Patriots Related Stuff from Pro Football Weekly

[VrabelMayeWin]

Nothing too shocking here, just a bunch of stuff :

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/Whispers/2006/whispers2130.htm

"Word is Patriots LB Tedy Bruschi, by all accounts, is coming back in 2007, but he won’t continue in a full-time role. We hear Bruschi’s shortcomings in pass coverage, which were illustrated in the AFC title-game loss to the Colts when he couldn’t keep up with TE Dallas Clark, make him a liability in that area and likely mean he’ll be filling a part-time role as his career winds down."

"We hear that the Jets may go after Patriots OLB Tully Banta-Cain in free agency and that the Patriots may be willing to let him go after he was effectively benched in his last two playoff games — against San Diego and Indianapolis."

"A lot of people around the league believe that New England will make a big run at free-agent LB Adalius Thomas if he enters free agency, as Thomas is a Patriots type of player across the board — with great size, instincts and love for the game."

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/AFC/AFC+East/New+England/default.htm

"We hear that RB Corey Dillon told teammates in the locker room following the Patriots’ loss to the Colts in the AFC championship game that he was done as a player and would retire. His agent has since softened Dillon’s stance, which was likely a heat-of-the-moment reaction after a difficult defeat. However, agent Steve Feldman won’t guarantee that Dillon is coming back, even though he has $4.4 million reasons (he counts that much against the 2007 salary cap) why he might want to return in ’07. That being said, we hear that there is no way the Patriots will want to bring him back at that number, and it’s likely the team doesn’t want to bring him back at all. Dillon has several strikes against him — he’s 32 years old, relatively slow, a potential malcontent if he’s unhappy, and he has the younger, faster Laurence Maroney waiting in the wings behind him and ready for a bigger role. Odds are good that Dillon has played his last down in New England, unless he comes back at a dramatically reduced salary."

 

[Fixit]

I'll miss Dillon something fierce.

 

[mavfan2390]

Ieee I don't know if I like letting Dillon go. Maroney hasn't proven he can be a full time starter. Perhaps we'll draft another first day back but still, a sophomore and a rookie for Brady to hand off to?

 

[Seymour93]

Ieee I don't know if I like letting Dillon go. Maroney hasn't proven he can be a full time starter. Perhaps we'll draft another first day back but still, a sophomore and a rookie for Brady to hand off to?

http://www.patscap.com/2007fas.xls

There's some RB's on that list that would fit in nicely here for a year or two. Marcel Shipp (from UMass), Maurice Hicks, and James Mungro all pop out to me. Remember we have Quadtrine Hill waiting in the wings. :rocker:

With that being said, I'd take Brian Leonard late in the 2nd round in a heartbeat.

Can we merge these two threads please? Thanks.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

With that being said, I'd take Brian Leonard late in the 2nd round in a heartbeat.

If Dillon is gone by the draft my interest in Leonard - or equivalent big back - will go up a lot. A lot of people want Leonard anyway due to his versatility but I don't want to pass up some defense for Leonard if we have Maroney and Dillon. No Dillon, though, and I change my mind.

 

[Kdo5]

Dillon retiring or losing him wouldnt be good. From what I have seen I am not thoroughly convinced Maroney should be a starter right away.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Dillon must have been extremely firstrated in the Indy game. Comes down to whether he was injured or is just old and done. Only he and the team knows that, but he's been a great addition since he came despite injuries the past two seasons. I'm glad he was able to share in the Patriot experience and get a ring.

 

[satz]

The funny thing is all the long big yardage run from the line has been dillion this year.Also, the tough yardage has been him too.Unless we get a veteran it is going to be be hard for a rookie to replace him.
when maroney went down he carried the full load not sure if a rookie can step up if the same happens for 2 games.
he runs angry and is a beast in the redzone a reason for our high red zone efficency...again a rookie being the redzone guy is big.

I have not seen enough of maroney to double his carry now.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

If Dillon is gone by the draft my interest in Leonard - or equivalent big back - will go up a lot. A lot of people want Leonard anyway due to his versatility but I don't want to pass up some defense for Leonard if we have Maroney and Dillon. No Dillon, though, and I change my mind.

If you knew Dillon were done after 2007, though, wouldn't it be worth considering drafting his replacement *now*, especially if the rookie can contribute (on ST or otherwise) right away?

 

[PonyExpress]

Maroney can definitely start next season. The Pats will adjust their blocking scheme to take advantage of his strengths. He will get stronger in the lower body this offseason. He will understand blocking assignments better and become more proficient catching passes out of the backfield. He is a very intelligent person and player, has tasted some early success, and will want more. Maroney will be a tremendous weapon next season. For all those comparing Maroney unfavorably to Joseph Addai, remember that Addai is 2 years older than Maroney.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

If you knew Dillon were done after 2007, though, wouldn't it be worth considering drafting his replacement *now*, especially if the rookie can contribute (on ST or otherwise) right away?

