This is not really so difficult

[mgteich]

mayo has posted a fine integrated plan of attack, but I guess we need to have the discussion a couple of times a week, at least through the draft.
==============================================
THE CRITICAL STEP NO ONE ONE WILL DISCUSS
Extend Brady! This cannot be taken for granted.
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PHASE ONE - DECIDE WHICH OF OUR FREE AGENTS TO SIGN TO NEW CONTRACTS
We need to understand that anyone we don't re-sign will be use up free agent resources. That is the way Belichick works. We will have a competitive team even without counting on any rookies. It needs to be noted that some situations cannot be resolved. For example, Thomas, Green and Watson should probably be considered gone.

I would re-sign Bodden, Banta-Cain, Faulk and Burgess.
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PHASE TWO - THE TENDERS AND FRANCHISEES
Bring back Guyton, Lockett, Gostkowski, Woods, Mankins, C. Taylor, and Wilfork.

We should tender all our ERFA's and RFA's and expect to keep them all as we always have. If someone gives us a 1st or better for Mankins or Gost, then we will have the compensation to draft a replacement. I would PREFER to sign long term contracts with both of these players.

I expect to franchise Wilfork. I would much rather pay him what he wants in a contract extension
===============================================
STEP BACK AND ASSESS NEEDS
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PHASE THREE - EARLY FREE AGENCY
We again need a couple of wide receivers, linebackers, a TE, and a corner (at least to challenge Wheatley). These are our free agent needs every year. To put in another way, belichick chooses to meet these needs through free agency every eyar (and sometimes also uses the draft). we could see a top free agent. I would prefer to use the money extending our own players: Brady, Wilfork, Mankins, Bodden and Gostkowski.
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STEP BACK AND ASSESS 2010 and 2011 NEEDS
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PHASE FOUR - THE DRAFT
I expect that we will fill DL and OL needs through the early part of the draft, perhaps with three picks. We have lots of later picks and UDFA's for developmental QB's, punters, returner and to take wild flyers on players at other positions. Obviously we did very well indeed in 2009 in getting Edelman, Ingram, Pryor, Hoyer, Richard and Bussey.
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PHASE 5 - FILLING IN WITH LATE FREE AGENCY AND TRADES
We do what we need to at this point. Of course, last year some were expecting Taylor or Peppers. We did get McGowan and Burgess.

 

[bradyovermanning]

as the saying goes...'easier said than done'

not saying what you write isn't a good way to go, just saying its not always easy to write a list and make it happen, thats all

with that said, the patriots will definitely improve next year and beyond. not a franchise to sit back and be happy with another division title.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

If you want Burgess for another season you are of the minority,Other than a few late games where he actually made the stat sheet,is he really worthy of another season?

Looks like he is one of too many who has no interest in being a difference maker....we need a post 2001 McGinest clone in here,not guys just here for a paycheck,dump the trash I say.

 

[wilfork is beastin']

If you want Burgess for another season you are of the minority,Other than a few late games where he actually made the stat sheet,is he really worthy of another season?

Looks like he is one of too many who has no interest in being a difference maker....we need a post 2001 McGinest clone in here,not guys just here for a paycheck,dump the trash I say.

To Burgess's credit, he actually responded to his benching and began contributing, unlike Thomas.

 

[sg14]

FWIW dept, you could add more phases,, in addition to the player acquistion.

1) Self Scouting
2) What kind of scheme will we be running in the future, O&D,
More run oriented,add a full back, or go all out for passing ala the Colt???
On D=> 3-4, 4-3???

How do we morph, what will we do this year, the following year

It does seem the league has caught on to our screen game, we need some scheme change on O, I think.

If the Ravens and Jets win this weekend, that could be very interesting, are other teams going to copy that success? Are we?

 

[RichSeymour]

Why is extending Brady this offseason critical?

 

[Patspsycho]

Why is extending Brady this offseason critical?

That is traditional with marquee QB's.. you don't want to risk a standoff that could extend to the actual expiration of the contract, giving him the freedom to sign elsewhere.

Also it dictates everything else we do, including Wilfork, Faulk, Mankins, etc.

It all starts with the Golden Boy.

 

[RichSeymour]

That is traditional with marquee QB's.. you don't want to risk a standoff that could extend to the actual expiration of the contract, giving him the freedom to sign elsewhere.

Also it dictates everything else we do, including Wilfork, Faulk, Mankins, etc.

