Did The Baltimore Game Change Anyones Views On "Team Needs"?

[Snake Eyes]

I'm pretty sure that by practicality, it is near impossible for a tight-end to be a deep threat, as there are not too many 250lbers who are able to run a consistent 4.43 or less.

A deep threat does not need to be a burner, and being a burner doesnt make one a deep threat.

Jerry Rice was a deep threat and he ran a 4.7-4.8. Brandon Lloyd, with a 4.6, has been a deep threat, check out his highlights.

I’m much more concerned about his burst in and out of his brakes, his tracking skills, his body positioning skills (can he maneuver himself so that the DB doesn’t have a good position to go for the ball?), and his hands.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I'm pretty sure that by practicality, it is near impossible for a tight-end to be a deep threat, as there are not too many 250lbers who are able to run a consistent 4.43 or less.

A deep threat has to create fear in the defense that he can get behind the defense and catch the ball.

The TE Watson we drafted a few years back had 4.4 speed and could get behind defenses, but nobody was scared of him catching the ball.

Nobody gets a chance to make great plays downfield unless the O line keeps pass rushers off of Brady.

That said Arkansas WR Adams can catch the deep ball and is blazing fast. He's not going to block anybody and he is not going over the middle, but can execute from the harsh marks to the sidelines all the way down the field.

 

[patfanken]

Goldson is extremely overrated. You could have put Meriweather in his uniform yesterday and nobody would have known the difference. Lloyd could fix the short term WR need. I still think the best way to fix the secondary is to grab a CB high and let him start opposite Dowling with McCourty and Chung at safety. There just aren't enough good safeties in the league, so moving a CB there is going to become way more common in the near future.

Sciz, I've been warming up to the possibility of moving McCourty full time to fill the FS position for us. This is a passing league and I think you need TWO safeties who have coverage ability, The true one dimensional SS is going the way of the FB.

I've given up on a safety coming with one of the first 5 picks. Based on current information, there doesn't seem to be one that will be where we draft, now that 3 of the best safety prospects have gone back to college. I really hope we will get one of: Goldson, Landry, Griffith, or Nelson in FA.

Because I don't we don't have to draft a S with one of the first 5, a WR becomes a bigger priority, though I STILL think adding a field stretching is a luxury, its a luxury we can afford now.

For some reason I've focused on Minnefield as a big CB to use in match in match ups in sub packages. He should be there late in the first round to mid 2nd round.

Probably the most under rated Pats defensive player has been Kyle Arrington. Forget about the 7 picks, Arrington has had a very good all round season. I think we have to recognize that Arrington has become a solid NFL starting CB.

The other 2 priorities is adding a penetrating interior defensive lineman. I do NOT want another run stuffer. He have enough of them. And of course, some outside passrushing OLB/DE.

Here's the beauty of this. We are going to the superbowl, while at the same time, we have the high draft picks and cap space necessary to fill any and all needs, real and projected. Its all good.

 

[DaBruinz]

I take him in the early 2nd round depending on who's available in the first, if Coples or Upshaw are available at 27 I go for them and then try to trade back #32 (knock on wood) a few spots and grab Fleener there.

Right now my realistic offseason plan is something like this.

- Sign Welker
- Sign Lloyd
- Sign FA DT or DE (this also depends on whether Ellis and Warren can still play, and want to return)
- Sign the best FA safety available

With a stud TE like Fleener available, the offense would be in outstanding shape, leaving only upgrades/depth as a need for the O-line.

I'd like to add some youth to the D-line, and Alameda Ta'amu is still my binkie (reminds me of Haloti Ngata).

So, these are my main draft targets, in no particular order.

- Coby Fleener
- Alameda Ta'amu
- Kenny Tate
- Janoris Jenkins
- Nate Potter
- Senio Kelemete
- Devon Wylie "The Coyote"

Paul Soliai could be someone to pick up for the back-up NT/DE position since he's a UFA.. Phillip Merling is another guy who has given the Pats fits and could look good at the RDE position..

 

[Sciz]

Paul Soliai could be someone to pick up for the back-up NT/DE position since he's a UFA.. Phillip Merling is another guy who has given the Pats fits and could look good at the RDE position..

I've actually got my eye on a different Dolphin DL. Kendall Langford has the size that Belichick likes in his DEs, and was borderline elite two seasons ago. He fell off against the pass this past season, but bringing him in on a one year deal couldn't hurt. And there's a decent chance he gets away from the Phins, because he's not a great fit for their new 4-3.

