Additions and Subtractions Are Not Out Of Need

[mgteich]

At this point, Belichick has a team that could win it all, and is one of the very best in the NFL.

That being said, there will be many players added by the start of Game 2. There always are.

SUBTRACTIONS
Obviously, there will lots of cuts and a couple of players placed on IR. We will likely end up getting a draft choice or two for some.

There is often a surprise trade of a player in his contract season. I hope and expect none. However, possibilities include Brown, Flowers and Mason.

ADDITIONS
We have a team that is ready to play. Additions could happen at any position. Obvious possibilities are SS, WR, LB and ST; but that is the case every year.

What we continue to speculate about is whether there will be major acquisition through trade, using a 3rd rounder or higher.

 

[Deus Irae]

Additions and Subtractions Are Not Out Of Need

 

[TheRainMaker]

Very odd title to the thread.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

What does that title even mean? I am lost.

 

[mgteich]

It is very simple.

The team is ready to start the season with no changes. As is, 53 players from the current roster would make us one the very best teams in the NFL, and a team competitive for a Super Bowl run.

Belichick will use opportunities to upgrade the team, this week, next week, and every week thereafter. The goal is not to fill serious needs on the current, or any "needs". The goal is the continuing process of improving the team.

I do indeed understand that there are those who think that we have critical needs that prevent us from being competitive in the season and post-season. I disagree.

 

[varjao]

Our division as usual is a joke, the lolphins are in for a mediocre season, the Jets may have found a QB but it's still a long road for them and that roster was so garbage last year it will take them 3 years and solid drafts to be competitive. Bills? mehh

So yeah we are going to be competitive again but at this point, Im not sure this team (the 53, whoever they are) looks better than the 53 that started the season last year. Not that this matter much, as we saw that defense was garbage from day one, but it's just for having something to compare.

 

[Observer]

I was compelled to give the OP a genius emoji because like many others, I wasn’t able to understand it

 

[SammyBlueCat]

At this point, Belichick has a team that could win it all, and is one of the very best in the NFL.

That being said, there will be many players added by the start of Game 2. There always are.

SUBTRACTIONS
Obviously, there will lots of cuts and a couple of players placed on IR. We will likely end up getting a draft choice or two for some.

There is often a surprise trade of a player in his contract season. I hope and expect none. However, possibilities include Brown, Flowers and Mason.

ADDITIONS
We have a team that is ready to play. Additions could happen at any position. Obvious possibilities are SS, WR, LB and ST; but that is the case every year.

What we continue to speculate about is whether there will be major acquisition through trade, using a 3rd rounder or higher.

So are you saying that a player that was not good enough to make another team will come to New England and rapidly learn the play book and make a noticeable difference? Is that your position? Please explain.

 

[Deus Irae]

It is very simple.

The team is ready to start the season with no changes. As is, 53 players from the current roster would make us one the very best teams in the NFL, and a team competitive for a Super Bowl run.

Belichick will use opportunities to upgrade the team, this week, next week, and every week thereafter. The goal is not to fill serious needs on the current, or any "needs". The goal is the continuing process of improving the team.

I do indeed understand that there are those who think that we have critical needs that prevent us from being competitive in the season and post-season. I disagree.

You seem to be defining the word "Need" in a way the suits only a very narrow statement, which is in use to serve a position that few would argue against. That's both silly and needless. You could simply have said something both more accurate and less controversial, and still gotten to the same finish line:

"While the team clearly has some weaknesses, and moves still need to be made because of problems at a couple of positions, the team is still a favorite to make the playoffs and be competitive once it gets there."

Because, whether you like it or not, moves do, in fact, need to be made, even if only to bring in depth players who can be sufficiently competitive in case of injury or other problems.

 

[maineman209]

So are you saying that a player that was not good enough to make another team will come to New England and rapidly learn the play book and make a noticeable difference? Is that your position? Please explain.

He did explain in post #5 above.

His assertion seems to be that, from this point forward, most of the roster changes, aside from the required cuts, are likely to be "tweaks" rather than major upgrades. I agree.

 

[DarrylS]

He did explain in post #5 above.

His assertion seems to be that, from this point forward, most of the roster changes, aside from the required cuts, are likely to be "tweaks" rather than major upgrades. I agree.

If this is what in his roundabout post claims I agree.. to come to this team and be expected to know and understand your role is difficult.

 

[goheels22002]

At this point, Belichick has a team that could win it all, and is one of the very best in the NFL.

That being said, there will be many players added by the start of Game 2. There always are.

SUBTRACTIONS
Obviously, there will lots of cuts and a couple of players placed on IR. We will likely end up getting a draft choice or two for some.

There is often a surprise trade of a player in his contract season. I hope and expect none. However, possibilities include Brown, Flowers and Mason.

ADDITIONS
We have a team that is ready to play. Additions could happen at any position. Obvious possibilities are SS, WR, LB and ST; but that is the case every year.

