Pats "TOP" priorty

[PatsFan2]

Ok.. We all know that Belichick and Pioli draft based on perceived value to the Patriots organization. And that perceived value takes into consideration that person's tangible skills, intangibles (like leadership and instinct), and the need to the team. With that being said, here is I see the Pats top priorities based on need only.

1) Defensive End
2) Offensive Guard
3) Nose Tackle
4) Long Snapper
5) Safety - SS to Tweener
6) Pass-Rushing OLB
7) ILB
8) Cornerback
9) Offensive Tackle
10) Tight End
11) Center
12) Running back
12) Wide Receiver

Now, I KNOW people are going to go into their tirades because I have pass-rushing OLB as the 6th need on the team. That's how I see it based on the personnel they have going forward and based on how BB likes to bring in players 1 year before they will need them.

After 2009, the following players are UFA (based on the CBA being redone):
Seymour, Wilfork, Green, Vrabel, Faulk, Neal, Bruschi, Hobbs, Mankins, Kaczur, Washington, Yates, D. Thomas, Watson, Gostkowski,, LK Smith.

I expect that Mankins, Gostkowski, and Hobbs to be retained. The others are question marks either because of age/injuries (Neal, Bruschi, Vrabel, Faulk, Seymour), because they are so good that the Pats may not be able to afford them (Wilfork) or because they may not fit into the Pats plans going forward (Washington, Kaczur, Yates, Watson, LK Smith)

So, I looked at this draft and saw where the strengths were. ILB and OLB have good strengths. NT has potential. DE, not so much. Safety has good mid-round depth, but doesn't have a lot at the top end (unless several juniors declare). OT, OG, and Center are pretty good. WR is weak. RB is strong. TE isn't great.

So, I can see the Pats adding to most of the positions that I see as "need" positions and addressing them with value players.

Nice Post with one slight complaint, i don't like how you have OG so early on your list. Offensive Guards are a dime a dozen position. Offensive Tackle is by FAR the Strongest position in this Draft. I like Matt Light alot but we all know he is a good LT but will never be a Great one. I think BB and co could land a guy early on who could move Matt Light over to RT a more suitable position for his skill sets. Also i would point out, i don't want BB to Draft any TE - WR or RB on Day 1 based on his record recent track record which is full of Busts! BB have feared much better with Offensive Linemen whether Tackle or Guard early on the Offensive side. I am a strong supporter of going Defense early and very often. Use the Day 2 picks for the Skill positions on Offense like TE - WR and RB.

 

[mgteich]

Aaaah, the old argument about guards and tackles! ) Seriously, my issue is that we don't have any guards signed, and we have about five tackles signed.

Mankins was a huge pickup for the team when he was drafted. I agree that guards are easier to come by than tackles. The problem is that we don't have any signed beyond 2009.

We have Light, Kaczur, Britt, LeVoir and O'Callahan. I don't think that we have lost seasons because of poor OL line play, although some would disagree. Personally, I DON'T think that Light has the skill set to be a great RT. To me, it is RT's that are a dime a dozen, not left guards. LeVoir was picked up off the street and has played well.

And for me, there is no question, if Belichick evaluates an OT as a stud with a likely probowl future, the patriots will draft him.

However, you agree that Light is a good LT. That's all we need when we have other more pressing needs.
=============================
It does not follow that failure in drafting TE's, RB's and WR's in the first three rounds indicates that Belichick will do better if he waits until later in the draft to find players at these positions. I think that we have done very well in using free agency and trades to secure running backs and wide receivers. I happen to like Moss, Welker, Gaffney, Morris and Jordan. GOing back further we secured Antoine Smith and Dillon.

I don't know what the problem is with the patriots a tight ends, but drafting them in Rounds 4-6 is not likely to produce better players than Graham, Watson and Thomas.

Finally, I agree that the focus of the first three rounds should be defense. That is our need, and that is also where we have done best in the past. However, I do think that a TE will be included in the early picks. As I said, I am fine with an OT instead (or an OG ).

Nice Post with one slight complaint, i don't like how you have OG so early on your list. Offensive Guards are a dime a dozen position. Offensive Tackle is by FAR the Strongest position in this Draft. I like Matt Light alot but we all know he is a good LT but will never be a Great one. I think BB and co could land a guy early on who could move Matt Light over to RT a more suitable position for his skill sets. Also i would point out, i don't want BB to Draft any TE - WR or RB on Day 1 based on his record recent track record which is full of Busts! BB have feared much better with Offensive Linemen whether Tackle or Guard early on the Offensive side. I am a strong supporter of going Defense early and very often. Use the Day 2 picks for the Skill positions on Offense like TE - WR and RB.

