Patriots done on defense for FA?

[PatsChamp88]

DE and LB I think are some places we might see some players added but more likely through the draft.

 

[mgteich]

We have NINE 2014 needs. They cannot all be met in the draft. BTW, the nine does not include WR.

We WILL sign players to compete for backup LB spots and perhaps defensive line spots.

DE and LB I think are some places we might see some players added but more likely through the draft.

 

[50-yard-line]

We have NINE 2014 needs. They cannot all be met in the draft. BTW, the nine does not include WR.

We WILL sign players to compete for backup LB spots and perhaps defensive line spots.

Nine?

What 9 needs do you see?

 

[ashley]

Nine?

What 9 needs do you see?

I'm going to take a crack at this lol :

-1 tight end
-2 interior offensive lineman
-1 defensive end
-1 defensive tackle
-2 running back
-2 back up linebackers

 

[ashley]

I'm going to take a crack at this lol :

-1 tight end
-2 interior offensive lineman
-1 defensive end
-1 defensive tackle
-2 running back
-2 back up linebackers

oops, change 2 running back to 1

change 1 tight end to 2!!!

 

[mgteich]

1. RB

2. TE (we really need 2-3 to compete)

3. OG/OC

4. OL backup (could be at any position depending on decision to need #3 and on Connolly)

5. Rotational DE

6. Pass-rushing DE

7. #4 LB (we lost both Fletcher and Spikes)

8. DT (even if Kelly is fine for this year, we need a developmental player to eventually start)
developmental

9. QB (we will need a 2015 backup) or a 2014 backup if we trade Mallett

Nine?

What 9 needs do you see?

 

[JMC00]

Is that the order of priority you see the needs?

Because if it is have a hard time thinking RB is the top priority over TE, OL, DE, and DT.

 

[50-yard-line]

oops, change 2 running back to 1

change 1 tight end to 2!!!

1-2. TE (draft) I think we NEED one, but I expect us to draft 2. Rooting for Rob Blanchflower in the 7th (he's from my hometown).

2. Interior OL = 1 (Wendell is a FA), not 2. Are they high on Barker? Is Braxton Cave any good? And again, I expect this to be a draft priority (Xavier Su'a'Filo, Joel Bitonio, maybe?).

1. DE: I agree. Unless they're thinking of rotating Armstead out wide, we need a #3, with Buchanon #4, perhaps.

1. DT right now: Kelly, Wilfork, Armstead, Siliga, Jones, Vellano. I think we're set there unless WIlfork can't play/really is cut.

1. RB: Meh, they're a dime a dozen right now. They'll probably get Blount back, but with Ridley/Vereen/Boldin, I don't consider this a "need."

2. Back-up LBs: The key being back-up. Maybe a draft pick here, and maybe Beauharnis as the 5th. I wouldn't mind them grabbing an FA, but there really aren't many appealing LBs out there.

I see 9 potential upgrades, but not needs.

 

[mgteich]

We all have our priorities. If I were GM, I would RIGHT NOW be focusing on RB and OG/OC. I saw what we had with a real running offense, with Blount on the team. I would strongly prefer not to take a step back.

Yes, the front seven needs help. I suspect that we will be signing low-cost vets. I do not have DT as a high free agent need. I'm fine with Kelly, Siliga, Jones, and Armstead (and Velano and Foston). I'm fine with a top draft pick, but, for me, the other three positions are of higher draft priority.

I have no doubt that we will draft a TE and an OL early (and perhaps often), so that makes me feel less anxious over those positions.

Is that the order of priority you see the needs?

Because if it is have a hard time thinking RB is the top priority over TE, OL, DE, and DT.

 

[ashley]

1-2. TE (draft) I think we NEED one, but I expect us to draft 2. Rooting for Rob Blanchflower in the 7th (he's from my hometown).

2. Interior OL = 1 (Wendell is a FA), not 2. Are they high on Barker? Is Braxton Cave any good? And again, I expect this to be a draft priority (Xavier Su'a'Filo, Joel Bitonio, maybe?).

1. DE: I agree. Unless they're thinking of rotating Armstead out wide, we need a #3, with Buchanon #4, perhaps.

1. DT right now: Kelly, Wilfork, Armstead, Siliga, Jones, Vellano. I think we're set there unless WIlfork can't play/really is cut.

1. RB: Meh, they're a dime a dozen right now. They'll probably get Blount back, but with Ridley/Vereen/Boldin, I don't consider this a "need."

2. Back-up LBs: The key being back-up. Maybe a draft pick here, and maybe Beauharnis as the 5th. I wouldn't mind them grabbing an FA, but there really aren't many appealing LBs out there.

I see 9 potential upgrades, but not needs.

I was just having fun, taking a guess at what the poster mgteich was thinking.

I would say a need would be tight end as well as a defensive end and also an offensive lineman.

The back up linebackers and running back would be an upgrade. I agree with you with those positions.

 

[50-yard-line]

I was just having fun, taking a guess at what the poster mgteich was thinking.

I would say a need would be tight end as well as a defensive end and also an offensive lineman.

The back up linebackers and running back would be an upgrade. I agree with you with those positions.

This looks about right to me, too.

Really wanted Woodyard. Ah well.

 

[mgteich]

If the season started today, we could field a team, so I guess, in that sense, all the nine are "upgrades". Let's look at the incumbents. You can then better assess whether there is a need or a want.
======
1. RB - Bolden

2. TE - Williams

3. OG/OC - Kline

4. OL backup - Barker or Cave

5. Rotational DE - Bequette

6. 2nd Pass-rushing DE - none (last year, we had Buchanan and Carter)

7. #4/#5 LB - Beauharnais and White

8. DT - Vellano

9. QB for 2015 (none)

 

[ashley]

This looks about right to me, too.

Really wanted Woodyard. Ah well.

Yes, he would have been a nice addition!!!!

 

[50-yard-line]

If the season started today, we could field a team, so I guess, in that sense, all the nine are "upgrades". Let's look at the incumbents. You can then better assess whether there is a need or a want.
======
1. RB - Bolden

2. TE - Williams

3. OG/OC - Kline

4. OL backup - Barker or Cave

5. Rotational DE - Bequette

6. 2nd Pass-rushing DE - none (last year, we had Buchanan and Carter)

7. #4/#5 LB - Beauharnais and White

8. DT - Vellano

9. QB for 2015 (none)

1. I don't have a problem with Boldin as their #3.
2. Yep, we need a TE (I'd like a flyer on Keller) and we'll draft one almost certainly.
3. Kline is a backup. We've got Connolly still.
4. We need a center, I agree - they'll probably re-sign Wendell.
5./6. 1 Player, not two. Buchanon is still here and Armstead can kick out, if necessary.
7. Yep, I agree.
8. Vellano is way down the depth chart - Wilfork, Kelly, Armstead, Jones, Siliga.
9. They might draft McCarron or another. Not too worried.

 

[Deus Irae]

I've mentioned this before, but people shouldn't be assuming that the Patriots don't need a starting LB.