BradyManny
Pro Bowl Player
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2006
- Messages
- 11,103
- Reaction score
- 1,520
Add your own or post links to others:
Reiss:
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2008/02/05/after_loss_come_more_decisions/
Michigan Dave's via Planet forum:
http://michiganagainsttheworld.blogspot.com/2008/02/picking-up-pieces-2008-roster-outlook.html
Those are the two I've seen so far. Herald might have one, but I'm boycotting the Herald, so F them.
My take isn't all that different:
SCALE:
I'm arbitrarily setting my rules that a unit can be IN NEED, UPGRADEABLE or ALL SET
QB: ALL SET
As long as Brady's on the squad, this will be the case.
OL: UPGRADEABLE
Sure, one bad game doesn't mean they are in need, but I do think this group gets a lot of credit for Brady being Brady and having such sick pocket presence. If Long makes it to 7, drafting him might make sense, even though OL isn't high on the priority list.
RB: ALL SET
The absence of Sammy Morris went understated throughout the season. His return, combined with Maroney really becoming a beast, combined with Faulk, we're more than set here.
WR: ALL SET* or IN NEED*
It all depends on Moss, who they MUST bring back. If they bring him back, then they're set. I'm going to predict a healthy Chad Jackson ends up making one of the most deadly #3s in the league, and is an upgrade over Stallworth. Hopefully Gaffney is re-signed as a 3/4 as well.
TE: ALL SET
Watson, K. Brady and Thomas. I think we're all excited to see what Dave Thomas can bring to the table.
OUTLOOK ON OFFENSE: There's no reason to think that if Moss re-signs, this group will be even better next season with a healthy Sammy Morris, Maroney performing at a higher level, Chad Jackson developing & Dave Thomas being healthy. As long as Moss is re-signed, literally the only draft pick or FA signing I see necessary is if they decide they can upgrade a spot on the OL, which to me would have to be a 1st round draft pick as it's not going to be easy to upgrade an already pretty solid group.
DLINE: ALL SET
I'm not sure how to evaluate Warren's performance this year, he was certainly quieter, but we've learned that is not a way to judge someone. My feeling is that a 100% Richard Seymour will make this line earn the "one of the best in the league" title that it has.
LB: IN NEED
Seau, Colvin & Bruschi - three interesting decisions. The loss of Colvin was horribly understated and underestimated. I have no doubt that if he were healthy on Sunday nite, we win. They do not score on that final drive and it's that simple. BelichickFan put out the numbers - Vrabel is more effective with Colvin on the field, and Colvin was a beast when healthy this season. They have to bring him back.
AD is going to be an upgrade over himself - he'll have one year under his belt, and he'll be devoted to one position, ILB, where he played well at for most of the year. The ankle injury made him a bit quieter during the middle of the season.
Seau/Bruschi could both return, but they definitely need another option at ILB. I don't see either of those guys starting full-time, but playing situational/depth roles. What options are out there?
DB: IN NEED
Asante's gone, he's not worth the money and mildly overrated. I still love the idea of Law being cut and coming back. Honestly, I'd take Ty Law at age 55 over Asante in his prime. The idea that Asante is a top-flight CB is laughable when you compare him and his impact to the one Law made on this team while he was here. Law could very well have been the MVP of some of those championship teams. If there is a sports God, Law will come back and end his career here.
Hobbs is fine as #2, I think improved safety play will eliminate what are perceived to be his deficiencies. Meriweather started to really make an impact down the stretch, the fact that he played pretty much the whole Super Bowl gives you an indication of what his status will be for next season. Harrison/Sanders will compete for the other starting position. Meriweather will be a stud, so this group could be improved over what it was this season.
OVERALL OUTLOOK ON DEFENSE: With three draft picks ready to make an impact, and some cap room once they deal with Stallworth/Washington and or restructure Colvin, this side of the ball is in good shape.
All in all, we're in good shape for 08.
Reiss:
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2008/02/05/after_loss_come_more_decisions/
Michigan Dave's via Planet forum:
http://michiganagainsttheworld.blogspot.com/2008/02/picking-up-pieces-2008-roster-outlook.html
Those are the two I've seen so far. Herald might have one, but I'm boycotting the Herald, so F them.
My take isn't all that different:
SCALE:
I'm arbitrarily setting my rules that a unit can be IN NEED, UPGRADEABLE or ALL SET
QB: ALL SET
As long as Brady's on the squad, this will be the case.
OL: UPGRADEABLE
Sure, one bad game doesn't mean they are in need, but I do think this group gets a lot of credit for Brady being Brady and having such sick pocket presence. If Long makes it to 7, drafting him might make sense, even though OL isn't high on the priority list.
RB: ALL SET
The absence of Sammy Morris went understated throughout the season. His return, combined with Maroney really becoming a beast, combined with Faulk, we're more than set here.
WR: ALL SET* or IN NEED*
It all depends on Moss, who they MUST bring back. If they bring him back, then they're set. I'm going to predict a healthy Chad Jackson ends up making one of the most deadly #3s in the league, and is an upgrade over Stallworth. Hopefully Gaffney is re-signed as a 3/4 as well.
TE: ALL SET
Watson, K. Brady and Thomas. I think we're all excited to see what Dave Thomas can bring to the table.
OUTLOOK ON OFFENSE: There's no reason to think that if Moss re-signs, this group will be even better next season with a healthy Sammy Morris, Maroney performing at a higher level, Chad Jackson developing & Dave Thomas being healthy. As long as Moss is re-signed, literally the only draft pick or FA signing I see necessary is if they decide they can upgrade a spot on the OL, which to me would have to be a 1st round draft pick as it's not going to be easy to upgrade an already pretty solid group.
DLINE: ALL SET
I'm not sure how to evaluate Warren's performance this year, he was certainly quieter, but we've learned that is not a way to judge someone. My feeling is that a 100% Richard Seymour will make this line earn the "one of the best in the league" title that it has.
LB: IN NEED
Seau, Colvin & Bruschi - three interesting decisions. The loss of Colvin was horribly understated and underestimated. I have no doubt that if he were healthy on Sunday nite, we win. They do not score on that final drive and it's that simple. BelichickFan put out the numbers - Vrabel is more effective with Colvin on the field, and Colvin was a beast when healthy this season. They have to bring him back.
AD is going to be an upgrade over himself - he'll have one year under his belt, and he'll be devoted to one position, ILB, where he played well at for most of the year. The ankle injury made him a bit quieter during the middle of the season.
Seau/Bruschi could both return, but they definitely need another option at ILB. I don't see either of those guys starting full-time, but playing situational/depth roles. What options are out there?
DB: IN NEED
Asante's gone, he's not worth the money and mildly overrated. I still love the idea of Law being cut and coming back. Honestly, I'd take Ty Law at age 55 over Asante in his prime. The idea that Asante is a top-flight CB is laughable when you compare him and his impact to the one Law made on this team while he was here. Law could very well have been the MVP of some of those championship teams. If there is a sports God, Law will come back and end his career here.
Hobbs is fine as #2, I think improved safety play will eliminate what are perceived to be his deficiencies. Meriweather started to really make an impact down the stretch, the fact that he played pretty much the whole Super Bowl gives you an indication of what his status will be for next season. Harrison/Sanders will compete for the other starting position. Meriweather will be a stud, so this group could be improved over what it was this season.
OVERALL OUTLOOK ON DEFENSE: With three draft picks ready to make an impact, and some cap room once they deal with Stallworth/Washington and or restructure Colvin, this side of the ball is in good shape.
All in all, we're in good shape for 08.
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