My Blueprint For the Pats

[patsfaninpa]

Kyle Love isn't anywhere on the same planet as Wilfork. Could you imagine the Ravens game in the AFCC without Wilfork? He's a good DT, but Love would be a miserable replacement as an anchoring NT.

The successful scheme we have been running in recent weeks absolutely depends on a dominating NT like Wilfork. Someone posted stats with Wilfork on the field and without, and it was damn clear that Wilfork is the linchpin to this front.

Nobody else on this team can get double teamed and still frequently get push up the middle.

The easy way to put this - this D cannot afford an adequate replacement. It needs a dominant player at that position.

Color me crazy. But, I think mediocre defenses should try to fix their problems before they worry about backups whom might start in 4-5 years. We need to improve our interior pass rush. Can probably use a LDE to get after the qb. Though, I'd like to see Hightower play that spot in our current defense. We can also use an olb who can play in space.

I want to see how the season plays out before determining the secondary needs. But, we could have a hole at LCB if Talib leaves or doesn't work out.

 

[Snake Eyes]

If so, and IF we had taken Cunningham at 90 instead of Price, there are a ton of players I would have taken at 53 over Tate, both at the time of the draft and in retrospect:

- Carlos Dunlap (54). One of my favorites. Imagine if we had him at LDE opposite Chandler Jones. BB reportedly took Cunningham over Dunlap in part because he felt Dunlap was more of a pure DE - but given what we are playing now, Dunlap is a better schematic fit.
- Sean Lee (55). Incredibly instinctive LB with amazing coverage skills.
- Jared Veldheer (69). I wanted to get Veldheer and pair him with Vollmer. As good as Nate Solder will be, if we had Veldheer and Vollmer we might have been able to package 17+33 and trade up for JJ Watt.

I was never a fan of Golden Tate in 2010. I was praying the Pats wouldn't take him. JMHO.

I was all over Veldheer, I'd be in Hog Heaven if we had him and Watt instead of Solder and Glass-I.

 

[ATippett56]

We have plenty of space for Welker and Vollmer.

Based on what evidence to date?

The following denotes the 2013 New England Patriots unrestricted free agents:

Danny Woodhead
Wes Welker
Julian Edelman
Donte Stallworth
Deion Branch
Sebastian Vollmer
Donald Thomas
Ron Brace
Trevor Scott
Tracy White
Niko Koutouvides
Aqib Talib
Kyle Arrington
Marquice Cole
Derrick Martin
Patrick Chung

The following denotes the 2013 New England Patriots restricted free agents:

Dane Fletcher
Michael Hoomanawanui
Jake Ballard (ERFA)

In addition, the New England Patriots will have to account for the following towards the 2013 salary cap:

2013 NFL Draft picks
Injured Reserve
Physically Unable to Perform
Practice Squad

 

[Marqui]

Considering they can restructure Brady's contract, they can easily fit Welker, Vollmer, and Talib under the cap if they wanted to.

 

[ATippett56]

Considering they can restructure Brady's contract, they can easily fit Welker, Vollmer, and Talib under the cap if they wanted to.

Brady restructured his contract in March 2012.

http://atp.patsfans.com/2012/09/04/2012-new-england-patriots-transactions/

March 21: QB Tom Brady restructures his contract (cap savings of $7.2 million)

 

[patsfaninpa]

Based on what evidence to date?

Right. We're over the cap. My bad.

 

[ATippett56]

Right. We're over the cap. My bad.

Since you are unwilling to provide a detailed analysis of the 2013 New England Patriots salary cap situation, I'm thru discussing the topic with you.

 

[NewFeep]

My simplistic view as must haves going into the draft next year are....

Resign Talib: He's made the whole secondary better.
Resign Vollmer: Beast

Draft priority: LDE to go with Jones. A WR with real speed and size. Draft a stud guard/tackle in that order.

I think Hightower is gonna be beastly in his 2nd year and Dennard looks like the absolute draft steal of all time.

 

[manxman2601]

My simplistic view as must haves going into the draft next year are....

Resign Talib: He's made the whole secondary better.
Resign Vollmer: Beast

Draft priority: LDE to go with Jones. A WR with real speed and size. Draft a stud guard/tackle in that order.