 

[PatsFan2]

I don't know what the problem is with the patriots a tight ends, but drafting them in Rounds 4-6 is likely to produce players who gives us production similar to Graham, Watson and Thomas or better.

There fixed it for ya.

 

[DaBruinz]

Nice Post with one slight complaint, i don't like how you have OG so early on your list. Offensive Guards are a dime a dozen position. Offensive Tackle is by FAR the Strongest position in this Draft. I like Matt Light alot but we all know he is a good LT but will never be a Great one. I think BB and co could land a guy early on who could move Matt Light over to RT a more suitable position for his skill sets. Also i would point out, i don't want BB to Draft any TE - WR or RB on Day 1 based on his record recent track record which is full of Busts! BB have feared much better with Offensive Linemen whether Tackle or Guard early on the Offensive side. I am a strong supporter of going Defense early and very often. Use the Day 2 picks for the Skill positions on Offense like TE - WR and RB.

Well, we'll just have to agree to disagree on what position is strongest in the draft. Personally, I feel that the draft is normal for OTs, but stacked for ILBs in particular. I'll also disagree that OGs are a dime a dozen. One only has to look at the difference in play from Neal to Yates and Hochstein to know that this just isn't the case anymore.

 

[Warren94]

I think the OT looks pretty strong this season with Oher, Monroe, Smith, Merdith and Boone. But hopefully Oher will fall and move Light to the right where he belongs.

 

[DW Toys]

Of course you disagree. You refuse to understand how Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli have runs things over the last 8 years. You prove time and again that you don't understand how their defense is run. So, I am not surprised that you disagree in the least bit.

Unlike YOU, I understand that even the great players sometimes take a bit to develop. Whether its Adalius Thomas, Willie McGinest in the 3-4 or others like Vrabel.

You want players that just don't fit the Patriots defense. You want a sack specialist. That is something this defense has NEVER had. Sorry. Yet, you believe that is the one of the keys to solving their defensive woes.

You think that they need more Corners. Good for you. But I don't discount Wilhite and Wheatley. Wilhite has been improving quite a bit over the past couple of weeks and Wheatley, before his injury, was doing well.

But neither are a priorty over building the lines. You ask Belichick and he'll tell you that games are won and lost on the lines. If they lose Wilfork without having a NT to replace him, they are screwed. Could Wilfork stay? Sure. And that would change the needs.

So, Biggs, you keep living in the la la land that you inhabit. I continue to live in reality and focus on understanding how the Patriots run their defense and build their teams.

You are an arrogant S.O.B. Who made you the consummate expert? Are you a coach or a F.O. person in disguise for the Pats? You know no more or no less than anybody on this site. This is for fun and conjecture, you are not a professional football expert. You are a fan that has ideas. You disrespect everyone on this site with your complete "know it all" attitude. Please lighten up as I have suggested many times. What do you do for a living, deliver newspapers? In todays' economy that is a blessing and a respectable job, but that does make you Bill and Scotts' best buddy. I see how you thoroughly have got in their mindset and how dare anyone else mess with you.

Biggs made a statement he believes in. You can certainly disagree, but is the commentary needed to insult him? Want me to take a shot at you?...... What are you eight years old and involved in the never ending "got-you-last" contest?!

Safety, CB and TE up high in selections. NT, G or T upgrade and a possible RB in the mid rounds and an upgrade the a #3 WR at the bottom.

Tag and trade Cassel and get Maroney out for the highest pick you can get (#2?) like Denver would be a good place for him. Pick up some picks but do not forget FA.
O.K. have a ball to say how stupid I am.
DW Toys

 

[DaBruinz]

You are an arrogant S.O.B. Who made you the consummate expert? Are you a coach or a F.O. person in disguise for the Pats? You know no more or no less than anybody on this site. This is for fun and conjecture, you are not a professional football expert. You are a fan that has ideas. You disrespect everyone on this site with your complete "know it all" attitude.

DW - I know you are ignorant. You've proven it every time you post regarding Sanders. There was nothing ARROGANT about me reply to Mr.Bigglesworth. You and he are very similar. You can't see beyond your nose when it comes to certain things. Going forward, do everyone a favor and don't post about things you know NOTHING about. And that is the case regarding my reply to Mr. Biggles.

I know a helluva lot more than plenty of people on this site. For you to be so ignorant and claim that I know no more and no less than others is just dumb. Are there people who know more than I do here? Yep. And they have my respect. And they use their brain when they post, not their pathetic bias. That is a concept that I know is beyond you.

