Player Signing Safety Kevin Byard signs 1 year deal

One-If-By-Sea said:

KJ Britt and Mapu are 26. Both are end of the roster LBs and mostly ST guys. Britt will probably replace Tavai on multiple STs, and can fill in for Spillane if an injury occurs. Mapu played a lot more under Mayo, maybe after a year with Vrabel he will be better?

Pats need a good LB1 in the draft. An EDGE, LB1, WR1, TE, and DT could start right away. A RT, CB, RB, and FS in the draft could learn as rookies, play due to injuries, and start in Y2.

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Great post! It's pretty conceivable that Vrabel's putting huge emphasis on having another great draft.. To your points Mapu has a great chance to really carve out a consistent role like he was earlier last season before he fell out the rotation.. he's got range, speed and athletic ability.. he is really instinct and could be a contributor this season..

The depth projects to be much better when the roster is set wich won't be until the end of camp.. I'm leaning towards the 31st pick being an Edge player..

patfanken said:

i love the KB signing most from this reason. Turn overs. The guy had 7 picks last season, and the one thing our Defense lacked last season was TO's. Now I doubt he'll have 7 picks THIS year, but even if it's just 3 or 4 it will be an upgrade. We will need to have a 10+ TO ratio this season if we are going to contend.

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Agreed &pass rush is what will be conducive to TOs... we have the secondary to hold up.. the pass rush is what will allow KB to play catch with the opposing QBs..

One-If-By-Sea said:

KJ Britt and Mapu are 26. Both are end of the roster LBs and mostly ST guys. Britt will probably replace Tavai on multiple STs, and can fill in for Spillane if an injury occurs. Mapu played a lot more under Mayo, maybe after a year with Vrabel he will be better?

Pats need a good LB1 in the draft. An EDGE, LB1, WR1, TE, and DT could start right away. A RT, CB, RB, and FS in the draft could learn as rookies, play due to injuries, and start in Y2.

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OUT: Gibbens, Tavai
IN: draftee, Britt

Also, I suspect that Muma will stay and Mapu will go. Hill can pick up Mapu's ST reps.

Zuma said:

A limited snap count to me means we need ANOTHER starter at DE and in that case you're paying 2 contracts instead of one. Now if they get an EDGE in the 1st 2 rounds (which is practically free in NFL terms) then Clowney on limited snaps is doable for me.....but not as a "starter".

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Last year clowney played 33% of defensive snaps. For reference Chaisson played 62% and Ponder around 20%, so I imagine that he would be in rotation with Ponder, Jones, Landry and whoever else


Also I am very curious to see how Chaisson does in Washington lined up opposite Oweh