After reading the first 3 and last 3 pages (so pardon if there is any redundancy here), here are my thoughts.
1. If the Browns ever gave the Pats a top 10 pick for Ryan Mallet, the league should start an investigation. Ludicrous to think the Browns (who don't have a 2nd rounder in this draft) would trade this pick for anyone, let alone a guy who hasn't thrown 10 passes in the NFL, and has no significant positive tape on him.
2. If we are to maximize the 3rd round investment in Mallett, THIS is the year to trade him. Something like a 2014 2nd or a 2013 3rd would be more than fair. In fact I think even this would be overly optimistic.
3. The fact that Lombardi has the "GM" job in Cleveland ups the chances of a Mallet trade, but Browns fans would be up in arms if he traded a significant pick for Mallett. I don't know what kind of year Weeden had, but it wasn't horrible and he WAS a rookie. How dumb would it be for him invest ANOTHER high pick on an unknown quantity after investing a first round pick on Weeden last year.
4. The smart thing for Cleveland to have done would have been to keep that #1 picks and traded for Mallett LAST year, (2nd or 3rd) like I suggested.
5. If Mallett ultimately stays as Brady's principal back up for the next 2 years, then I would think that we'd gotten excellent value for that 3rd round pick. If he's traded for any value this year, we got decent value for the pick.
6. If Mallet is gone this off season, the potential back ups are many. Cassell is the obvious one. Hoyer I bet would love to come back, and Kafka is an interesting prospect. So if Mallet IS traded, then I wouldn't be worried too much about Brady's back up.
7. Finally, a question. Early in the thread when the euphoria was high and thoughts about a #6 pick were rampant, I was shocked to see so many willing to squander this once in a lifetime chance at a top 10 pick, on a OLman. Even if Volmer ISN'T re-signed, I can't see the Pats using that pick in an area of existing strength. DL is an existing need, and this, by all accounts is a great draft for the DL. Why then even continplate using this miracle fantasy pick on an OG, regardless of how good you might think he is. Just asking.
Ken,
You have been sucked into the muck and mire of draftnik impossibilities and imagineings. First of all, any replacement at QB is going to cost double what they are paying for Mallett, with no upside at all, even if someone is available. Mallett may, or may not be, the succession, but he is by far the cheapest backup QB.
The Pats are CAP constrained now, they don't need to devote another million or two a year, at minimum, to the likes of a Hoyer, who as far as I know is tied up in Arizona, as is Cassell in KC. Prying either loose before the end of TC, would likely cost a draft pick, or you can wait until final cutdown and get them when/if they are cut; but then they don't have any TC with the club to re-acclimatize.
This team is not far away!
It lost in its second straight AFCCG, to a "Last Hurrah" Raven's team which is sucking it up and doing it one more time on experience, before going massively Over the Hill. The Ravens won't be back, next year.
The Pat's lost with a significant number of key players on IR, or in the trainer's room. Those things happen. You just have to ...wait 'till next year.
Considder the talent unavailable. Edelmen as a returner, for KRs and PRs, and as a possession/deeper WR, Ras_I as another big CB, Talib as the only remaining big CB, going down with a hamstring, in the game. The Pats lost Chandler Jones to only two plays with an ankle, Kyle Love to a knee sprain, after 3 plays, Ridley to a concussion, in the game.
Missing were Gronkowski, and Fletcher, and Ballard. Stallworth filled the deep receiver need, for only one game or catch before IR too. Hightower, Dennard, Tavon Wilson, Zuskevics, and Jones can be downgraded with rookie inexperience. Zuskevics may just be the swing tackle reserve, that frees Cannon for RG, next season.
As far as I am concerned they would likely be in the next AFCCG, with only health, and merely standing pat. Wholesale changes are NOT needed; and the three UFAs can be resigned with $18 million in cap space, and especially so, since much more CAP room is coming in 2014. All that is needed is creative contracts.
But BB is not standing still, he has talented newcomers Armon Armistead, Jeff Demps, and Ballard joining the team already, as well. Plus all the walking wounded are returning, and no one seems to have a career threatening injury. Over-the-Hillitis only effects Deon Branch. There is still the draft, to add even more talent.
Please, Step back and get some perspective.
)