What we continue to speculate about is whether there will be major acquisition through trade, using a 3rd rounder or higher.

The Patriots have significant needs. They need a Tackle. Cannon is unreliable physically and Waddle is not the answer. Backup QB requires an upgrade. WR is not a "need" but looks thin to me at best. Decker is not the answer.

LB/DE is morphing into the same position to me, and the Patriots are in good shape if Trey Flowers can get healthy.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

He did explain in post #5 above.

His assertion seems to be that, from this point forward, most of the roster changes, aside from the required cuts, are likely to be "tweaks" rather than major upgrades. I agree.

If this is what in his roundabout post claims I agree.. to come to this team and be expected to know and understand your role is difficult.

I do understand that he is starting a conversation.

 

[maineman209]

The Patriots have significant needs. They need a Tackle. Cannon is unreliable physically and Waddle is not the answer. Backup QB requires an upgrade. WR is not a "need" but looks thin to me at best. Decker is not the answer.

LB/DE is morphing into the same position to me, and the Patriots are in good shape if Trey Flowers can get healthy.

I don't think there's a significant upgrade at Tackle available at this point. All the more reason to keep a superior inline blocker like Allen.

There aren't really any upgrades available for backup QB at this point, either.

Historically, there's been a considerable amount of overlap in OLB-DE/edge roles - McGinest, Vrabel, Nink, HT. It's possible that Rivers could develop to handle some off-the-ball assignments, eventually.

 

[mgteich]

So are you saying that a player that was not good enough to make another team will come to New England and rapidly learn the play book and make a noticeable difference? Is that your position? Please explain.

In a word, yes.

Every year, Belichick signs players from other teams, sometimes sending a draft choice or swapping choices. Occasionally, Belichick trades a high draft choice for a player. And yes, these players have contributed to Belichick's success over the years.

Obviously, we are more likely to see "noticeable differences" if there are injuries later in the season, and these players are called upon to have significant reps.

 

[mgteich]

Belichick likes his "emergency backups" Tobin and John. One might even beat out Waddle. Yes, Allan is valuable. The open question is whether we keep a 4th OT and/or a #3 blocking TE because of the injury issues with Cannon.

We need the big bodies/blockers for jumbo sets, and for the run game if there are injuries.

Personally, I think that both the 4th OT and a backup blocking TE are more valuable than a receiving TE who is unlikely to get very many reps. Even in the first 4 games, we will have Gronk, Hogan, White, Dorsett and Patterson as the first 5 targets.

I don't think there's a significant upgrade at Tackle available at this point. All the more reason to keep a superior inline blocker like Allen.

 

[Ring 6]

Belichick likes his "emergency backups" Tobin and John. One might even beat out Waddle. Yes, Allan is valuable. The open question is whether we keep a 4th OT and/or a #3 blocking TE because of the injury issues with Cannon.

We need the big bodies/blockers for jumbo sets, and for the run game if there are injuries.

Personally, I think that both the 4th OT and a backup blocking TE are more valuable than a receiving TE who is unlikely to get very many reps. Even in the first 4 games, we will have Gronk, Hogan, White, Dorsett and Patterson as the first 5 targets.

Why would we keep a 4th TE instead of a 4th OT because of OT concerns?
A gane day inactive TE doesn't help much if an OT gets injured.

Wait you want to cut Hollister?

 

[goheels22002]

I don't think there's a significant upgrade at Tackle available at this point. All the more reason to keep a superior inline blocker like Allen.

There aren't really any upgrades available for backup QB at this point, either.

There will be a truck full of back up tackles and QBs to pick from at around 4:00 pm on September 1, 2018.

 

[mgteich]

I was discussing the TE position. I only brought in OT because of the jumbo sets where an OT or TE could be used. i apologize for any confusion.

The only reason to keep Hollister is as a special teamer (probably instead of an 11th DB), which I expect to happen. The open question is whether we need a backup blocking TE.

As it stands, IMHO, our running game would be in tough shape if Allan is injured.
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4th OT
You are correct. This is a separate decision. If Cannon is healthy, Croston could be the emergency 4th OT.
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Why would we keep a 4th TE instead of a 4th OT because of OT concerns?
A gane day inactive TE doesn't help much if an OT gets injured.

Wait you want to cut Hollister?

 

[Ring 6]

I was discussing the TE position. I only brought in OT because of the jumbo sets where an OT or TE could be used. i apologize for any confusion.

The only reason to keep Hollister is as a special teamer (probably instead of an 11th DB), which I expect to happen. The open question is whether we need a backup blocking TE.

Hollister is going to be the receiving TE. He may okay more snaps than Allen.

As it stands, IMHO, our running game would be in tough shape if Allan is injured.
======
4th OT
You are correct. This is a separate decision. If Cannon is healthy, Croston could be the emergency 4th OT.
=======

Allen’s a good blocker but we aren’t crippled without him.