If you want to get into disrespect, you disrespect everyone on here when you post your ramblings on Sanders. Because you show how you are the one who knows nothing about football.

Please lighten up as I have suggested many times. What do you do for a living, deliver newspapers? In todays' economy that is a blessing and a respectable job, but that does make you Bill and Scotts' best buddy. I see how you thoroughly have got in their mindset and how dare anyone else mess with you.

Why should I listed to someone as ignorant as yourself? Someone who absolutely refused to put his ignorant bias aside when he posts about particular players?

Yes, I try to put myself in BB and Pioli's mindset. Its an attempt. Nothing more. But I do go out of my way to use their recent history to support what I see. I know I don't always get it right and when I don't I admit it. Which is more than I can say for you. You've been wrong more times than I can count, yet you've not admitted to it once.

Biggs made a statement he believes in. You can certainly disagree, but is the commentary needed to insult him? Want me to take a shot at you?...... What are you eight years old and involved in the never ending "got-you-last" contest?!

Safety, CB and TE up high in selections. NT, G or T upgrade and a possible RB in the mid rounds and an upgrade the a #3 WR at the bottom.

Tag and trade Cassel and get Maroney out for the highest pick you can get (#2?) like Denver would be a good place for him. Pick up some picks but do not forget FA.
O.K. have a ball to say how stupid I am.
DW Toys

I don't need to say how stupid you are. You prove it whenever you post. With your assumptions and your bias.

What I find so hypocritical about people like yourself, Warren, Mr.Biggles, etc, is that you yell, whine, scream, b!tch, and moan about getting respect for your opinions, yet you regularly show no respect for others. You forget that they are entitled to them as well and that when you choose to voice that opinion, you are opening yourself up for the crticism you receive. I have no issues accepting the criticism I get when its actually what I've said. Unfortunately, what several people do is either grossly exaggerate what is said, lie about what is said, or insist of taking such a close minded view of it they basically are creating their own definition for what was said. When they do that, its no longer offering opinion. Its showing yourself to be an arse.

 

[VJCPatriot]

You are an arrogant S.O.B. Who made you the consummate expert? Are you a coach or a F.O. person in disguise for the Pats? You know no more or no less than anybody on this site. This is for fun and conjecture, you are not a professional football expert. You are a fan that has ideas. You disrespect everyone on this site with your complete "know it all" attitude. Please lighten up as I have suggested many times. What do you do for a living, deliver newspapers? In todays' economy that is a blessing and a respectable job, but that does make you Bill and Scotts' best buddy. I see how you thoroughly have got in their mindset and how dare anyone else mess with you.

Biggs made a statement he believes in. You can certainly disagree, but is the commentary needed to insult him? Want me to take a shot at you?...... What are you eight years old and involved in the never ending "got-you-last" contest?!

Safety, CB and TE up high in selections. NT, G or T upgrade and a possible RB in the mid rounds and an upgrade the a #3 WR at the bottom.

Tag and trade Cassel and get Maroney out for the highest pick you can get (#2?) like Denver would be a good place for him. Pick up some picks but do not forget FA.
O.K. have a ball to say how stupid I am.
DW Toys

Don't let him get to you. That's what he wants. I think he needs to cool it on his belligerence in every post, but that's how he is and he's not gonna change. If you don't like it, you'd be best advised to just ignore him.

Defense is certainly a priority in the draft come 2009, but I would like to note that the Pats defense played increasingly better in the closing games of the season. 7 pts given up against the Cards and a shutout of the Buffalo Bills. We may not be as far away as we think from fielding a very good defense. Still a passrusher and a safety to replace Rodney would top my needs list.

 

[billdog3484]

DaBruinz, who the heck do you think you are????? Seriously....who writes this about somebody's post


DW - I know you are ignorant. You've proven it every time you post regarding Sanders. There was nothing ARROGANT about me reply to Mr.Bigglesworth. You and he are very similar. You can't see beyond your nose when it comes to certain things. Going forward, do everyone a favor and don't post about things you know NOTHING about. And that is the case regarding my reply to Mr. Biggles.

 

[Warren94]

medication medication.

the defense looked solid the last two weeks. Of course high winds and snow. I think this team needs secondary help. Hopefully they can solidify in the draft. ONeal, Sanders (Lewis) are gone. Meriweather, JSanders are growing in the proper direction. Still thinking either Sign Sean Jones from Clvland or draft a William Moore from Missouri. There is always someone who falls in the draft. Take the best available player that is going to fit the scheme.

 

[DaBruinz]

Don't let him get to you. That's what he wants. I think he needs to cool it on his belligerence in every post, but that's how he is and he's not gonna change. If you don't like it, you'd be best advised to just ignore him.

