Current Needs

[mayoclinic]

I thought the OL played very well at Baltimore. Kept TB clean most of the night in a tough environment. Superb today. Without Mankins. I'm with ya Mayo. A bookend opposite Chandler would be my preference. Especially, since it appears to be an area of strength in this draft.

Might be thinking too far ahead. I'd guess Spikes leaves as a free agent after his contract is up. 2013 is final year. Slide Hightower inside. Take a 4-3 olb who can play in space. I still remember a tackle David made on Silas Redd towards the end of the PSU/Nebraska game. 4th and one. Well blocked. He meets Redd in the hole and stoned him.

I certainly hope that Spikes doesn't move on, but if he does we're certainly well positioned with Hightower, especially if Fletcher comes back. I wouldn't be at all unhappy with Dion Jordan as a OLB/DE guy who can play in space, along with a LDE and/or DT.

On offense I'd prefer a 3rd tackle, wr and an interior ol. In that order. Not taking a guard in the first round with the way the game is played any longer.

I'd like a tackle and a guard/center in next year's draft, but I don't think they need to be immediate contributors. Hopefully we will find a way to keep Sebastian Vollmer, allowing Marcus Cannon to be a swing guard/tackle player. Edwin Fisher of Central Michigan is intriguing as a day 2 swing tackle prospect, but there are several day 3 guys with a ton of upside. I'm especially intrigued by Kyle Long, Howie's son. I think there are a number of solid interior line prospects as well.[/QUOTE]

 

[Sciz]

I'm pretty confident Spikes is around long term if for no other reason than that he's too slow to play in most schemes.

 

[nekromantique]

when you guys are listing TE's on your 'needs' do you look at the pats roster at all?

daniel fells is here for a couple years, and we will have ballard next year as well.

 

[manxman2601]

when you guys are listing TE's on your 'needs' do you look at the pats roster at all?

daniel fells is here for a couple years, and we will have ballard next year as well.

And none of those are "move" TE's. If TE wasn't still some sort of need, why did they sign Winslow?

 

[mgteich]

I agree that we always need help on the lines.

However, the DL is in great shape, and we have several developmental players in the wings, at DT (Francis and Forston) and at DE (Bequette).

We are in fine shape in the interior of the line with Mankins, Wendell, Connolly, Thomas, Cannon, and McDonald. Yes, we could always use another stud, and always another developmental prospect for the academy. IMHO, Dante does fine with "mediocre" talent in interior linemen.

We are in really poor shape at OFFENSIVE TACKLE. We have Solder, the oft-injured Vollmer who isn't signed for 2013 and Cannon, who could possibly be developed as our starting RG, if he ever has a chance to focus on playing OG. Of course, free agency may be the best place to find an OT or two (if Vollmer isn't re-signed. I would note that at OT, especially LT, talent does really show, and dante is more limited in what he can develop.

Defensive line and offensive line are both ALWAYS a priority.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Safety play was pretty poor yesterday.

1ST Buffalo TD - Chung had decent coverage. Just didn't turn his head. I'll give him a little slack he nearly broke it up and it was a nice catch and throw.

2ND Buffalo TD - Spikes turned the wrong way on his drop. Gregory and Chung both slow getting over.

3rd Buffalo TD - Should have been a 15 yard play. Horrible angle to tackle wr by Chung results in a 65 yard touchdown.

4th Buffalo TD - Ebner bites on play action up 42-21. Ugh. Gets beat.


Tavon Wilson looked good. Nice tackle in backfield on one play. And, an easy pic. Didn't seem out of place. Chung's up for a new contract this year. He's got to play better. I might move safety up on my wish list. Might turn out that Wilson is our FS. What a terrible pick that was. And, Gregory a 3rd safety/dime back. If you play 2 deep, don't need a thumper at SS like Rodney or Milloy. Or, what we hope Chung can become. Get a better coverage guy.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I agree that we always need help on the lines.

