Brady#12
On the Game Day Roster
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2005
- Messages
- 338
- Reaction score
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sorry if already posted 
Inside Linebacker
Tedy Bruschi's comeback from a stroke this past offseason is a big boost, but he's turning 33 this offseason, and nobody knows just how well he will play. Even with a return to form, the Patriots have a large need at ILB. Chad Brown has had a nice career, but he's turning 36 this offseason, and hasn't been anything special thus far. Beisel has been unsuccessful thus far in trying to replace the Teds (Ted Johnson, who retired, and Bruschi), and doesn't seem like more than a backup. Larry Izzo is a great special teamer, but isn't much at ILB, and Chatham doesn't seem like starting material either. They desperately need some youth at ILB, and should look towards Iowa ILB Abdul Hodge in round 1 or a guy like Justin London in round 2.
Outside Linebacker
As much as some Pats fans might disagree, they are in serious trouble here. McGinnest and Vrabel are both free agents this offseason, and even if they manage to keep both LBs, McGinnest turns 35 next season. While Vrabel is playing as well as he ever has, I doubt he takes a small contract in return for his services, and the Pats don't have much cap room. They could also use some youth here with both starters in their 30s, so even if both are signed, a future starter is needed. Rosevelt Colvin has the talent to replace McGinnest, but hasn't been himself since the injury. I could see him doing the job well, but I don't know if the Pats can depend on that. And Tully Banta-Cain? Just not a good starting option. Iowa's Chad Greenway and Alabama's Demeco Ryans could be options if they fall in round 1, along with Bobby Carpenter from Ohio State and Spencer Havner of UCLA, in late round 1 or round 2. It should be a deep position this April, and other solid options include Omar Gaither and Terna Nande who both should be available on Day 2.
Wide Receiver
This has the potential to be a huge need this offseason, with Troy Brown's retirement looming and starters David Givens and Deion Branch both slated to be free agents. Assuming they are all kept, they would have a very small need, but that is doubtful, and they still might want to upgrade here. Branch has the ability to be a great number one receiver, and this season, is starting to show it. However, a great receiver warrants a big contract, and even if he does receive it and stay, they may lose the money needed to re-sign Givens, who also has played very well this season, but is expected to leave the team via free agency this offseason. Bethel Johnson has the talent to be a good receiver, but it doesn't look as if he will ever pan out there, despite his speed. If he can learn to run routes, however, he could be a solid option as a slot receiver with a ton of upside. Tim Dwight is aging and isn't much of a receiver. Arizona State's Derek Hagan and Miami of Ohio's Martin Nance would be good mid-late round 1 options, while Mike Hass and Demetrius Williams would be solid round 2 options.
Safety
Rodney Harrison turns 34 next season and his backup, Guss Scott, has been placed on the IR in each of his first two seasons. Eugene Wilson has been a very solid starter thus far in his career, but even he can be improved upon. Rookie James Sanders doesn't look like he's going to be a star in this league, so this could be a big need, even if they just draft a future replacement for Harrison, who will serve only as a backup in his early career. I could see them taking a safety as early as round 2 or 3 with options such as Florida State's Pat Watkins and Nebraska's Daniel Bullocks likely available. Jarrad Page of UCLA and Marcus Demps of San Diego State would be solid Day 2 options.
Runningback
Corey Dillon turns 32 next season, and the Pats might want to find a future starter at RB this offseason. His production has already dropped from last year's spectacular season in which he averaged 109 yards per game played. Thus far this season, he averages 67 ypg. Kevin Faulk and Amos Zereoue are poor backups and both will be 30 next season. They wouldn't be good options as a backup or a future starter. I see them targeting an RB with one of their two third round picks. DonTrell Moore of New Mexico would be a great fit if he falls, along with Louisville RB Michael Bush, as a power RB is the best fit for the Pats system on offense.
what do you guys think?
Inside Linebacker
Tedy Bruschi's comeback from a stroke this past offseason is a big boost, but he's turning 33 this offseason, and nobody knows just how well he will play. Even with a return to form, the Patriots have a large need at ILB. Chad Brown has had a nice career, but he's turning 36 this offseason, and hasn't been anything special thus far. Beisel has been unsuccessful thus far in trying to replace the Teds (Ted Johnson, who retired, and Bruschi), and doesn't seem like more than a backup. Larry Izzo is a great special teamer, but isn't much at ILB, and Chatham doesn't seem like starting material either. They desperately need some youth at ILB, and should look towards Iowa ILB Abdul Hodge in round 1 or a guy like Justin London in round 2.
Outside Linebacker
As much as some Pats fans might disagree, they are in serious trouble here. McGinnest and Vrabel are both free agents this offseason, and even if they manage to keep both LBs, McGinnest turns 35 next season. While Vrabel is playing as well as he ever has, I doubt he takes a small contract in return for his services, and the Pats don't have much cap room. They could also use some youth here with both starters in their 30s, so even if both are signed, a future starter is needed. Rosevelt Colvin has the talent to replace McGinnest, but hasn't been himself since the injury. I could see him doing the job well, but I don't know if the Pats can depend on that. And Tully Banta-Cain? Just not a good starting option. Iowa's Chad Greenway and Alabama's Demeco Ryans could be options if they fall in round 1, along with Bobby Carpenter from Ohio State and Spencer Havner of UCLA, in late round 1 or round 2. It should be a deep position this April, and other solid options include Omar Gaither and Terna Nande who both should be available on Day 2.
Wide Receiver
This has the potential to be a huge need this offseason, with Troy Brown's retirement looming and starters David Givens and Deion Branch both slated to be free agents. Assuming they are all kept, they would have a very small need, but that is doubtful, and they still might want to upgrade here. Branch has the ability to be a great number one receiver, and this season, is starting to show it. However, a great receiver warrants a big contract, and even if he does receive it and stay, they may lose the money needed to re-sign Givens, who also has played very well this season, but is expected to leave the team via free agency this offseason. Bethel Johnson has the talent to be a good receiver, but it doesn't look as if he will ever pan out there, despite his speed. If he can learn to run routes, however, he could be a solid option as a slot receiver with a ton of upside. Tim Dwight is aging and isn't much of a receiver. Arizona State's Derek Hagan and Miami of Ohio's Martin Nance would be good mid-late round 1 options, while Mike Hass and Demetrius Williams would be solid round 2 options.
Safety
Rodney Harrison turns 34 next season and his backup, Guss Scott, has been placed on the IR in each of his first two seasons. Eugene Wilson has been a very solid starter thus far in his career, but even he can be improved upon. Rookie James Sanders doesn't look like he's going to be a star in this league, so this could be a big need, even if they just draft a future replacement for Harrison, who will serve only as a backup in his early career. I could see them taking a safety as early as round 2 or 3 with options such as Florida State's Pat Watkins and Nebraska's Daniel Bullocks likely available. Jarrad Page of UCLA and Marcus Demps of San Diego State would be solid Day 2 options.
Runningback
Corey Dillon turns 32 next season, and the Pats might want to find a future starter at RB this offseason. His production has already dropped from last year's spectacular season in which he averaged 109 yards per game played. Thus far this season, he averages 67 ypg. Kevin Faulk and Amos Zereoue are poor backups and both will be 30 next season. They wouldn't be good options as a backup or a future starter. I see them targeting an RB with one of their two third round picks. DonTrell Moore of New Mexico would be a great fit if he falls, along with Louisville RB Michael Bush, as a power RB is the best fit for the Pats system on offense.
what do you guys think?
