March 17 - Before The Draft

[mgteich]

Obviously, Belichick tries to have a "complete" eat before the draft, so that he has maximum flexibility in the draft. Usually, there is at least one need to focus upon. This year, we need an LT in a poor draft for LT's.

I hope to see some extensions before the draft.

We seem likely to sign an OT (Fleming or Waddle), an LB (hopefully Flowers), a Ster or 2 (Slater?) and a db or two (perhaps a SS).

The major open question is who we draft as our LT of the future (or does Belichick trade a top pick for one).

IN A SENSE
We are simply looking to re-sign or replace Waddle/Fleming, Flowers/Harrison and Slater. And we posters would like to see a replacement for Ster Richards who can be an adequate backup at SS.

 

[VectorPrime]

I want an impact LB ready to start day 1 in the first round. A redux of the 2012 draft would be ideal.

 

[mgteich]

I want an impact LB ready to start day 1 in the first round. A redux of the 2012 draft would be ideal.

For many here, it is a high priority to draft or sign a an immediate starter at LB, and put Van Noy on the bench. For me, I think that we will improve on our pas rush (not terrible in 2017) by adding Hightower and Clayborne. We also should get help from last year's rookies: Wise and Rivers.

 

[fightingirish595]

I want an impact LB ready to start day 1 in the first round. A redux of the 2012 draft would be ideal.

Probably going to have to trade up if you want a stud. I like carter out of Georgia, but Im not sure he will be a stud, nice player though.

Evans could be your guy

 

[p8ryts]

For many here, it is a high priority to draft or sign a an immediate starter at LB, and put Van Noy on the bench. For me, I think that we will improve on our pas rush (not terrible in 2017) by adding Hightower and Clayborne. We also should get help from last year's rookies: Wise and Rivers.

Van Noy does not belong on the bench.

 

[Betterthanmost]

Hopefully this will be the year Jordan Richard makes the jump to starter material. I don't know what to do with Roberts, does he play ST? Slater is a must to extend as well for team chemistry. This coming year is shaping up to be may be BBs most challenging. Sherman said something about Carroll and that brought the realization of what BB has been working with for years into my thoughts. Your vets have heard all the stories, all the team building talk. They will start to tune you out.

 

[mgteich]

Hopefully this will be the year Jordan Richard makes the jump to starter material. I don't know what to do with Roberts, does he play ST? Slater is a must to extend as well for team chemistry. This coming year is shaping up to be may be BBs most challenging. Sherman said something about Carroll and that brought the realization of what BB has been working with for years into my thoughts. Your vets have heard all the stories, all the team building talk. They will start to tune you out.

IMHO, there is a place on the bottom of the LB depth chart for someone who plays only on run downs. Until he get beaten out for that role, Roberts will remain. After all, our base defense is a 2 LB set: Hightower and Van Noy.

 

[mgteich]

Hopefully this will be the year Jordan Richard makes the jump to starter material.

 

[ashley]

As long as we can say goodbye to Richards and Roberts, I'd be happy!!!

Upgrade LT
Add speedy linebacker
Add another pass rusher
Add cb depth
Add future QB

 

[mgteich]

I presume that "another speedy pass rusher" would always be on the list. We've added Clayborne and Rivers will be back; that doesn't count Hightower.

That being said, a speedy linebacker, who is also a pass rusher is fine.

As long as we can say goodbye to Richards and Roberts, I'd be happy!!!

Upgrade LT
Add speedy linebacker
Add another pass rusher
Add cb depth
Add future QB

 

[Ochmed Jones]

As of March 17, I would say bb is not done with free agency roster building.

We have some free agents out there, maybe we resign a couple. But we also have two gapping roster holes. Left tackle and linebacker.

As for the upcoming draft, whoever jumps up and takes the giants spot at 2 will have - first, a desperate need for a qb and second, paid a kings ransom.

Normally this would not mean squat for us, except that it is possible 3 qb’s are drafted in the first 4 picks. Plus there will be qb needy teams on down the line. Combine that with running backs and wide receivers expected to go early and some defensive player we never imagined is going to fall to 31.

As long as bb is patient, we should do very well over the next six weeks.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

As long as bb is patient, we should do very well over the next six weeks.

BB will wheel and deal on draft day. The fans need to be patient.

 

[mgteich]

I agree with comments except for the gaping hole at LB. We play 2 LB's almost always. We have Hightower and Van Noy. They may not be the best pair in the NFL. But they are hardly a gaping hole.

As of March 17, I would say bb is not done with free agency roster building.

We have some free agents out there, maybe we resign a couple. But we also have two gapping roster holes. Left tackle and linebacker.

As for the upcoming draft, whoever jumps up and takes the giants spot at 2 will have - first, a desperate need for a qb and second, paid a kings ransom.

