RUMOR: via Twitter... Matt Forte to Patriots talk...

[Salva135]

Forget Forte, we have a couple of young stud RBs who waited all year watching an elite offense do its thing and are itching for a chance to insert themselves into it as playmakers. How about we try and develop the RBs we inexplicably drafted back to back in the 2nd and 3rd rounds last year? Maybe if we did it would make those picks more explicable?

 

[supafly]

Forget Forte, we have a couple of young stud RBs who waited all year watching an elite offense do its thing and are itching for a chance to insert themselves into it as playmakers. How about we try and develop the RBs we inexplicably drafted back to back in the 2nd and 3rd rounds last year? Maybe if we did it would make those picks more explicable?

That's what a lot of us are thinking too.

I don't see a need for an a huge priced guy that would take a lot of money AND multiple high draft picks at the RB position.

If they were going to do that, I think most of us would have rather seen it on defense.

 

[manxman2601]

One recognised draft strategy is to build to your strengths (think the Giants and their DL). Using draft picks to trade for Matt Forte would fall under this category. The Patriots offense was missing two things last year - a RB that defeses had to account for and a WR that can extend the field. We've signed the latter and Forte would account for the former.

In terms of the draft, consider this:

1. BB never drafts OLB's in the first round. No reason to think he'll start this year.

2. The 5-tech DE's will likely be gone by pick #27

3. The only safety of note in the first round, Mark Barron, will likely be gone by pick #27.

That essentially leaves us with two first round picks that could be close to useless as things stand. So if the Patriots see the first round in the same way, why not trade for Forte and create a potentially dominant offense and trade back from our two firsts thus recouping the picks we gave up for Forte.

Not saying I'm an advocate for this approach, there's big risks involved, but it might be one way the Patriots are seeing the draft.

 

[ATippett56]

2. The 5-tech DE's will likely be gone by pick #27

Devon Still and Kendall Reyes will be gone by pick #27?

 

[ATippett56]

1. BB never drafts OLB's in the first round. No reason to think he'll start this year.

Bill Belichick never drafted an inside linebacker in the first three rounds until Jerod Mayo. Conditions on the ground change and hopefully the New England Patriots draft strategy will also.

 

[Joker]

Stupid called...it wants its' thread back....

 

[manxman2601]

Devon Still and Kendall Reyes will be gone by pick #27?

I think it's highly likely that Devon Still will be gone by #27. It might only be to Denver at 25 and we could get him with a small trade up, but yes the chances are he won't be there for us. as for Kendall Reyes, do you see him as a first round 5-tech? Many don't.

Bill Belichick never drafted an inside linebacker in the first three rounds until Jerod Mayo. Conditions on the ground change and hopefully the New England Patriots draft strategy will also.

Sure, that could happen, but since Adalius Thomas and Roosevelt Colvin, BB has placed very little value on the OLB position even though it's been perceived as a top need. Why should that change this year? It might happen, but I wouldn't bet on it.

 

[ATippett56]

as for Kendall Reyes, do you see him as a first round 5-tech? Many don't.

Did you say the same for Ty Warren?

 

[ATippett56]

Sure, that could happen, but since Adalius Thomas and Roosevelt Colvin, BB has placed very little value on the OLB position even though it's been perceived as a top need. Why should that change this year? It might happen, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Mark Anderson departed via unrestricted free agency. Andre Carter is recovering from a torn left quadriceps muscle/tendon and has yet to re-sign with the New England Patriots. Who, currently on the roster, will generate the outside pass rush for the New England Patriots for the 2012 NFL Season?

 

[manxman2601]

Did you say the same for Ty Warren?

No. Wasn't a close follower of the draft then. Is Kendall Reyes the next Ty Warren? I don't know. Why do you think he is? I'm torn on him. Some scouting reports make him look an ideal fit but the little footage I've seen was unimpressive. Final question on him - If BB passed on Wilkerson, Jordan and Heyward last year, what makes you think he'll pick him this year? Genuine question, interested in your thoughts.