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

I'm going to name a few attributes about him:

Positives:
Hits hard
Makes some plays on the ball

Negatives:
Misses too many tackles
Runs into own teammates
Has inflated sense of self-worth

Sound familiar? Goldson is a nothing more than a slightly upgraded version of Meriweather. He's a boom or bust player like Meriweather, but with a little more boom and just as much bust.

Goldson was in man coverage on Darren Sproles two weeks ago with the 49ers up by 6. Brees threw short to Sproles, Goldson missed the tackle for a minimal gain, and Sproles ran down the field for a 44 yard TD to put the Saints up by 1. There are more, but that's one example where the replay is readily available.

Yesterday, there were two times where Goldson laid out his own teammate who would have otherwise had an interception. One of the hits knocked his teammate out of the game, and that teammate's backup gave up the TD that put the Giants up 17-14. And that just raises bigger questions, like how he "feels" things from the safety spot and how he reacts to what is happening in front of him. The next time he's too focused on the ball and runs into a WR rather than a teammate, then he's getting called for PI and the ball is going to the spot of the penalty anyway.

Chung is at his best in the SS role, not left as the single-high safety. Goldson isn't reliable enough to be trusted back there. We've already had to live through Meriweather. I don't want to do it again. Reliability over flashiness.

It does sound familiar, but it doesn't sound like Goldson. He's really nothing like Meriweather. They both hit hard, but thats the only similarity. Meiweather hits hard because he launches and uses his helmet. Goldson hits hard without launching and doesn't use his helmet.

You're whole post reads like somebody that only watched the 49ers playoff games, and keyed in on a few bad plays to form an overall opinion on him.

He missed a tackle on Darren Sproles? Are you kidding me? Sproles is the most elusive player in the NFL. Everyone has missed a tackle on Sproles is the open field. He's actually a great tackler for a safety.

Then he almost picks off two passes from Manning, and because there was a collision with the corner and receiver it's a bad play. Again, are you kidding me? The guy had 6 picks this year, only behind Weddle for safeties.

He's one of the best free safeties in the game, and his balance and consistency make him ideal for the Pats where we often play left and right safeties rather than free and strong safeties. He's equally good against the run and the pass.

The only part that I wasn't sure of when responding to your post is when you said he "Has inflated sense of self-worth" so I emailed a couple friends about it. Thats why it took me a few days to respond. One friend is a 49ers fan and one is a pats fan that lives in SF. Neither knew anything about him having a inflated sense of self-worth, and thought he was a pretty normal guy off the field.

 

[Lamanai]

I've actually got my eye on a different Dolphin DL. Kendall Langford has the size that Belichick likes in his DEs, and was borderline elite two seasons ago. He fell off against the pass this past season, but bringing him in on a one year deal couldn't hurt. And there's a decent chance he gets away from the Phins, because he's not a great fit for their new 4-3.

After we all realize that Calais Campbell and Mario Williams 'aren't walkin' through that door', we can start thinking about realistic options that BB would likely consider. Langford would be a nice addition. Good homework there.

Do you have an opinion on Richard Marshall? He really hasn't been outstanding as a CB, but when forced into the FS role in Arizona he seemed to thrive. Former Fresno State player, good tackler, blitz, etc...I recall when he was drafted that he seemed like he would be smart, solid, but unspectacular. If teams are not beating down his door, might he be a good depth/rotation addition at FS...?

 

[Off The Grid]

Another TE BB should have an eye on is Eifert of Notre Dame.

A day three pick, he is not the player Fleenor is, but could stick immediately due to ST and middle of the field route running and catching.

Tyler Eifert is going back to school, as Brother Manx suggests.

And he would be LIGHT years away from being a "day 3 pick."

 

[Off The Grid]

After we all realize that Calais Campbell and Mario Williams 'aren't walkin' through that door', we can start thinking about realistic options that BB would likely consider.

You need to do some more homework.

Planet Hoosten MAY be able to pull Super Mario in under the Cap...

But it is by NO means a given.

No way in HELL that Campbell escapes, though: No question, there...

 

[Lamanai]

You need to do some more homework.

Planet Hoosten MAY be able to pull Super Mario in under the Cap...

But it is by NO means a given.

No way in HELL that Campbell escapes, though: No question, there...

Ok, not a given. And I like the optimism but:

% of Williams not being Franchised x % of Pats thinking he is worth what he wants x % of Pats being highest bidder ~ nil

"opinion, not fact..."

 

[Off The Grid]

Ok, not a given. And I like the optimism but:

% of Williams not being Franchised x % of Pats thinking he is worth what he wants x % of Pats being highest bidder ~ nil

"opinion, not fact..."

