Shaun Phillips, DE? Would be cheap...

[TB=TD]

We have more needs than just DE. Expecting to find an immediate starter at every position of need in the draft is an awful idea.

The goal is to head into May with as few needs as possible and use the draft to build depth.

DE is not one of them needs.

 

[strngplyr]

I'd love to see Rbt Ayers or Shaun Phillips here for $3MM or less. And I'd love to see it done before the draft. A DE in FA will be much better than anything we will be able to draft from our position. In a VERY deep draft, DE is a weak position, especially 4-3 DE's.

All this being said, the Pats DID, very recently, pick up 2 FA's in July who didn't create a ripple of excitement at the time, and they wound up giving us over 20 sacks combined. Also with only about $4MM currently in cap space, patience might be the better virtue.

Would be awesome if we waited long enough and got BOTH for 3m.

 

[strngplyr]

DE is not one of them needs.

DE absolutely is in need of an impact player. Our pass rush was near non-existant at times last year, our sacks were the result of our secondary.

We can have great coverage AND a decent pass rush if we devote a few extra resources to it.

 

[TB=TD]

DE absolutely is in need of an impact player. Our pass rush was near non-existant at times last year, our sacks were the result of our secondary.

We can have great coverage AND a decent pass rush if we devote a few extra resources to it.

If Wilfork returns that should improve the Defensive line. DT is the need if he leaves. The Patriots had 43 sacks last season.

 

[Deus Irae]

DE is not one of them needs.

So you're a teenager on school vacation?

 

[TB=TD]

So you're a teenager on school vacation?

Are you going to ask for my picture to pedo?

 

[patsfan-1982]

If Wilfork returns that should improve the Defensive line. DT is the need if he leaves. The Patriots had 43 sacks last season.

the pats had 48 sacks yes but only one VS Peyton manning and 0 sacks and 0 hits on Peyton in the playoff game, if Wilfork is back he will help the run game but he is not a pass rusher, they need at lest one more pass rushing DE or DT

 

[TB=TD]

the pats had 48 sacks yes but only one VS Peyton manning and 0 sacks and 0 hits on Peyton in the playoff game, if Wilfork is back he will help the run game but he is not a pass rusher, they need at lest one more pass rushing DE or DT

The ball was coming out of Peyton's hand within 2.5 seconds due to the pourus secondary. Now Peyton will have to hold that ball much longer.

 

[captain stone]

There is a draft that exists for this.

Normally I would agree, but the draft this year sux for 4-3 DEs unfortunately.

 

[Joker]

just found out sleep apnea kills brain cells...nice knowin' you guys...:bricks:

 

[TonyTucker]

DE is not one of them needs.

Yes, because the DE's had monster games in the playoffs. Chandler Jones had 3 tackles and 0 everything else in two playoff games. Playing 98 percent of the snaps will do that to you.

 

[Deus Irae]

just found out sleep apnea kills brain cells...nice knowin' you guys...:bricks:

They used to say that alcohol kills brain cells. Now, they say it doesn't. Stay up, have a beer. Fall asleep sitting up.


Profit

 

[supafly]

The ball was coming out of Peyton's hand within 2.5 seconds due to the pourus secondary. Now Peyton will have to hold that ball much longer.

Historically, Peyton Manning has had one of the quickest (if not the quickest) release time of all QBs since he came into the league. He has made many average lines look much better than they were/are by being able to get rid of the ball with a very quick release.

Hopefully, the aspect of building a better secondary as we've attempted to do will definitely help him make more mistakes, and hold onto the ball a little bit longer--as you've said.

I still agree with those who claim that we need a pass rusher. Not only that, but we need a rotational guy worth a damn to give Ninkovich/Chandler Jones breathers as they both had 96-97% of all snaps at the position of DE last year. Having a value signing guy who'd be able to make a difference in that aspect could go a long, long way--in addition to the improvement in the secondary as you've mentioned.