I think Hightower is gonna be beastly in his 2nd year and Dennard looks like the absolute draft steal of all time.

I admire your enthusiasm but I'm pretty sure this isn't right

 

[mayoclinic]

I admire your enthusiasm but I'm pretty sure this isn't right

 

[DocHoliday]

My simplistic view as must haves going into the draft next year are....

Resign Talib: He's made the whole secondary better.
Resign Vollmer: Beast

Draft priority: LDE to go with Jones. A WR with real speed and size. Draft a stud guard/tackle in that order.

I think Hightower is gonna be beastly in his 2nd year and Dennard looks like the absolute draft steal of all time.

For absolute steal I think I have to go with a pick the Pats made about a decade ago, 6th round if I recall.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Instead of trying to look into someone's inner psyche. That's quite difficult. We could always pay a top prospect to do something stupid. Hurt his draft stock. And snag him long after he should have been drafted. I'm thinking Aaron Hernandez and Dennard. Honey Badger is probably wondering how he looks in our unis as I type this.

 

[mayoclinic]

Time for a bump again. As the Pats head into the home stretch 10-3 and looking to wrap up a bye and possibly the #1 seed for the 3rd straight year and make another SB run, this team is starting to look dominant. Last night's win over the Texans was obviously the high point of the season. I'm not going to address the draft, but just the priorites and short term plan from the OP.

Based on the what I wrote a few days ago, here's my current "fantasy/dream draft" based on NFL DraftScout's 12/12 rankings, assuming that juniors declare. I know it's unrealistic (some of the juniors won't declare, and the DraftScout rankings won't hold), but it's useful as a tool for expressing certain ideas and directions.

Assumptions:

1. Pats pick 32 in each round.
2. Pats get 6th and 7th round comp picks.
3. Pats trade Ryan Mallett to Minnesota for 2013 4th and 5th round picks and a 2014 conditional pick (3rd round, upgradeable depending on performance). Christan Ponder has regressed, and Minny is desperate. Pats re-sign Matt Cassel, who is cut by the Chiefs in the off-season, then use the extra ammo to draft AJ McCarron in 2014.

That gives them 9 picks: 32, 62, 94, 4, 5, 6 (comp), 7a, 7b and 7 (comp). A bit optimistic, but not out of the question.

32. Ziggy Ansah, DE, BYU. 6'6" 270#. NFL DraftScout #37.



Super Beast! Ansah would excel at LDE opposite Chandler Jones. He could also stand up at times, and move inside at times. He has the length, strength and speed to be a fusion of JPP and JJ Watt.

62. Anthony Barr*, OLB, UCLA. 6'4" 238#. NFL DraftScout #66.



Super Beast! Barr is a fusion of Aldon Smith, Von Miller and Lavonte David. He probably won't come out, and wouldn't last this long if he did. But it's a fantasy dream draft. He would meet 2 huge needs: a coverage LB who could handle TEs and RBs, and an impact pass rusher who could blitz. He could probably play safety some (he played it a bit in high school), and could also probably be used on offense.

Dion Jordan at #31 is tempting. But Ansah and Barr would give the Pats the best of both worlds.

94. Brian Winters, OL, Kent St. 6'4" 310#. Currently NFL DraftScout #101.



Stud Horse! Winters is a blue collar lineman in the Matt Light/Logan Mankins mold. He's tough, physical, durable, and manhandles defensive linemen. Plays with a mean streak. He'll take over for Logan Mankins as starting LG around 2015 and be a 5-10 year starter under Scar.

4 (from Minn). Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon St. 6'1" 182#. Currently NFL DraftScout #131.



Greyhound! Wheaton is a Greg Jennings clone who can both stretch the field and go over the middle. He can run the entire route tree, runs disciplined routes, and has good hands.

5 (from Minn). Brandon Williams, DT, Missouri Southern. 6'2" 328#. NFL DraftScout #139.



Sleeper Stud Horse! Brandon Williams is a small school Vince Wilfork. He has near Dontari Poe kind of athleticism, but much more productivity, albeit against poor competition. He has a great motor and work ethic. He'll be a great rotational DT.

