PATRIOTS NEWS DE Will Smith Visiting Patriots April 1

[mgteich]

No, I'm not.

I asking why you think that Belichick will definitely pick a DE this year when he didn't last year in the same situation.

You said that "we'll draft a DE in Round 1 or 2".

I guess that I didn't interpret you to say that we "should" draft a DE in Rounds 1 or 2.

In any case, we SHOULD sign a veteran DE or two. I also believe that it is likely that we will do so.

If Smith is signed, and perhaps someone else like Carter to compete with Buchanan for reps, I don't see Belichick drafting a DE in the first 2 rounds.

I think that we did OK with Collins and Dobson. Obviously, we could have drafted a DE last year instead of Collins. In that case, we would be needing a starting LB this year in addition to the need for the 2 backups.

IMHO, the best place to get backup, rotational, DE's is in free agency.

You are asking ME to explain BB's well-documented draft perversity???

I can't believe he thought that 2nd year Bequette was the answer to rotation at DE (see other thread).

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

To clarify, I think the Pats both Will and Should draft a DE in Rounds 1-2
I also think health willing, they well might sign the Fresh Prince as a FA DE rotational guy

As stated, nobody can offer rational explanations for many of BB's past draft moves or non-moves. There are entire threads devoted to this.

 

[supafly]

No, I'm not.

I asking why you think that Belichick will definitely pick a DE this year when he didn't last year in the same situation.

You said that "we'll draft a DE in Round 1 or 2".

I guess that I didn't interpret you to say that we "should" draft a DE in Rounds 1 or 2.

In any case, we SHOULD sign a veteran DE or two. I also believe that it is likely that we will do so.

If Smith is signed, and perhaps someone else like Carter to compete with Buchanan for reps, I don't see Belichick drafting a DE in the first 2 rounds.

I think that we did OK with Collins and Dobson. Obviously, we could have drafted a DE last year instead of Collins. In that case, we would be needing a starting LB this year in addition to the need for the 2 backups.

IMHO, the best place to get backup, rotational, DE's is in free agency.

I definitely hear what you're saying, but it sure would have been nice to explore the possibility of taking someone while the options were a little better in free agency. That said, I do agree that we could get by with a training camp castoff/cap casualty. I do not want to see Andre Carter return however. I think he was pretty much a non-factor last year, although there are some who argue differently due to specific stats that show higher amounts of pressure than what the eye test did. I saw him as slow and old looking. That's obviously just my opinion.

I think that we'll be drafting a DE in the draft for sure, although it's anyone's guess as to where that could be. We certainly need depth, so it'll all be up to Belichick. If he sees it as a big enough need, we may explore the position in 1-4. If not, we'll add depth/competition in the later rounds/UDFAs.

 

[ausbacker]

To clarify, I think the Pats both Will and Should draft a DE in Rounds 1-2
I also think health willing, they well might sign the Fresh Prince as a FA DE rotational guy

As stated, nobody can offer rational explanations for many of BB's past draft moves or non-moves. There are entire threads devoted to this.

I've been of the opinion for some time that the Patriots DL needs to be 8-10 deep filled with a mix of players who are All-Star right through to solid, situational guys. Right now, the Patriots don't have the right mix to create sustainable disruption at the point of attack.

 

[captain stone]

So, why didn't we draft a DE last year in Rounds 1 or 2? The argument was the same then.

I didn't see a DE worth drafting at either 52 or 59 last year. At 91 however, I would've given very serious thought to taking Alex Okafor, instead of somebody we could've had multiple rounds later.

And Bill absolutely should've signed John Abraham. Big mistake.

 

[RobAllan]

Maybe BB was like, "a defensive end? I have got to get me one of these!!!"

 

[mgteich]

I've been of the opinion for some time that the Patriots DL needs to be 8-10 deep filled with a mix of players who are All-Star right through to solid, situational guys. Right now, the Patriots don't have the right mix to create sustainable disruption at the point of attack.

Sure it would nice to have 8-10 DL's who are at least "solid, rotational guys". BTW, sometimes we don't even carry 10 defensive linemen. I'd say 9 is most likely (with 6 linebackers and 10 defensive backs). I would note that our linebackers are often called upon to be pass-rushers and rotational DE's. Some would say that we come close to being fine with

OUR NINE DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
Ninkovich, Jones, Buchanan, Smith
Wilfork, Kelly, Siliga, Jones, Armstead
outside looking in: Forston, Vellano, Bequette

Obviously, much depends on health and what additional free agents and rookies are added to compete for roster spots (especially to compete with Buchanan, Armstead and Jones. I expect use to sign a late round DT, although such a player may or may not make the 53 man roster.

 

[ausbacker]

Sure it would nice to have 8-10 DL's who are at least "solid, rotational guys". BTW, sometimes we don't even carry 10 defensive linemen. I'd say 9 is most likely (with 6 linebackers and 10 defensive backs). I would note that our linebackers are often called upon to be pass-rushers and rotational DE's. Some would say that we come close to being fine with

OUR NINE DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
Ninkovich, Jones, Buchanan, Smith
Wilfork, Kelly, Siliga, Jones, Armstead
outside looking in: Forston, Vellano, Bequette

Obviously, much depends on health and what additional free agents and rookies are added to compete for roster spots (especially to compete with Buchanan, Armstead and Jones. I expect use to sign a late round DT, although such a player may or may not make the 53 man roster.

Given the current landscape of the NFL, I suggest a strong Defensive Line is needed given the legislation against DB tactics. Of your list, I see question marks with Siliga, Chr.Jones, Armstead and Buchanan. That doesn't consider the impact injuries have taken on Wilfork and Kelly. That leaves the Patriots with two quality starters and the potential addition of Smith (who himself is a question mark).

It will be interesting to see what the Patriots do moving forward @mgteich. You have raised some very good points, most of which I agree with.

 

[supafly]

Given the current landscape of the NFL, I suggest a strong Defensive Line is needed given the legislation against DB tactics. Of your list, I see question marks with Siliga, Chr.Jones, Armstead and Buchanan. That doesn't consider the impact injuries have taken on Wilfork and Kelly. That leaves the Patriots with two quality starters and the potential addition of Smith (who himself is a question mark).

It will be interesting to see what the Patriots do moving forward @mgteich. You have raised some very good points, most of which I agree with.

I can see both sides of the debate depending on personal choice of course, but I'm with you Ausbacker. I believe that there are too many uncertainties at a position that has been in need of a high draft pick for awhile now (outside of C.Jones).

Between injury concerns and the thought (hope) that we'll see continued improvement from some of these backups, one can certainly make a solid argument that we should address the DL in the top 3 rounds at worst.

I think that Dante Scarnecchia hit the nail on the head when he stated that the front seven was "obviously the biggest weakness" and area that should be targeted in the draft at his Patriot Place speech a month or so ago. To me, that's difficult to ignore, even if we'd wait until the 3rd round and take the kid from Penn State as a DT.

 

[Ring 6]

I didn't see a DE worth drafting at either 52 or 59 last year. At 91 however, I would've given very serious thought to taking Alex Okafor, instead of somebody we could've had multiple rounds later.

And Bill absolutely should've signed John Abraham. Big mistake.

I think you are being tough on Abraham calling it a big mistake.
He had a good year after choosing to go to Arizona, and got more playing time there.