However, the DL is in great shape, and we have several developmental players in the wings, at DT (Francis and Forston) and at DE (Bequette).

We are in fine shape in the interior of the line with Mankins, Wendell, Connolly, Thomas, Cannon, and McDonald. Yes, we could always use another stud, and always another developmental prospect for the academy. IMHO, Dante does fine with "mediocre" talent in interior linemen.

We are in really poor shape at OFFENSIVE TACKLE. We have Solder, the oft-injured Vollmer who isn't signed for 2013 and Cannon, who could possibly be developed as our starting RG, if he ever has a chance to focus on playing OG. Of course, free agency may be the best place to find an OT or two (if Vollmer isn't re-signed. I would note that at OT, especially LT, talent does really show, and dante is more limited in what he can develop.

Defensive line and offensive line are both ALWAYS a priority.

I agree 100%.

At the OT position, there are not a lot of studs coming out this year, but the two kids from Texas A&M look really impressive, Jokiel and Mathews.

Any of the big three from Alabama could step in and start for us from day 1, Jones, Womack and Fluker.

BB has to restock the O line this year and hopefully get another really good safety who can step in and play as well as Wilson has as a rookie.

I wonder if BB could pry WR Reilley Cooper away from Philly. He looks like he could thrive in our offense.

 

[nekromantique]

And none of those are "move" TE's. If TE wasn't still some sort of need, why did they sign Winslow?

fells was still injured
shiancoe wont be available for a few more weeks
ballard is out for the year most likely
hernandez is injured


that is why they signed winslow. they obviously didnt mind letting him go once they saw fells was healthy (and winslow asked for it).

it was a need for THAT moment, not necessarily for next year+

my point is that its not a position id waste a pick on or actively pursue in FA. maybe look at a couple of guys as injury replacements, and of course rookie fa for training camp/preseason...

 

[DaBruinz]

I'm not sure a healthy Vollmer is anything to count on anymore. BB has seemed reluctant to use Cannon at guard. Either way I think Cannon needs to shave some weight to get quicker and more balanced.

Yes, the guy has 10% body fat at 350 lbs and you think he needs to shed weight... Those are numbers that were confirmed prior to the combine. So, that means, he could shave maybe 5-7 lbs and still remain at a healthy point before his body starts eating the muscle..

BALANCE is affected more by Core Muscle Training than it is by weight.

Seriously.. I wish people would get their facts before saying that such and such should lose weight.

 

[DaBruinz]

Safety will be one of the positions the Pats draft unless they are able to entice Ed Reed to come play.

Donald Thomas held up very well at LG against Buffalo. At RG, the previous week, he was bad. Moral - Donald Thomas isn't a fit at RG, though he is at LG.

Nick McDonald has been injured, but hopefully will get a chance to move up and pass Wendell, allowing Connolly to move to center and McDonald to take over at RG, though, McDonald was better at C than at RG.

I see the Pats needing a Swing Tackle unless Kopa, Hix or Zusevics steps up and forces their way onto the pro-roster. This is regardless of whether or not Vollmer is re-signed..


What I find funny is how people are writing off Bequette already. Kid isn't even out of his rookie year and people want to replace him.

Of course, then you have people like Captain Stone who makes laughable claims about the Pats LBers .. Yet, all they've done is make plays this year.

Free Agency Questions:
Welker, Arrington, Vollmer, Chung, Edelman

If the Pats re-sign Welker, then the need for a WR is diminished significantly.
If the Pats re-sign Edelman, then the need for a WR is gone (considering Lloyd and Salas).

Signing Vollmer will be the key to the O-line for next year. If they re-sign him, then they would need a swing tackle behind Cannon who could step in.

Chung - Whether or not he's re-signed, the Pats will draft a Safety, imho. This will be someone who can push Ebner Wilson, Gregory and Chung.

