First 3 picks next year?

[cstjohn17]

Re: First 3 picks next year? holes in defense

If they didn't see the LB need this year, what would it take? The writing is on the wall for anyone to read. Honestly, I think they know that they need youth at LB, but have chosen to pick where the value was despite that.

For the past 2-3 years I have been hoping the Patriots would add some youth to the LB and CB core via the draft (not exactly rocket science here).

Roster analysis - I used Miguel's page to get a feel for who is under contract next year. 38 out of 53 are signed. 17 out 22 starters.
Not signed - Center - Koppen, FB - Evans, ILB - Seau, CB - Samuels, TE - Watson

LB - Drafting players would have allow players to learn the system and build up our depth. The exact opposite has occured and most cases old vets have been brough in to fill the wholes. Next year is when we will really see this down side of this philosophy. There are only 4 LBs under contract for 2007 (Colvin, Bruschi, Vrabel and Woods). Alexander may be an exclusive rights free agent or restricted FA so if you want you can say 5. Looking at this years roster with 9 LBs that leaves 4 spots to fill. I expect at least two veteran FA (hopefully one of them is an impact player) and Izzo or Davis could be brought back. Leaving 1 or 2 in the draft, likely one inside LB and an OLB\DE. The good thing is that LBs and tweener DEs can be found later in the draft. Personally unless there is a star I would wait until rounds 3 and 4.

CB - Just as curious. 1 CB under contract for 2007 (Hobbs). Gay may be an exclusive rights free agent or restricted FA, although he cannot be relied upon to stay healthy.
Samuels takes a lot of grief and may not be a true #1 but has starting experience and would be a good #2 or great #3. They should lock him up to provide a solid base to build from. If they have Hobbs and Samuels, throw in a high round pick (rounds 1 or 2) a half decent FA and Randall Gay the CBs look pretty solid.

Summary - The defense will be a lot different next year, especially in the LB depth and CB posiitons.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Based on their play thus far, the back 8 has to be rebuilt next year because right now we don't have any playmakers back there.

While I agre we need to draft LBs to sit and learn for a few years, I don't think you can afford to do that with day 1 picks. And the pickings on day 2 are pretty scarce.

It looks like FA is BB's preferred method of acquiring LBs.

 

[DaBruinz]

My little dream scenario would be :

1st round CB - Leon Hall, MI, Marcus McCauley, Fresno St, Tarell Brown, Texas.
1st round S - LaRon Landry, LSU, Brandon Merriweather, Miami, Michael Griffin, Texas.
2nd round ILB - Anthony Waters, Clemson.

Admittedly I'm slow on the draft this time of year. But if we got one of those Safeties and one of those CB I would freak out; based on what I know now anyway.

Waters is the only LB who I can find who's good and big. They're mostly little shrimps. I know a lot of people like LaMarr Woodley but he seems a little short and a little slow to be an OLB for us.

Of course, so much can change based on underclassmen coming out.

Anthony Waters tore his knee up. He wasn't a 2nd rounder (closer to a 4th rounder) and it remains to be seen if he will declare or try for a medical exemption for the year.

Gaines Adams was a better candidate for the Patriots since Adams plays a role similar to that of McGinest.

 

[carolinatony]

I bet BB grabs another DL out of the 1st 3 picks. If there is a player that he can't pass on I'm all for it.
We all know you control the game on the line ...on both sides of the ball.

 

[rookBoston]

I want to keep my mind open, but I do like Zbikowski for the Pats-- maybe with the second of the 1st rounders. Tough guy, true leader. Harrison is no speed demon, but when he's out the entire secondary wilts. I think Tom has that elusive factor that Rodney brings. More than athleticism and physical play. It's more about attitude and commitment.

 

[Clonamery]

I want to keep my mind open, but I do like Zbikowski for the Pats-- maybe with the second of the 1st rounders. Tough guy, true leader. Harrison is no speed demon, but when he's out the entire secondary wilts. I think Tom has that elusive factor that Rodney brings. More than athleticism and physical play. It's more about attitude and commitment.

I'll go with what you're saying because I think he makes things happen....

 

[PonyExpress]

Zbikowski seems lost in coverage. ND has been giving up ridiculous chunks of yardage via the pass. He seems very one dimensional.