DWToys has been called an idiot by plenty of others besides me. Particularly on his rants about Sanders.

BTW, why is it that you insist on LYING? I am not belligerent in every post. But, far be it from you to know what you are talking about.

Defense is certainly a priority in the draft come 2009, but I would like to note that the Pats defense played increasingly better in the closing games of the season. 7 pts given up against the Cards and a shutout of the Buffalo Bills. We may not be as far away as we think from fielding a very good defense. Still a passrusher and a safety to replace Rodney would top my needs list.

Drafting the way you suggest leads to teams like the Detroit Lions. If you draft SOLELY on a need basis. And that is what you are suggesting.

 

[billdog3484]

i dont care who calls who an idiot or who calls who what. i saw what you wrote and not those other fools. let the guy have his opinion. you talk a lot about gettting respect, well theres no way you have any.

it is one thing to say, hey, that post brings something to the table but I feel our team needs this and is going to go in X direction

it is another to call someone an imbecile. whats wrong with you man, how old are you 8?

 

[patchick]

Heavens, I go away for a while and the draft board descends into namecalling, fingerpointing, noogies, wedgies...

No more, ok? Seriously, none. Zero. Zip.

:nono:

Now, DRAFT TALK, ANYONE?

 

[mgteich]

Do you seriously believe that Belichick will be able to find a TE in the fourth through seven round that will give us what we have gotton from Graham and Watson? He has failed so many times in the past. We may have overpaid for Graham, Watson and Thomas. However, we did get NFL starters. There is a long list of patriot TE's drafted later that no longer play in the league. Are there any that still do?

From my perspective, I would fine with using a 2nd to get someone as good as Graham, or with potential that Watson and Thomas had when they were drafted, and before they were injured. And if we need to use a first, then we will.

Belichick has his value board, and he understand how well he has done in finding folks at various parts of the draft. Would you be suprised to see Belichick draft a TE, DE, ILB and a S in the first four picks in whatever order? I put in the obligatory LB, although my gut says that Belichick would rather have Thomas move inside.

There fixed it for ya.

 

[patchick]

We may have overpaid for Graham, Watson and Thomas. However, we did get NFL starters. There is a long list of patriot TE's drafted later that no longer play in the league. Are there any that still do?

Sure, Garrett Mills had 5 catches this year!

I pretty much agree with your premise, though TE has been a surprisingly unpredictable draft position for the league as a whole of late. If you look at the TEs in the Pro Bowl this year, the only high draft pick of the group is Tony Gonzalez from way back in 1997. A very large number of TEs have been taken in the top 2 rounds over the past half-dozen seasons without a ton to show for it.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Drafting the way you suggest leads to teams like the Detroit Lions. If you draft SOLELY on a need basis. And that is what you are suggesting.

I don't suggest that we draft longsnappers in the 1st round because it's such a critical NEED as you put it. Go ahead and ignore the holes at safety and passrush while the Pats ranked at one of the worst in 3rd down conversions and red zone D allowed in 2008! Meanwhile you'll load up our team with your longsnappers and other special teams niche players. What's next a punter in round 2? You shouldn't be tooting your own GMing skills so rigorously with priorities like that!

The Lions drafted 3 WRs in the 1st round in a row. Go ahead and try to connect how drafting a safety or outside linebacker has anything to do with wide receivers? News flash - there is NONE. The Lions should have stopped at Roy Williams but dumbly went after Calvin Johnson as well. But at least their wide receivers are starters, and they fleeced Dallas for a 1st and 3rd in return for RW, which makes Matt Millen... smarter than you??! Hmmm. Food for thought!

Do you seriously believe that Belichick will be able to find a TE in the fourth through seven round that will give us what we have gotton from Graham and Watson? He has failed so many times in the past. We may have overpaid for Graham, Watson and Thomas. However, we did get NFL starters. There is a long list of patriot TE's drafted later that no longer play in the league. Are there any that still do?

From my perspective, I would fine with using a 2nd to get someone as good as Graham, or with potential that Watson and Thomas had when they were drafted, and before they were injured. And if we need to use a first, then we will.

Belichick has his value board, and he understand how well he has done in finding folks at various parts of the draft. Would you be suprised to see Belichick draft a TE, DE, ILB and a S in the first four picks in whatever order? I put in the obligatory LB, although my gut says that Belichick would rather have Thomas move inside.

Makes me wish that we had gotten in on that Akin Ayodele and Anthony Fasano trade for a 4th round pick. Hell of a value deal there. I'd have bid up to two 4ths or a 3rd there considering how much the Pats use tight ends.

http://sportswrap.berecruited.com/2...nthony-fasano-to-dolphins-for-4th-round-pick/

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Now, DRAFT TALK, ANYONE?