Arrington - His re-signing will depend on the development of Moore, Denard and Dowling. Dowling seemed to have been the starter to start the season, but has plummeted on the depth chart, sitting only ahead of Denard know (seemingly). Moore has been lining up in the Nickel formations against the outside receiver with Arrington moving inside to the star. Marquice Cole has been coming in on the Dime packages and lining up against other slot receivers.


It's still way to early to tell what's going to be going on by the time Free Agency rolls around next season. In fact, the addition of Ballard could move Hernandez to WR and make things really interesting..

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

Yes, the guy has 10% body fat at 350 lbs and you think he needs to shed weight... Those are numbers that were confirmed prior to the combine. So, that means, he could shave maybe 5-7 lbs and still remain at a healthy point before his body starts eating the muscle..

BALANCE is affected more by Core Muscle Training than it is by weight.

Seriously.. I wish people would get their facts before saying that such and such should lose weight.

I don't think he's 10%. He's not fat, but he's probably more like 15%. You can provide a link if you want to.

Regardless, he needs to be quicker and more balanced, and losing some weight would help with both of those even if it's only 5-7 pounds.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Yes, the guy has 10% body fat at 350 lbs and you think he needs to shed weight... Those are numbers that were confirmed prior to the combine. So, that means, he could shave maybe 5-7 lbs and still remain at a healthy point before his body starts eating the muscle..

BALANCE is affected more by Core Muscle Training than it is by weight.

Seriously.. I wish people would get their facts before saying that such and such should lose weight.

Umm, Cannon does NOT have 10% bodyfat.

 

[ATippett56]

Quarterly Report

New England Patriots Offense - 2013 Free Agents

Unrestricted Free Agents

RB - Danny Woodhead
WR - Wes Welker
WR - Julian Edelman
WR - Deion Branch
TE - Visanthe Shiancoe
OG - Donald Thomas
OT - Sebastian Vollmer

Restricted Free Agents

TE - Jake Ballard
TE - Michael Hoomanawanui

Official Website of the New England Patriots | Team - Players

Key free agents:

WR - Wes Welker
OT - Sebastian Vollmer

Future contract value for Sebastian Vollmer may compare to Eric Winston, depending of course on Vollmer's health:

Eric Winston - Kansas City Chiefs - 2012 Player Profile - Rotoworld.com

 

[ATippett56]

Quarterly Report

New England Patriots Defense - 2013 Free Agents

Unrestricted Free Agents

Ron Brace
Myron Pryor
Trevor Scott
Bobby Carpenter
Niko Koutouvides
Tracy White
Kyle Arrington
Marquice Cole
Patrick Chung

Restricted Free Agents

Sterling Moore
Dane Fletcher

Key free agents:

Kyle Arrington
Patrick Chung

 

[nekromantique]

What I find funny is how people are writing off Bequette already. Kid isn't even out of his rookie year and people want to replace him.

the fact that he has been a healthy scratch nearly every game isnt encouraging...especially when there are other active players who do nothing.

regardless, even if he does improve (which i hope/think he does), you still need a consistent presence opposite jones.

Ninkovich had a bit of a breakthrough at DE against a pretty good (thus far) bills o-line...but he still looks like he'd be better off at OLB, where he was last year. (especially in 3-4 based packages)

Cunningham's role seems to be more of an interior rusher (occassionally outside). whether he becomes a bigger part of the defense remains to be seen.

honestly,i feel like eventually bequettes role will be similar to cunningham's (situational interior rusher). i dunno why...just think hed be a part of the pats version of the giants 'nascar' package.

 

[patsfaninpa]

I'm wondering if an interior pass rusher isn't what we're missing more than a defensive end. We have to slide Cunningham to dt in order to get any pressure up the middle. Unless we blitz of course. We do have options at de; Ninko, Cunningham, Bequette, Francis and Scott. None are the prospect Chandler Jones is. But, would be nice to have that inside push. Not the two-gap type. But, someone who can get upfield.

