PATRIOTS NEWS Steelers match offer sheet retain RFA WR Emmanuel Sanders

[Sivy]

Just stopping in to add my classic

RANDY MOSS

comment.


cary on.

 

[FCB02062]

Lloyd and Stallworth will be coming back. Count on it. Two rookies in the draft will need to be addressed also. Not one.

Doug Gabriel and Donald Hayes too?

 

[belichick010405]

Quote where I said that this team, as is currently constructed, wouldn't make the playoffs. I certainly do think that they will. The difference is that I don't think they're capable of making a playoff push or a Super Bowl appearance, much less a victory, with what the team currently has. Essentially, the same issues that have plagued the team in the last few playoff appearances will come back to haunt them again, as the defense really would have nobody to make them account for every level of the field. They would squeeze the middle of the field between the hashes and make Brady have to be lazer accurate to beat them.

Their issue in the playoffs is not about being able to get their field more open in the passing game.

Their issue was the lack of desire to run the ball in the 2nd half and not being able to stop Boldin, Rice and Pitta.

Had McDaniels continued to focus on having an even spread of running the ball in the 2nd half, the Pats would have had a fighting chance against the Ravens in the AFC Title Game because it would have opened up a lot more play action pass. That was painfully obvious.

 

[Claremonster]

Stallworth? I just hope that Stallworth recovers from the balloon accident.

He knows the playbook. He is very fragile anymore though.

 

[Deus Irae]

...I think you guys will draft a WR high, spend the rest of the picks on D, sign one more vet FA at the NE discount...and just keep rolling like you always do.

If you look at the Patriots, theyr'e mostly a young team with few real needs beyond depth and health.

RB - Ridley, Vereen
TE - Gronk, Hernandez, Ballard
WR - Amendola
OT - Solder, Vollmer
OC - Wendell

7 of the 11 are either on their first contracts or just into their second. The only age replacement needs on offense would be

QB - Not needed for several seasons
ORG - Connolly isn't really a starting quality RG, and the injuries are taking a toll
OLG - Not needed for this year. Depending upon how the team plans to play the salary cap game with Mankins moving forward, this could be a position of need by next season.
WR - If (big if) Jenkins wins a starting role, he's 30 and slow.


Defense is a little different, as Vince is starting to get up there and the other starters on interior D-line are either old as well (Kelly) or very limited in their roles (Love, Deaderick). DE is a question, because we don't really know what the team thinks of Ninkovich as a starting DE. OLB is set, unless the plan is to move one of them inside if/when Spikes moves on, or the team intends to return to the 3-4. Still, the back 7 has

Spikes
Hightower
Mayo
McCourty
Dennard
Arrington
Wilson the younger
Talib

as young players who wouldn't need replacing due to age. Talib and Spikes are in the last year of their deals, so replacement needs there would depend on what the team plans to do with them moving forward.

The team really only needs to look at WR, S, OG and 4-3 DE/3-4 OLB, and the WR position is far and away the weakest area on the team as of this moment. Trade up higher into round two even if that means a slight drop down in round one, give me two WRS (or WR/S) in the first two rounds and snag the honey badger in round three, and that'll help lessen the blow of watching the FO screw the pooch in FA. After that, they can take any picks they didn't use to trade up and draft OGs.

Then they can scour the transactions wire for more help at DE/OLB.

 

[Claremonster]

Just stopping in to add my classic

RANDY MOSS

comment.


cary on.

Only on a vet min. 1 yr contract. Then, maybe. But, probably not. T.O. probably has a better chance than Moss coming back.

 

[belichick010405]

You don't know this for a fact. It's funny that you talk like you have a clue, which you don't. You can't even spell Belichick's last name correctly.

Clare - no offense but if you are going to tag me because I have a typo on my user name then that is fine. I could care less about the typo unlike yourself.

But hey - thanks for the Stallworth memo. I hope that he is ok....

 

[belichick010405]

If you look at the Patriots, theyr'e mostly a young team with few real needs beyond depth and health.

RB - Ridley, Vereen
TE - Gronk, Hernandez, Ballard
WR - Amendola
OT - Solder, Vollmer
OC - Wendell

7 of the 11 are either on their first contracts or just into their second. The only age replacement needs on offense would be

QB - Not needed for several seasons
ORG - Connolly isn't really a starting quality RG, and the injuries are taking a toll
OLG - Not needed for this year. Depending upon how the team plans to play the salary cap game with Mankins moving forward, this could be a position of need by next season.
WR - If (big if) Jenkins wins a starting role, he's 30 and slow.


Defense is a little different, as Vince is starting to get up there and the other starters on interior D-line are either old as well (Kelly) or very limited in their roles (Love, Deaderick). DE is a question, because we don't really know what the team thinks of Ninkovich as a starting DE. OLB is set, unless the plan is to move one of them inside if/when Spikes moves on, or the team intends to return to the 3-4. Still, the back 7 has

Spikes
Hightower
Mayo
McCourty
Dennard
Arrington
Wilson the younger
Talib

as young players who wouldn't need replacing due to age. Talib and Spikes are in the last year of their deals, so replacement needs there would depend on what the team plans to do with them moving forward.