It all starts with the Golden Boy.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Reckedtrek]

Why is extending Brady this offseason critical?

there is another reason.

Despite not having a great year relatively speaking, he's still considered by many to be in the top 5 QB's in the league. Having a top level QB is pretty big piece of the puzzle to getting into the off season and actually making a serious run at the superbowl.

Alot of FA (your own and possible incoming FA's) will consider that when deciding which is the best team to sign with, especially the ones who care about winning and not just the pay amount- and players who care about winning are what you want on your team. I don't think we had enough on our team this year, unfortunately. I would think that goes 10 fold for WR's and also older FA's looking to get a ring before they retire.

 

[mayoclinic]

Once the deadline for juniors to declare has passed (tomorrow at 5PM, I believe) I'll be posting an updated mock offseason and draft over the weekend.

I'm very optimistic with the announcement that Dean Pees won't be back. I have nothing against him personally, and hope it was a mutual decision, but I really think that our problems on defense have involved more than just personnel. I'm hoping that whoever comes in will have a much more aggressive and attacking mentality, whether we continue with a 2 gap 3-4, go to a 1 gap, go to a 4-3, etc. I'd like to see the OC and DC situations resolved prior to the start of FA so that we are in position to map out our strategy for who to try to retain and who to go after.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

Critical Step: it may not be up to the pats. with the curve that brady's personal life has been on, it would not be suprising at all to see him retire after 2010. or if he doesn't get a deal done, he could be franchised for a season, then he will be 34 when he is done. not too early for someone who has no intention to drag his career out......and his wife makes even more money than he does......so the real critical step is to identify the next QB now so that he is ready for when brady is done.

phase one: actually, before you start spending $$ on people, you need to define your holes and that includes the guys you are going to get rid of....the only candidate of any monetary significance is AD.....the other major one of roster significance is maroney. my suggestion would be to keep maroney and offer thomas a paycut and then dump him if he refuses. it is delirious to think the pats would get something for him in a trade.....then cut springs

I also believe the pats have a decision to make on whether to continue with the current scheme they deploy on offense or become more ball-control oriented

I agree with the re-signing of bodden, banta-cain, faulk and burgess.

phase two: agreed....except I would likely bag woods in favor of a rookie or an inexpensive free agent....

phase 3: OLB is the biggest need and will need ot add a vet especially if others don't come back......I would pursue someone like Josh Reed for WR as well as a TE who can block and can be a least somewhat schemed in to catch the ball.

phase 4 and 5 depends on everything else that happens beforehand unless they are already enamored with a player or players in the draft.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

To Burgess's credit, he actually responded to his benching and began contributing, unlike Thomas.

I'd like to see what happens with burgess given an entire offseason here.....he showed up with little time to prep

 

[tanked_as_usual]

That is traditional with marquee QB's.. you don't want to risk a standoff that could extend to the actual expiration of the contract, giving him the freedom to sign elsewhere.

Also it dictates everything else we do, including Wilfork, Faulk, Mankins, etc.

It all starts with the Golden Boy.

the pats have him here for 2 more years. (one based on contract and one with a franchise tag should brady continue to want to play)

either way, at his age, a good replacement prospect needs to be identified now

 

[IcyPatriot]

There's lots to digest in this thread ... but really i like the suggestion made here of moving Mayo to the will position. That one move has the domino effect of moving the others we already have to where they can be more effective. It's not that we have awful players as much as it's that tehy're not playing always to their strengths.

 

[mayoclinic]

There's lots to digest in this thread ... but really i like the suggestion made here of moving Mayo to the will position. That one move has the domino effect of moving the others we already have to where they can be more effective. It's not that we have awful players as much as it's that tehy're not playing always to their strengths.

Moving Mayo to the WILL has to happen. He's being wasted at SILB, and, as you say, it has a domino effect on the defense. Patrick Willis would be wasted playing SILB too.

Options include:

1. Bring in a FA SILB (Karlos Dansby)
2. Trade up for Rolando McClain
3. Play Tyrone McKenzie at SILB (not sure he's suited for the role)
4. Draft a rookie other than McClain (possible options include Brandon Spikes, Eric Norwood, and Micah Johnson, among others)

Jays52 has made a compelling argument that the biggest single thing that could be done to improve the Pats' defense is not to get impact edge rushers but to solidfy the inside pass rush:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england.../308687-my-dilettant-defensive-treatise.html

I believe that a stud SILB, along with a couple of talented young pass rushers and a more aggressive DC, would totally transform our defense.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Moving Mayo to the WILL has to happen. He's being wasted at SILB, and, as you say, it has a domino effect on the defense. Patrick Willis would be wasted playing SILB too.

