Ok, before the playoff games: Patriots player personnel needs for 2012

[Deus Irae]

I'd thought about waiting on this until after the season, but that would just result in people being happier/sadder about players based upon how the playoffs went. So....

Where do people see the team's player personnel needs for next season?

 

[strngplyr]

I'd thought about waiting on this until after the season, but that would just result in people being happier/sadder about players based upon how the playoffs went. So....

Where do people see the team's player personnel needs for next season?

Safety and OLB if we return to the 3-4 primarily, DE if we stick to the 4-3 for another year, top need IMO.

A corner would be nice, but I'd like to see if McCourty can rebound and see what Downling can do.

I think many are still hopeful that WR will be addressed with Lloyd now that his buddy McDaniels has returned.

 

[patsfan-1982]

#1 Safety, pats need a pure cover safety over the top
#2 dept at CB
#3 re-sign both Anderson and Carter
#4 a pass rushing DT if they stay with the 4-3 and i hope they do
#5 Dtaft a WR that can run a post route


thats my list upgrade the dept on defense and add a impact player or two through FA or the Draft and a fast WR that can catch

 

[patsfan06]

1. Safety
2. DE/OLB (someone who can play both the 4-3 and the 3-4 like Mathias Kiwanuka)
3. CB depth
4. Center
5. WR

 

[Kontradiction]

In no particular order: OLB, DE, Safety, CB, C, WR.

 

[DarrylS]

Similar to the above, no particular order: OLB, Safety, CB, WR and Center..

 

[UK_Pat37]

I think it's going to be interesting to see who pick up because what we're playing isn;'t a traditional 43...it's got the personnel of a 33 defense but instead of playing it like the 'stack defense' that the 33 personnel is supposed to provide, they're using Ninkovich as an OLB on the line in 2 and 3 point stances depending on the situation and what they want him to do. They've experimented a minute bit with Fletcher in this role too.

It's a hybrid, which effectively looks like a 42 on the field with the 33 personnel if you count Ninko/Fletcher as OLBs. With the spread and spread option rife through High School and College, this is the way forward...these hybrid defenses with a strong safety playing up in the box.

This is why, despite his man coverage question marks and change of direction issues, I think Mark Baron will be the perfect fit when I give it deep though. Had Kenny Vaccaro declared I would have gone with him, he is better as a cover safety in my eyes, but you can't ignore Baron's elite size and strength. Baron would be perfect to play up in the box as a safety, which gives this hybrid defense a bit of a 43 look to it.

Then you need to look for a 5-tech DE and Jared Crick is my man for the job there. Excellent football smarts, around 285 (although I've seen some say he's a tiny bit heavier)...he can run around a 4.80....he may even drop out of the first round after an injury to his pectoral muscle.

These are the guys for me we need to get first. I would then look at WR in the second round...I'm a HUGE Alshon Jeffery fan but that ain't happening! He's going too high...but I'm a Dwight Jones fan too and he will drop to the second round...think we could really do with a guy like him.

Failing that and those guys going too soon before we have Oakland's second round choice, Mohamed Sanu declared this year and I think, whilst being a little raw in some areas, he could be a guy we look for to fit in our system...has some nice height and bulk. I'm not on the Kendall Wright bandwagon....I don't think we need another small and agile receiver...we need a deep, physical threat.

I think we should definitely explore to add some depth at corner too....although I haven't really gone too deeply into that position so can't really comment on who i think would be a good fit.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Best defensive player available at their pick ....................

 

[IllegalContact]

1 - OLB
2 - outside WR
3 - S

 

[Wretch]

My $.02

QB: All set unless Hoyer leaves then a developmental 3rd QB.

WR: I don't think the Pats need an all pro WR receiver with all of the other targets Brady has in the TEs and Welker, but I would like to see a more consistent outside threat for Brady. If Welker isn't signed or doesn't report under the franchise tag then this becomes a more pressing need.

RB: Not a high priority unless BJGE leaves then a developmental player. I would love to see a more consistent ground game from the Pats but I think BB believes a ground and pound offense takes the ball out of the hand of his best player, Brady, too often. I think Faulk retires after this year.

FB: Not a need.

TE: Not a need but a 3rd TE (for 3 TE formations would be useful). I am interested in the PS TE from Pitt. He was a monster in college.

OT: Not a need but you can never have enough good OL and Light will be gone after next year so a 3rd tackle wouldn't be out of the question. A 3rd OT could also be used in the 3 TE sets like Solder is now. I see Solder and Seabass as the starters at OT next year with Light being a role player.

OG: Waters has been great but he is an older player and a RG of the future is needed. The reserve players on the roster are good depth but not long term starter material.

C: Biggest need on the OL. I would love to find a player like Mack in CLE, or Pouncey in Pitt late in the 1st round.

S: Largest Defensive need.

OLB: Always a need, but unlike many I haven't given up on Cunningham yet. He showed some promise last year and I am hopeful his nonperformance this year was due to his injury.

ILB: Not a need but depth is always welcome.

