This is a pretty good summary of the Pats needs this offseason. While we may not agree with everything stated, it's pretty darn close.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots: Final Grades for 2009
The New England Patriots won the AFC East Division and made the playoffs again after missing them last year. The ironic thing being that they actually had a better record last season (11-5) than this year (10-6).
Needless to say, competing at the continuously high level that this franchise has over the last decade is no easy task and, despite being ousted by the Wild Card Ravens in the first round this year and disappointing the expectations of their fans once again, the Patriots already seem poised to make another run again next year.
Before that can happen though, a few pieces need to be added to the puzzle. A few holes have become extremely apparent on the team’s roster. With the right amount of tinkering and a small infusion of youthful talent, this team could find itself right in the Super Bowl once again.
Coaching: B This may have be a “rebuilding” year of sorts in New England as the team had to work out some new wrinkles. Head coach Bill Belichick lost a few assistants last off-season, including offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels who took the head coaching job in Denver. Belichick then assisted new quarterbacks coach Bill O’Brien on drawing up a game plan and calling plays in 2009. They still ranked third in the NFL in total yards per game and third in passing. The defense was not quite up to New England standards but they still ranked 11th in total yards allowed. The a few more sacks and a couple more timely impact plays from the front seven could’ve made the situation a lot different in Foxboro. Overall, the unit is young and should continue to be good down the road. Don’t expect much change within this staff.
Quarterbacks: B Tom Brady passed for another 4398 yards and 28 touchdowns. The guy continues to be a winner after missing all of last season with a knee injury.
Draft Outlook: The Patriots may grab a QB somewhere in the draft to come in and compete for the backup job. Taking Tim Tebow if he’s still available in round two could really make things interesting in New England. If Belichick does take him it would be because he has something specific in mind for him but there will be some decent QB options available later in the draft.
Running Backs: C- This group is in desperate need of an overhaul. Laurence Maroney led the team with 757 yards on a 3.9 yard per carry average. The team had a total of 19 rushing TD’s with Maroney getting nine of them.
Draft Outlook: With the 22nd pick in this year’s draft Belichick could get Stanford running back Toby Gerhart. He is big, tough, and faster than most might think. He could bring a dimension to the offense that has been lacking since Corey Dillon was lining up back there.
Wide Receivers: B- Many fans and critics alike seem to think that this group underachieved a bit in 2009. Wes Welker had 123 receptions for 1348 yards but only had four TD’s. Randy Moss had 83 for 1264 yards and 13 TD’s. Those are both very good numbers but I guess we are all used to seeing these guys blow up the scoreboard. Times were tough for them as no receiver established himself as a legitimate third option. Rookie Julian Edelman, out of Kent State University, was the third most productive wide-out with 37 for 359 and only one TD. It’s hard to expect the starters to be so good when there is a huge lack of a running game and no help from the bench on third and long situations.
Draft Outlook: Don’t expect Belichick to grab a receiver in round one. However, it will not be a surprise to see him grab a couple later on. There will most likely be a wealth of decent receiver prospects between rounds three and five, possibly including Texas’ Jordan Shipley, Bowling Green’s Freddie Barnes (#1 in NCAA in receptions), Florida’s Riley Cooper, and the Citadel’s Andre Roberts.
Offensive Line: C+ This unit is made up of a bunch of overachievers that only allowed 18 sacks in ’09. They are decent run blockers but they are not great by any means. They are partly to blame for the team's lackluster ability to rush the ball when needed. Does everybody remember the infamous 4th and 2 play against the Colts? Well, not to put the blame on them but an offensive line built to run a little better could’ve helped a lot as the there was no threat to run at all.
Draft Outlook: There are not a lot of good quality tackles available this year and the team spent three picks on O-linemen last year.
Defensive Line: C Richard Seymour, who had been with the Patriots for eight seasons, was traded to the Oakland Raiders for a first round pick in 2011. The move was really a good one as Seymour turns 30 this year. The defense only ranked 13th in the league against the run but it is filled with a few young guys who were all high draft picks.
Draft Outlook: Belichick loves to keep his D-line stocked with talent and he spent three draft picks here last year. There may be some guys, however, that will be too hard to pass up this even though the position is filled with talented youth. Penn State’s Jared Odrick (6’5” 300 lbs.) and Duke’s Vince Oghobaase (6'6" 310 lbs.) are good tackle prospects who could both still be around when the team picks in the third round.
Linebackers: B- Jerod Mayo, last year’s defensive rookie of the year, led the team in tackles with 103 and should be leader on this defense for the next decade. After him the unit looks weak. Nobody really stepped up and Junior Seau will finally retire. Help is needed here.
Draft Outlook: I am willing to bet that the team invests some picks here, especially on guys who can rush the passer and attack the line of scrimmage. Texas' Sergio Kindle, South Carolina’s Eric Norwood, and Michigan’s Brandon Graham could all bring a boost to the team’s pass-rush and overall talent at the position.
Defensive Backs: Cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden were serviceable but are not the long term answers. Springs is close to retirement. Bodden is a good tackler, making 55 stops, but he is not a big play-maker. Although he did nab five INT’s. Rookie Darius Butler, a second round pick last year, showed some promise, making 35 tackles and getting three INT’s. Jonathan Wilhite, a second year player, also had a decent showing with 45 tackles and two INT’s. The safety position seems to be in good hands for a while with third year player Brandon Meriweather making 83 tackles, nabbing five INT’s and forcing two fumbles. Brandon McGowan, Patrick Chung, and James Sanders all contributed but were not outstanding. All three are young though, and the competition for the other starting spot should be a heated battle in camp.
Draft Outlook: The cornerback crop is not very strong and the Patriots have a lot of young potential in the secondary. Somebody may be added later in the draft but don’t expect Belichick to invest too much more into the position.
Special Teams: The Patriots ranked 15th in kick returns, fourth in kickoff coverage, and dead last in punting. This is an area of need.
Draft Outlook: Michigan’s Zoltan Mesko may be the best punter in the draft. He has a big leg with decent accuracy and was an All-American. Some more young linebackers, receivers, and defensive backs to help in coverage could help as well.
By Scot A****s
New England Patriots
Burgess was a big dissapoinment.Sometimes i think it could be coaching as well.I know this franchise wont go out there and give Peppers big money.
