Moves for next year

[VrabelMayeWin]

Not wanting Deus Irae's post to get lost in the BJGE thread :

What's far more interesting to me, but will never be known, is that question of what sort of numbers Maroney could have put up behind that line if he'd been healthy this season. Belichick's opinion of what that question's answer would ahve been will very likely be the deciding factor in whether or not LoMo is back this year. I'm looking at RB and TE to be the two positions with the greatest likelihood of a 'big' move made, along with the team looking for an upgrade over Gaffney.

We all know we want to continue to get younger and faster on defense. But what other moves do you like ?

I really like Morris and Jordan. I'd see if Shanahan still likes Maroney and trade him there for a conditional 2010 pick if Shanahan still likes him. And I'd sign another Jordan/Morris type along with re-signing Jordan. Those three, BJGE and Faulk works for me.

I would see if we could trade Watson to KC for Tony Gonzalez. Could be a win-win.

Definitely agree on upgrading Gaffney. He's OK but he'd be a great #4 WR. Personally I'd like Stallworth back and he'll be a UFA again more than likely - but that ship seems to have sailed. Torry Holt would work for me.

I'd also like an upgrade on the OL although Neal finally stayed healthy, for the most part, once he returned and Kaczur was better than I expected.

 

[BradyManny]

Not wanting Deus Irae's post to get lost in the BJGE thread :



We all know we want to continue to get younger and faster on defense. But what other moves do you like ?

I really like Morris and Jordan. I'd see if Shanahan still likes Maroney and trade him there for a conditional 2010 pick if Shanahan still likes him. And I'd sign another Jordan/Morris type along with re-signing Jordan. Those three, BJGE and Faulk works for me.

I would see if we could trade Watson to KC for Tony Gonzalez. Could be a win-win.

Definitely agree on upgrading Gaffney. He's OK but he'd be a great #4 WR. Personally I'd like Stallworth back and he'll be a UFA again more than likely - but that ship seems to have sailed. Torry Holt would work for me.

I'd also like an upgrade on the OL although Neal finally stayed healthy, for the most part, once he returned and Kaczur was better than I expected.

I say you gotta stick with Maroney. Of course, I said that about Chad Jackson days before he was released. But with Maroney, there is a track record of some success and flashes of huge potential. I believe Football Outsiders had him at 6th in the NFL amongst RBs at Value Over Replacement in 07. It seemed he was on the verge of getting into the top tiers of RBs. He still has to make huge improvements, but there is so much potential there.

At worst, I think Maroney could be a lethal 3rd down option if he gets his hands right and works on his blocking.

Bring back Jordan. Go with Maroney, Morris, Jordan, Faulk again - it's lethal, and two of those guys (Morris, Jordan) are insurance policies against LoMo not producing on given days. It hurt me to say this, but if we had had a healthy Morris on Feb 2nd, 2008 or if we had a Lamont Jordan on that day, I doubt the outcome is as painful as it ended up being.

Agree about upgrading on Gaffney, though I would look to retain him as a #3B or #4. He took over the #3 role from Stallworth but only increased his production by 2 catches from the year before. As I've said before, I'd kill to get Branch back, but his play down the stretch might prevent Seattle from cutting him. Maybe Devery Henderson from the Saints is worth a look, he and Gaffney might platoon the #3 role the way Jab and Stallworth did last year.

On the OL - it was great once Neal was back. But you can't be dependent on one guy - especially an injury prone guy. They have to use the draft, rounds 3-7, to build some more talent and depth behind Neal & Kaczur. And I wouldn't mind using round 1 or 2 to grab a guy who can compete with Kaczur or prove to be a long term option at LT or RT.

 

[Lampshade]

I'm not even close to ready to give up on Maroney. It is painfully obvious how bad his shoulder was.

The offense has moved away from a TE driven offense, and in my opinion any of the elites would be wasted in it. Watson has turned into a pretty darn good blocker, and despite his drops defenses still need to account for him in the passing game more than an average unathletic TE.

