What realistically can be done for next year to contend for a ring?

[TriplecHamp]

If they move down again, then Belichick clearly hasn't learned from his mistakes.

This, If BB trades down, we riot.

 

[Krugman]

As for changes,I agree we could use a Kevin Turner type fullback(remember him?) and a solid pass -rusher,the team needs some tweaks rather than a clean sweep.We were AFC champs after all but most believe we were deficient in some areas.Gotta believe that BB is aware of the shortcomings and will make some moves.Sigh.... next year...every loss seems to stick with me the last few years,I've gotten spoiled by the Pats success.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

It's KRAFT that needs to open the wallet up.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Upgrade both sides of the line. It's a deep draft for guards and and Dt's/ends.

I don't want to see this team draft a LB. I want a tough proven veteran like Dansby via FA. I really hope to see this happen. Like Crable {lol} I want to see what McKenzie {lol }can do.
I just hope he is not made of cotton candy like Crable.

I want a wr with blazing speed on the outside who can keep defenses honest. Scour the draft to find one. I don't care if he's from division 4. Stallworth may have not been lights out but he did contribute to Moss and Welkers success with his physical speed. Hell, I'll say it, bring him into camp and give him a try. He'd be a good cheap investment and hungry to prove himself after his incarceration.

As far as the coaching and scheme? This was by far the worst defense to watch since 2002. Teams passed at will on this team. I don't know what our 3rd down defense was? I wouldn't be suprised if it was 32nd. We allowed 5 or 6 rushing td's all season? No wonder, why rush for a td when you can just throw them into the endzone? There is adequete personal in place. I just think the scheme sucked for a better part of the season. There has to be changes and who in their right mind is going to tell BB that the coaches he promoted aren't getting it done? But I do agree with most. He is a great mind and he is in a transition year and he will adapt and find a way to get this teamand coaches better I'm sure.

 

[SeymourTrophies]

I honestly dont see that big of a need for DE, We have Warren, Green (if we bring him back), Pryor, and Wright. We could surely add depth but we dont really need a top prospect to add there. at NT we have Brace and Wilfork as far as Im concerned. Brace isnt really ready IMO but Im not sure we need to add a top prospect there either. I would look at OG, OLB, and WR/TE and ILB as our most pressing needs.

Warren is barely cutting it. Green is turrible.

If we do nothing else, we need to mend the right end of the D-line and figure out the O-line. We need to get back to winning the battle in the trenches.

 

[mayoclinic]

I believe that if we examine our list of needs, our personnel needs aren't any more serious than in other years. I suspect that we will, as always, have a roster that could compete for the division, even before the draft. This is as it should be. After all, the draft is to find help for the future. The base talent is good enough to compete for the division again, although without additions I don't think that we are good as the jets at this point.

What is most disconcerting is that two of the top needs this year are for more experienced coaches and for veteran leadership. Of course, the need for veteran leadership is made more serious because of the lack of adequate coaching. Coaching and veteran leadership used to be our strong points.

If you compare what we need to do to contend for a ring next year vs. what other previous contenders like the Giants and Steelers need to do, in terms of personnel the needs aren't any greater. The Steelers for example have major needs on OL and DL, aging LBs, and needs to upgrade/replace people in the secondary. But they have strong veteran leadership and team identity, and experienced coordinators. The Giants have some bigger issues with a new DC and some issues around Osi as well as major needs in the secondary and LB corps, but they still have a solid base of defensive leadership which won a SB in the past.

It didn't take a lot of personnel changes NO to go from 8-8 to 13-0. I doubt we will fix every single hole completely, but one or two impact guys and leaders could make a world of difference. I think out D would be totally different with McClain and Merriman added to the LB corps, or with Dansby and a high motor pass rusher, if we have the coaching staff to take advantage of it.

 

[dhamz]

It didn't take a lot of personnel changes NO to go from 8-8 to 13-0.

That is a good point. They made a couple key moves and most importantly brought in a new DC with a new philosophy. They did have the advantage of being completely set on 1 side of the ball which the Pats don't right now.

I think they'll make some big personnel moves. They always have when faced with these type of off-season questions - after 2002 and 2006 in particular.

What I'll be interested to see is BB makes changes to his coaching staff. I would have said I highly doubt that he would have but his comments at yesterday's press conference make me wonder if he will.

This team isn't all that far away from being a contender. It also isn't all that far away from being a 7-9/6-10 non-playoff team. It is a very big offseason.