 

[Remix 6]

I want to keep my mind open, but I do like Zbikowski for the Pats-- maybe with the second of the 1st rounders. Tough guy, true leader. Harrison is no speed demon, but when he's out the entire secondary wilts. I think Tom has that elusive factor that Rodney brings. More than athleticism and physical play. It's more about attitude and commitment.

how many times have u watch Zbiowski play? HES HORRIBLE in coverage..hits hard and on PR..he muffs a lot of them..hes speed and hitting. the best he'll ever be is Archuleta..if he gets lucky! hes not a 1st or 2nd rounder either..at best a mid 3rd

 

[rookBoston]

how many times have u watch Zbiowski play? HES HORRIBLE in coverage..hits hard and on PR..he muffs a lot of them..hes speed and hitting. the best he'll ever be is Archuleta..if he gets lucky! hes not a 1st or 2nd rounder either..at best a mid 3rd

They said the same for Harrison.

Honestly, he's hard to evaluate in coverage because he's the only good player in the secondary.

 

[Clonamery]

They said the same for Harrison.

Honestly, he's hard to evaluate in coverage because he's the only good player in the secondary.

I've come around to your point on this.....

 

[DaBruinz]

how many times have u watch Zbiowski play? HES HORRIBLE in coverage..hits hard and on PR..he muffs a lot of them..hes speed and hitting. the best he'll ever be is Archuleta..if he gets lucky! hes not a 1st or 2nd rounder either..at best a mid 3rd

ReMix -
If what you say is true, then there is no point in drafting a strong safety this year since Zbikowski is the top rated strong safety currently. And currently, he's rated as a solid 1st rounder.

 

[Remix 6]

ReMix -
If what you say is true, then there is no point in drafting a strong safety this year since Zbikowski is the top rated strong safety currently. And currently, he's rated as a solid 1st rounder.

find me links to where people are saying hes the best SS. a lot of these safeties play both. watch him play and stop riding on the weiss + quinn wagon

Safeties:
Landry
Meriweather
Griffin
Weddle
Rouse
Zbiowski might be ahead Rouse but doubt it

let me show you some thoughts
*michigan fan + seahawk fan "HE IS NOT GOOD. He disappeared last game and he has ben awful this game.ibekowski is like a crappier version of Ernest Shazor. He doesn't deserver to be drafted."

*Dolphin fan..good guy at DC: "He is a junior so he isn't on Scott's rankings.

This guy is crap, he is awful in coverage."

*49er fan: "i think that he would be much better if he bulked up and became and OLB cuz that way he wouldnt have to drop in coverage as much."

*Scott Wright himself( a scouter): "Zbikowski isn't in my rankings because he's a junior, although word is he intends to come out. Still he wouldn't crack the 1st round of my mock or the Top 3 safeties in my rankings as I feel he's extremely overrated. He's a 2nd or 3rd round pick with top-notch intangibles but is just too much of a liability in coverage then I don't see him improving because that's just the type of player he is. He's certainly athletic and fast enough to do a better job in coverage but he's just too aggressive by nature and that's hard to coach out of a guy. + Zbikowski did not play as a true freshman in 2003 so he's a redshirt junior this year. With that said the word is that he's already decided to come out but for me he'd be, at best, my #4 ranked safety and maybe even #5 or #6."


viking fan: "He's basically Adam Archueleta without the crazy workout numbers."

random fan: "While he might not have the straight line speed or overrated 40 times that Archulate has, I think Zibby is a whole less stiff and more athletic compared to Arch. The difference to me is that Arch is a LB trying to play safety. While Zibby is a safety trying to play like a LB. A coach just needs to set him straight."


a true ND fan: "Zbikowski gives up way to many big plays on saftey due to his agression and I am always holding my breath whhen they punt it to him not because of his moves but because of how careless he is with the ball he fumbles way to much and is always muffing balls. as a notre dame fan i would never draft him."


fan: "I actually think i would draft him, on day two of course, just because of the persoannality he would bring to the team. He would be a monster on special teams, and could get some playing time as an eigth man in the box. I like the idea of having guys like him on a team."


so whats this mean..i've watched him play aswell 4-6 times. he was a big reason why holmes, ginn had a field day verse ND in fiesta bowl. i would give him a shot but we need a top safety.just because hes from weiss doesnt mean we should draft him and shark. bill knows others....we've recruited al ot from LSU, Florida and lots of Pat Hill talk aswell.

honestly i dont hate Tommie Z. We could use a fast, hard hitting player like him but we can find that elsewhere especially when hes not going to amount much as a starter.

i like the top 3 safeties perfectly for us..also guys like nelson, gattis, rouse and even weddle whos great in coverage projects as a CB-Safety.

