Overall We Are Not As Good As Last Year

[RobertWeathers]

yeah. We might trade a player that we posters consider to be a key player. We might trade a draft pick or two for a player or two. Trading draft picks for other picks isn't a major move to me.

Is this what you mean by major moves?

Yep!

I consider moving up a few slots in the first round a major move.

I consider trading a 4th for Randy Moss a major move also.

 

[Simpelton]

Oh no we lost the off-season championship

 

[Uptown]

Not opposed to you being right. We’ll likely have to do some restructures if we want to do so though.

What moves are you expecting could happen?

3 Team Trade:

Pats acquire: LB Bobby Wagner & DE Joey Bosa

Seahawks get: 2027 Conditional 6th round pick

Chargers acquire: All-Slow LB/SS Jordan Richards

Yeah, I know it’s a huge risk but at least we’ll get a compensatory pick in return for Richards....maybe.....hopefully....ok fingers crossed

 

[luuked]

3 Team Trade:

Pats acquire: LB Bobby Wagner & DE Joey Bosa

Seahawks get: 2027 Conditional 6th round pick

Chargers acquire: All-Slow LB/SS Jordan Richards

Can't we involve the Rams and Texans in there as well somehow ?

 

[TomPatriot]

I think it is safe to say the Pats will not stand pat. There are about 75 moves left (trades, draft, FAs, UDFAs, cuts, more trades, etc.). So it’s a bit early to evaluate how good the Pats are.

 

[luuked]

I think it is safe to say the Pats will not stand pat. There are about 75 moves left (trades, draft, FAs, UDFAs, cuts, more trades, etc.). So it’s a bit early to evaluate how good the Pats are.

And even then injuries happen and everything that was talked about to fill the void of the offseason becomes irrelevant within a moment.

And that doesnt even account for how the level of performance for players can change year-to-year. There is no better example than Branch last year.

We wont know until like week 3 or 4 what exactly the 2018 team will kinda look like and most probably until the end of October to see them fix most issues. March is not even over yet.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

They have lost some good players recently.

BUT they are re-introducing their best player on D and third best player on O.

IMO, that makes them better vs where they were in December 2017. Are they worse than they were in March 2017?

I can't remember. I like to drink.

Load up on the Manischewitz this week, though I prefer Baron Herzog....

 

[maineman209]

Not opposed to you being right. We’ll likely have to do some restructures if we want to do so though.

What moves are you expecting could happen?

For me, aside from extensions/restructures that free up cap space, the only "major" move I'd expect pre-draft is the acquisition of an LB with some NFL experience (ILB or OLB), either via trade or UFA signing. Even then, it might not be so "major", because I wouldn't necessarily expect the guy to be a high-end player - just fairly competent (e.g., Clayborn, Jason McCourty).

BB seems to like going into the draft with a roster that could be reasonably competitive if a game were played tomorrow. LB (with experience) seems to me to be the only piece that has yet to be addressed (there's not much more they can reasonably do to help at OT, at this point).

After the draft (or even during the draft), there may further acquisitions, depending on what prospects the Pats actually draft and pick up as UDFA.

At the moment, the Pats appear to have +/- 20 spots open on the 90-man roster.

 

[RayClay]

Perhaps

"Offense might be OK isn't a rousing endorsement". I do HOPE and PLAN that our LT position will indeed be adequate.

Also, while I agree that we are as good as last year's PLAYOFF team, this doesn't translate to have as good a team as last year. We WILL have injuries.

You're counting the injuries we will have later? What if Jordan Richards is injured and Hightower is healthy?

 

[zoostation]

WE as fans or ... WE as patsfans.com posters? Either way...... I'm disappointed WE the dedicated fans and posters of the NE Patriots are not as good as WE were last year. . WE all must strive to better ourselves.

 

[maust]

For me, aside from extensions/restructures that free up cap space, the only "major" move I'd expect pre-draft is the acquisition of an LB with some NFL experience (ILB or OLB), either via trade or UFA signing. Even then, it might not be so "major", because I wouldn't necessarily expect the guy to be a high-end player - just fairly competent (e.g., Clayborn, Jason McCourty).

BB seems to like going into the draft with a roster that could be reasonably competitive if a game were played tomorrow. LB (with experience) seems to me to be the only piece that has yet to be addressed (there's not much more they can reasonably do to help at OT, at this point).

After the draft (or even during the draft), there may further acquisitions, depending on what prospects the Pats actually draft and pick up as UDFA.

At the moment, the Pats appear to have +/- 20 spots open on the 90-man roster.