If the offense stays as is I'll be happy.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

if the pats are going to spend a decent chunk of change on someone, I would like it to be terrell suggs......and then grab WR shaun macdonald

I would then like the pats to draft:
1 - ILB brandon spikes
2a - C/OG jonathan liugs
2b - OLB connor barwin
3a - SS micheal hamlin
3b - RB devin moore
4 - SS chip vaugh
5a - DE will johnson
5b - TE - ryan purvis
6 - best athletic OT
7 - TE - david johnson

the thinking is that a long-term rotation of mayo/spikes/guyton at ILB works very well for me.........liugs gets groomed to replace neal or in the event mankins does not get resigned......he can also move to C.........barwin caught 37 balls as a junior TE and made 11 sacks as a senior TE and will replace vrabel eventually.......between hamlin and vaughn, the pats will have some size in the middle of the secondary to chase guys like dallas clark.........devin moore is an offensive jack of all trades to inherit faulks work.......will johnson will replace mike wright if wright moves on or jarvis green should green get dumped (I believe wright is more important to the DL than green since he spent a bunch of time at each spot....I'd rather give wright green's money) ryan purvis and david johnson will be the depth behind watson and thomas with the hope into developing as regulars

 

[tanked_as_usual]

there's no hurry to do anything with maroney.......if shanny wants to give a 2nd rounder, I'd do it in a heartbeat and then add RB rashad jennings to the draft

 

[signbabybrady]

I think you likely will stay with Maroney and make sure you have the depth again like this year.

it seems this discussion revolves around offense so I will only give my opinions on that.

I think TE is the obvious position to improve on Offense. as it clearly is pretty weak. I don't want to lose Watson to do it though as he despite having hands of butter can really stretch the field and is a better blocker than we expected.

I am completely on board with the Tony G trade but why give talent in return when a mid draft pick would likely get it down.

as far as the WR goes this would obviously be a comidity as Welker and Moss give you everything you need and improving the TE would give you an added target for Brady. Gaffney would be just fine by me as the 3 but he would be an awsome 4. An interesting name that could be out there would be Deion Branch. I would love to have him back as he has a repore with Brady and knows the system. Hopefully his injuries and not lighting the world on fire in Seatle would allow us to get him fairly cheap and obviously the bridges may have been burned with the way this went down but man do I get chills thinking of Moss, Welker, and Branch.


I think assuming Cassel is gone (logical enough assumption) than we would probably want a vet back up.

I think the OL is pretty solid but we could use a solid back up tackle.

 

[mgcolby]

at WR Henderson is UFA and would be a good deep threat opposite of Moss. Engram as well but he is older and has the same issue as Stallworth, they can't stay healthy.

LB is where I am drooling: Suggs is a UFA along with Lewis. There maybe a chance that they have to use the FT on Lewis if he doesn't play ball with the FO. If not I assume Suggs gets tagged - barring any agreement between him and the team from last year.

Also Dansby is a UFA and the Cardinals have a ton UFA's: Warner, Berry, Pope, Arrington and an unhappy Boldin. I would love to have Dansby.

TE is also interesting: Owen Daniels, Leonard Pope and Bo Scaife are all UFA's.

DL: Haynesworth, Peppers, Berry, Babineaux and Rocky Bernard are some of the better UFA's.

DB: Is flooded Asomugha, Mike Brown, Dawkins, Dunta Robinson.

My wish list: Dansby or Suggs as the prize FA pickup - Add one of them to the group would give us one of the best LB corps in the NFL and would instantly upgrade the defense. I would poop myself if they could pull it off.

Maybe take a flyer on a Brown or Dawkins to play SS. I think Asomugha would be to much and honestly Wilhite looked decent towards the end of the year. Robinson could be intriguing, but given his injury history and our history of injuries in the secondary, that may turn out to be a match made in hell.

They pick up Henderson at WR and/or any one of the three TE's I listed.

 

[Deus Irae]

Ok, here's how I'd set up the offense:

QB:
Trade Cassel, keep Brady and KOC.
Look for an upgrade for Gut, preferably a veteran.

