step 2: Draft the best defensive player available with pick #28.

Step 3: Draft the best defensive player available with pick #33.

I've always been high on the team philosophy of trading back, but this isn't the time. It's time, at last, to cash in the hard-earned chips after some ingeniously played hands. Now it's time to go for the kill. You want your championship teams back? 1-2-3. Belichick will be back to playing chess with a spectacular group of 11 players on defense, and a dominating offense that doesn't need to score 30 points every game.

Sure, object and say the Pats will look at the value of the players on the board versus position and trade propositions. But don't overlook the value of the next three-four years. Consider that opportunity. Consider the higher value of any player being drafted now, with the current CBA situation and unlikely free agent bargains when the dust settles.

Or, object and tell me that the offensive line needs help, or we need a big, fast receiver. They would help, but not nearly as much as the nasty, take-em-out bulldozer we would become with, say, another elite cornerback, linebacker, and defensive lineman. Our offense is good enough that even losing Mankins and Light, we would find some value in the mid-rounds of the draft, use Connelly, and rotate the ready Vollmer to LT. We may be able to sign Mankins, regardless. I want to hear that Brady threw 2 INTs on the road, and the Pats still won the game. Because if you never hear that, you're probably not going to win it all.

This isn't desperation or ignorance. This is just the smart thing to do. And if you don't read my posts much, I'll tell you I am ALWAYS about being conservative, passing on big name free agents, and considering the future implications. Sorry, but right now, this choice makes too much sense: just take the damn picks, and make this defense elite again.

 

[Sciz]

I think we need an offensive lineman somewhere up there, especially if Mankins is gone, but I agree with the basic premise.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Defense wins championships but one of those 3 picks needs to be for the O-Line IMO. The D-Line needs a youth infusion for sure at the DE position.

 

[arubin]

I agree with this post!! Sign Light, tag mankins - trade him for a 1st or 2nd and now you have plenty of more picks for an OT, OG or whatnot. Also, sign someone in free agency. I don't care - sign Mankins!

best strategy - pay light and mankins - OFFENSE ALL SET
PICK BEST 3 DEFENSIVE PLAYERS - DE / OLB

 

[ChesBay]

17 DT -> must pick this position here (see Warren, Seymour, Wilfork)
28 OT -> in this draft class, a good one will be available at this pick
33 OLB -> in this draft class, a good one will be available at this pick
60 OG -> best available

Then RB, CB in the 3rd round

Remaining picks won't make the team, which seems to reinforce others' predictions that we will trade some picks...maybe even one of the third rounders.

 

[JMarr]

Are you ready for this. After pouring over the cap, state of the NFL, state of the Patriots, recent trends in the league, and overall obsession with football, I've concluded the Patriots will return to glory if they follow this extremely complicated three-step process.

Step 1: Draft the best defensive player available with pick #17.

Step 2: Draft the best defensive player available with pick #28.

Step 3: Draft the best defensive player available with pick #33.

I like the way you think, although I don't necessarily think all three need to be defensive players. We could use a Julio Jones or Mark Ingram if one of them fell to us. (Quality Guards can be found in the middle rounds). And speaking of that, BB should consider trading some of the crap lower round picks that hardly ever pan out in order to move up if he has to. God knows he has accumulated enough picks this year to do that.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I like the way you think, although I don't necessarily think all three need to be defensive players. We could use a Julio Jones or Mark Ingram if one of them fell to us. (Quality Guards can be found in the middle rounds). And speaking of that, BB should consider trading some of the crap lower round picks that hardly ever pan out in order to move up if he has to. God knows he has accumulated enough picks this year to do that.

Brandon Deaderick
Kyle Love
Dane Fletcher
Julian Edelman
Brian Hoyer

All 7s or UDFA rookies from the last two years.

And remember no CBA = no UDFAs.

 

[Mogamedogz]

tag mankins - trade him for a 1st or 2nd

lollolol A first or second huh? Is that all?

 

[greerre]

I think the success of this (regular) season helped mend the Mankins - Patriots relationship. I could see him being signed to a decent deal once the CBA is figured out. I would love to see some defensive picks with a receiver thrown somewhere in there. This draft could really set us up for the next 6 years

 

[PatriotsInGA]

Step 1: Draft the best defensive player available with pick #17.

Step 2: Draft the best defensive player available with pick #28.

Step 3: Draft the best defensive player available with pick #33.
.

So what if the best defensive players go: CB. CB. CB.


Then we have 3 rookie CBs. Plan has flaws.

 

[borg]

Are you ready for this. After pouring over the cap, state of the NFL, state of the Patriots, recent trends in the league, and overall obsession with football, I've concluded the Patriots will return to glory if they follow this extremely complicated three-step process.

Step 1: Draft the best defensive player available with pick #17.

Step 2: Draft the best defensive player available with pick #28.

Step 3: Draft the best defensive player available with pick #33.