 

[Luxusdk]

After the last years of draft i've been wondering.

Last year we saw the stuff on offence and their use of TE's, becomeing perfected even more this year, by adding the running game etc. Back's / TE's are young - Even some of the WR's Edelman & Salas. OL even too we all want fresh blood in there is "young" also. Mankins and Connolly are 30 -Volmer 28 rest below.

This year we see year 1 of the new defence - "Would be the same as the offence 2 years ago, we did ok but not something special". Last year, on the other hand, we saw the power offence and the corner stones was there to build on it.
This year BB went all out of defence, yes we missed it, but 2011 draft was mostly offense. All those pick's are first pick's to the new D. We know we'r in Sub D most of the time, so BB building on that. The answer are in college, 4-2-5 and if this is the way BB is going, Tavon Wilson is the dream pick he got for candy! And by fare worth a 48 pick...

Another thing, if that's the way he's going, we might looking at the wrong ppl when we'r scouting?

Might be a wild guess, what do you guy's think ??

 

[manxman2601]

After the last years of draft i've been wondering.

Last year we saw the stuff on offence and their use of TE's, becomeing perfected even more this year, by adding the running game etc. Back's / TE's are young - Even some of the WR's Edelman & Salas. OL even too we all want fresh blood in there is "young" also. Mankins and Connolly are 30 -Volmer 28 rest below.

This year we see year 1 of the new defence - "Would be the same as the offence 2 years ago, we did ok but not something special". Last year, on the other hand, we saw the power offence and the corner stones was there to build on it.
This year BB went all out of defence, yes we missed it, but 2011 draft was mostly offense. All those pick's are first pick's to the new D. We know we'r in Sub D most of the time, so BB building on that. The answer are in college, 4-2-5 and if this is the way BB is going, Tavon Wilson is the dream pick he got for candy! And by fare worth a 48 pick...

Another thing, if that's the way he's going, we might looking at the wrong ppl when we'r scouting?

Might be a wild guess, what do you guy's think ??

4-2-5 was my thinking last year, but that doesn't really fit with having Mayo-Spikes-Hightower on the roster. I saw a theory that rather than go lighter and faster to combat the increasing use of spread offenses, BB is going big to overpower these smaller offenses. The one position that interests me is the DT position currently being occupied by Jermaine Cunningham. do we go for a high round gap shooter for the defensive front line - would be a distinct philosophical move for BB.

 

[patsfaninpa]

4-2-5 was my thinking last year, but that doesn't really fit with having Mayo-Spikes-Hightower on the roster. I saw a theory that rather than go lighter and faster to combat the increasing use of spread offenses, BB is going big to overpower these smaller offenses. The one position that interests me is the DT position currently being occupied by Jermaine Cunningham. do we go for a high round gap shooter for the defensive front line - would be a distinct philosophical move for BB.

I feel we can afford the luxury of having a situational pass rusher at dt. Brandon Deaderick is still the primary backup. Can never have enough DL if you run a 4 man line.

 

[Luxusdk]

4-2-5 was my thinking last year, but that doesn't really fit with having Mayo-Spikes-Hightower on the roster. I saw a theory that rather than go lighter and faster to combat the increasing use of spread offenses, BB is going big to overpower these smaller offenses. The one position that interests me is the DT position currently being occupied by Jermaine Cunningham. do we go for a high round gap shooter for the defensive front line - would be a distinct philosophical move for BB.

Agree the LB's confusing me also, but Spikes have been out alot, mayby the puzzle is haveing Hightower in the middle in the long term? He has alot more scheme versatility to offer.

We also know its a copy league, more and more useing "hurry up", so the less ppl you have to chance, this better. Seeing Wilson as the SS/LB who can move up if run and drop if pass.

As you saying the DT is the key stone to follow.. If a 4-2-5 as i think, we might be better with Sylvester Williams ? Another would be Sharrif Floyd, but missing to see him 100% vs the run.