Some of the Sophomores

[PatsFans.com Article]

Some of the Sophomores
By: Mike Procopio

Some thoughts on today's top stories....

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[goheels22002]

The key players in that story have to be Cunningham, Spikes, Love and Deaderick. If all four of those guys develop and improve as players and as leaders, the 2011 draft looks a lot better and Belichick's judgment to go for offense this year was the right move.

None of those guys took the world by storm last year the way McCourty did, but all looked like solid pros and maybe breakout players down the road. Love was the most pleasant surprise in the last six week of the season by filling in here and there competently.

I question the WRs commentary - we haven't seen enough of Taylor Price yet and whether there is chemistry with Brady, which is such a huge deal. Brandon Tate did some amazing things with a few receptions and was great in the return game. Who knows? Several big, fast receivers have come in and not done the job because they don't learn the routes, are too old, or can't get on the same page with Brady, that it is impossible to determine who will work out and who will not. The boys over on musketfire.com have it 56% Price to 44% Tate as to which will be the better receiver.

As a Tar Heel, I'm rooting for Tate to take the next step, but it's unclear.

On that story, it was reassuring to see the number of guys from the past draft who cut the mustard. A repeat performance in '11 will be fantastic. Especially the guys on the offensive side of the ball. If Mallet makes Brady expendable for a blockbuster trade and the running backs bring youth and toughness to the ground game, we're set.

 

[randomk1]

I'm really interested in seeing Price this year.

YouTube - ?No. 17 Taylor Price WR Patriots?‏

He looked pretty good vs the Dolphins.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

On that story, it was reassuring to see the number of guys from the past draft who cut the mustard. A repeat performance in '11 will be fantastic. Especially the guys on the offensive side of the ball. If Mallet makes Brady expendable for a blockbuster trade and the running backs bring youth and toughness to the ground game, we're set.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

The key players in that story have to be Cunningham, Spikes, Love and Deaderick. If all four of those guys develop and improve as players and as leaders, the 2011 draft looks a lot better and Belichick's judgment to go for offense this year was the right move.

None of those guys took the world by storm last year the way McCourty did, but all looked like solid pros and maybe breakout players down the road. Love was the most pleasant surprise in the last six week of the season by filling in here and there competently.

I question the WRs commentary - we haven't seen enough of Taylor Price yet and whether there is chemistry with Brady, which is such a huge deal. Brandon Tate did some amazing things with a few receptions and was great in the return game. Who knows? Several big, fast receivers have come in and not done the job because they don't learn the routes, are too old, or can't get on the same page with Brady, that it is impossible to determine who will work out and who will not. The boys over on musketfire.com have it 56% Price to 44% Tate as to which will be the better receiver.

As a Tar Heel, I'm rooting for Tate to take the next step, but it's unclear.

On that story, it was reassuring to see the number of guys from the past draft who cut the mustard. A repeat performance in '11 will be fantastic. Especially the guys on the offensive side of the ball. If Mallet makes Brady expendable for a blockbuster trade and the running backs bring youth and toughness to the ground game, we're set.

Yeah right we'll be set as soon as we get rid of that damn Brady, he's really dragging down the team isn't he? Ya know the guy who has 125 wins and only 35 losses in his career, reigning MVP, 3 time SB champ, yep that's the guy that needs to go, then we'll be set.

I'm sure Mallet would improve on Brady's 36 touchdowns and 4 interceptions and 14 wins from last year. Ya know the same Mallet that has never played a down in the NFL. Once he's the QB for the Patriots then we'll be set.

 

[OldNEPatsFan]

Mallet may even win a playoff game.

 

[supafly]

A repeat performance in '11 will be fantastic. Especially the guys on the offensive side of the ball. If Mallet makes Brady expendable for a blockbuster trade and the running backs bring youth and toughness to the ground game, we're set.

I think it was pretty plain to see that the offensive side of the ball needed addressing. We had Morris, Taylor, and Faulk as RB's, and obviously needed a shot in the arm of youth and speed. I think the same goes for the OLine, with the up in the air status of Light/Mankins/Kaczur + the retirement of Neal, and the impending FA and possible room for improvement with Koppen. These were 2 positions that certainly needed addressing, and as I have annoyingly pointed out several times now--I believe 12 of the last 13 'initial' draft picks in each seperate draft, were on the defensive side of the ball. The front office's job of rebuilding and reloading on defense was pretty much done, especially when you consider the learning curve + Belichick's more than obvious feelings about OLB's and conversion projects. There was nowhere to go BUT offense in my opinion.

As far as Mallett, I understand what you are saying obviously. You are wanting and hoping for that 'home run' pick that may potentially lead us into the future, and/or possibly even grab us another nice handful of picks. I am looking at it as simply addressing and giving depth to the QB position, which also needed addressing. Now they have created nice depth, youth, and competition in a position of importance that is overlooked by 99% of the world due to who we have starting there. I don't really think Mallett needs to do much of anything besides provide some extremely valuable depth to make the pick a 'home run,' and warranted. It (backup QB/depth at the position) was a definite necessity, and if Mallett ends up somehow being anything more than valuable depth, that is all the better and just another bouns. He can stand there an hold a clipboard for the next 3-4 yrs, and I will still love the pick and think that it was a great choice considering the alternatives.

 

[DarrylS]

If Mallet makes Brady expendable for a blockbuster trade and the running backs bring youth and toughness to the ground game, we're set.

Brady will be our QB until he is no longer able to play.. Mr. Kraft, BB and the Pats brain trust know who has been one of the major cogs in this wheel, and they will not kick him to the curb.

The issue for Mallet are twofold, he has not even made it into training camp and if and when the season starts his time on the field will be limited unless Brady gets hurt. In this season Mallet will not have experienced Rookie Camp, OTA's and a full training camp. Need to keep your expectations real about this untested rookie.