 

[RhodyPatriot]

The Patriots do not need an overhaul.
First order of business is to remove some bad apples from that locker room, Adalius Thomas, Shawn Springs, etc. Love to see them bounce the high mantenance no show in big games Randy Moss but he's Brady's binky and with Welker gone I think they'll try to motivate the dog for one more year before they cut him loose.
Need to get a legit O-coordinator. The playcalling was stale and predictabe this year.
Legit O coach will free up BB to coach up the defense, BB was spread too thin this year.
Need a good special teams coach - they were brutal this year.
SIGN Vince Wilfork. Enough with the cheap Patriot Way!!
Add a legit pass rusher
Add at LB
Add speed all over the team.
With Vohlmer O line looks much better, add depth
There is no sense in upgrading TE and WR unless the offense is going to use them. With Welker gone perhaps we can finally break Brady of his Moss/ Welker tunnel vision and start to utilize all the players on O.
There is no greater need for an upgrade on this team than within the coaching staff.
Strengthen the staff, remove the bad apples, upgrade the D with some edge speed (amazing how much better the secondary will look when the Pats are actually pressuring the QB) and with a healthy motivated TB at QB next year the Patriots will be just fine.

 

[ramon]

Moss is a good guy and a team leader BUT I do agree that with Moss on teh field, the philosophy has shifted to too much of pass it to Randy or Wes.

Pre-Moss and Pre-Wes Brady was incredible at spreading the ball around and keeping the defenses completely guessing.
I would love to see the Patriots switch back to spread it around office..which would require 4 good receivers rather than 2 great ones and 2 who suck.
Also need a reliable pass receiving TE

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

The team needs alot and Im not talking players in gen, alot of personal and buisness decisons be made... There were alot of personal mistakes made the last 3 years... It needs to figure out which way to go, its not close to a championship team right now.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

I would agree with this. I would divide things that need to be addressed for next year into 2 categories - new players, and other.

Things that need to be changed regardless of what players are on the team:

1. New OC, with more diversified/less predictable offensive attack, less spread offense, more playaction, and better run-pass balance. "Untrain" TB to go back to his pre-2007 habits.

2. New DC with some experience, and a more attacking, aggressive defensive style.

3. Get more fire in the belly. This team didn't have much fight in it this year.

4. Add some veteran leadership, especially on defense.

5. Get rid of some deadwood - need better team chemistry.

Personnel Upgrades:

Offense

1. Upgrade the OL

2. Bring in a dynamic playmaker on offense (e.g., CJ Spiller) or a power back

3. Get an effective 3rd and 4th WR option

Defense

1. Retain key defensive personnel (Wilfork, Bodden)

2. Get a true SILB to complement Mayo (Dansby, McClain) and allow him to play the weak side

3. Add at least one veteran leader with fire in his belly (Dansby, Merriman)

4. Bring in at least 2 DE/OLBs in FA or the draft who can bring pressure from the outside (Merriman as a FA; Carlos Dunlap, Greg Romeus, Jason Pierre-Paul, Greg Hardy, Austen Lane, or someone else via the draft).

5. Upgrade the run defense

That should be enough.

Mayo, they just showed on espn that McClain just declared.....We should really get him. All i watch for ncaa is alabama, and the guy is a beast

 

[BrocktonBomber]

Imagine if we were the Browns .....get a grip on reality folks

ps. I sent off for a free Patriots Fan Pack and got pencils,Stickers(Pat & Elvis), Magnetic schedules, A nice big team photograph(not pictured Crable). I just emailed them and asked for a fan pack they graciously obliged. Around Preseason next year I will request another one, as they put one together every year. For those interested I also received one from the Sox(it included a baggie of Fenway dirt)

 

[chevss454]

We have some very well-thought out posts from mayo and kontra in this thread. Thanks guys. To add a few thoughts.
We have all seen how good Brady can be when he has time in the pocket, no matter who his WR's are. It seems to me protecting him is/should be priority #1. This year he was sacked 21 times and took 74 hits. Compare that with Manning who was sacked 13 times and took 43 hits. I would like to see our OL upgraded. OG Iupati is a beast in the draft.
Our running game is in flux. It's time to get back to some smashmouth Dillon/Smith type power running backs. Dixon from Miss St or Gerhart from Stanford seem more like every down backs than Spiller, who, although a playmaker, is too small at 180lbs to go every down. Just a thought.
If we lose Green, DE Wooton from N'western is highly regarded or perhaps a FA.
OLB's Kindle or Muckleroy, both from TX or Graham from MI would be considerable upgrades.
ILB's McClain from Ala (probably goes too high) or Spikes from FL are talented and well-coached and both have attitude.

Obviously, free agents signed and present personnel let go will dictate positional needs in the draft. You have both presented logical and well-thought out ideas. I am really excited to see what the Pats do in Free agency and in the draft with all those early picks; BB will turn this around, no doubt in my mind. :singing:

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

The people who are preaching calm and that all that is needed is small fixes will soon be shown to be lacking in judgement once Belichick takes a flamethrower to this team (just like the people who said we were fine at WR before the great WR revolution - Welker, Moss, Stallworth). I see big changes on the offensive line and we need pass rushers. The story of the Pats of late has been opposing QB's hardly ever hurried and Brady hurried almost constantly.

