Prospects that are "good fits" for the Patriots

[Box_O_Rocks]

I'd say odds are 60/40 or better that you're correct. But, even a 30%-40% chance that BB's headed in a different direction is a sufficiently significant "what if" to make it worth my while to consider that second set of players.

Besides, it's more exciting that way.

90/10 :amusic:

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Watch out for Colin Peek of Alabama

Word out is that the Patriots have made more than one attempt to get Peek to interview and show his stuff.

There is going to be a new TE on this team this season and old friend Saban has probably shown his buddy BB a few good films and words about this kid

 

[Defsoul]

NE really doesn't need to draft a RB, they've got five on the roster and I expect Faulk to be re-signed.

So you think the "lack of production" in the runing game was a consequence of inconstistent run blocking and maybe poor play calling rather than talent at position? I think it was a little bit of everthing. The offensive line obivously did a better job in 2008 and the play calling was very predictable at times. They probably could have been more successfull if Fred Taylor would not have been out for such a long time.

Regardless of that they have probably one of the oldest runing back corps in the league and health has also been an issue over the last couple of seasons with Morris, Maroney and Taylor missing a number of games. They probably could go into the upcoming season with the same personal they have now, but then runing back will be a major need in 2011 with the expiring contracts of Maroney, Morris, Taylor and Green-Ellis. I'd rather draft a guy this year and draft him early (round two or four).

 

[VJCPatriot]

4. On the subject of getting a bigger, more powerful back, such a player (like Gerhart and Dixon) would be redundant with Morris, Taylor, and Maroney. Best provides the big-play, open field threat that the Pats lack right now (Faulk doesn't have the speed to take it the distance).

I'm not ruling out Best necessarily. But none of those guys you listed are what I'd consider power backs. Yes, they are all listed at 220 or heavier, but I don't really see them running over a lot of people.

Brandon Jacobs runs over people. Marion Barber runs over people. Adrian Peterson runs over people. Our current backs may run hard, but they don't really run over people from what I've seen.

From past Pats history, Corey Dillon and A. Smith were more what I'd consider power backs. BB LIKES big backs. I think that's pretty obvious. And we're likely going to keep Faulk as our 3rd down back.

So the real need is to get a workhorse power RB who DOESN'T BREAK DOWN every other game. Maybe that's Dwyer, who knows. I don't think BB is as enamored with the homerun threat RB as you may think, especially considering the results of the Maroney pick.

PS Faulk never HAD the homerun ability to take it the distance. He was always more shifty and quick than fast imo.

PPS I do agree with you on one count. A RB that can catch and pick up blitzes well will have extra value for the Pats. Having a RB as a pass threat makes the offense that much harder to predict and defend against. Unlike the current offense where the second Maroney enters the game, the defense keys RUN, since he's never used on passing plays (fault his lack of progression in the art of blitz pickup for that!)

 

[StraightCashHomey81]

I'm not ruling out Best necessarily. But none of those guys you listed are what I'd consider power backs. Yes, they are all listed at 220 or heavier, but I don't really see them running over a lot of people.

Brandon Jacobs runs over people. Marion Barber runs over people. Adrian Peterson runs over people. Our current backs may run hard, but they don't really run over people from what I've seen.

From past Pats history, Corey Dillon and A. Smith were more what I'd consider power backs. BB LIKES big backs. I think that's pretty obvious. And we're likely going to keep Faulk as our 3rd down back.

So the real need is to get a workhorse power RB who DOESN'T BREAK DOWN every other game. Maybe that's Dwyer, who knows. I don't think BB is as enamored with the homerun threat RB as you may think, especially considering the results of the Maroney pick.

PS Faulk never HAD the homerun ability to take it the distance. He was always more shifty and quick than fast imo.

PPS I do agree with you on one count. A RB that can catch and pick up blitzes well will have extra value for the Pats. Having a RB as a pass threat makes the offense that much harder to predict and defend against. Unlike the current offense where the second Maroney enters the game, the defense keys RUN, since he's never used on passing plays (fault his lack of progression in the art of blitz pickup for that!)

