Wilfork#75
In the Starting Line-Up
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2010
- Messages
- 2,348
- Reaction score
- 859
Ok guys, its been a while so here we go.
Key Re-Signings
Welker, Vollmer, Talib, Edelman, Woodhead, Arrington, Fletcher, Thomas, White
Sign FA
DT- Glenn Dorsey
Most probably consider Dorsey a bust considering the hype coming out of LSU, but he has been very solid, playing out of position in KC. I think if we can bring him in as a rotational 4-3 DT he could finally excel in the NFL and be a steal of a free agent class. He has a great anchor which he has already shown in KC, but with his quick feet and good hand usage I think he could breakout into the stud DT most expected him to be coming out of college.
Trades
QB- Ryan Mallet + 2nd (62) to Ari for 2nd (38) + 4th (100)
Swap 2nds and gain a 4th for Mallet. Maybe not quite the return we had hoped when we drafted him but still solid value for an unproven QB. Arizona is desperate for a QB and if they don’t take one early in round 1, Mallet might be the best option.
4th (100) + 7th (222) to TB for 4thth (109) + 5 (140)
Just a little manoeuvring picks
Picks
1. (32) - QB- Matt Barkley- USC (Sr- Team Captain)
Ok, I don’t expect anyone to understand or like this pick, but this is my guy. One of the hardest things in the NFL is to find a QB that you truly believe in. I believe in Matt Barkley. He has a solid physical skill set, but unmatched intangibles by any QB prospect I’ve seen since following the draft. He has solid physical tools and enough arm to make all the throws, but the character, makeup and leadership to be special. I have never seen a college QB with the same kind of pocket awareness that Barkley has. The way he moves around inside the pocket, is able to avoid pressure and get the ball out quickly while always keeping his eyes down the field reminds me of Tom Brady. He is also a 4 year starter and the first true sophomore ever named team captain at USC, so he is extremely mature and shows good leadership. I don’t know what more you could look for in a franchise QB. If he is somehow there at the end of the 1st round I would not hesitate to draft him. If I was KC I would draft him #1 overall.
Now you might think that taking a QB in round 1 is crazy, but I think now is a great time. I think the Mallet pick was a few years early because he will be a free agent the same time Brady’s contract runs out. Drafting Barkley now I think could be an Aaron Rodgers like situation where he sits for a few years, even though he may be ready now, but is able to step right in without missing a beat in 2 or 3 years time.
I know a lot of people will look at Matt Barkley and automatically make the Mark Sanchez comparison, but I don’t think that’s fair. Sanchez was a 1 year starter, under a different coaching staff in a completely different system. He also arguably had better talent around him, especially on the offensive line compared to Barkley this season. Add in inconsistency and durability concerns and Sanchez was a very risky pick. On the other hand Barkley started as a true freshman and finished with 47 career starts. He showed unbelievable maturity and loyalty with the way he handled the NCAA sanctions against USC and the mess Pete Carroll left. He is much more polished, better tested and better suited to being a franchise NFL QB than Sanchez was. I wouldn’t expect anyone to really understand this pick, but having watched him closely over the past 2 years I really believe in Matt Barkley as a franchise QB.
2. (38) - OL- Barrett Jones- Alabama (rSr- Team Captain)
Interior O-lineman tend to drop in the 1st round, so I don’t think it’s unrealistic that Jones is there in early round 2. He’s not as sexy as the likes of Chance Warmack or Jonathon Cooper, but I still think he is the best interior O-Lineman in the country. He has the versatility to play all 5 positions across the line, with the potential to be elite at either OG or C. He’s smart, battle tested in the SEC, well coached by Nick Saban, what else could you ask for. I love this kid. His foot injury could also impact his draft stock and potentially push him down a little further.
3. (96) - S- TJ McDonald- USC (Sr- Team Captain)
Last year I loved McDonald and had him as a 1st round pick. This year he has fallen a little, but I still really like him. If he is there in the 3rd round I think he will be a steal. He would add a nice combination of size, athleticism and physicality to the secondary, as well as the versatility to play near the line, deep CF or lining up against TE’s in man coverage. He has the experience, leadership qualities and pedigree that the Pats love, and I think he will be a very good NFL Safety.