Mark Anderson departed via unrestricted free agency. Andre Carter is recovering from a torn left quadriceps muscle/tendon and has yet to re-sign with the New England Patriots. Who, currently on the roster, will generate the outside pass rush for the New England Patriots for the 2012 NFL Season?

Helps prove my point that BB doesn't place a high value on the position otherwise he'd have re-signed him. Also, neither of those were on the roster last year pre draft and we still only drafted Markell Carter. I'm not saying it won't happen, just that available evidence suggests it won't.

 

[ATippett56]

Final question on him - If BB passed on Wilkerson, Jordan and Heyward last year, what makes you think he'll pick him this year? Genuine question, interested in your thoughts.

Obtaining a second round draft in 2011 and a first round draft in 2012 from the New Orleans Saints was too good of a deal to pass up. Bill Belichick is all about value in the draft. New Orleans may have initiated the deal and not the New England Patriots.

With regard to Kendall Reyes:

Kendall Reyes, Connecticut, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

03/13/2012 - NFL DRAFT SCOUT TOP DOWN DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut, 6-4, 299, 1-2...Reyes played both end and tackle in college and didn't impress scouts as a pass-rush threat until he outplayed some of the best offensive linemen in the country at the Senior Bowl. He has good short-area quickness and will win most fights in a phone booth. This ability was demonstrated at the combine, where he hoisted 225 pounds 36 times and surprised scouts with an unofficial 40 time of 4.79. Teams still appreciate his consistency against the run more than his threat as a pass rusher, however. Reyes arrived at Connecticut as a 245-pound, three-sport prep star (including basketball and track) and developed into a big body without losing his quickness and agility. He started 42 games at UConn and finished with 31 ?? tackles for a loss, 10th in school history. - Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange

Helps prove my point that BB doesn't place a high value on the position otherwise he'd have re-signed him. Also, neither of those were on the roster last year pre draft and we still only drafted Markell Carter. I'm not saying it won't happen, just that available evidence suggests it won't.

Personally, I'm not sold on Mark Anderson as a 3-4 outside linebacker and his ability to consistently stop the run. If Bill Belichick does not address the 3-4 outside linebacker position in the 2012 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots defense will be a repeat of the 2010-11 NFL Season (as in where's the pass rush?).

 

[ATippett56]

Final question on him - If BB passed on Wilkerson, Jordan and Heyward last year, what makes you think he'll pick him this year? Genuine question, interested in your thoughts.

Hopefully Bill Belichick realizes in calendar year 2012 that Shaun Ellis and Gerard Warren have nothing left in the tank.

 

[manxman2601]

Obtaining a second round draft in 2011 and a first round draft in 2012 from the New Orleans Saints was too good of a deal to pass up. Bill Belichick is all about value in the draft. New Orleans may have initiated the deal and not the New England Patriots.

With regard to Kendall Reyes:

Kendall Reyes, Connecticut, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com



Personally, I'm not sold on Mark Anderson as a 3-4 outside linebacker and his ability to consistently stop the run. If Bill Belichick does not address the 3-4 outside linebacker position in the 2012 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots defense will be a repeat of the 2010-11 NFL Season (as in where's the pass rush?).

It wouldn't surprise me in the least if we come out of the first round with Kendall Reyes/Andre Branch or some other similar combination. All I was trying to say was that BB doesn't distinguish between draft picks and current NFL players. Whichever offers the best value will dictate BB's approach and if he determines that there's little value at the bottom of the first (which I could see) and better value in the draft in the second round, trading for Forte and trading down both first round picks could be an interesting and productive approach.

If all it needed was a second, fourth and a mid round 2013 pick, I think the team will be better by getting Forte and then trading back to recoup the picks lost in the trade (assuming Still and Barron aren't available and that the money extending Forte isn't too much).

 

[ATippett56]

If all it needed was a second, fourth and a mid round 2013 pick, I think the team will be better by getting Forte and then trading back to recoup the picks lost in the trade (assuming Still and Barron aren't available and that the money extending Forte isn't too much).

I don't buy into the Forte to Patriots rumor one bit. If Incarcerated Bob started the rumor, then there is no chance of the occurrence.