CBs..forget the overrated talkabout Hughes..i saw him today he shutdown Williams whos got 6 inches on him and he has 5 picks on season..we cna use some INTs. Leon Hall played well i believe also

 

[drpatriot]

I know a lot of people like LaMarr Woodley but he seems a little short and a little slow to be an OLB for us.

As a Michigan fan, Lamarr Woodley is neither too short (6'2") nor too slow to play OLB. Tully and Rosy are both 6'2". Woodley also has experience at playing OLB from last year, when Michigan ran a 3-4, and he didn't have any trouble then. If anything, he was too fast for runningbacks coming around the outside.

Another player that I think we should very seriously look at for the later rounds is David Harris, also from Michigan. Harris has been a tackling machine so far this year and is definitely worth a Day 2 pick.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Pains me to say it. But, I've been very impressed with Michigan this
year. I'm a PSU grad. We just can't beat them. I was hoping this
would be the year we get the monkey off of our back. But, based
on what I've seen. Michigan will beat PSU by 10+ Saturday. I'll be
going and screaming my lungs out. But, I'm not too optomistic.

Another Michigan def. player Pats have to consider is Leon Hall.
He's playing like a top 10 pick. So, it appears doubtful we'd get
a crack at him. But, if he doesn't run a great 40 time at the combine
and workous. He could slip. P.Burgess also playing well. Looks more
like a 4-3 backer. Which we could be doing by this time next year.

 

[PonyExpress]

As a Michigan fan, Lamarr Woodley is neither too short (6'2") nor too slow to play OLB. Tully and Rosy are both 6'2". Woodley also has experience at playing OLB from last year, when Michigan ran a 3-4, and he didn't have any trouble then. If anything, he was too fast for runningbacks coming around the outside.

Another player that I think we should very seriously look at for the later rounds is David Harris, also from Michigan. Harris has been a tackling machine so far this year and is definitely worth a Day 2 pick.

What are your views on Prescott Burgess? I know he took criticism in the past for lack of big plays, but he came up huge against ND. He's got good size (6'3'', 245 lbs) and seems to have some coverage ability. What are your thoughts?

 

[Remix 6]

Burgess isnt that great of a player from scouts i hear..hes a 3-5th rounder

 

[PonyExpress]

Burgess isnt that great of a player from scouts i hear..hes a 3-5th rounder

NFL draftcountdown is cool but...Don't put to much credence in those web sites. They're the ones that offer up many 1st rd busts, and overlook future superstars like Tatupu among others. Plus, they don't understand the Pats' system or what BB looks for. To me Burgess looked big, athletic, made several big plays. He rose to the moment in the biggest game of his career, on the road, and almost single-handedly saved his coach's job... but I haven't seen him consistently this year. Looking forward to Michigan PennState next week!

 

[Remix 6]

hes not even the best LB on the team thats why.

 

[PonyExpress]

I can't disagree with you, I haven't seen enough. I'm not suggesting a 1st rd pick, either. Just a potential prospect.

 

[cstjohn17]

We have 2 Ones and a Two next year.
I see WR,CB and LB as the most needed no matter what happens this year.
I'd like to see another WR pickup via draft or free agency too.

First pick round 1 - The more I see, the more I think they could use a pass rusher, and OLB/DE playmaker. It appears a lot of time the rush is non existant and puts pressure of the secondary.
Names
- Anthony Spencer - Anthony Spencer, DE, Purdue - 6'3, 262
- Brian Smith, OLB, Missouri - 6'4 , 235
- Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson - 6'5, 260 (he is dropping, may make it to end of round 1)
Juniors
Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn - 6'3, 250
Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech - 6'5, 258

Second pick round 1 - CB
- don't know the players yet

Second round WR
- if the juniors come out there could be some good talent in round 2

Other possibilities for round 1
- ILB
Patrick Willis, ILB, Mississippi - 6'2, 232
Junior - Brandon Siler, ILB, Florida - 6'2, 238
- both would have to bulk up 1-15 pounds but would provide some atheletes to a aging position
- no other ILB are worth a round 1 or 2 pick from what I can tell