Better insulation and a good building wrap should help....

VJC: I'm calling for a Punter in Rd three, but if BB thinks he needs to take him in round two to get him, I'm cool.

 

[DaBruinz]

I don't suggest that we draft longsnappers in the 1st round because it's such a critical NEED as you put it. Go ahead and ignore the holes at safety and passrush while the Pats ranked at one of the worst in 3rd down conversions and red zone D allowed in 2008! Meanwhile you'll load up our team with your longsnappers and other special teams niche players. What's next a punter in round 2? You shouldn't be tooting your own GMing skills so rigorously with priorities like that!

Please show me where I said that the Pats should draft a Long Snapper in the 1st round. It would be nice if you stopped pulling nonsense out of your arse and go with what was said. Or don't bother commenting at all. Seriously. Because all you are doing is making things up now.
Please show me where I said the Pats should IGNORE the Pass Rush or Safety postions. You can't. You just continue to make things up that just aren't there.

Please don't reply to my posts anymore if you are going to be a complete idiot about it.

The Lions drafted 3 WRs in the 1st round in a row. Go ahead and try to connect how drafting a safety or outside linebacker has anything to do with wide receivers? News flash - there is NONE. The Lions should have stopped at Roy Williams but dumbly went after Calvin Johnson as well. But at least their wide receivers are starters, and they fleeced Dallas for a 1st and 3rd in return for RW, which makes Matt Millen... smarter than you??! Hmmm. Food for thought!

You offer up absoltuely NOTHING constructive with your replies. Nothing. You rant about things that aren't said. You said the Pats should draft for NEED only and you used Safety and LB as your points. And I used the Lions as a perfect example of how drafting for need (which they did with all their other picks) has done nothing for them.

Yes, Matt Millen of the 0-16 record is smarter than me. Based on your lack of reading comprehension and failing to understand that when I started this thread it was NOT about draft need. It was about their off-season priorities. Only people like yourself and Mr.Biggles decided NOT to read what was posted and when off on your little tantrums.

 

[DaBruinz]

Heavens, I go away for a while and the draft board descends into namecalling, fingerpointing, noogies, wedgies...

No more, ok? Seriously, none. Zero. Zip.

:nono:

Now, DRAFT TALK, ANYONE?

I am all up for off-season talk. Now if you could just work on helping to improve the reading comprehension of people like VJC and Mr. Biggles it would be appreciated.

 

[Warren94]

Ok.. We all know that Belichick and Pioli draft based on perceived value to the Patriots organization. And that perceived value takes into consideration that person's tangible skills, intangibles (like leadership and instinct), and the need to the team. With that being said, here is I see the Pats top priorities based on need only.

1) Defensive End
2) Offensive Guard
3) Nose Tackle
4) Long Snapper
5) Safety - SS to Tweener
6) Pass-Rushing OLB
7) ILB
8) Cornerback
9) Offensive Tackle
10) Tight End
11) Center
12) Running back
12) Wide Receiver

Now, I KNOW people are going to go into their tirades because I have pass-rushing OLB as the 6th need on the team. That's how I see it based on the personnel they have going forward and based on how BB likes to bring in players 1 year before they will need them.

After 2009, the following players are UFA (based on the CBA being redone):
Seymour, Wilfork, Green, Vrabel, Faulk, Neal, Bruschi, Hobbs, Mankins, Kaczur, Washington, Yates, D. Thomas, Watson, Gostkowski,, LK Smith.

I expect that Mankins, Gostkowski, and Hobbs to be retained. The others are question marks either because of age/injuries (Neal, Bruschi, Vrabel, Faulk, Seymour), because they are so good that the Pats may not be able to afford them (Wilfork) or because they may not fit into the Pats plans going forward (Washington, Kaczur, Yates, Watson, LK Smith)

So, I looked at this draft and saw where the strengths were. ILB and OLB have good strengths. NT has potential. DE, not so much. Safety has good mid-round depth, but doesn't have a lot at the top end (unless several juniors declare). OT, OG, and Center are pretty good. WR is weak. RB is strong. TE isn't great.

So, I can see the Pats adding to most of the positions that I see as "need" positions and addressing them with value players.

You just said that in your original post that Long Snapper is a need. DB, Make up your mind on whether or not that are needs or not. People have perceived your posting as a top 10 list of what we need to fill. Like most have said getting Paxton inked is not going to break the bank. I do believe that Wilfork will get done as well as he is the cog to the 3/4 being successful.