Normally this would not mean squat for us, except that it is possible 3 qb’s are drafted in the first 4 picks. Plus there will be qb needy teams on down the line. Combine that with running backs and wide receivers expected to go early and some defensive player we never imagined is going to fall to 31.

As long as bb is patient, we should do very well over the next six weeks.

 

[Deus Irae]

Team needs, as of 3/18:


Offense - LT, Backup OT, RB, TE, QBOTF, Slot WR (?)
Defense - DT (?), DE, Cover LB, S, CB

 

[maineman209]

Hopefully this will be the year Jordan Richard makes the jump to starter material. I don't know what to do with Roberts, does he play ST? Slater is a must to extend as well for team chemistry. This coming year is shaping up to be may be BBs most challenging. Sherman said something about Carroll and that brought the realization of what BB has been working with for years into my thoughts. Your vets have heard all the stories, all the team building talk. They will start to tune you out.

Although playing safety in the Pats coverage schemes may well be the most challenging position on the defense, I didn't see much out of Richard play in his third season that give me hope that he'll be making any jump to starter.

Roberts, OTOH, was playing in only his second season. Due to the injury situation at LB, he ended up playing more than double the number of snaps that he had as a rookie (and in a much wider variety of assignments for which he might not be well-suited) , so it's not surprising that he got overwhelmed at times. That was a serious developmental challenge for a guy who may not even have been drafted to be a starter.

Even so, if our amateur talent scouts would let go of focusing exclusively on the plays he effed up, and were willing to see the successes he had, I think they'd realize that Roberts actually did show improvement, even under horrible circumstances. What remains to be seen is whether or not he can guild on that experience in his third season through OTAs and Camp. Just keep in mind that his current total NFL defensive snaps, 829, is about what HT has averaged for just one season (also, Van Noy has only 1,364 NFL defensive snaps, and only 959 in the Pats' system).

 

[Tunescribe]

Obviously, Belichick tries to have a "complete" eat before the draft,

What's that? A full meal? Has he only had time so far to snack?

 

[maineman209]

As of March 17, I would say bb is not done with free agency roster building.

We have some free agents out there, maybe we resign a couple. But we also have two gapping roster holes. Left tackle and linebacker.

As for the upcoming draft, whoever jumps up and takes the giants spot at 2 will have - first, a desperate need for a qb and second, paid a kings ransom.

Normally this would not mean squat for us, except that it is possible 3 qb’s are drafted in the first 4 picks. Plus there will be qb needy teams on down the line. Combine that with running backs and wide receivers expected to go early and some defensive player we never imagined is going to fall to 31.

As long as bb is patient, we should do very well over the next six weeks.

The LB corps certainly needs more bodies - healthy bodies, and at least one more experienced body, IMO.

From 2012 thru 2016, HT averaged about 828 defensive snaps/season.

Even with all the extra snaps that the Pats were forced to play Roberts on in 2017, his total NFL defensive snaps played now stands at 829. Van Noy isn't that much further ahead with 1,364. Marquis Flowers now has a total of 355. Lee (more DE than OLB, perhaps) has a total of 281, and Grigsby 14. Langi and Rivers may (or may not) have as much talent as we thought, but they also have zero NFL-level experience, for all intents and purposes.

McClellin, of course, brings a lot more experience, but I really think he should retire (and that could still happen well before Camp).

A free agent addition doesn't need to be a top-notch (expensive) starter like Preston Brown, just someone with a few seasons of relative competence under their belt (and a low 2018 cap hit). From there, BB can add a high draft pick (and perhaps a couple UDFA) to the mix, and I think that's what he's shooting for.

 

[maust]

What's that? A full meal? Has he only had time so far to snack?

To be fair, having fulfilled his evil plan and gorged himself on consuming any sense of fun before his players could experience it and further satiated himself feasting on the broken hearts of poor long suffering fans that could obviously have done a better job with his team than he did The Hooded One is probably still too full to contemplate much more than a light snack.

 

[Ivan]

I don’t think anyone can nail a position with the first pick until they are in the clock. You have to see who is taken and who drops to that spot before you can really say what they should do. Although need is a major factor you still have to go with the player you believe will become the best player over the years to come. Drafting a Tackle or Edge Rusher who won’t pan out doesn’t do you any good whether it’s a need or not. For me I go through the top prospects, remove those who will almost certainly be off the board by the 20th pick, and then make short lists of those remaining. Then I rank them taking need into account. Basically like making a proxy list for a mock draft. I used to spend much more time doing this but really don’t have the time or interest any more to do this much beyond the 1st round. To me the draft sites just regurgitate the same cliches to the point where they are almost meaningless.

 

[Uptown]