My Bizzarro World Patriots Mock

[supafly]

OTG--If what you're saying is that Welker's market value is low-er, then that I can agree with, given that it was pretty damn high already, and he wasn't his usual superman self at times. So I guess it's only a matter of opinion, and it's obviously no big deal.

For those who freely throw around the idea though, I'd be interested in seeing how long it takes Brady and the offense to adjust to something like that, especially considering how we all threw hissy fits when his last go-to guy Branch left--and Branch wasn't 1/2 of what the current value of Welker is to Brady right now.

Maybe we should re-visit all of the "I guarantee Edelman is going to catch 130 balls next year" posts from the spring and summer of 2010, since we just assume that he'll be able to pick right up where Wes left off? I certainly hope that we lock up Welker for another few yrs to couple him with Brady--because it works.

If what you're saying is that we should run out and sign him to an extension right now (after the CBA situation is resolved), since his value is lower than before, I would say that you may be on to something and that it probably wouldn't hurt. But at the end of the day, I think everyone in the NFL pretty much knows exactly what they're getting with him, whether it's 2007, 08, 09, 10, 11, and so on. I don't think too many NFL personnel are fooled into thinking that he isn't the exact same player that he was the past few yrs.

 

[VJCPatriot]

This is a nightmare draft. Not only are you trading away Welker for a mere 3rd round pick, you trade up multiple assets to draft Julio Jones?

Earth to OP, weren't you paying attention when BB pased on Dez Bryant MULITPLE TIMES!?

The defensive line still needs addressing and a 3rd round linebacker might as well be Shawn Crable ie he should be cut before training camp is out. This scenario earns a huge -- "COME ON MAN!!!"

I think Jones is one of the safer players in the draft. I'm sure you can name a variety of players in the draft without questions though. My concept may be flawed but I don't buy what you're saying about Jones whose only question to me is that he has average hands.

So was DAVID TERRELL!! I say again -- "COME ON MAN!!"

 

[supafly]

This scenario earns a huge -- "COME ON MAN!!!"

Too effing funny. I used the exact same phrase in a post to off the grid arguing his point that we'd only get a 3rd or 4th round pick right now for Welker. I decided it was pointless, a bit harsh, and deleted it.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Earth to OP, weren't you paying attention when BB pased on Dez Bryant MULITPLE TIMES!?

First, I am not PREDICTING this, this is simply what I would do.

However it's silly to compare Jones to Bryant. We didn't pass on Bryant because he's a big, tall, athletic WR. We passed on him because he's got attitude and intelligence issues. Jones doesn't. Again, I do not expect this to happen but your reason for critique is just silly.

The defensive line still needs addressing and a 3rd round linebacker might as well be Shawn Crable ie he should be cut before training camp is out. This scenario earns a huge -- "COME ON MAN!!!"

I want some good DL too, I have predicted Jordan, Heyward or Wilkerson multiple times and that is still what I expect at #17.

As for LB, maybe we'll take one in the second round not the third. But for someone who started this thread saying "weren't you paying attention", you should re-visit Belichick's drafts and consider the possibility of him drafting a college DE in the first round who will be switching to OLB. It's unlikely.

 

[DW Toys]

The changes to the offense were the dream scenario, the trades were more just playing along with the rumors from earlier in the offseason in addition to Bill's tendency to trade players a little before we lose them for nothing.

Hard work. Thank you.
I can see what you thought and your explanations. I just don't see Welker as done yet. In fact I see him better this year. Jones though enticing, wrinkles BB's thought process about WR high.
As far as accepting a 3rd for Welker and getting a slow Guard, I would not be a fan of that. I suggested getting a fifth for Sanders who contributed to the 30th in the League passing yards against (we were 14th in sacks so that does not translate if we use the sack "defense" here, although I admit more pressure is a must), you still have to look at Chung and Merriweather as more of SSs being hitters and of a similar skill set and more in the box. Sanders is a rotation guy at $3m per year....anyway they wanted to tar and feather me because The Important Poster-Guy Club said " He is worth more to us than a fifth rounder we could possible get for him". None of them cover so I say blow it up back there and I back that with stats as above and we were 32nd in the League getting off the field on third down, This goes hand in hand. Sanders is too expensive and limited and Merriweather is not a Mensa candidate and will also have his agent wear a mask to get him big bucks in 2012 as his is a FA. I say a second for Merriweather would be a steal for us. BB didn't grant Barrett and Page extensions without reason. Anyway I was chastised for trying to get a fifth for Sanders who is not my cup of tea.

I have to use this above logic on a 3rd for Welker if we compare his case to "Ed" Sanders.

Then in your Draft I would look at FS with coverage skills to team with Chung. It's more important a fill than DE or OT in 2011. We have a problem to fix on our D that no one is addressing on any post I see so far and Welker being traded weakens our O. A rookie is still a rookie, even a Jones is a gamble that high.

