Current Needs

[manxman2601]

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.

I don't like Williams, mainly because I don't like UNC defensive players - I think the coaching is terrible (witness their bowl game last year). I've always liked Floyd but like you, I question his stoutness against the run and thus his fit for the Patriots.

 

[patsfaninpa]

I've given up on building a good secondary. With the rules and the way the game is played. The best chance to slow down an offense is a good pass rush. That's really the only time we stopped Manning. When we got after him a little.

 

[fightingirish595]

tackle spot a need? love volmer but hes so injury prone. ik many of us if not all see guard as a need, but isnt cannon a guard. havent they tried to move him to tackle and it hasnt really worked out? maybe move him back to guard? am i missing something?

 

[manxman2601]

tackle spot a need? love volmer but hes so injury prone. ik many of us if not all see guard as a need, but isnt cannon a guard. havent they tried to move him to tackle and it hasnt really worked out? maybe move him back to guard? am i missing something?

Only that as far as I know, we've never tried him at OG. Is that for a reason? He's never been a guard so saying he's a guard is only a projection at best.

 

[ATippett56]

2013 NFL Draft - New England Patriots

Offensive Priorities

Offensive Guard
Offensive Tackle (Will Vollmer even survive the 2012 NFL Season?)

Defensive Priorities (4-3 Defensive Alignment)

Defensive End (Bill Belichick may disagree here)
Defensive Tackle
Safety

2013 NFL Unrestricted Free Agency

Wide Receivers (Welker, Edelman)

 

[ATippett56]

tackle spot a need? love volmer but hes so injury prone. ik many of us if not all see guard as a need, but isnt cannon a guard. havent they tried to move him to tackle and it hasnt really worked out? maybe move him back to guard? am i missing something?

Marcus Cannon played offensive tackle in college.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Marcus Cannon played offensive tackle in college.

The big fella pulled and got outside on a couple of runs right before the Ridley fumble. Looked like he has good feet. I know he played tackle in college. But, damn he's built like one of those road-grader guards. Except even a little taller which should help in pass blocking if he's at RG. Vollmer's damn near an all-pro when healthy. How high of a pick do you want to spend on a backup? I'm pretty sure we re-up him.

 

[Daneroma]

I don't like Williams, mainly because I don't like UNC defensive players - I think the coaching is terrible (witness their bowl game last year). I've always liked Floyd but like you, I question his stoutness against the run and thus his fit for the Patriots.

Its a completely new staff at UNC this year, play/stats MUCH improved (though I agree on the previous staff) and being a juco transfer, Williams only spent 1 season with that old staff. He was a consistant force last year and has continued that into this season. Solid against the pass and run.

 

[ATippett56]

Vollmer's damn near an all-pro when healthy. How high of a pick do you want to spend on a backup? I'm pretty sure we re-up him.

The public doesn't have access to all of Sebastian Vollmer's medical records. Vollmer missed ten games last season and underwent off-season back surgery. Vollmer has been on the injury report every week this season listed as questionable with back issues.

Back ailment sidelines Patriots lineman Vollmer - The Boston Globe

 

[rookBoston]

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.

BB spent all offseason kicking the tires on quality vets like Dallas Clark, Visante, Kellen. Even with Fells and Ballard, he still obviously hasn't found what he's looking for.

My pet theory is that BB wants to invent the first Power Passing offense in football history. Passing or running depending on what the D shows you, out of a lineup with Brady, Ridley, FB, Hernandez, Gronk and another stud TE sounds undefendable to me.

If we go OL, TE, OL and FB in the first four rounds in 2013, we could be power passing for the next five years.

Make it so.

 

[ATippett56]

BB spent all offseason kicking the tires on quality vets like Dallas Clark, Visante, Kellen. Even with Fells and Ballard, he still obviously hasn't found what he's looking for.

I don't think that is necessarily true:

Jake Ballard - knee (ACL)
Daniels Fells - shin
Visanthe Schiancoe - hamstring
Aaron Hernandez - ankle
Michael Hoomanawanui - concussion

Jake Ballard started training camp on the PUP list. Daniels Fells started training camp on the PUP list. Visanthe Schiancoe was placed on the retroactive injured reserve list with a hamstring injury and missed the entire preseason.

The New England Patriots have been decimated with injuries at the tight end position since the start of training camp.

 

[captain stone]

Quarterly Report

New England Patriots Defense - 2013 Free Agents

Key free agents:

Kyle Arrington
Patrick Chung

In that order. Chung is simply not starting-calibre on a team with championship aspirations,
and his contract offer, if forthcoming at all, should be barely above vet minimum + years accrued.

 

[ATippett56]

In that order. Chung is simply not starting-calibre on a team with championship aspirations,
and his contract offer, if forthcoming at all, should be barely above vet minimum + years accrued.

I don't want either back and rather allocate those salary cap dollars to Wes Welker. That's right Wes, stick to Bill Belichick one more time.

 

[captain stone]

2013 NFL Draft - New England Patriots

Offensive Priorities

Offensive Guard
Offensive Tackle (Will Vollmer even survive the 2012 NFL Season?)

Defensive Priorities (4-3 Defensive Alignment)

Defensive End (Bill Belichick may disagree here)
Defensive Tackle
Safety

2013 NFL Unrestricted Free Agency

Wide Receivers (Welker, Edelman)

I'd add WR to the list on offense, behind OT & OG, and 4-3 OLB (who can cover RBs & TEs)
to the list on defense, behind DE & Safety and ahead of DT.

 

[ATippett56]

If we go OL, TE, OL and FB in the first four rounds in 2013, we could be power passing for the next five years.

Make it so.

Spencer Larsen was placed on the injured reserve list; Tony Fiammetta was placed on the reserve exempt list; James Develin is currently on the practice squad.

Official Website of the New England Patriots | Team - Players

 

[ATippett56]

I'd add WR to the list on offense, behind OT & OG, and 4-3 OLB (who can cover RBs & TEs)
to the list on defense, behind DE & Safety and ahead of DT.

With the current number of draft picks, the following mock is the best I could do with the current information at hand:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...013-mock-draft-thread-page16.html#post3184693

Refer to post #158

The remainder of the roster will need to be filled with unrestricted free agents and 2013 undrafted free agents direct from the collegiate ranks.