HB:
Keep Maroney (Contract isn't bad), Morris and Jordan, along with Faulk

FB:
Bring Evans to camp, but look for competition/replacement in the draft

WR:
Moss, Welker are locks. Everyone else should be facing competition, and hopefully being upgraded. If the wheel has turned, perhaps Branch will be available. I doubt it, but one can dream. Branch or otherwise, I'm looking for a receiver who can thrive in the intermediate zone of the offense, allowing the team to threaten all 3 levels. Watson would fit this bill if he had better hands.

TE:
Watson will be back, but the team really needs to address this position. I still think that letting Graham go is among BB's biggest mistakes as Patriots' head coach, and that it's cost this team a Super Bowl and a playoff berth. Thomas isn't getting it done and Watson hasn't been able to stop fighting the ball even at this point in his career.

OT:
In a perfect world, the team wouldn't have lost that second first rounder last season, and would have found a way to get Clady and Mayo. I wanted Clady then, I'll take Oher now. So, in a perfect world, the Cassel tag-n-trade nets a high enough pick that the Patriots are able to draft Oher, which gives the team Light's replacement when the time comes. In the meantime, keep the starters and think long and hard about not bringing back a man who seems to get a concussion every third play.

OG:
It's time to find Neal's replacement. I love the way he plays against the run, but he's up there in years, he's been hurt a lot, and I don't think he'll play forever. Like the Oher situation above, I'd like to see his replacement brought in this season and coached up to be ready when the inevitable happens. Keep the starters and Hochstein, and bring in competition for the backup roles.

C:
Koppen and Hochstein return.

 

[WhiZa]

I'm going to give Maroney a pass this year as he and the OL were hurt in the beginning. Lawfirm was active for 9 games this year which means he is not practice squad eligible. That means one of the RBs will be cut if they are healthy and the end of TC.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

I'm going to give Maroney a pass this year as he and the OL were hurt in the beginning. Lawfirm was active for 9 games this year which means he is not practice squad eligible. That means one of the RBs will be cut if they are healthy and the end of TC.

maroney don't cost much , but like a poster in another thread mentioned.......if we can get shanahan to part with a second rounder for maroney, then ship him off

 

[JMarr]

I think we're set for next year pretty much everywhere except in the defensive backfield.

1. They definitely should add a high impact pass rushing LB via FA or the draft. We know they'll be looking at FA corners as well.

2. Safety: Is Tank Williams signed through next season? Even if Tank comes back, I'm hoping Rodney does as well and that they spend a high draft pick on a SS. I think Harrison still has alot to contribute both as a player and a mentor.

 

[p8ryts]

I think we're set for next year pretty much everywhere except in the defensive backfield.

1. They definitely should add a high impact pass rushing LB via FA or the draft. We know they'll be looking at FA corners as well.

2. Safety: Is Tank Williams signed through next season? Even if Tank comes back, I'm hoping Rodney does as well and that they spend a high draft pick on a SS. I think Harrison still has alot to contribute both as a player and a mentor.

OMG, an intelligent post, obviously you don't belong here.

 

[NEGoldenAge]

Don't underestimate Gaffney, his blocking skills are terrific, and he's decent to solid in every other area. I know he had a couple of bad drops this year, but's he's been solid since, and he really came on at the end of last season. I wouldn't sink too much into the number 3 wide receiver, mabye a late rounder worth tryin out.

Kevin Faulk stays till he's 42. Although I like the other 3 RB's, each one seems to miss time every season they play. I think it would be worth dealing one of them if you can get something. None of them is really expensive, but certainly someone like the Law Firm or another young player on the very cheap would be better. Heath Evans is worth keeping, and some of the LB's and OL's can make some pretty good blocking TE"s and FB's, I don't think we need to sink too much money into that position.

We've got to lose one of our TE's, and spend a decent pick or get a decent FA. Don't sell the farm on this position, but it could be worth a pretty high pick, depending on the talent pool.

Young offensive linemen. I could see a 1st and second and another pick as high as 3rd for another. I like the starters we have, but my impression on Yates was that he was a liability replacing Neal.