Think 30th and 32nd. Evan a Peppers could not have even helped that much to improve the back end of our D last year. I like Merriweather and Chung but I'd keep Chung. I believe the number is that opposing QBs complete 68.3% of their passes. Put it is perspective, MVP Brady completed 65.9%. We were a mediocre 16th in the league in passes defended at 76 which equates to 5.4 passes per game. Weak!

Let's leave out my obvious distaste for Sanders here in the bottom line. So if you are a "Our Safeties are not a problem" guy, I guess that is your opinion to just stand pat and let it ride which I respect.

My point is you made some great out of the box suggestions like another TE for the future. My point is it is apparent to me that Safety is very important in 2011.
DW Toys

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Let's leave out my obvious distaste for Sanders here in the bottom line. So if you are a "Our Safeties are not a problem" guy, I guess that is your opinion to just stand pat and let it ride which I respect.
DW Toys

I did want to take a Safety. And in real life (again, this wasn't what I expect to happen) I won't be at all surprised if we take a Safety at 2a or 2b. It's such an icky year for Safeties, I just didn't bother.

I would be curious to know what Bill, et al, thinks of Page and Barrett. I, too, think Sanders is JAG and Meriweather's time with the team has to be coming to an end (2011 will be his last year, IMO, if he's here that long).

 

[IllegalContact]

the OP is a perfect example of spinning your wheels........trading masnkins and welker away for guys to replace them when you can keep them, and add guys to make the team stronger.

if this were to happen, the 2011 pats would be weaker than the 2010 pats....going in the wrong direction

 

[everlong]

I think this would be the dream draft for the Baltimore Ravens. That would really sure up there offense. If the Patriots went first four picks on offense and traded up in the process I can only imagine the board reaction........once I could log into it since the volume would melt down the servers.

 

[borg]

Is he up, next year?? If so, this would be a VERY smart time to re-up him, while his Market Value is down...And then we COULD trade him, next year, as I hypothesized, COULDN'T we??...Just as I've suggested re-upping Matt Light, and trading HIM, a year or two from now...But I'd still consider it a bad idea: Wes Welker has ALWAYS had "Patriot" stamped all over him.

It all makes sense now. You would re-up Welker NOW, which would require a big fat signing bonus, then trade him away to another team while eating the signing bonus.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

the OP is a perfect example of spinning your wheels........trading masnkins and welker away for guys to replace them when you can keep them, and add guys to make the team stronger.

if this were to happen, the 2011 pats would be weaker than the 2010 pats....going in the wrong direction

I don't necessarily agree.

First off we are at best (unless the CBA is signed and has big changes) only going to get 1/2 a season out of Mankins. (Accrued season) He is and his agent are having a difficult time reaching anything resembling a LT deal with the Pats.

As for Welker, we have to face facts. He is over 30, never been fast, led the league in dropped passes and recovering from knee surgery. But on the bright side, has trade value and a team willing to dance with us.

I have had major knee surgery,tore the ACL, PCL and MCL and year two much much much better than year one, but I was a senior in college, not a 30 plus year old pro with a lot of miles on the tires.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

I think this would be the dream draft for the Baltimore Ravens. That would really sure up there offense. If the Patriots went first four picks on offense and traded up in the process I can only imagine the board reaction........once I could log into it since the volume would melt down the servers.

I do expect a little more defense than I suggested.

That said, the defense has a ton more young guys than the offense does. The reality is the center of our OL and our OT is likely gone soon. Both starting WR are entering the last year of their contract. All RB but BJGE and Woody are old. We've spent a lot more draft picks on defense recently.

I can say two things with reasonable confidence :

1) We will draft more defense than I proposed.
2) We will draft more offense than most here expect.

 

[Off The Grid]

Too effing funny. I used the exact same phrase in a post to off the grid arguing his point that we'd only get a 3rd or 4th round pick right now for Welker. I decided it was pointless, a bit harsh, and deleted it.

So glad you controlled yourself, pal.

Wes Welker was a good ~ not great ~ receiver, last year, and he'll turn 30 on May Day.

More to the point, a great many wise people do not expect him to ever return to his previously stellar form, and with good reason.

And with one year left on his contract, the acquiring team wouldn't have the luxury of waiting to see if he does recapture his previous form, as I expect him to: They would either have to commit enormous Capital to him, and take on huge risk...or they would have to take on the risk of letting him prove himself...and then bid against 31 other teams for his services.

A 3rd or a 4th is my best educated guess at his Market Value. But as you say: It's a matter of opinion.

 

[Off The Grid]

It all makes sense now. You would re-up Welker NOW, which would require a big fat signing bonus, then trade him away to another team while eating the signing bonus.

I'm pretty confident that you're the only soul in the entire GALAXY who's unclear that I would not trade Welker at ALL.

 

[Snake Eyes]

I'm pretty confident that you're the only soul in the entire GALAXY who's unclear that I would not trade Welker at ALL.

Why do you want to trade Welker?

 

[supafly]

So glad you controlled yourself, pal.

Wes Welker was a good ~ not great ~ receiver, last year, and he'll turn 30 on May Day.