You make some very good points here. Perhaps BB doesn't value the big-play RB as much as I think. The sample size to draw from is limited, given the little amount of RBs he is drafted. I guess I just think that if Pats are going to spend a top-60 pick on a RB, it should be someone with big-play and 3-down ability, which I think Best has. However, I wouldn't be upset with someone like Dwyer, and his production in the red zone would be especially helpful for a Patriots' red zone offense that has been lackluster over the last two years. I just think that given the status of the current roster (Faulk's age & the other 4 RBs being decent between the tackle runners), the format of the offense, and the available talent in the draft, Best's style of play is more valuable than Dwyer's.

BTW, I couldn't agree with you more on Maroney and pass protection. When he in the game, it's scary. The D essentialy knows its run and if it is a pass play, your holding your breath because he is an atrocious pass blocker (i.e. the first offense play of the playoff game v. Baltimore). Its a shame because he is a talented and seemingly very nice guy. But his fumbilitis and pass protection are hair-splittingly bad.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

So you think the "lack of production" in the runing game was a consequence of inconstistent run blocking and maybe poor play calling rather than talent at position? I think it was a little bit of everthing. The offensive line obivously did a better job in 2008 and the play calling was very predictable at times. They probably could have been more successfull if Fred Taylor would not have been out for such a long time.

Regardless of that they have probably one of the oldest runing back corps in the league and health has also been an issue over the last couple of seasons with Morris, Maroney and Taylor missing a number of games. They probably could go into the upcoming season with the same personal they have now, but then runing back will be a major need in 2011 with the expiring contracts of Maroney, Morris, Taylor and Green-Ellis. I'd rather draft a guy this year and draft him early (round two or four).

I think the lack of "production" in the run game is scheme specific. The offense has been built to be a passing offense. I'd prefer if NE went away from zone blocking more, it is what it is.

As for NE's RBs, there are three youngsters and three fossils, and the fossils still have some gas in the tank. As long as BB is keying on the Polian passing rules and Tommy Brady as his central offensive focus, making an effort to acquire a stud RB just doesn't seem to be in the cards.

 

[WesWelker83]

Here is my list for guys who would be good fits for the Patriots:

QB - No Need. Brady has 6-7 yrs left and Hoyer proved to be a capable backup. We might take a guy 7th round to develop like Skelton from Fordham. One way or another this is one position I am not worried about. We have the best QB developmental system in the history of the NFL. Brady went 6th rd and Cassel 7th!

Running Back - I know we had a top 10 running game but we dont have a stud back. We need someone to share the load with Maroney. BB likes big backs like Dillon and A. Smith. We need another big back to complement Maroney with Taylor and Morris each having one yr left.

Ryan Matthews
Montario Hardesty
Ben Tate
Andre Dixon

Wide Receiver - We are looking here for a #3 guy who can get open and knows how to run routes and get seperation. We need someone in the mold of Branch, Givens, Troy Brown, and Patten. Short, shifty guys who can make moves when they get the ball.

Golden Tate
Damien Williams
Andre Roberts
Mardy Gilyard
David Reed
Jeremy Williams
Seyi Ajirotutu
Blair White

Tight End - Watson I think is done here. We NEED a TE badly. I like this Tight End class because of the depth. I think we draft one of these five guys. I dont see us going TE before the 2nd rd. I see us picking up a third and taking a TE in rds 3-4.

Dennis Pitta
Jimmy Graham
Colin Peek
Tony Moeaki
Clay Harbor

OT - No Need. I remember last year BB saying he thought we had great depth there with Light, Vollmer, Levoir, and Kaczur. Light and Kaczur both played poorly last year but Light had a broken knee cap and Kaczur had a seperated Shoulder. All 4 of these guys will be back. I really like the top OTs but I think they all get drafted before we pick. I would love Bulaga here if he fell and I think we would have to take him as Lights replacement. I dont really like the mid round TEs except maybe Washington from Abilene Christian.