As for Incarcerated Bob and his Twitter followers, they should be all incarcerated in a Siberian Gulag!

 

[ATippett56]

It wouldn't surprise me in the least if we come out of the first round with Kendall Reyes/Andre Branch or some other similar combination.

Substitute Vinny Curry for Andre Branch. Vinny Curry impressed during his Pro-Day workout.

 

[manxman2601]

I don't buy into the Forte to Patriots rumor one bit. If Incarcerated Bob started the rumor, then there is no chance of the occurrence.

As for Incarcerated Bob and his Twitter followers, they should be all incarcerated in a Siberian Gulag!

Well judging by up-thread, there's between a 2% and 29% chance he's right - or in other words - as much as chance of being right as merely making things up. However..

I've thought for a while that considering how close the Patriots are, and the number of picks we have, trading for quality experience like 2007 is a possible approach to this draft. throw in that the all in offense approach in free agency suggests that they are trying to build an unbeatable offense and 2+2 is starting to add up to, say, 4 1/2 rather than 5. I'm intrigued by the possibility is all.

 

[manxman2601]

Substitute Vinny Curry for Andre Branch. Vinny Curry impressed during his Pro-Day workout.

I'm afraid he doesn't impress me much. I'll take Ronnell Lewis in the second - looks more like a Patriot type.

 

[Leemo]

I'm really torn on whether I want Forte or not for 2 draft picks. I mean there are two ways of thinking about this.

1. Using those 2 picks costs us 2 defensive players in the draft, a defense that needs help all over it. It makes sense to improve the weak D, if we'd had better D last season we most likely would have beat the Giants. The logical thing is to create a better all round team.

2. So we sign Forte, our offense is amongst the best ever in the NFL. We score more than 50 pts per game. Who can actually keep up with that no matter how bad our defense is? And we still get to strengthen with a few draft choices....

 

[ATippett56]

I've thought for a while that considering how close the Patriots are, and the number of picks we have, trading for quality experience like 2007 is a possible approach to this draft. throw in that the all in offense approach in free agency suggests that they are trying to build an unbeatable offense and 2+2 is starting to add up to, say, 4 1/2 rather than 5. I'm intrigued by the possibility is all.

Seriously, I would rather select a running back in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Cyrus Gray or Tauren Poole and eliminate the fullback position altogether.

NFL Draft - 2012 NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

If the New England Patriots organization valued running backs that highly, BenJarvus Green-Ellis would have been re-signed.

The New England Patriots defense desperately needs upgrades across the board:

3-4 Defensive Ends
3-4 Outside Linebackers
Cornerbacks
Free Safeties

 

[ATippett56]

I'm afraid he doesn't impress me much. I'll take Ronnell Lewis in the second - looks more like a Patriot type.

Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

03/16/2012 - NFL Draft Scout Top Edge Players, OLB/DE: 10/57 *Ronnell Lewis, DE/OLB, Oklahoma, 6-2, 253, 2...Nicknamed "The Hammer" by teammates for the way he hits, but coaches could never find the right nail for this unusually gifted athlete. After he played only eight-man football in high school, Oklahoma coaches knew they had a gifted, raw talent but never figured out where to best use his abilities. He played most of the front seven positions like a wild animal chasing his last meal, especially when in pursuit of a quarterback. College coaches say he is a good kid, willing to learn, but he has maturity issues and struggled with class work. Lewis was suspended at the end of last season for academic reasons, and his coaches suggested he turn pro. He was listed as a defensive end at the combine and showed up almost 10 pounds over his college playing weight. Along with persistent back problems, Lewis had minor knee surgery in 2010 that put him out of two games and a neck injury in the 2011 Fiesta Bowl that caused him to lose feeling in his arms for a short time. But in a little more than two seasons, he totaled 118 tackles (67 solo), 20.5 for a loss, 10 sacks and two interceptions. He looked good at the combine with an unofficial 40-yard time of 4.68 seconds and 36 reps with 225 pounds on the bench press. - Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange/NFLDraftScout.com

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