The people who are preaching panic and saying the team needs to be blown up seem to forget what the NFL is like nowadays. A league where a team who was 5-11 last year has an outside shot at a Super Bowl run with some bargain FA pickups and a good draft. A league where a Pittsburgh Steelers team can miss the playoffs, lose in the wild card round, and without making any drastic changes to that team, make it back to the SB and win. Many more examples of SB winners/runner ups that didn't have a complete shakeup but put themselves in position to contend. Having a less than perfect team doesn't mean you're in major trouble, yeah there is work to be done but let's not panic just yet. There's lots of players on this team we don't know what we have with that may be the answer to some weaknesses. I agree with you we do need a passrusher and we have other needs as well. We also have 4 day one picks and cap space, as well as a young defense that showed some promise despite being rebuilt for the most part.

 

[PowerRunRevival]

Mayo, they just showed on espn that McClain just declared.....We should really get him. All i watch for ncaa is alabama, and the guy is a beast

He will be long gone before the time we pick.

 

[Matw]

Go get Terrell Eldorado Owens.

Yes, he has his problems but he instantly takes heat off Moss and gives Brady a very dangerous option opposite Randy.

 

[SeymourTrophies]

Moss is a good guy and a team leader BUT I do agree that with Moss on teh field, the philosophy has shifted to too much of pass it to Randy or Wes.

Pre-Moss and Pre-Wes Brady was incredible at spreading the ball around and keeping the defenses completely guessing.
I would love to see the Patriots switch back to spread it around office..which would require 4 good receivers rather than 2 great ones and 2 who suck.
Also need a reliable pass receiving TE

I'm pretty sure that this is a Tom Brady thing. He heaves the ball into double and triple coverage to Moss when there are guys wide open across the middle. I doubt that BB is telling him to do this sort of thing. We were a spread it around offense before this season. Welker is definitely the security blanket though.

 

[PowerRunRevival]

Long time lurker first time poster. The numbers are the problems the Pats have and the letters underneath are the solutions in no particular order (in my opinion)

Offense
1. Offensive playcalling (yes that's a pun)
a. New OC
b. More running
c. Varied formations
d. Trick plays to keep defenses honest

2. Offensive Line Play
a. Draft big guard who can move people in the run game (Vlad Ducasse out of UMass with 2nd rounder)
b. Let Matt Light walk
c. Run the ball (it's easy for opponents rushers to t off when they know it's going to be a pass)

3. QB Play
a. Run the ball (balance will keep the heat off Brady)
b. Change offense so that it isn't based on the staring down Welker's option Route or Moss go
c. Go back to a progression offense where Brady looks at all his reads

4. Running back play
a. Vary running formations (When we ran the ball we were in obvious run formations and the same is true of the pass.
b. Draft running back (Gerhart, Best or Dwyer with a second round pick)

5. Wide Reciever play
a. Draft a wideout (Benn,G. Tate, Decker, Shipley)
b. Sign a wideout
c. Give B. Tate a chance
d. More screens for Moss, more playaction to free him deep
e. Watch Edelman grow into top notch wr

Defense
1. Defensive back play
a. Draft DB (Hayden if he slips to our 1st, Mays if he slips to our second, Ghee with our late 2nd.
b. Look for veteran presence to solidify back end think what Sharper did for the Saints.

2. Linebacker play
a. See what you have in McKenzie and Crable
b. Look for experienced Vet that can run the complicated defenses Belichick prefers
c. Pass rushing specialist out of the draft (if Jerry Hughes is available with our pick in the first round and we don't take him I will break something in my house)
d. Pass rushing specialist in free agency, I know the Julius Peppers rumors were flying last year, let's pick him up for large money in an uncapped year.
e. Adalius needs to go

3. Defensive Line play
a. Run stuffer in case Wilfork walks, or to help Wilfork stuff middle in 4-3 (Cody has been slipping to the second rounds in some mocks)
b. See if Brace or Pryor develop.
C. Get power pass rush DL for passing situations.

Special Teams
1. Punting
a. Find a new Punter
2. Kicking
a. Resign the ghost
3. Return game
a. Get returner in free agency or draft
4. Kickoff game
a. resign arrington

We could easily shore up 4 different needs within the first two rounds, if we can do that, get a new oc and sign a vet or 2 I think we are Super Bowl contenders again next year.

 

[b72s]

The best teams in league are pass dominant

We could have the best secondary in the league but with no pass rush they cannot cover forever.

We need a strong pass rush by bolster d-line and LBs. That is how we lost to Giants SB/Saints.

Dallas beat saints (D. Ware)

Our offense should be good enough but needs balance

 

[Kontradiction]

Go get Terrell Eldorado Owens.

Yes, he has his problems but he instantly takes heat off Moss and gives Brady a very dangerous option opposite Randy.

Uh... no. He's very talented, but we already had enough attitude problems in the locker room this past season. We don't need another one. We can find a capable WR3 on the street (Matt Jones, D.J. Hackett), in the draft, or through free agency or trade.