6 (comp). Reid Fragel, OT, Ohio St. 6'8" 310#. Currently NFL DraftScout #395.



Sleeper! A former TE with great athleticism, Fragel will develop into a nice swing tackle behind Solder and Vollmer, allowing Marcus Cannon to move inside.

7a. Dexter McCoil, FS, Tulsa. 6'3" 222#. Currently NFL DraftScout #320.



Sleeper! A big DB who moves well in space and has fluid movement skills, McCoil has nice developmental potential.

7b. Nick Kasa, TE, Colorada. 6'6" 260#. Currently NFLDraftScout # 261.



Sleeper! A former highly recruited DE, Kasa has switched to TE and taken off. He reportedly has 4.55 speed, and has thrived as an offensive weapon. He has "mini-Gronk" potential.

7 (comp). Colin Klein, QB/H-back, Kansas St. Currently NFL DraftScout # 291.



Sleeper! Klein is part Tim Tebow, part Colin Kaepernick, part Matt Jones. He may never be an NFL QB, but he could be an outstanding H-back/TE kind of hybrid weapon. Unlike Jones, he has the leadership and work ethic to succeed at the next level.

Winters probably won't last to 94. Wheaton could go 2nd round. Williams could easily go higher, as could Fragel. Ansah could go top 20. Barr is the biggest reach, and probably won't come out. But it's a nice dream.

Imagine:

QB: Brady, Cassel (Klein)
RB: Ridley, Vereen, Bolden, Woodhead, Demps
FB: (Barr)
WR: Welker, Lloyd, Wheaton, Edelman, Ebert
TE: Gronk, Hernandez, Ballard, Hoomanamanui, Fells, Kasa, Klein
OT: Solder, Vollmer, Cannon, Fragel, Zusevics
OG/C: Mankins, Connolly, Winters, (Cannon), Thomas, McDonald, Wendell

DT: Wilfork, Love, Williams, Deaderick, Forston
DE: Jones, Ansah, Ninkovich, Cunningham, Scott, Francis, Bequette
LB: Mayo, Hightower, Spikes, Barr, Fletcher, White, Koutouvides
S: McCourty, Wilson, Gregory, Ebner, McCoil
CB: Talib, Dennard, Dowling, Arrington, Cole

ST: Gostkowski, Mesko, Aiken, Slater

That's 64 players. Then let them fight it out.

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

I like it. Barr at 66 is funny, but that's on CBS, not you. I wish you included some UDFAs. That's usually my favorite part.

There are three grizzlies named Williams you like? That won't get confusing

 

[IllegalContact]

I would like the first to picks to be an OL and a DT

after that, the only thing I'd like to get for the defense is a bona-fide SS we have so many rookies and new faces running around out there that I think the best thing for them will be some consistency of rostering ... left alone, this group will be much better next year.

we need a talented DT as wilfork get older and injury risk goes up...not sure where this defense would be without him

the OL came together well after a rough start, but if the pats are going to keep brady from turning into a corpse, then high caliber resources must be fed to scarnecchia for him to have one of the best OL's in the NFL....he does great with scrubs, but they pats have 3 high draft picks on the OL, and that helps.

I thin WR should continue to be dealt with through FA....add a body or 2....RB is fine since demps will be added. TE will be fine with ballard being added.

I guess from there, upgrading LB and secondary depth would be next on my list.

and oh yeah.......a kicker

 

[patsfaninpa]

I said it after the 2011 draft. I'll say it again. Ryan Mallett is a better prospect than Ponder, Locker and Gabbert. Those teams reached for qb's and paid for it. They could have had guys like; JJ Watt, Ryan Kerrigan and Nate Solder. They will be back at the qb trough very soon. This years teams needing qb's will be wise to learn from that draft. Barkley, Geno Smith and Tyler Wilson are not sure things to become even an average NFL starter. Go with the lineman and try to trade for a qb. I know the Kolb trade didn't work out for Arizona like they hoped. But, the knock on Kolb in Philly was that he liked to check down and didn't look downfield to use their weapons like DeSean Jackson and Maclin. Guess what? He's the same way in Arizona.