OG - I think we upgrade here. Neal is a FA/might be retiring. Our line really let us down last year at times. Brady took a beating but we had a lot of guys playing through serious injuries on the OL. Anyways, unless you think Ohrenberger is the answer then we need an OG badly.

Maukrice Pouncey
Zane Beadles
Rodger Saffold
Jon Asamoah
Mike Johnson

DE - HUGE NEED. We must address this need early. We never replaced Seymour last year. Wright is a good backup, avg starter. Green is done. Pryor isnt a starter. We need a 300+ guy with long arms and the ability to collapse the pocket and hold up against double teams in the run game.

Jared Odrick
Arthur Jones
Corey Wooten
Alex Carrington
Torell Troup

OLB - HUGE NEED. TBC and Burgess are FAs and Adalius could be cut. Crable has never played a meaningful snap. I really hope BB thinks outside the box this year and takes a chance on a guy who doesnt have ideal measureables (6-4 260 4.6).

Brandon Graham
Brandon Lang
Koa Misi
Ricky Sapp
Sergio Kindle
Jerry Hughes
Austin Lane
Eric Norwood
Jermaine Cunningham

ILB - I still think we could use a THUMPER that can play running downs and special teams to line up next to Mayo. If Mcclain falls we have to take him and Id even trade up for him at like 17/18 but not any higher then that. We have too many holes even though I love Mcclain!

Rolando Mcclain
AJ Edds
Pat Angerer
Micah Johnson
Dexter Davis

CB - We have addressed this need three times in the last two drafts and I am not thrilled with the results. Butler was good but Wheatley and Wilhite have shown me nothing. I know Asante wasnt good until yr 3 or 4 so next yr is a big yr for these two. I wouldnt mind grabbing a guy 2nd rd though espcially with Bodden being a FA. Also I think we could find a nickelback late.

Amari Spievey
Kareem Jackson
Donovan Warren
Walter Thurman
Alterraun Verner

S - No need. We are fine here with Meriwether, Sanders, Chung, Mcgowan and Slater.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Here is my list for guys who would be good fits for the Patriots:

QB - No Need. Brady has 6-7 yrs left and Hoyer proved to be a capable backup. We might take a guy 7th round to develop like Skelton from Fordham. One way or another this is one position I am not worried about. We have the best QB developmental system in the history of the NFL. Brady went 6th rd and Cassel 7th!

We certainly don't need a QB but the prospect of getting Tebow is damn interesting to me, I think he would make the whole team better and the work he would put in might rekindle the fire under Brady's behind. If Brady is with us for several years, great, we trade Tebow for big value, if Brady decides to retire then we have his heir waiting to step in.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

...Kaczur had a seperated Shoulder.

I knew he was playing on two bad ankles at one time, but I hadn't heard this, do you have a link?

 

[doesntmatter1]

I would love Jahvid on this team because you have to defend the entire field when he is in the line up, but his size may not make him the best fit. Too me, the player that best fits us is Damien Williams. Over the years, Brady has shown that he prefers quick recievers(welker, brown, branch, etc.) over large recievers like doug gabriel, sam aiken, and isiah stanback(elevated over nunn based on practice w/ hoyer). Williams has the shifftyness of a small reciever, but he is 6-1 and he was often used on screens.

Too a lesser degree, I also think that ryan matthews is a good fit. Many have compared him to mendenhall but imho he reminds me more of ronnie brown.

FWIW I truly believe that CJ Spiller would not work out for us based on the way he runs. He is always looking to bounce plays out and that hasn't worked at all for reggie bush. I have watched quite a few Clemson games and there is no denying his speed, but he seems to patient at times and maroney has put me off of patient runners.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

I'd say odds are 60/40 or better that you're correct. But, even a 30%-40% chance that BB's headed in a different direction is a sufficiently significant "what if" to make it worth my while to consider that second set of players.

Besides, it's more exciting that way.

actually the odds are alot higher than that since its what the coach has done his entire career........make the odds even higher since there is no coach on the staff to introduce anything else