Rebuilding this Offseason

[Kontradiction]

I still dont get it to let Akiem Hicks go. He was monster this year for Chicago.
BB drafted and selected players, some ppl here say in BB we trust, i just have one wish, i hope he wont draft Jordan Richards type again in second rd or any round and especially not start in SB.

I think if you hooked BB up on a lie detector, you’d find the needle start to move if he’s asked if he’d like a re-do on the Hicks decision.

 

[AzorianPats]

I think the DE's are already on the roster. Rivers, A. Butler, Wise etc... but they need a solid NT/DT to balance the front four out.

Agree with the rest.

Agreed with DE’s being on the roster already. Although I’d label Adam Butler our pass rushing DT on passing downs similar to how we were using Dominique Easley a couple of years ago.

Also like to point out DT Vincent Valentine should be coming back next year, and he showed some real promise his rookie season.

Think the #1 issue we need to address is off the line LB. we need to get faster, we need to get better.

Hightower a beast but can’t stay healthy and Van Noy is ok, but Roberts and Marquise Flowers are garbage, and Harris can’t play anymore.

 

[Deus Irae]

Going into this offseason, the team is in worse shape than I can remember.

We've seen worse

Future QB.

While obvious, it's only a problem if Brady craps out this season. I put that at a very low percentage chance.

Linebacker is desperately needed.

Biggest need on the team. Fortunately, this draft is supposed to be strong in this area.

DT.

A lot depends on Valentine, here, and I won't be surprised if they look for a big DT in free agency.

I'd love to see the Pats sign Sheldon Richarson.

No.

CB.

Bargain basement shopping in free agency, probably. This could become a problem area next year.

DE. It goes without saying the Pats need to do something here. Depth is non existant.

There's sufficient depth. What's missing is the starter(s). We'll probably have to hope for internal growth for that.

The entire offense is aging. Gronk has maybe 2 years left if we are extremely lucky. Next big injury is game over for Gronk. Amendola and Edelman are both on the wrong side of 30. Dion Lewis might be gone in FA.

There's work to be done on this side of the ball, no question. But

1. WR: Cooks, Mitchell and Dorsett - all first contract WRs
2. OL: Solder and Cannon will be 30, and the IOL is all young players. They need to find OTs, but there's no panic, if Solder comes back
3. TE: Gronk is Gronk. They need to augment, but this is not a panic situation
4. RB: White's young. The rest is TBD, but there are players here for the re-signing

I'm expecting the team to address the QB and LB positions in the first two rounds. BB's not been taking my calls, though, so I could end up being wrong on that.[/QUOTE]

 

[BTTA]

The Official Site of Rutgers Athletics

 

[Joey007]

We’re just talking for next years team?

Offensively, if Gronk doesn’t retire, and a couple players get resigned, we’re in great shape, and not much else needs done for next years squad.

Defensively, we need a reload, but not a complete overhaul. In the secondary, despite the putrid SB performance, we don’t need an overhaul. The safety position is well set. At CB, Gilmore proved he’s figured things out, Rowe’s a decent backup, and Jonathan Jones looks like he has potential. I’d add a vet, and maybe swing the fences on one in the mid rounds and we’d be set there.

At LB, having HT back next year will help. I think I’d put a significant investment into a quicker coverage LB though (either in the 1st /2nd round, or getting a guy like Bradham) Then I would like what we have there.

The defensive line should be our main focus this offseason, with high draft picks and FA signings being both involved.

So, essentially most of the roster just needs a piece or two added/subtracted, but is otherwise in good shape. Defensive line is the one area where several significant moves need to be made.

 

[Tony2046]

We’re just talking for next years team?

Offensively, if Gronk doesn’t retire, and a couple players get resigned, we’re in great shape, and not much else needs done for next years squad.

Defensively, we need a reload, but not a complete overhaul. In the secondary, despite the putrid SB performance, we don’t need an overhaul. The safety position is well set. At CB, Gilmore proved he’s figured things out, Rowe’s a decent backup, and Jonathan Jones looks like he has potential. I’d add a vet, and maybe swing the fences on one in the mid rounds and we’d be set there.

At LB, having HT back next year will help. I think I’d put a significant investment into a quicker coverage LB though (either in the 1st /2nd round, or getting a guy like Bradham) Then I would like what we have there.

The defensive line should be our main focus this offseason, with high draft picks and FA signings being both involved.

So, essentially most of the roster just needs a piece or two added/subtracted, but is otherwise in good shape. Defensive line is the one area where several significant moves need to be made.

I agree with all except I pause on the DL needs several moves. I think one big NT (Wilfork type) would work wonders.

 

[Tony2046]

Wasn't Malcolm coming off a recent injury? Could explain his SB performance as not being top notch...

It looks like that had more to do with the Eagles Offensive line.

 

[Joey007]

I agree with all except I pause on the DL needs several moves. I think one big NT (Wilfork type) would work wonders.

We need more edge rushers though. I’d hope that a guy like Rivers can step up next year but that’s far from a given.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Going into this offseason, the team is in worse shape than I can remember.

What? As someone stated, every year we deal with departures and new arrivals.

 

[Tony2046]

We need more edge rushers though. I’d hope that a guy like Rivers can step up next year but that’s far from a given.

It's an interesting topic. If you have a big bodied 2 gapping NT do the edge rushers have an easier job?