I love the DL's we have, both the starters and the backups. If you can snipe a good one in the draft for less than you think he's worth, go for it, but the current guys rock.

Linebacking core. We need these guys to do a lot, and they do, but we need a bigger pass rush next year for sure, and withAD will be back, it will certainly improve. Vrabe's looked good the last couple of games, so I don't think he's dinged up anymore. Let's hope the longer off-season will see him at top form next year, and applying more pressure, and let's not forget that Meriweather has turned into a pretty good blitzer. Love Mayo, who's getting better at the pass rush, and very nearly collected his first sack week 17. Even if Junior doesn't start next year, I wan't him there to mentor Mayo for another year. Junior is a great locker room presence and I think he'd add a lot of depth to the LB corpse. Brushcii is gone I think. Wouldn't mind seeing him on the sidelines in some role. Woods gives good depth, and I think Guyton, who'll be healthy next year, showed some really positive signs. Didn't see too much from the other young guys, so I'll let BB make that call. I would definately like to see us get a another playmaker next to Mayo, which would be worth some money and/or picks, and maybe a young prospect on outside.

Our starting safeties are solid, and Meriwether has been showing signs that he's a playmaker. Harrison probably won't be back, so this position would warrant a veteran FA to add some experience. If none are available, look to the draft.

Ahhh, the cornerbacks. Hobbs is good, but he's gotta learn that he aint on Dancing with the Stars. Call me crazy, but Wilhite has really come on the last couple of games he played. I think an offseason and training camp in the same sustem could reap huge benefits. Wheatley showed some positive signs, but may prove fragile. That all said, it would be worth sinking some money into this position, one solid guy to throw into the mix and see who wins out at the end of the preseason.

QB. We're set. Brady and O'Connel.

This team will be good next year

 

[dhamz]

I'm not worried about the offense or the kicking game. There are some small holes to fill, some spots that can be upgraded should BB and co. choose but nothing glaring.

The DL is a concern for the future but pretty well set for 2009.

The biggest area of need for next year's team is playmakers in the back 8 on D. The bend but don't break defense that BB believes in, has won with, and will continue to play needs those guys. You might give up 3 first downs but then someone makes a play and the D is off the field.

The Bruschi, Vrable, Harrison, Willie Mac, etc. crew that made those plays during most of the decade is either gone now or have lost too much.

Right now we don't have those type of players at LB or in the secondary. A healthy Thomas is a playmaker. Mayo has all the skills to be one. Meriweather showed flashes at the end of the year. That isn't enough.

 

[wiggins!]

2 words = Nnamdi Asomugha

ONLY IF HE'S A FREE AGENT. Break the bacnk for him like they did for Adalius Thomas.

IF HE'S FRANCHISED, we're SOL.

 

[JSn]

I'll assume I'm among an elite few who read everyone else's...

We definitely need a couple of OL, especially LT. Let's get light a Superbowl ring next year and then Fed-Ex him to Canton. Kaczur looked excellent this year, but he's not young either. Tough to say what a longer off-season might do to spark these guys next year, though.

I think all this cornerback talk will end up being wishes and dreams. Hobbs, Wheatley, Wilhite, Sanders + another 2nd round CB and I bet we're done there. Maybe some kind of funky trade for Revis from the Jetsons, if it's reasonable.

LB - Crable will be back and probable a good amount bigger. Crable, Guyton, Thomas, Vrabel, Mayo and MAYBE Colvin (he's not really OLD). That's a nice group right there. Add in a FA like Suggs or a high draft pick and we're in business.

DL is interesting. I think we might see one of the group binkies get shipped off in a trade, Seymour or Warren, and a open competition with a guy in the draft and the current slate of back-up's.

RB is set, imo, though Morris or Jordan might be a good trade option given his performance, or Maroney if some silly-head will swap a #2 for him THIS year.

I'd go BJGE, Maroney, Morris/Jordan, Faulk and keep Evans. Heath is a teamer and will be easy to extend at reasonable $$.

QB - cut everyone and sign Warner. (kidding)
Brady or Cassel and KOC as backup, with a vet.