A run stuffing DT like Wilfork isn't going to do much in that regard.

 

[Joker]

once the brain cells are dead, that's it...GONE.

Now seeing as how a normal brain contains nearly 100 billion brain cells, you'd think I'd be in pretty good shape considering...but...uh...what WAS I talking about.......????????????

 

[supafly]

once the brain cells are dead, that's it...GONE.

Now seeing as how a normal brain contains nearly 100 billion brain cells, you'd think I'd be in pretty good shape considering...but...uh...what WAS I talking about.......????????????

You can't be that bad. We're both BU guys

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Yes, because the DE's had monster games in the playoffs. Chandler Jones had 3 tackles and 0 everything else in two playoff games. Playing 98 percent of the snaps will do that to you.

Not to mention we have zero depth behind Chandler and Ninko

 

[Rob0729]

Historically, Peyton Manning has had one of the quickest (if not the quickest) release time of all QBs since he came into the league. He has made many average lines look much better than they were/are by being able to get rid of the ball with a very quick release.

Hopefully, the aspect of building a better secondary as we've attempted to do will definitely help him make more mistakes, and hold onto the ball a little bit longer--as you've said.

I still agree with those who claim that we need a pass rusher. Not only that, but we need a rotational guy worth a damn to give Ninkovich/Chandler Jones breathers as they both had 96-97% of all snaps at the position of DE last year. Having a value signing guy who'd be able to make a difference in that aspect could go a long, long way--in addition to the improvement in the secondary as you've mentioned.

A run stuffing DT like Wilfork isn't going to do much in that regard.

But historically, Peyton struggles when DB knock his receivers off their routes which does force him to hold onto the ball too long. The Pats have had great success with him without much of a rush, but bumping his receivers off their routes. That is why I think Revis and Browner has improved the Pats' pass rush without upgrading the line.

I do agree with you that the Pats don't need a starting quality DE (although it would be nice), but more of a pass rush specialist that can relieve the starters and occasionally allow Chandler Jone to kick in to DT on passing downs (he was effective doing that when Buchannon was doing well as a situational pass rushing DE earlier in the season).

 

[bagwell368]

The draft at DE isn't very interesting after the first couple of very highly rated guys are off the board, so I assume the DE depth/rush the QB issue will be solved in FA/in house.

Phillips would be one of the very few FA's worth getting, and at a reasonable cost. We could also invite Carter to camp and probably stow him into the "shadow roster" category. The final piece is Buchanan. He needs work, but, is promising at least for 20 plays at LDE per game - first thing is to shed OL's when he ends up out there on running plays.

We can't go through another season with Jones and Nink playing so much, so clearly something has to be done.

 

[bagwell368]

If Wilfork returns that should improve the Defensive line. DT is the need if he leaves. The Patriots had 43 sacks last season.

The D was fine until VW, Kelly, and Mayo went down.

Also I see no way VW plays for the Pats this year, makes no sense financially/risk wise. There are a number of DT's available including some good ones as low as #75 in the draft. We'll snag a smaller push the line DT, not a big lumbering NT style DT to go with the guys we have in hand, and be fine at DT.

 

[Kontradiction]

The draft at DE isn't very interesting after the first couple of very highly rated guys are off the board, so I assume the DE depth/rush the QB issue will be solved in FA/in house.

Phillips would be one of the very few FA's worth getting, and at a reasonable cost. We could also invite Carter to camp and probably stow him into the "shadow roster" category. The final piece is Buchanan. He needs work, but, is promising at least for 20 plays at LDE per game - first thing is to shed OL's when he ends up out there on running plays.

We can't go through another season with Jones and Nink playing so much, so clearly something has to be done.

The Patriots can do both. Bring in Phillips at low money and draft the better out of Ford or Ealy (whomever is left) in the first. We need at least two more bodies at DE and one at 3-tech on the DL by my estimation to really improve the pass rush. I do agree with the general tone of your post, though, and especially agree with the last sentence.