I've always been high on the team philosophy of trading back, but this isn't the time. It's time, at last, to cash in the hard-earned chips after some ingeniously played hands. Now it's time to go for the kill. You want your championship teams back? 1-2-3. Belichick will be back to playing chess with a spectacular group of 11 players on defense, and a dominating offense that doesn't need to score 30 points every game.

Sure, object and say the Pats will look at the value of the players on the board versus position and trade propositions. But don't overlook the value of the next three-four years. Consider that opportunity. Consider the higher value of any player being drafted now, with the current CBA situation and unlikely free agent bargains when the dust settles.

Or, object and tell me that the offensive line needs help, or we need a big, fast receiver. They would help, but not nearly as much as the nasty, take-em-out bulldozer we would become with, say, another elite cornerback, linebacker, and defensive lineman. Our offense is good enough that even losing Mankins and Light, we would find some value in the mid-rounds of the draft, use Connelly, and rotate the ready Vollmer to LT. We may be able to sign Mankins, regardless. I want to hear that Brady threw 2 INTs on the road, and the Pats still won the game. Because if you never hear that, you're probably not going to win it all.

This isn't desperation or ignorance. This is just the smart thing to do. And if you don't read my posts much, I'll tell you I am ALWAYS about being conservative, passing on big name free agents, and considering the future implications. Sorry, but right now, this choice makes too much sense: just take the damn picks, and make this defense elite again.

#1s......
Wilfork
Warren, T
FA ...Warren, G (Cleveland)
Mayo
McCourty
Merriweather
#2s
Cunninghham
Spikes
Butler
Chung

Considering the resources spent on this side of the ball, at some point scheme might be considered the bigger problem. That being said, the back seven is young and they have gained valuable experience. Add in a young stud on the line and this group may be ready to turn the corner...and stop somebody on third down. Add a veteran OLB who can get nasty on the QB, and ....let the new dynasty commence

 

[JMarr]

Brandon Deaderick
Kyle Love
Dane Fletcher
Julian Edelman
Brian Hoyer

All 7s or UDFA rookies from the last two years.

And remember no CBA = no UDFAs.

With all due respect 77, aside from Edelman last year, none of these guys has done jack yet, and I doubt many of them ever will. And the majority of 6ths and 7ths (even ours) never pan out anyway.

Also, this year BB has more currency than he's ever had in the draft. This is the year to try to grab immediate impact guys if there ever was one.

 

[JackBauer]

With all due respect 77, aside from Edelman last year, none of these guys has done jack yet, and I doubt many of them ever will. And the majority of 6ths and 7ths (even ours) never pan out anyway.

Also, this year BB has more currency than he's ever had in the draft. This is the year to try to grab immediate impact guys if there ever was one.

Edelman did more in 2009 than he did last year.

Deaderick, Love, and Fletcher all saw considerable time last year.

Hoyer has been Brady's backup for a couple years now.

 

[Shelterdog]

Brandon Deaderick
Kyle Love
Dane Fletcher
Julian Edelman
Brian Hoyer

All 7s or UDFA rookies from the last two years.

And remember no CBA = no UDFAs.

There will be ultimately be UDFAs, they just won't get formally signed until there's a new CBA. There will be months of covert jockeying for those guys.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

The 1st 3 picks and maybe the late 2nd rounder and early 3rd need to via trade or whatever morph into 2 defensive players (DE & OLB) and an offensive lineperson, all starter caliber. Let the later 3rd round become a 2012 2nd.

All the later picks can be for projects and fishing expeditions like a ST KR specialist

 

[shmessy]

I like some of the ideas here.

But how about : Trade PRO-BOWL STARTER Brandon Merriwether (seriously, WHEN is his value ever going to be higher?) for a 2012 1st rounder. Merriwether's final contract year is coming up and, let's face it, he's not a Belichick-type. Cash out while the price is at it's zenith, keep all the draft picks and add another 1st rounder for next year.

If the CBA gets renewed with a rookie salary cap, then there may be the money to use on Mankins (IF he even wants to be here).

 

[RobertWeathers]

I like some of the ideas here.

But how about : Trade PRO-BOWL STARTER Brandon Merriwether (seriously, WHEN is his value ever going to be higher?) for a 2012 1st rounder. Merriwether's final contract year is coming up and, let's face it, he's not a Belichick-type. Cash out while the price is at it's zenith, keep all the draft picks and add another 1st rounder for next year.

If the CBA gets renewed with a rookie salary cap, then there may be the money to use on Mankins (IF he even wants to be here).

BW is not worth a 1st rounder in 2012. You are essentially saying he is worth as much in trade as Richard Seymour. Don't think so.

 

[JackBauer]

I like some of the ideas here.

But how about : Trade PRO-BOWL STARTER Brandon Merriwether (seriously, WHEN is his value ever going to be higher?) for a 2012 1st rounder. Merriwether's final contract year is coming up and, let's face it, he's not a Belichick-type. Cash out while the price is at it's zenith, keep all the draft picks and add another 1st rounder for next year.