DE: Another need and I wouldn't be surprised if a 1st round pick is used here. Brace showed some promise as a DE last year but in my mind he is at best a 2 down run stuffer. A lot depend on scheme here 3-4 versus 4-3.

DT: VW and Love are a good tandem. but VW is over 30 and Love is a good situational player so I would love to see an investment here. I am not sure if Brace is ever going to become more than a JAG player but he he showed promise 2 years ago as a DE and rotational DT. A lot depend on scheme here 3-4 versus 4-3.

CB: Always a need. If DM is moved to safety then I can see an early round investment here, but if DM stays as a CB and a safety is drafted or signed then this becomes less of a need.

 

[The-Hooded-One]

Myron Pryor to f'n stay healthy.

 

[memento]

Always take the best player available in the draft, hoping some of those players are:

Safety: We all want the Rodney Harrison days of olde

Linebacker: Still looking for the mythical elephant LB/DE hybrid Willie McG type. Maybe even a straight up DL if Anderson and Carter don't pan out. If we experience an epic loss through the ground like last playoff games, DL becomes the top need.

Center: Maybe

 

[Texxx]

The RB position should be high priority in my eyes. Some of the pressure needs to be taken off of Brady's shoulders a little bit. A really good play making RB and a deep threat WR, would make this offense unstoppable similar to how it was when Brady threw for 50 TD's that year.

 

[JackBauer]

OG: Waters has been great but he is an older player and a RG of the future is needed. The reserve players on the roster are good depth but not long term starter material.

His name is Marcus Cannon. Perhaps you've heard of him?

 

[The-Hooded-One]

The RB position should be high priority in my eyes. Some of the pressure needs to be taken off of Brady's shoulders a little bit. A really good play making RB and a deep threat WR, would make this offense unstoppable similar to how it was when Brady threw for 50 TD's that year.

Ridley and Vereen. Keep up.

 

[DaBruinz]

My $.02

OG: Waters has been great but he is an older player and a RG of the future is needed. The reserve players on the roster are good depth but not long term starter material.

C: Biggest need on the OL. I would love to find a player like Mack in CLE, or Pouncey in Pitt late in the 1st round.

S: Largest Defensive need.

OLB: Always a need, but unlike many I haven't given up on Cunningham yet. He showed some promise last year and I am hopeful his nonperformance this year was due to his injury.

ILB: Not a need but depth is always welcome.

DE: Another need and I wouldn't be surprised if a 1st round pick is used here. Brace showed some promise as a DE last year but in my mind he is at best a 2 down run stuffer. A lot depend on scheme here 3-4 versus 4-3.

DT: VW and Love are a good tandem. but VW is over 30 and Love is a good situational player so I would love to see an investment here. I am not sure if Brace is ever going to become more than a JAG player but he he showed promise 2 years ago as a DE and rotational DT. A lot depend on scheme here 3-4 versus 4-3.

CB: Always a need. If DM is moved to safety then I can see an early round investment here, but if DM stays as a CB and a safety is drafted or signed then this becomes less of a need.

OG: Marcus Cannon was taken to play here. He's played at OT because that is where the need has been. But he will end up inside and his ceiling is at or above where Brian Waters is..

C: Peter Konz or Ben Jones. And neither will need a 1st round pick to be used to get them..

DE: The Pats still need a RDE for the 3-4. I expect them to take one in the 1st round.

S: There isn't a ton of talent at safety in the draft. Mark Barron is your prototypical Strong Safety. The best move may be to take a Stephon Gilmore or Trumaine Johnson and move them to Safety. I think we'll see McCourty back at corner next year. It will be interesting to see if Edelman becomes a CB full-time.

 

[Wretch]

His name is Marcus Cannon. Perhaps you've heard of him?

Great point. Had a brain cramp on that one.

 

[DaBruinz]

The RB position should be high priority in my eyes. Some of the pressure needs to be taken off of Brady's shoulders a little bit. A really good play making RB and a deep threat WR, would make this offense unstoppable similar to how it was when Brady threw for 50 TD's that year.

RB is one of the weakest positions in this year's draft.

Considering that, going into next season, the Pats have just Chad Ochocinco and Edelman under contract at WR, a WR in the draft and'/or as a UDFA is likely. Patrick Edwards from Houston (University) is someone who has followed a similar career path as Welker. He's also got very similar abilities in terms of quickness. He led Houston's WRs each of the last 3 years.. Plus he does kick returns and punt returns.

Others that have been talked about are Kendall Wright out of Baylor, Mohamed Sanu out of Rutgers, and Jordan White out of Michigan State.

Also, there is a good chance that Brandon Lloyd will want to come here since he seems to like the McDaniels offense and McDaniels himself.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

Ridley and Vereen. Keep up.

Ridley looks to be a quality NFL player, Vereen hasn't proven anything yet.

 

[VrabelJr]

His name is Marcus Cannon. Perhaps you've heard of him?

Please tell me at what point this season you have seen Cannon playing Guard.