Duly noted, sir.

 

[DaBruinz]

Tyler Eifert is going back to school, as Brother Manx suggests.

And he would be LIGHT years away from being a "day 3 pick."

When you say he is "LIGHT years away from being a 'day 3 pick'", what do you mean exactly? Do you mean that he's more likely a day 2 pick (rounds 2/3) or that he's more likely a UDFA? If it's the former, I'd agree. But if you mean the latter, I think you are wrong because Eifert is a highly touted TE for either the 2013 or 2014 drafts since he is only a redshirt sophmore who is eligible to graduate in 2013 though he'd still have a year of eligibility left.

 

[DaBruinz]

Ok, not a given. And I like the optimism but:

% of Williams not being Franchised x % of Pats thinking he is worth what he wants x % of Pats being highest bidder ~ nil

"opinion, not fact..."

Mario Williams salary cap hit this year was 15.1 million. To Franchise him, Houston would have to be willing to pay 120% of Williams previous cap number. That would be 18.12 million. Or, essentially adding another 3 million dollars to their salary cap. They are already short on Cap money so the chances are unlikely, particularly with the need to pay Arian Foster. Though they could free up money by getting Williams signed to a longer term deal.

 

[Off The Grid]

Tyler Eifert is going back to school, as Brother Manx suggests.

And he would be LIGHT years away from being a "day 3 pick."

When you say he is "LIGHT years away from being a 'day 3 pick'", what do you mean exactly? Do you mean that he's more likely a day 2 pick (rounds 2/3) or that he's more likely a UDFA? If it's the former, I'd agree. But if you mean the latter, I think you are wrong because Eifert is a highly touted TE for either the 2013 or 2014 drafts since he is only a redshirt sophmore who is eligible to graduate in 2013 though he'd still have a year of eligibility left.

Indeed!! In fact, I see Eifert ~ at this early juncture ~ as being a likely early 2nd Rounder...And with the emerging Bull Market in Tight Ends, it wouldn't shock me to see him go in the opening round.

 

[DaBruinz]

Indeed!! In fact, I see Eifert ~ at this early juncture ~ as being a likely early 2nd Rounder...And with the emerging Bull Market in Tight Ends, it wouldn't shock me to see him go in the opening round.

Ok. I wasn't sure what you meant, originally because, well, you didn't say one way or the other..

 

[Off The Grid]

Ok. I wasn't sure what you meant, originally because, well, you didn't say one way or the other..

Yeah, sorry about that, Bro. I can be a bit abstruse, from time to time.

 

[NinjaZX6R]

I pretty much agree with everything you said manxman. I don't think this game really changes anything and I dont think the result of the Super Bowl should have any real effect. This team obviously does have needs, but I think we are in a good position to go BPA. I think the D-line has been underrated all year and I don't think we will go that way in the first round unless someone like Brockers falls. The reason for this is because the type of DL we look for has become overvalued, so it is highly unlikely one would be BPA at the end of round 1. I think DB could be a likely option once again, especially if someone falls. If Dre Kirkpatrick drops (which is highly unlikely) I would be all over him. But in the end I think we are in a good spot to just wait it out and see what happens.

In terms of a deep threat WR, it's obviously a need. But what I think is important is not to get a 1 trick pony, we need a guy that can also be an every down WR. The reason for this really is I don't think Brady is great at throwing the deep ball. While he was fantastic in 07, I think over the past few years he has struggled throwing it deep and has turned it over quite a few times. This could be because of the lack of a deep threat, but he has also made some bad decisions. So I think the deep ball needs to be more of a surprise to catch the defense off guard. Now, whenever Slater enters the game the defense knows its a deep pass, so a WR that is only a threat deep is less effective. I think a versatile WR, that has the ability to go deep, with either speed or size would be ideal.

Very good pt. Pats will not draft a 1 trick pony like Mike Wallace.

 

[NinjaZX6R]

BJ Cunningham Michigan St?

A Poor man's Deion Branch. Probably take 2 years to develop.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Very good pt. Pats will not draft a 1 trick pony like Mike Wallace.

I'm not sure what you're talking about, Wallace is an excellent all-round receiver.

 

[NinjaZX6R]

I'm not sure what you're talking about, Wallace is an excellent all-round receiver.

Lol no. He still runs sloppy routes. For the 1st two years, he solely ran deep routes. Even this year, he barely ran inside routes.

If I want a WR, I rather have Antonio Brown over Mike Wallace.