There will obviously need to be improvement at LB beyond the return of Hightower. It may come in the form of a true LB or one of the DE/LB hybrid types Belichick has had such success with. He's always been creative with the position, it would have been interesting to see what he may have eventually done with a guy with McClellin's physical gifts if he could have remained healthy. I'd definitely be looking for him to add more speed and versatility to the position. It's unfortunate Collins apparently wasn't as 'coachable' as Bill needs them to be, physically he sure has the tools.

 

[patriot1136]

A lot of this ends up metastizing in season. People were touting 16-0 last year. That lasted a hair over three hours after kickoff, with Edelman the first card to fall.

Then people were panicking that they would be terrible and they ended up with a lead with 5 minutes left in the Super Bowl with their opponent forced into a 4th down in their own territory.

It's still frustrating to me that we forced them into a 4th down and still couldn't hold them.

 

[jah]

WE as fans or ... WE as patsfans.com posters? Either way...... I'm disappointed WE the dedicated fans and posters of the NE Patriots are not as good as WE were last year. . WE all must strive to better ourselves.

Ah, that guy has arrived.

But yeah, I've definitely regressed as a person since last season.

 

[RobertWeathers]

It's still frustrating to me that we forced them into a 4th down and still couldn't hold them.

Of course. It sucked. Total and complete kick in the nuts.

All you can do is focus on 2018.

 

[Doctor DDS]

It's early but this is what I see so far

Negatives:

OL - currently a downgrade at LT and the subsequent drop in OL depth. While Fleming was not a superstar he was fine as a swing tackle as was Waddle. If Cannon can play a full year many of these concerns will be alleviated. Keeping Brady upright is currently a concern.

RB - Lewis had a terrific year and his loss will be felt. I loved the RB depth the team had last year as there were multiple player options for all downs. If Burkhead can handle an increased work load and either Hill or Gillislee establishes themselves as a viable running option this position should be fine. White should be on the field more than last year and I think that is a good thing.

TE - I think most assume Gronk will be back. Important for this to be true.

Positives:

WR - I loved DA and he was about as clutch as you can get especially in the playoffs but with Edelman and Mitchell returning, Hogan hopefully being healthy for a full season along with the potential of a 2nd year jump from Dorsett and Cooks and the possibility of Britt making strides I think this position is as deep and dynamic as any since 2007.

DL - I admittedly do not personally know much about the 2 big additions but upgrading 2017 Branch at DT and Marsh/Harrison on the edge is not a high bar to overcome. Am excited to see what Wise can do in his 2nd year as a pass rusher. Can he make a Trey Flowers leap?

Overall I think the Pats are in decent shape compared to last year. Expect some additional solid pick ups after players are cut across the league for salary cap purposes and along with more top draft picks than recent years I anticipate a very competitive camp. Picking the final 53 should be a challenge.

 

[patriot1136]

So much depends on health but I guess thats the NFL. Serious question, because I'm not a NCAA football guy. How good were Garcia and Jelks in college?

 

[maineman209]

So much depends on health but I guess thats the NFL. Serious question, because I'm not a NCAA football guy. How good were Garcia and Jelks in college?

Both very good, from what I've read from our resident PatsFans draft specialists (you know who you are).

 

[Joey007]

3 Team Trade:

Pats acquire: LB Bobby Wagner & DE Joey Bosa

Seahawks get: 2027 Conditional 6th round pick

Chargers acquire: All-Slow LB/SS Jordan Richards

Yeah, I know it’s a huge risk but at least we’ll get a compensatory pick in return for Richards....maybe.....hopefully....ok fingers crossed

Take it easy on the trades, cousin.

 

[Uptown]

Take it easy on the trades, cousin.

It’s a joke.

 

[RayClay]

Clayborn and Shelton are net improvements at gaping hole positions from SB add Valentine, young pass rushers, then we need filler/Draft picks. If High and Van Noy are healthy we have a new front 7 without major expenditure. I like McCourty bro and healthy JJones and hopefully Costa Rica Harmon available.

I'd like a better back up TE, but, as much as I love Dion, we lose entertainment and gain great size/speed combo, possible Gill rebirth and two guys left to receive/run. This should not be a weak RB/committee.

If Edel is back, he negates a lot of need for Amendola, and makes the talent at WR stronger by being smart and clutch.

Defense fell apart like a demolition derby car, that was our problem. Injuries happen, but if we have healthy players to start, this D needs tweaks, not a magic wand like the 2nd half D last year.