4. (109) - WR- Da’Rick Rogers- Tennessee Tech (Jr)
This is lower than most people have him ranked at the moment, but I think the character issues will continue to push him down draft boards. Coming into the season I thought Rogers was the best WR in the draft, and from what little I’ve seen of him this season I haven’t changed my opinion. He is just a quality, well rounded, versatile receiver who possesses a good combination of size, speed and overall athleticism. I think he is a future #1, and in the 4th round (I would even trade up into the 3rd for him) he is a steal.
5. (140) - TE- Michael Williams- Alabama (rSr- Team Captain)
Binky Alert. Michael Williams has been a binky of mine since mid-2011 and I have no reason to change now. I love his game and I think he would be a very valuable asset to this team. Michael Hoomahoweveryouspellhisname has been a pleasant surprise this year, but I think Williams would be a solid upgrade at a cheaper price. An elite blocking TE who has been underutilized as a pass catcher and also contributes on special teams. High character leader, well coached and loved by his teammates. You cannot build a better Patriot.
7. (202) - DL- Damion Square- Alabama (rSr- Team Captain)
No surprise with another Alabama player, I think square is one of the most underrated players in the draft. He is a tweener DE/DT, but I think with his speed and athleticism he could excel as an interior pass rusher matching up against slower OG’s. If you can get a role player that could contribute in the 7th round I think you would consider that a success. Like Williams, square is a team captain, hugely respected and loved by his coaches and teammates. He really was one of the underrated leaders on that Alabama team.
Roster
QB(2)- Brady, Barkley
RB(5)- Ridley, Vereen, Woodhead, Bolden, Demps
WR(5)- Welker, Lloyd, Rogers, Edelman, Slater
TE(4)- Gronk, Hernandez, Ballard, Williams
OT(4)- Solder, Vollmer, Cannon, Zusevics
OG/C(5)- Mankins, Jones, Connolly, Wendell, Thomas/McDonald
DE(5)- Jones, Ninko, Bequette, Cunningham, Francis
DT(5)- Wilfork, Love, Dorsey, Deaderick, Forston/Square/Pryor
LB (5)- Mayo, Spikes, Hightower, Fletcher, White
CB(5)- Talib, Dennard, Dowling, Arrington, Cole
S(5)- McCourty, McDonald, Wilson, Gregory, Ebner
K- Gostkowski
P- Mesko
LS- Aiken
Key Re-Signings
Welker, Vollmer, Talib, Edelman, Woodhead, Arrington, Fletcher, Thomas, White
Sign FA
DT- Glenn Dorsey
Most probably consider Dorsey a bust considering the hype coming out of LSU, but he has been very solid, playing out of position in KC. I think if we can bring him in as a rotational 4-3 DT he could finally excel in the NFL and be a steal of a free agent class. He has a great anchor which he has already shown in KC, but with his quick feet and good hand usage I think he could breakout into the stud DT most expected him to be coming out of college.
Trades
QB- Ryan Mallet + 2nd (62) to Ari for 2nd (38) + 4th (100)
Swap 2nds and gain a 4th for Mallet. Maybe not quite the return we had hoped when we drafted him but still solid value for an unproven QB. Arizona is desperate for a QB and if they don’t take one early in round 1, Mallet might be the best option.
4th (100) + 7th (222) to TB for 4thth (109) + 5 (140)
Just a little manoeuvring picks
Picks
1. (32) - QB- Matt Barkley- USC (Sr- Team Captain)
Ok, I don’t expect anyone to understand or like this pick, but this is my guy. One of the hardest things in the NFL is to find a QB that you truly believe in. I believe in Matt Barkley. He has a solid physical skill set, but unmatched intangibles by any QB prospect I’ve seen since following the draft. He has solid physical tools and enough arm to make all the throws, but the character, makeup and leadership to be special. I have never seen a college QB with the same kind of pocket awareness that Barkley has. The way he moves around inside the pocket, is able to avoid pressure and get the ball out quickly while always keeping his eyes down the field reminds me of Tom Brady. He is also a 4 year starter and the first true sophomore ever named team captain at USC, so he is extremely mature and shows good leadership. I don’t know what more you could look for in a franchise QB. If he is somehow there at the end of the 1st round I would not hesitate to draft him. If I was KC I would draft him #1 overall.
Now you might think that taking a QB in round 1 is crazy, but I think now is a great time. I think the Mallet pick was a few years early because he will be a free agent the same time Brady’s contract runs out. Drafting Barkley now I think could be an Aaron Rodgers like situation where he sits for a few years, even though he may be ready now, but is able to step right in without missing a beat in 2 or 3 years time.
