Needs versus Wants

[AzPatsFan]

The FA "big" deals are over. Giddy fans and know-nothing mediots are talking about further big names for the remaining perceived weaknesses. However no team has every wish satisfied. As long as there are no glaring holes, we must accept that some depth will not be as strong as other positions.

Starting Vacancies without incumbent: Two S and C.
Starting Vacancies w/o incumbent player: ZERO.
All the wants and desires are for Reserves. They could start the season tomorrow without further changes.

Fans need to keep that in perspective.

Looking more closely at the difference between Wants and Needs.

Third Pass Rusher - Wants: Jerod Allen Needs: resign Andre Carter & Buchanon Reason; 48 sacks is great; best since Berry was Coach

Center - Wants: sign Mack Needs: move Connolly & draft/sign develop C and/or resign Wendell Reason: Second highest scoring team already Can win with Wendell.

RG - Wants: sign FA G and draft one high Needs: move Cannon develop PSer Gs Kline etc. Reason: OL is older and are second highest scoring team

Reserve LB - Wants: sign Woodward or equivalent Needs: draft one low; use Ninko in Emergency Reason: They lost their #4 & #5 and depth in FA

Reserve TE - Wants: draft one in First needs: Use big WR; draft low or or do nothing. Gronk will be healthier now & Pats are more prepared with experienced WRs

Interior DL - Wants: draft #1 Needs: Use last years rookies + Kelly.

Safety - Wants: Draft one high Needs: Play with Harmon & T Wilson sometimes Browner or resign Gregory cheap. Reason: now have 5, 6 genuine CBs so numbers at S not needed.


So there is very little that the Pats can't address in Draft.

There are genuine needs though. The Pats interior Offensive line is as old as Pats Defensive interior line and interior talent is not as good. Draft some talent there.

Interior defensive line talent is older. Draft some talent there, unless Armstead is astonishing. (Possible)

 

[signbabybrady]

I dont think there are huge needs and I think if we had to we could go at it with the guys we have. I think any of the remaining needs could be filled through the draft I dont think you can count on them all being filled that way nor can you rely any one specific position as you dont know how things will fall.

I think the question now becomes how to approach the remaining spots. See what they draft and fill in after would be a reasonable approach but I somehow I dont think they are done yet. While I wouldnt rule out one more big move I agree it is less likely but there still likely are a few more medium range moves to come especially if they cut Vince. Not on the expensive side but I would expect at least one OL, LB, and TE to be signed or re-signed before the draft and if Vince gets cut I could also see another DL and if Vince is cut any one of these spots could be filled a little more expensively.

 

[The Scrizz]

Well if they want to win the SB they should do more than the absolute minimum with those needs.

 

[Gronkandez]

Reserve TE - Wants: draft one in First needs: Use big WR; draft low or or do nothing. Gronk will be healthier now & Pats are more prepared with experienced WRs

Huh? Gronk will be healthier? And if he's not the backup plan is to use a big WR or do nothing?

The NEEDS for Safety is to play Tavon Wilson

 

[JoeSixPat]

Offensive Line is definitely a need

Depth in the front 7 - especially NT depending on what happens with Wilfork (I think he'll be back, though they will still want depth/a future NT) including someone who can put pressure on the QB is a need as well (having a good secondary helps though)

The truth is there's no "wants" as with 53 guys on the roster and Vareen and Ridley to become FAs in 2015, you always have to be looking to next years "needs" as well as the "wants" this year.

A deep WR is high on my "want" list but I also know that with Edelman and a healthy Gronkowski (always a question mark) I think Brady will find an open man effectively - assuming he has time (again, the prospects of this team come back to keeping Brady healthy and giving him time to make his throws)

The good news is that we still have the remainder of Free Agency, trades, the draft (I see them trading #29 for the equivalent of 2 second rounders - or perhaps a high 2nd and a high 3rd rounder to pick up an OL and DT) and of course pickups from other teams cast-offs

So there's no pressure to fill all holes in Free Agency

 

[ATippett56]

Re-sign LeGarrette Blount - Michael Hoomanawanui contract equivalent

Michael Hoomanawanui - New England Patriots - 2014 Player Profile - Rotoworld.com

3/10/2014: Signed a two-year, $2.4 million contract. The deal contains $1.1 million guaranteed, including a $360,000 signing bonus.

Re-sign Will Svitek - one year contract, veteran minimum plus incentives

 

[TruthSeeker]

Re-sign LeGarrette Blount - Michael Hoomanawanui contract equivalent

Michael Hoomanawanui - New England Patriots - 2014 Player Profile - Rotoworld.com



Re-sign Will Svitek - one year contract, veteran minimum plus incentives

Blount is our best BIG back since Corey Dillon (was misused in the AFCCG IMO). He averaged 5.0 yards per carry last year, and has averaged 4.7 ypc in his career. I doubt we get him for 1.2 mill a year, think more at LEAST 2.5 mill a year.

 

[oldrover]

Blount is our best BIG back since Corey Dillon (was not used in the AFCCG).

Fixed it for you.

 

[Brady6]

The team is expecting Armond Armstead to participate in the offseason workout program. He could go a long way in filling a “need”.

Report: Armond Armstead Expected To Participate In Patriots? Offseason Program | New England Patriots | NESN.com