If the CBA gets renewed with a rookie salary cap, then there may be the money to use on Mankins (IF he even wants to be here).

1.) Who is going to give up a 1st round pick for Meriweather?

2.) Who is going to start at S in lieu of Meriweather?

3.) Why would you trade one of your better defensive players on a dirt cheap contract (replacing him with an ostensibly worse player) when the defense hasn't been that good to begin with?

 

[ivanvamp]

Are you ready for this. After pouring over the cap, state of the NFL, state of the Patriots, recent trends in the league, and overall obsession with football, I've concluded the Patriots will return to glory if they follow this extremely complicated three-step process.

Step 1: Draft the best defensive player available with pick #17.

Step 2: Draft the best defensive player available with pick #28.

Step 3: Draft the best defensive player available with pick #33.

What assets do the Pats have to improve their team?

(1) 3 of the first 33 draft picks (and 6 picks in the first 3 rounds overall).

(2) Some significant defensive players returning from injury (Wright, Bodden, Ty Warren).

(3) Logan Mankins, if they seek to trade him (franchise, then trade, him).

(4) Good young defensive players that should improve simply with more maturity: Mayo (24), Spikes (23), Cunningham (22), McCourty (23), Chung (23), Meriweather (27), Arrington (24), etc.

I propose the following:

(1) Use the first three picks on defense. Try to go for DL or LB, especially someone that can rush the passer.

(2) Use the last three picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds to add a couple of road-grading OL, and then an under-the-radar, but good, RB. The draft always seems to have someone like that. Maybe someone that comes with some warning signs, but who is a home-run threat that you can groom.

(3) Go hard after Woodley or Hali. Big-time pass-rushing LB who plays in the 3-4.

(4) Sign Light. Franchise Mankins. Then, if you are comfortable with the OL you pick up in the draft, you can trade Mankins if you need to. Otherwise, you have a year to groom the new kids and then Mankins goes free in 2012.

(5) Sign Malcom Floyd. Should be relatively inexpensive, b/c he's 29 and hasn't put up huge stats. But he's a big (6'5", 200 lbs) explosive (17.3 ypc career) receiver that would help on the goal-line as well as in the vertical passing game. It also weakens an AFC competitor as a side benefit.

(6) Fill in a hole or two with other picks, and then trade the rest for picks in 2012.

That's one major FA signing (Woodley/Hali), one pretty significant FA signing (Light), one mid-range FA signing (Floyd), and one franchise tag. Add Bodden, Wright, and Warren back into the mix, which should help immensely, get another year of experience for Spikes, Cunningham, Mayo, McCourty, et al, and then add three more new defensive playmakers from the draft. Groom your two new OL and RB for 2011 and 2012.

There you go.

 

[RobertWeathers]

What assets do the Pats have to improve their team?

(1) 3 of the first 33 draft picks (and 6 picks in the first 3 rounds overall).

(2) Some significant defensive players returning from injury (Wright, Bodden, Ty Warren).

(3) Logan Mankins, if they seek to trade him (franchise, then trade, him).

(4) Good young defensive players that should improve simply with more maturity: Mayo (24), Spikes (23), Cunningham (22), McCourty (23), Chung (23), Meriweather (27), Arrington (24), etc.

I propose the following:

(1) Use the first three picks on defense. Try to go for DL or LB, especially someone that can rush the passer.

(2) Use the last three picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds to add a couple of road-grading OL, and then an under-the-radar, but good, RB. The draft always seems to have someone like that. Maybe someone that comes with some warning signs, but who is a home-run threat that you can groom.

(3) Go hard after Woodley or Hali. Big-time pass-rushing LB who plays in the 3-4.

(4) Sign Light. Franchise Mankins. Then, if you are comfortable with the OL you pick up in the draft, you can trade Mankins if you need to. Otherwise, you have a year to groom the new kids and then Mankins goes free in 2012.

(5) Sign Malcom Floyd. Should be relatively inexpensive, b/c he's 29 and hasn't put up huge stats. But he's a big (6'5", 200 lbs) explosive (17.3 ypc career) receiver that would help on the goal-line as well as in the vertical passing game. It also weakens an AFC competitor as a side benefit.

(6) Fill in a hole or two with other picks, and then trade the rest for picks in 2012.

That's one major FA signing (Woodley/Hali), one pretty significant FA signing (Light), one mid-range FA signing (Floyd), and one franchise tag. Add Bodden, Wright, and Warren back into the mix, which should help immensely, get another year of experience for Spikes, Cunningham, Mayo, McCourty, et al, and then add three more new defensive playmakers from the draft. Groom your two new OL and RB for 2011 and 2012.

There you go.

I too believe that the road back to the SB is more defense.

I'm indifferent on Floyd.