If this weekend was the 2nd in September...

[farn]

...the Pats, even without the draft reinforcements, would still be among the more solid teams in the league.

OFFENSE :

TB
running back
Watson
5 regular linemen
Moss
Welker
Aiken

DEFENSE :

3 usual DL
A.Thomas
Mayo
Guyton/Bruschi
TBC/Woods
Sanders
Merriweather
Hobbs
Wilhite or Wheatley


Obviously, there are a few areas of concern, but there is a good foundation. My areas of concern are all on defense, as I think even the weakest link on my offensive projection (Aiken) would "cut the grade" considering all the others around him.

My preferences for upgrading are, in this order : LB (OLB, then ILB) ; Corner, Safety.

What do you think the record of the current lineup would be and what are your thoughts regarding the most pressing needs for the team ?

 

[mgteich]

I expect at least the following to be filled in free agency before the draft:
FB, WR1, WR2, DB1, DB2, LS
That would leave no "open" spots going into the draft.

MG’s ROSTER AS OF MARCH 3

OFFENSE (24)
QB (3) Brady, O'Connell, Gutierrez
RB (4) Taylor, Faulk, Morris, Maroney
FB (1) open
WR (4) Moss, Welker, open, open
TE (3) Watson, Baker, Thomas
OT (4) Light, Kaczur, LeVoir, O’Callaghan
OG/C (5) Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Hochstein, Yates

DEFENSE (22)
DL (6) Wilfork, Seymour,Warren, Green, Smith, Adams
LB (8) Thomas, Mayo, Guyton, Bruschi, Crable, Banta-Cain, Woods, Redd
DB (8) Hobbs, Wheatley, Wilhite, Meriweather, Sanders, Richardson, Spann, open

SPECIALISTS (7)
K (1) Gostkowski
P (1) Malone
LS (1) open
ST (4) Aiken, Slater, Ventrone, Alexander

 

[WhiZa]

I expect at least the following to be filled in free agency before the draft:
FB, WR1, WR2, DB1, DB2, LS
That would leave no "open" spots going into the draft.

MG’s ROSTER AS OF MARCH 3

OFFENSE (24)
QB (3) Brady, O'Connell, Gutierrez
RB (4) Taylor, Faulk, Morris, Maroney
FB (1) open
WR (4) Moss, Welker, open, open
TE (3) Watson, Baker, Thomas
OT (4) Light, Kaczur, LeVoir, O’Callaghan
OG/C (5) Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Hochstein, Yates

DEFENSE (22)
DL (6) Wilfork, Seymour,Warren, Green, Smith, Adams
LB (8) Thomas, Mayo, Guyton, Bruschi, Crable, Banta-Cain, Woods, Redd
DB (8) Hobbs, Wheatley, Wilhite, Meriweather, Sanders, Richardson, Spann, open

SPECIALISTS (7)
K (1) Gostkowski
P (1) Malone
LS (1) open
ST (4) Aiken, Slater, Ventrone, Alexander

I would leave an open at LB as there are 3 ILB and 5 OLB. One of the OLB will be cut. Even then we still don't have a true starter at OLB sadly.
I don't see Malone as the punter. He just hasn't impressed me much.
Also someone mentioned not having a fullback, and using Morris instead. That would really confuse some defenses.

 

[muslimman]

I would leave an open at LB as there are 3 ILB and 5 OLB. One of the OLB will be cut. Even then we still don't have a true starter at OLB sadly.
I don't see Malone as the punter. He just hasn't impressed me much.
Also someone mentioned not having a fullback, and using Morris instead. That would really confuse some defenses.

Lol it worked for me when I did it in Madden so why not?

But anyway I agree my top concerns are with the defense especially at CB, OLB, and SS. I also really would hate to see Chris Hanson back next year...

 

[farn]

Lol it worked for me when I did it in Madden so why not?

But anyway I agree my top concerns are with the defense especially at CB, OLB, and SS. I also really would hate to see Chris Hanson back next year...

To be clear, you don't mean the Chris Hanson from "to catch a predator" right ?

 

[brdmaverick]

To be clear, you don't mean the Chris Hanson from "to catch a predator" right ?

If that were the case I'm sure he would REALLY hate to see him next year.

 

[mgteich]

I submit that the patriots will be better than the team that ended the year even before upgrading via the draft.

I expect that we will sign the following free agents:
CB, S/CB, WR, FB, LS, DE, STer
Note that none will be major acquisitions.
===================
THE OFFENSE (much better)
Brady replaces Cassel
Taylor replaces BJGE
Baker replaces DeVree

We need to replace the production of Evans, Paxton and Gaffney (presumably from free agency). Note that Hochstein can be our long snapper and fullback, with Thomas as our backup long snapper, and Morris as our backup fullback.
=====================================
THE DEFENSE (work in progress, but should be at least as good even before the draft)

Thomas replaces Vrabel
Crable and TBC replace Colvin and Seau
Wheatley to replace O'Neal
Woods is back

we need a 6th DL to replace Wright
we need to replace or re-sign Lew Sanders
we need to replace O'Neal

Wilhite, Wheatley and Richardson should all be better with experience.

MG’s ROSTER AS OF MARCH 3

OFFENSE (24)
QB (3) Brady, O'Connell, Gutierrez
RB (4) Taylor, Faulk, Morris, Maroney
FB (1) open
WR (4) Moss, Welker, open, open
TE (3) Watson, Baker, Thomas
OT (4) Light, Kaczur, LeVoir, O’Callaghan
OG/C (5) Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Hochstein, Yates

DEFENSE (22)
DL (6) Wilfork, Seymour,Warren, Green, Smith, Adams
LB (8) Thomas, Mayo, Guyton, Bruschi, Crable, Banta-Cain, Woods, Redd
DB (8) Hobbs, Wheatley, Wilhite, Meriweather, Sanders, Richardson, Spann, open

SPECIALISTS (7)
K (1) Gostkowski
P (1) Malone
LS (1) open
ST (4) Aiken, Slater, Ventrone, Alexander

 

[slash83]

the offense is one of the best if not the best even though we have a need for a #3 wr, the defense needs upgrades in the mid and back section badly.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

If this was September 2nd, you can bet the Pats would be a first round exit.

 

[AzPatsFan]

If this was September 2nd, you can bet the Pats would be a first round exit.

I don't think so. We were the only team to have both Offense and Defense in the Top Ten last year even without Brady and the bundle of rookies we will get or experience of the the bundle of rookies from last year.

 

[farn]

If this was September 2nd, you can bet the Pats would be a first round exit.

MAYBE - but I guess the point of my thread was to suggest that even without major moves or any draft picks, the Pats would be "not too bad". Then you add 4 picks in the 1st two rounds (though unlikely to all be used this year) and BB's penchant for upgrading USING picks (see Welker, Moss, Dillon...).

I look around and see some teams that have been successful lately not do too much, if anything (Colts, Chargers, Steelers) and I have to think the Pats are as likely to do well as anyone.