Supafly – thanks for the information etc.
It looks like you have a good handle on the pats personnel situation.
Over the next two years i believe the pats try to pull a cassell like trade with hoyer with mallett having more potential. I think cassell is limited as is hoyer.
Free agency is hard to get accurate info on who is out there. Wr looks strong and there should be a couple of de's out there. Rather than carpet bomb with mixed results like last year i would prefer the pats target 1 or 2 vets for 2012-13. Ie calais campbell.
More questions: What are your thoughts on cunningham. As a rookie he looked like he had edge rush potential, now everyone thinks he is gone next year.
Were you surprised last year with how well mccourty played and where is his future cb or s ? Same with dowling cb or s.
My pats needs list de / olb / dl / wr / (s,cb) / (c,g)
to me ninkovich is a very underrated player and needs to stay.
I think it's hard to say with Hoyer, but it would make sense to try and trade him as you stated; especially if Mallett proves in the next year that he may be ready to take over as backup. Right now, I wouldn't think we'd get much more than a 5th, maybe a 4th if we're lucky, but some here think it could be a 3rd or so. I think if he continues to gain more exposure and proves himself in the pre-season, the mid-level trade compensation may prove to be more likely.
Of course, it's possible that the Pats may want to extend him next yr, and that they are completely satisfied with him as their backup. To me, the whole Hoyer situation is a bit of a mystery to be honest with you. I think he needs some more reps and exposure to take the next step forward to be considered a starter, but some disagree and think he could start right now and gain us about a 3rd rd pick. Regardless, we'll find out soon enough, and I'd be happy either way. I kind of like the feeling of Hoyer as our backup though, and certainly wouldn't mind if he stayed around.
As far as Cunningham goes, even though he was put on IR he continued to attend all of the positional meetings. That may be due to him possibly having a spot here next yr, or it could be that he is just trying to be a good 'team player' by trying to continue to learn. I think there's a good chance that we go back to a 3-4 base next yr, and that is where he fits in. Therefore, I personally am not ready to write Cunningham off..and won't be until he's cut. I feel as though the signing of A.Carter and the switch to the 4-3 this yr really didn't allow him to have much of a role, so it's a bit hard to determine if he actually regressed that much, or if it was more of a scheme change and depth issue. Regardless, I think he's on the team one more yr in 2012. We all know that BB isn't afraid to cut a high pick, but he does offer them a fair chance to prove themselves. I think that Cunningham showed us something at times last yr, and will earn another chance in 2012. Just my opinion though.
Yes, I was absolutely shocked at McCourty's inability to cover anything this yr, and I think he had a terrible year in just about every game. There are some who feel as though he "came around" a bit, but I'm really not one of those people. However, I do think that he will continue to play safety in sub-packages, and continue to man the CB position in base defense throughout the playoffs. He does better in zone with his eyes toward the QB, than he does in man coverage..and this move could attempt to utilize his strengths to everyone's advantage. I guess we'll see if he turns it around, and what year's McCourty is the "real" McCourty. Year one or year two? It's also possible that the gift of the full off-season mini camps + TC can help him iron out his weaknesses.
While many think Dowling will play safety here, I think he stays at CB. In my opinion he looked promising in the little sample that we got while he was playing. He can play good strong physical man coverage, and has size. I think Dowling is one of our CB's next yr, one way or another. (either McCourty as a permanent safety, or even the possibility of Arrington playing full-time nickle)
There are many here who have a much better breakdown of the X's and O's, and some real good defensive specialists. They may be able to better answer your questions, but those are my personal assessments anyway, for whatever that's worth.
I agree on C.Campbell, but am worried that he may want too much money for the front office's liking. I think there's a definite possibility of continuing to target low-to-mid level signings like we've seen in the past, but then again I also think that we may see a bigger name again (I know that's not helping much and is extremely general). It has to be eating at Belichick to some degree, and if we don't see a mid-to-higher level signing on defense, then I would definitely think this is the yr of a first or second round DE or LB. I know that you may laugh, due to BB's past record, but I just have a feeling that many of the bases have been covered in the past couple/few drafts, and the positions that you listed are the ones he will have to target.
It could be a yr where he actually takes 3 out of the 4 'higher' picks. I do think that the secondary positions may be targeted in free agency this yr though. Not necessarily the best well-known guys, but BB prides himself in turning some of those mid level guys into stars, and we may see another attempt at that. I would have to think that CB and or S are positions that will be targeted in free agency. I don't think Edelman makes the full-time switch to the secondary (although he may/should see some extended time there in the next couple/few weeks), and I think the secondary improves closer to a middle of the pack type for 2012.
I do think this defense has good potential, and is still involved in a learning curve and (overall) youth movement. I think that one or two decent picks/signings would make a ton of a difference, and move this defense a lot closer to where people want it to be.
Good discussing these issues with you. I look forward to more.