Options include:

1. Bring in a FA SILB (Karlos Dansby)
2. Trade up for Rolando McClain
3. Play Tyrone McKenzie at SILB (not sure he's suited for the role)
4. Draft a rookie other than McClain (possible options include Brandon Spikes, Eric Norwood, and Micah Johnson, among others)

Jays52 has made a compelling argument that the biggest single thing that could be done to improve the Pats' defense is not to get impact edge rushers but to solidfy the inside pass rush:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/308687-my-dilettant-defensive-treatise.html

I believe that a stud SILB, along with a couple of talented young pass rushers and a more aggressive DC, would totally transform our defense.

:woot: ....... :woot: ....... :woot: ....... :woot: ....... :woot:

 

[BradyFTW!]

If you want Burgess for another season you are of the minority,Other than a few late games where he actually made the stat sheet,is he really worthy of another season?

Looks like he is one of too many who has no interest in being a difference maker....we need a post 2001 McGinest clone in here,not guys just here for a paycheck,dump the trash I say.

I'd be okay with another year of Burgess. He wasn't great, but I didn't think he was nearly as bad as some people here did.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Critical Step: it may not be up to the pats. with the curve that brady's personal life has been on, it would not be suprising at all to see him retire after 2010. or if he doesn't get a deal done, he could be franchised for a season, then he will be 34 when he is done. not too early for someone who has no intention to drag his career out......and his wife makes even more money than he does......so the real critical step is to identify the next QB now so that he is ready for when brady is done.

Brady says he wants to play forever, he's talked about playing into his 40s, and I have no clue what his wife's career has to do with anything. So I have no idea where this assumption comes from.

Having said that much, Hoyer has looked quite good in limited action and deserves a chance to progress and improve. I'm comfortable with him as a #2 option for the next little while.

 

[mayoclinic]

I'd be okay with another year of Burgess. He wasn't great, but I didn't think he was nearly as bad as some people here did.

I'm OK with Burgess and TBC while we develop 2 young studs, but I wouldn't break the bank for him by any means.

There are rumors that Jax will cut Quentin Groves this offseason. Anyone interested in bringing him in and giving him a try? I wouldn't expect miracles, but I'd be happy to let him fight it out with Crable and Ninkovich for a roster spot and playing time.

 

[Kontradiction]

Moving Mayo to the WILL has to happen. He's being wasted at SILB, and, as you say, it has a domino effect on the defense. Patrick Willis would be wasted playing SILB too.

Options include:

1. Bring in a FA SILB (Karlos Dansby)
2. Trade up for Rolando McClain
3. Play Tyrone McKenzie at SILB (not sure he's suited for the role)
4. Draft a rookie other than McClain (possible options include Brandon Spikes, Eric Norwood, and Micah Johnson, among others)

Jays52 has made a compelling argument that the biggest single thing that could be done to improve the Pats' defense is not to get impact edge rushers but to solidfy the inside pass rush:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england.../308687-my-dilettant-defensive-treatise.html

I believe that a stud SILB, along with a couple of talented young pass rushers and a more aggressive DC, would totally transform our defense.

Good post. I would love to see Dansby lining up next to Mayo. Even if we keep the same OLB's that we had this year (third down specialist in TBC who was forced to be an every down guy, and AD who certainly underpeformed in this style of defense given what he was being paid), upgrading Guyton's spot would improve this defense all by itself. Imagine Dansby and Mayo lining up behind Wilfork, should we bring him back. It would be almost impossible to run up the gut of this defense. Maybe you're just talking about the LB's, but I believe you forgot about DE. IMO, trading up for McClain instead of taking a big bodied DE like Seymour who can take up two blockers to free up the OLB, stuff the run on his side of the line, and get push toward the quarterback on passing downs is of the biggest importance in this draft. You can agree with the Seymour trade if you want, but anybody that agrees with it should freely admit that Jarvis Green and the guys we put in there to replace him were simply not getting it done this season. Personally, I would like to see a guy like Dansby added through free agency or trade to shore up the SILB spot and concentrate our first pick on a DE (or OG, depending on the value available).