I think Arizona is a great fit for Mallett. He's got the arm to get the ball downfield to Fitzy and they hope Michael Floyd. The reason he got drafted lower was a suspected drug problem. That hasn't surfaced in 2 years. Have to think he's clean. He's not old either. Tom Brady was 24 entering the 2001 season. Ryan will be 25 entering next year. He also seems in much better shape than when he was drafted. I'd like to get a three and conditional pick dependent on his and their performance next year.

I don't mind the DE at 32 Mayo. But, come on. Another one at 62. Where would he play?
We probably have less depth at lb than any position on the squad. Tracy White, Koutouvides and Mike Rivera. I don't trust any of them to start a game in case of injury. What if we had 2 injuries? Ninko can slide back there. We have 6 de's on the roster; Jones, Ninko, Cunningham, Scott, Bequette and Francis. I'd say Cunningham and Scott are much better backups than our lb's. Bequette and Francis are good prospects. What do we have at lb? Fletcher will be coming off of an ACL and is a player I like. We'll have to see how he looks. Really have zero depth at olb. I'm not worried about mlb. Because all 3 of our guys could slide inside. We need an olb who can play in space in a 4-3. I don't think Barr is that type of guy at all. If you don't go de at 32, I'd be fine with his pick. We both liked Lavonte David last year. I would like to get a similiar player. Probably won't be as good. But, might be pretty close. I'm thinking Arthur Brown - K-St, Khaseeme Greene - Rutgers or Gerald Hodges - PSU. Want to watch Green and Browns bowl games and Senior Bowl. Combines of course too. Question with Hodges to me is his 40 time. Want it close to 4.6.

I like all the other positions and picks. One more question for ya. Since we have two 7's. How bout a kicker? Disappointing year for Gostkowski and he has a big cap hit for a kicker.Looks like we'd save 1.8m if we cut him. Probably, a year away from taking a closer look at this position. But, haven't been impressed at all with him this year. Rookie kicker would only make about 400k.

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

For absolute steal I think I have to go with a pick the Pats made about a decade ago, 6th round if I recall.

Kliff Kingsbury?

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

I don't mind the DE at 32 Mayo. But, come on. Another one at 62. Where would he play?
We probably have less depth at lb than any position on the squad. Tracy White, Koutouvides and Mike Rivera. I don't trust any of them to start a game in case of injury. What if we had 2 injuries? Ninko can slide back there. We have 6 de's on the roster; Jones, Ninko, Cunningham, Scott, Bequette and Francis. I'd say Cunningham and Scott are much better backups than our lb's. Bequette and Francis are good prospects. What do we have at lb? Fletcher will be coming off of an ACL and is a player I like. We'll have to see how he looks. Really have zero depth at olb. I'm not worried about mlb. Because all 3 of our guys could slide inside. We need an olb who can play in space in a 4-3. I don't think Barr is that type of guy at all. If you don't go de at 32, I'd be fine with his pick. We both liked Lavonte David last year. I would like to get a similiar player. Probably won't be as good. But, might be pretty close. I'm thinking Arthur Brown - K-St, Khaseeme Greene - Rutgers or Gerald Hodges - PSU. Want to watch Green and Browns bowl games and Senior Bowl. Combines of course too. Question with Hodges to me is his 40 time. Want it close to 4.6.

I don't want to speak for Mayo, but I would guess he has Barr penciled in at OLB. At least that's what I get from this.

62. Anthony Barr*, OLB, UCLA. 6'4" 238

Barr is a fusion of Aldon Smith, Von Miller and Lavonte David

 

[patsfaninpa]

Barr is a 3-4 olb/de type. Same as Ansah. Duplicating that skill set. He couldn't run with Levonte David on his best day. CBS has him at 4.73. Not what we need.

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

Barr is a 3-4 olb/de type. Same as Ansah. Duplicating that skill set. He couldn't run with Levonte David on his best day. CBS has him at 4.73. Not what we need.

That is what he does in college but I don't think 238 pound is playing 3-4 olb/de here. He's most like Von Miller IMO. 4-3 OLB and 4-2 DE.

I agree that Barr may not be what we need, but he and Ansah are very different players.