More to the point, a great many wise people do not expect him to ever return to his previously stellar form, and with good reason.

And with one year left on his contract, the acquiring team wouldn't have the luxury of waiting to see if he does recapture his previous form, as I expect him to: They would either have to commit enormous Capital to him, and take on huge risk...or they would have to take on the risk of letting him prove himself...and then bid against 31 other teams for his services.

A 3rd or a 4th is my best educated guess at his Market Value. But as you say: It's a matter of opinion.

It will be interesting to see how Belichick feels moving forward with this issue, and I could see it from both ways.

My main point is that if Welker's approx. 90 catches last year, less than a yr removed from major surgery where 80% of us had him PUP'ed, is considered "bad" to some--then we are getting way too spoiled (which is a whole other back and forth) Even if it's not considered "bad," some are still saying it's "not good enough," and that's a shame.

I think, as we even heard Wes say, that he believes it was an "off" yr for him, and to me--that's a good sign. Yeah, maybe he dropped some balls etc, but I still believe that he is everything a Patriot should be, has a great work ethic and drive, and is well...Tom Brady's go to guy. That has to acct for something too. I don't envision Tom (not that it matters) doing too well with a possible Wes Welker trade. The chemistry they have is incredible, I believe way better than Brady/Branch pre-2006 days.

This offense would dramatically change, in my opinion, but then again, I am not making the decisions. And we should all be thankful for that

 

[Off The Grid]

Why do you want to trade Welker?

Cute....

 

[supafly]

Belichick Fan--sorry to litter the thread with talk of Wes, but it was bound to happen, since you included the thought. I think you make a case for thinking ahead to the future, and have just as good of a mock as any--albeit slightly controversial. I certainly agree that there may be more offense than people think too.

 

[Off The Grid]

Too effing funny. I used the exact same phrase in a post to off the grid arguing his point that we'd only get a 3rd or 4th round pick right now for Welker. I decided it was pointless, a bit harsh, and deleted it.

So glad you controlled yourself, pal.

Wes Welker was a good ~ not great ~ receiver, last year, and he'll turn 30 on May Day.

More to the point, a great many wise people do not expect him to ever return to his previously stellar form, and with good reason.

And with one year left on his contract, the acquiring team wouldn't have the luxury of waiting to see if he does recapture his previous form, as I expect him to: They would either have to commit enormous Capital to him, and take on huge risk...or they would have to take on the risk of letting him prove himself...and then bid against 31 other teams for his services.

A 3rd or a 4th is my best educated guess at his Market Value. But as you say: It's a matter of opinion.

It will be interesting to see how Belichick feels moving forward with this issue, and I could see it from both ways.

My main point is that if Welker's approx. 90 catches last year, less than a yr removed from major surgery where 80% of us had him PUP'ed, is considered "bad" to some--then we are getting way too spoiled (which is a whole other back and forth) Even if it's not considered "bad," some are still saying it's "not good enough," and that's a shame.

I think, as we even heard Wes say, that he believes it was an "off" yr for him, and to me--that's a good sign. Yeah, maybe he dropped some balls etc, but I still believe that he is everything a Patriot should be, has a great work ethic and drive, and is well...Tom Brady's go to guy. That has to acct for something too. I don't envision Tom (not that it matters) doing too well with a possible Wes Welker trade. The chemistry they have is incredible, I believe way better than Brady/Branch pre-2006 days.

This offense would dramatically change, in my opinion, but then again, I am not making the decisions. And we should all be thankful for that

We could do a LOT worse, pal!!

You certainly won't get any Argument from ME about Welker: He is one of a kind, a guy who I SCREAMED for us to go after, 4 years ago, and I was utterly DUMBFOUNDED when we actually did so. And I was virtually alone, a year ago, in predicting that he would come back WAY before 99% of the folks thought he would, perhaps even on Opening Day, which of course he did: The man's got the heart of a LION.

I'd be the last guy in the WORLD to bet against him, and while Bill's gotta do what Bill's got to do, I hope that we work things out, because I have no desire to see Wes Welker EVER wear another team's uniform: Here's hoping he's with us for a long, long time.

 

[DW Toys]

I did want to take a Safety. And in real life (again, this wasn't what I expect to happen) I won't be at all surprised if we take a Safety at 2a or 2b. It's such an icky year for Safeties, I just didn't bother.

I would be curious to know what Bill, et al, thinks of Page and Barrett. I, too, think Sanders is JAG and Meriweather's time with the team has to be coming to an end (2011 will be his last year, IMO, if he's here that long).

Bill payed out bucks to resign those two. I like Chung alright. I would love to see them trade up and get Peterson as a FS if he fell to #7 0r #8. Kid is a playmaker. If you think Ed Reed you can see why he could be a valuable pick.
DW Toys

 

[Sciz]

If you think Ed Reed you can see why he could be a valuable pick.
DW Toys

And we know Bill loves Ed Reed. If there is ever a player that he thinks is the next Reed, then he won't hesitate to do whatever it takes to get him, within reason.