Re: Are you happy with Patriots Front Office approach this Off Season
You make some good points. Regarding Holmes, I haven't heard anything bad about his dedication to the team, his work ethic, and/or the type of teammate he is. I know he's had some run-ins off the field but I don't think he's a guy that would kill a locker room like a Terrell Owens. I've always been a fan of Cromartie b/c he excels in man press coverage and has great ball skills. He may not be the most willing run defender, but neither was Asante Samuel, who I would definitely take back. I will admit I was hopeful and excited when we traded for Burgess even though we gave up a 3rd rounder, but he did not have a great enough impact to warrant giving up a 3rd for him. I can't condone giving up a 3rd rounder for a situational pass rusher.
I like Wright a lot at RDE, but I know Reiss has doubted his ability to hold up as a starter. I don't know much of Lewis or if/how he will be able to transition to the 3-4 base defense. I'm very high on the secondary as well, and I love a potential Meriweather-Chung duo at safety. I also love the potential of Butler and am still high on Wilhite even if others are not. I think OLB are where the real problems lie. Still hoping for Crable to contribute, but this needs to be addressed in the draft, as we really struggled to get heat on opposing QB's last year. On offense, I'd like to see a RB added in the mid to late rounds and another threat at WR.
I do think that we are slowly building up a team with solid depth, but it is going to take time. And I also feel that the Pats are, at this time, viewed as a worse team than they truly are b/c of "names."
I've heard that Holmes teammates cheered when he was traded, and he was roundly disliked.
The only value I have seen in Cromartie is a nose for the ball. He is a gambler, but I would never characterize him as a good bump and run defender.
I would trade a 3rd every day for a guy who plays as many snaps as most starters. "Situational pass rusher" isnt 8 plays a week on 3rd and long any more, we are in sub more than half the plays. Burgess played more snaps than Warren, only 6 fewer than Wilfork, and rushed the passer on 368 plays, most on the team. (and as many as most of the top pass rushers in the league) Again, the move didn't work out so well, but the idea was sound, if the player had produced like he normally did.
I am fine with TBC at one OLB. I'm fine with Mayo. I'm fine with Guyton given that we only have 2 ILBS on less than half the snaps. In fact Guytons strength is playing 'out of' position as a nickel/dime LB.
We really do need a Vrabel/McGinest type of guy in a perfect world, and it would be great if McKenzie turns out to be effective too.
I agree with the 'name' comment, but there is something else too.
Let me try to explain it fully.
There are something like 130-150 plays in a football game.
Last year we were ahead in the 4th quarter in something like 14 of 16 games. In a number of those we outplayed the opponent for 110-120 plays and then couldn't finish in the most critical 20-30.
That isnt a lack of talent per se. It could be a lack of talent in some areas, like dime pass coverage, or pass blocking vs the blitz for example.
The point is that our 10-6 record was underachieving. (We would have been 11-5 if we played vs Houston like it mattered) Whatever the reasons, I will never believe that a BB coached team will again lose 4 games it led in the 4th quarter. It almost never happened prior to last year and happened in almost every close game last year.
I think the general opinion of the Pats in diminished because it underachieved last year, and talent-wise was a better team than the record indicated.
