VJCPatriot
Pro Bowl Player
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2006
- Messages
- 16,650
- Reaction score
- 5,218
Step 1. Fix the overmatched offensive line that performs poorly in the playoffs.
Draft an Offensive Tackle - 1st to 2nd round priority. It's time for Matt Light to move on. We'll take the comp pick, thanks for what you've given us but you are not the strong link that we need to forge in a Superbowl winning team. We need an athletic, quick guy, with a long wingspan who can contain and flummox elite passrushers and most importantly give Brady time to throw.
Draft an Interior lineman. - 3rd to 4th round priority. OG or OC doesn't matter, but that group needs bolstering. A versatile guy who can play either position would be nice. Let's impose our will on the defense and run the ball in the playoffs too. We need some push from our interior to pound the ball effectively with BJGE.
Step 2. Fix the pass rush.
Draft a Defensive End - 1st to 2nd round priority. Give us a monster who can demand double teams and you will see the effectiveness of our linebackers increase proportionately. Warren and Warren are adequate. They are not dominant. Wilfork needs some help so let's give him some.
Draft an OLB - 1st to 2nd round priority. He needs to be able to play in our system, pick up the defense quickly, and CAN get after the QB. It's time we get a freak that must demand attention and can get in the QB's grill. We're looking for a Clay Matthews type.
Step 3. Fortify the secondary.
Draft a Free Safety - 1st to 2nd round priority. We need a true center fielder who can stay with receivers, bat down passes and come up with interceptions. A ballhawk. Not a guy who takes bad angles and takes his own corners out of the play. *cough* Meriweather.
Draft a Cornerback - 3rd round or later priority. Say what? But we have McCourty and Bodden is coming back. So what. You are only as strong as your weakest link. Once Qbs figure out it is much easier not to throw at DMac they will start picking on the Wilhites and the Butlers. Anticipate the need ahead of time and get someone who can play slot and actually stay with some wide receivers instead of giving up 15 yard cushions and 1st downs on a regular basis.
Step 4. Add team speed to the offense.
Draft a RB - 3rd round or later priority. With BJGE we've got thunder but we have no lightning. We lack the quick hitting lightning fast guy who can get to the edge and gain chunks of yardage fast. A complimentary speed guy to spell BJGE would be ideal. This also makes the offense more versatile. 3rd and 4 isn't a guaranteed empty backfield pass anymore if you've got a guy who can take it the distance on any given touch. This is why I would have liked to draft Best. He's simply an electric runner that can be a threat at any time. Let's look for someone like that. They can be found in mid rounds of the draft. Just look at Jamaal Charles. In any case this guy must be able to do blitz pickup or he won't see the field. So let's look for that as well.
Draft a WR - 3rd round or later priority. We need a field stretcher. Tate doesn't look like he gets it yet as a WR. Branch was never a speedster in the first place. Ah what a Jacoby Ford or Mike Wallace would add to this offense. Put it simply, the ability to convert on 3rd and 18. You watched the Steelers game, you know the play I'm talking about. Speed kills. We've got the route runners already but sometimes they just can't get open. We need someone with quick release skills who can get separation and get deep downfield.
So obviously we cannot meet ALL of these needs in the same draft. But as long as we are aware of those needs, and what guys fit the mold we are looking for, we can get a picture of how the draft could unfold, and how this team can be strengthened to be a true championship contender.
Some of these needs I expect to be filled through free agency, so just substitute the word Draft for Sign in that case. Because face it, even if we hit on most of our picks and bring in top end talent in 2011, adding more veteran presence to the roster could be really beneficial.
It's going to be a LOOONG offseason.
Draft an Offensive Tackle - 1st to 2nd round priority. It's time for Matt Light to move on. We'll take the comp pick, thanks for what you've given us but you are not the strong link that we need to forge in a Superbowl winning team. We need an athletic, quick guy, with a long wingspan who can contain and flummox elite passrushers and most importantly give Brady time to throw.
Draft an Interior lineman. - 3rd to 4th round priority. OG or OC doesn't matter, but that group needs bolstering. A versatile guy who can play either position would be nice. Let's impose our will on the defense and run the ball in the playoffs too. We need some push from our interior to pound the ball effectively with BJGE.
Step 2. Fix the pass rush.
Draft a Defensive End - 1st to 2nd round priority. Give us a monster who can demand double teams and you will see the effectiveness of our linebackers increase proportionately. Warren and Warren are adequate. They are not dominant. Wilfork needs some help so let's give him some.
Draft an OLB - 1st to 2nd round priority. He needs to be able to play in our system, pick up the defense quickly, and CAN get after the QB. It's time we get a freak that must demand attention and can get in the QB's grill. We're looking for a Clay Matthews type.
Step 3. Fortify the secondary.
Draft a Free Safety - 1st to 2nd round priority. We need a true center fielder who can stay with receivers, bat down passes and come up with interceptions. A ballhawk. Not a guy who takes bad angles and takes his own corners out of the play. *cough* Meriweather.
Draft a Cornerback - 3rd round or later priority. Say what? But we have McCourty and Bodden is coming back. So what. You are only as strong as your weakest link. Once Qbs figure out it is much easier not to throw at DMac they will start picking on the Wilhites and the Butlers. Anticipate the need ahead of time and get someone who can play slot and actually stay with some wide receivers instead of giving up 15 yard cushions and 1st downs on a regular basis.
Step 4. Add team speed to the offense.
Draft a RB - 3rd round or later priority. With BJGE we've got thunder but we have no lightning. We lack the quick hitting lightning fast guy who can get to the edge and gain chunks of yardage fast. A complimentary speed guy to spell BJGE would be ideal. This also makes the offense more versatile. 3rd and 4 isn't a guaranteed empty backfield pass anymore if you've got a guy who can take it the distance on any given touch. This is why I would have liked to draft Best. He's simply an electric runner that can be a threat at any time. Let's look for someone like that. They can be found in mid rounds of the draft. Just look at Jamaal Charles. In any case this guy must be able to do blitz pickup or he won't see the field. So let's look for that as well.
Draft a WR - 3rd round or later priority. We need a field stretcher. Tate doesn't look like he gets it yet as a WR. Branch was never a speedster in the first place. Ah what a Jacoby Ford or Mike Wallace would add to this offense. Put it simply, the ability to convert on 3rd and 18. You watched the Steelers game, you know the play I'm talking about. Speed kills. We've got the route runners already but sometimes they just can't get open. We need someone with quick release skills who can get separation and get deep downfield.
So obviously we cannot meet ALL of these needs in the same draft. But as long as we are aware of those needs, and what guys fit the mold we are looking for, we can get a picture of how the draft could unfold, and how this team can be strengthened to be a true championship contender.
Some of these needs I expect to be filled through free agency, so just substitute the word Draft for Sign in that case. Because face it, even if we hit on most of our picks and bring in top end talent in 2011, adding more veteran presence to the roster could be really beneficial.
It's going to be a LOOONG offseason.
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