I wouldn't use a #1 or #2 on him. 5-8 carries a game, etc, I'll wait until we need him.

 

[Buchanty]

I hope Dillon stay for at least 2 years - he is too valuable in Red Zone short yardage situations, he's still a touchdown machine but no longer an every down back, a bit like Bettis a few years back. I can imagine he was frustrated in the AFCC cos he wasnt given a chance in the second half - one day we may know why, but I still think the Pats gave up the run in the 2nd half too often this season and particularly in that game.

I am still delighted we have Maroney over Addai, much as I like the latter (the NFL Today segment on how he looks after his old paralyzed team mate made me respect him deeply). Maroney has so much potential, he is fast, intelligent and hard working - that usually portends well for the future.

I can quite happily dine on another season or two of Thunder and Lightning

 

[PATRIOT64]

Isn't Dominic Rhodes from the Colts available?,Its likely the Colts won't be able to sign him,An excellent replacement for Corey don't you think?

 

[SoonerPatriot]

Ieee I don't know if I like letting Dillon go. Maroney hasn't proven he can be a full time starter. Perhaps we'll draft another first day back but still, a sophomore and a rookie for Brady to hand off to?

How is Maroney ever going to sink or swim with Dillon in the shadows? We invested a first round pick in Maroney. Next year is the time to see what we've really got. Dillon had a great career. He's a warrior and we all love him but he can't play forever.

 

[tedy hagler]

Profound psychological analysis by the magazine writer. "A malcontent if he's unhappy" -- so he's not happy when he's miserable? OK. If anyone thinks Drew B. was unhappy but not a malcontent after losing his job to Brady, read Michael Holley's book on that episode.

How long will Dillon have to deal with the malcontent label? Give the man a break--he is a possible (maybe probable) Hall of Famer, ran the Patriots to one Super Bowl, and still runs like Marcus Allen near the goal line.

Plus, he had to live in Cinci for 8 years. How much can a man take?

" Dillon has several strikes against him — he’s 32 years old, relatively slow, a potential malcontent if he’s unhappy."

 

[PatsFanSince74]

On Bruschi, no player has ever earned our respect or the right to do it his way as he ends his career more than Teddy. i hope they find a way for him to stay on the team in a role that's productive for the pats and satisfying for him.

On Dillon, I've never met the man, but from everything I've seen and read about him, I have to think he'll be back for one more try at another Ring. I just don't get the sense that he's the kind of guy who would want to end his career with so bitter a defeat.

 

[PWRxWLF]

If C.D. ends up not returning either due to retirement or his bloated paycheck, I really wouldnt mind seeing us pursue either Michael Turner, Marcel Shipp or Dominic Rhodes. Those guys are good all around backs. Turner is a big, super fast back. He's young too. Problem is, do any decent backs like this really want to come in and split carries with L.M.?

 

[Kdo5]

Isn't Dominic Rhodes from the Colts available?,Its likely the Colts won't be able to sign him,An excellent replacement for Corey don't you think?

I think I'd rather have Dillon than that average-decent Rhodes guy.

As for Maroney vs Addai. I certainly like Maroney and think he'll be good but Addai did a great job in 2006 and has more impressed me but Maroney has still done some good things.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Seems to me that not being able to keep up with Dallas Clark isn't something uncommon in the NFL. He's a special player. But there was never any question we need depth and youth at LB anyway.

I hope Dillon will not let his pride get the best of him. Jerome Bettis was a difference maker for the Steelers in 2005 yet was no where near his prime.

The fans appreciated him just the same and Dillon, for all his eruptions, has done a lot to remake his image in New England.

Taking on a limited but significant role at a fair price in New England might serve him well.

 

[VJCPatriot]

If C.D. ends up not returning either due to retirement or his bloated paycheck, I really wouldnt mind seeing us pursue either Michael Turner, Marcel Shipp or Dominic Rhodes. Those guys are good all around backs. Turner is a big, super fast back. He's young too. Problem is, do any decent backs like this really want to come in and split carries with L.M.?

If Dillon doesn't return, and don't get me wrong, I would love for him to return next season, I would really like to see Michael Turner in a Pats uniform. Michael Turner is young, strong, and fast. AND he runs tough between the tackles and in short yardage. I think a duo of Turner and Maroney would be fabulous. Dunno if Turner will be amenable to splitting carries though. Isn't he leaving San Diego in order to get out of the shadow of LT?

Rhodes will get overpaid imo because of his superbowl heroics and Shipp is a retread that I don't have much interest in.