Maybe I'm leery of the freaking "star" position but I want to see the 3-4 back in full force. Need a big NT for that but also need a couple fast LB's as well.

Rivers is interesting as hell. He has LB size, is fast and has power. Hightower, KVN, Rivers and another fast LB (Langi??) could be a nice group.

Question: Is there a need for the "star" in a 3-4 if you have four LB's?

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Remember 2002? The Patriots were the defending Super Bowl champions after their stunning upset over the (then) St Louis Rams. The season started out with a blowout win over the Steelers and then 2-3 more teams. Then the wheels came off for the defense. The Chiefs Priest Holmes ran wild on the defense. The Patriots still won that game however the rest of the season was a struggle and the team missed the playoffs while finishing 9-7. I am going from memory here but sometime during the spring or summer of 2003, a trade was made for Ted "Mt" Washington and Rodney Harrison was signed as well as several decent draft picks like Eugene Wilson. The Patriots were right back in the Super Bowl. Is Bill Bellichick perfect? No. Is he damned smart? Yes. Expect a large number of adjustments to our roster.

 

[DW Toys]

Keeping Solder, Amendola Burkhead, adding two LB's (one starting quality, one useful backup/spot starter) and a quality DT will go a long way to ensuring the Pats are back competing deep into January (hopefully February) next year. Assuming Gronkowski is back.

Replacing/upgrading Malcom Brown/Branch/Jean-Francois in the defensive interior is a must. They need someone who can be a high end run stopper or someone who can be decent vs both pass and run. Brown is a rotational player at best and seems to have maxed out his upside. He was dreadful in the Super Bowl and offers nothing in the pass game. The rest of the DT are rotational or backup guys.

LB with Hightower, maybe Rivers, Van Noy has some talent to work with but clearly you need one more guy who can start since Hightower/Rivers are unknowns/injury problems. M.Flowers is a solid #5/ST guy. They need a 4th LB, as Roberts is awful and Harris is good as gone.

Two holes can be fixed if one: the Bronco's cut Talib I say bring him back. Was dependable here. Why Talib? He has played in our system. Even at 32 playing at a high level. It took Gilmore almost 6 games to get it.

And two: If any F/A is needed it is Zack Brown. His stats and two pro bowls rival DH. Now DH sits on the outside where he is more effective and well as Van Noy to OLB.

I agree Brown was mediocre in 2017. Not playing to his Round one status. Was sat down as well. Poe would be my choice but too expensive. Draft either Vita Vea (no chance) or Tim Settle in the middle.

I want Trent Murphy at DE in our rotation. Sleeper FA pick up. 10 sacks in 2016.

We might need to trade to get Draft capital or a player. The Lions need a Safety. We have Harmon and McCourty who Matty P might like.

Our defensive talent was bad and McCourty was just ok.
DW Toys

 

[Tony2046]

Two holes can be fixed if one: the Bronco's cut Talib I say bring him back. Was dependable here. Why Talib? He has played in our system. Even at 32 playing at a high level. It took Gilmore almost 6 games to get it.

And two: If any F/A is needed it is Zack Brown. His stats and two pro bowls rival DH. Now DH sits on the outside where he is more effective and well as Van Noy to OLB.

I agree Brown was mediocre in 2017. Not playing to his Round one status. Was sat down as well. Poe would be my choice but too expensive. Draft either Vita Vea (no chance) or Tim Settle in the middle.

I want Trent Murphy at DE in our rotation. Sleeper FA pick up. 10 sacks in 2016.

We might need to trade to get Draft capital or a player. The Lions need a Safety. We have Harmon and McCourty who Matty P might like.

Our defensive talent was bad and McCourty was just ok.
DW Toys

Talib is interesting.

I saw Tim Settle on draft scout today. I don't know anything about him but he has the size for NT and is projected in the 2nd round.

Poe would be nice.

We have DE's on the roster.

 

[VegasGuy]

Agree with everyone that thinks the offense will be fine. Defense should be where we see the biggest turnover .

Imo, linebacker is the biggest need. Especially one with speed

 

[Tunescribe]

Assuming he's healed, I want to see what Derek Rivers brings to the table.

 

[Joey007]

It's an interesting topic. If you have a big bodied 2 gapping NT do the edge rushers have an easier job?

Maybe I'm leery of the freaking "star" position but I want to see the 3-4 back in full force. Need a big NT for that but also need a couple fast LB's as well.

Rivers is interesting as hell. He has LB size, is fast and has power. Hightower, KVN, Rivers and another fast LB (Langi??) could be a nice group.

Question: Is there a need for the "star" in a 3-4 if you have four LB's?

I’m all for going back to the 3-4 if the pieces fit right.

The early SB teams thrived on having this type of thing. Having Seymour and Mt. Washington up front was lethal. No doubt it had to help Willie, Vrabel, and Phifer.

 

[Jlaff]

Improving the defence should be easy. Just need to get a group capable of stopping the other team's offence more than 2 two times in 4 quarters.

 

[supafly]

All we need is Brady and to get some luck in SB 53.. (A pick, a ST TD, something)

So, basically the same exact gameplan as the previous 8 SBs?

 

[supafly]

Improving the defence should be easy. Just need to get a group capable of stopping the other team's offence more than 2 two times in 4 quarters.

The return of guys like Hightower, Valentine, Rivers, J.Jones, C.Jones, and possibly even Langi and McClellin should help on some level.

 

[supafly]

90%

I think it’s a no brainer. No doubt.