sebman2112
In the Starting Line-Up
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The only part of NE's defense that is somewhat old and lacking solid depth is the LB corp. The Patriots D-line is entirely young, and loaded with depth. The secondary has a decent amount of depth (right now), and Rodney's really the only old guy back there. If Samuel leaves (and he will) that will hurt the depth in the secondary, but NE will promote from within, and they'll draft two DB's in the draft. I think Kenny Phillips should be one of those DB's.
When it comes to the LB's Thomas and Colvin just turned 30 a few months ago, and they aren't playing old. Vrabel is 32, but he's playing pretty damn good right now (8.5 sacks tied for 3rd in the NFL, and only .5 from the overall sack lead). You don't need replacement for any of those three, right now. if anything NE should extend Colvin to lower his cap hit. Bruschi despite being younger than Seau actually looks older on the field. NE needs a replacement for him, and they could use a young backup LB, who will eventually take over down the road. Here I'm advocating the signing of Karlos Dansby to take over in the middle, and drafting Rey Maualuga as your LB of the future. If Not Maualuga, than I really like Jonathan Goff.
This would give NE a 2008 LB corps of: Colvin, Thomas, Dansby, Vrabel, Maualuga or Goff, Woods, Lua, Alexander, and potentially either Bruschi or Seau coming back for one last year.
I think if NE were to end up with a top 5 pick, they'd trade it. NE did draft Richard Seymour 6th overall, but rookie contracts in the top 10 have made an extreme jump since then, and NE doesn't like to pay their rookies an extreme amount. I'd try and trade with the Cowboys, or someone with a mid-first & mid-second, who really wants the player sitting at your pick (could be McFadden). NE could likely get one of Phillips or Maualuga with the mid-first, and potentially Goff, or someone else I've been looking at , with the mid-second.
NE has a chance to get a lot of good players in the 2008 draft, and that will be key to resigning Moss, while keeping Stallworth (who's bonus will be converted).
Few Notes: James Laurinaitis has said he's going to stay in school, and honestly I don't think he fits NE's defense any better than Maualuga.
After the combine I'll have a pretty solid idea of what NE should do, and I'll have my players pretty much set. In 2006 I had Maroney, and Jackson, 2005: Hobbs, in 2007 I had Meriweather, and had Oscar Lua in a few mocks. Hopefully I'll be able to keep my streak going.
When it comes to the LB's Thomas and Colvin just turned 30 a few months ago, and they aren't playing old. Vrabel is 32, but he's playing pretty damn good right now (8.5 sacks tied for 3rd in the NFL, and only .5 from the overall sack lead). You don't need replacement for any of those three, right now. if anything NE should extend Colvin to lower his cap hit. Bruschi despite being younger than Seau actually looks older on the field. NE needs a replacement for him, and they could use a young backup LB, who will eventually take over down the road. Here I'm advocating the signing of Karlos Dansby to take over in the middle, and drafting Rey Maualuga as your LB of the future. If Not Maualuga, than I really like Jonathan Goff.
This would give NE a 2008 LB corps of: Colvin, Thomas, Dansby, Vrabel, Maualuga or Goff, Woods, Lua, Alexander, and potentially either Bruschi or Seau coming back for one last year.
I think if NE were to end up with a top 5 pick, they'd trade it. NE did draft Richard Seymour 6th overall, but rookie contracts in the top 10 have made an extreme jump since then, and NE doesn't like to pay their rookies an extreme amount. I'd try and trade with the Cowboys, or someone with a mid-first & mid-second, who really wants the player sitting at your pick (could be McFadden). NE could likely get one of Phillips or Maualuga with the mid-first, and potentially Goff, or someone else I've been looking at , with the mid-second.
NE has a chance to get a lot of good players in the 2008 draft, and that will be key to resigning Moss, while keeping Stallworth (who's bonus will be converted).
Few Notes: James Laurinaitis has said he's going to stay in school, and honestly I don't think he fits NE's defense any better than Maualuga.
After the combine I'll have a pretty solid idea of what NE should do, and I'll have my players pretty much set. In 2006 I had Maroney, and Jackson, 2005: Hobbs, in 2007 I had Meriweather, and had Oscar Lua in a few mocks. Hopefully I'll be able to keep my streak going.
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