I know a lot of people will look at Matt Barkley and automatically make the Mark Sanchez comparison, but I don’t think that’s fair. Sanchez was a 1 year starter, under a different coaching staff in a completely different system. He also arguably had better talent around him, especially on the offensive line compared to Barkley this season. Add in inconsistency and durability concerns and Sanchez was a very risky pick. On the other hand Barkley started as a true freshman and finished with 47 career starts. He showed unbelievable maturity and loyalty with the way he handled the NCAA sanctions against USC and the mess Pete Carroll left. He is much more polished, better tested and better suited to being a franchise NFL QB than Sanchez was. I wouldn’t expect anyone to really understand this pick, but having watched him closely over the past 2 years I really believe in Matt Barkley as a franchise QB.
2. (38) - OL- Barrett Jones- Alabama (rSr- Team Captain)
Interior O-lineman tend to drop in the 1st round, so I don’t think it’s unrealistic that Jones is there in early round 2. He’s not as sexy as the likes of Chance Warmack or Jonathon Cooper, but I still think he is the best interior O-Lineman in the country. He has the versatility to play all 5 positions across the line, with the potential to be elite at either OG or C. He’s smart, battle tested in the SEC, well coached by Nick Saban, what else could you ask for. I love this kid. His foot injury could also impact his draft stock and potentially push him down a little further.
3. (96) - S- TJ McDonald- USC (Sr- Team Captain)
Last year I loved McDonald and had him as a 1st round pick. This year he has fallen a little, but I still really like him. If he is there in the 3rd round I think he will be a steal. He would add a nice combination of size, athleticism and physicality to the secondary, as well as the versatility to play near the line, deep CF or lining up against TE’s in man coverage. He has the experience, leadership qualities and pedigree that the Pats love, and I think he will be a very good NFL Safety.
4. (109) - WR- Da’Rick Rogers- Tennessee Tech (Jr)
This is lower than most people have him ranked at the moment, but I think the character issues will continue to push him down draft boards. Coming into the season I thought Rogers was the best WR in the draft, and from what little I’ve seen of him this season I haven’t changed my opinion. He is just a quality, well rounded, versatile receiver who possesses a good combination of size, speed and overall athleticism. I think he is a future #1, and in the 4th round (I would even trade up into the 3rd for him) he is a steal.
5. (140) - TE- Michael Williams- Alabama (rSr- Team Captain)
Binky Alert. Michael Williams has been a binky of mine since mid-2011 and I have no reason to change now. I love his game and I think he would be a very valuable asset to this team. Michael Hoomahoweveryouspellhisname has been a pleasant surprise this year, but I think Williams would be a solid upgrade at a cheaper price. An elite blocking TE who has been underutilized as a pass catcher and also contributes on special teams. High character leader, well coached and loved by his teammates. You cannot build a better Patriot.
7. (202) - DL- Damion Square- Alabama (rSr- Team Captain)
No surprise with another Alabama player, I think square is one of the most underrated players in the draft. He is a tweener DE/DT, but I think with his speed and athleticism he could excel as an interior pass rusher matching up against slower OG’s. If you can get a role player that could contribute in the 7th round I think you would consider that a success. Like Williams, square is a team captain, hugely respected and loved by his coaches and teammates. He really was one of the underrated leaders on that Alabama team.
Roster
QB(2)- Brady, Barkley
RB(5)- Ridley, Vereen, Woodhead, Bolden, Demps
WR(5)- Welker, Lloyd, Rogers, Edelman, Slater
TE(4)- Gronk, Hernandez, Ballard, Williams
OT(4)- Solder, Vollmer, Cannon, Zusevics
OG/C(5)- Mankins, Jones, Connolly, Wendell, Thomas/McDonald
DE(5)- Jones, Ninko, Bequette, Cunningham, Francis
DT(5)- Wilfork, Love, Dorsey, Deaderick, Forston/Square/Pryor
LB (5)- Mayo, Spikes, Hightower, Fletcher, White
CB(5)- Talib, Dennard, Dowling, Arrington, Cole
S(5)- McCourty, McDonald, Wilson, Gregory, Ebner
K- Gostkowski
P- Mesko
LS- Aiken