The team really only needs to look at WR, S, OG and 4-3 DE/3-4 OLB, and the WR position is far and away the weakest area on the team as of this moment. Trade up higher into round two even if that means a slight drop down in round one, give me two WRS (or WR/S) in the first two rounds and snag the honey badger in round three, and that'll help lessen the blow of watching the FO screw the pooch in FA. After that, they can take any picks they didn't use to trade up and draft OGs.

Then they can scour the transactions wire for more help at DE/OLB.

You're out of your mind. For starters, who are pending free agents next year?

Do you even know? Start with Spikes and Ninkovich. By the way - nice depth chart that you put up. I didn't realize that the Pats had a payroll of $110 + million and that is all that they had on their current roster. I guess Marcus Cannon cannot play right guard huh? Wow.

 

[Kontradiction]

Their issue in the playoffs is not about being able to get their field more open in the passing game.

Their issue was the lack of desire to run the ball in the 2nd half and not being able to stop Boldin, Rice and Pitta.

Had McDaniels continued to focus on having an even spread of running the ball in the 2nd half, the Pats would have had a fighting chance against the Ravens in the AFC Title Game because it would have opened up a lot more play action pass. That was painfully obvious.

This is simply not true. The runningbacks had 22 attempts total and were averaging 3.9 YPC. New England's offense, as a whole, had 28 first downs, 82 total plays, and 428 yards. They sustained drives when they had to but, when it came down to it, Baltimore's defense was able to squeeze them in the red zone because Gronk was out and the Pats didn't have a receiving threat that could force the Ravens to stop dedicating their coverage purely to the middle of the field.

 

[belichick010405]

This is simply not true. The runningbacks had 22 attempts total and were averaging 3.9 YPC. New England's offense, as a whole, had 28 first downs, 82 total plays, and 428 yards. They sustained drives when they had to but, when it came down to it, Baltimore's defense was able to squeeze them in the red zone because Gronk was out and the Pats didn't have a receiving threat that could force the Ravens to stop dedicating their coverage purely to the middle of the field.

You need to take a look at the 2nd half and see what they did running the ball during that half. It was night and day to what they did in the 1st half in terms of trying to run the ball. There was no sustained effort of getting the running backs utilized which was why their offense stalled. In fact, just take a look at what Woodhead and Vereen did in the 2nd half of the game and how many looks and touches that they are received. It led to their offensive downfall.

 

[JackBauer]

You're out of your mind. For starters, who are pending free agents next year?

Do you even know? Start with Spikes and Ninkovich. By the way - nice depth chart that you put up. I didn't realize that the Pats had a payroll of $110 + million and that is all that they had on their current roster. I guess Marcus Cannon cannot play right guard huh? Wow.

I'm trying to figure out what next year has to do with this year's depth chart.

You mean to say they'll either need to re-sign or replace some of their starters next offseason? Knock me over with a feather!

 

[DocHoliday]

If you look at the Patriots, theyr'e mostly a young team with few real needs beyond depth and health.

RB - Ridley, Vereen
TE - Gronk, Hernandez, Ballard
WR - Amendola
OT - Solder, Vollmer
OC - Wendell

7 of the 11 are either on their first contracts or just into their second. The only age replacement needs on offense would be

QB - Not needed for several seasons
ORG - Connolly isn't really a starting quality RG, and the injuries are taking a toll
OLG - Not needed for this year. Depending upon how the team plans to play the salary cap game with Mankins moving forward, this could be a position of need by next season.
WR - If (big if) Jenkins wins a starting role, he's 30 and slow.


Defense is a little different, as Vince is starting to get up there and the other starters on interior D-line are either old as well (Kelly) or very limited in their roles (Love, Deaderick). DE is a question, because we don't really know what the team thinks of Ninkovich as a starting DE. OLB is set, unless the plan is to move one of them inside if/when Spikes moves on, or the team intends to return to the 3-4. Still, the back 7 has

Spikes
Hightower
Mayo
McCourty
Dennard
Arrington
Wilson the younger
Talib

as young players who wouldn't need replacing due to age. Talib and Spikes are in the last year of their deals, so replacement needs there would depend on what the team plans to do with them moving forward.

The team really only needs to look at WR, S, OG and 4-3 DE/3-4 OLB, and the WR position is far and away the weakest area on the team as of this moment. Trade up higher into round two even if that means a slight drop down in round one, give me two WRS (or WR/S) in the first two rounds and snag the honey badger in round three, and that'll help lessen the blow of watching the FO screw the pooch in FA. After that, they can take any picks they didn't use to trade up and draft OGs.

Then they can scour the transactions wire for more help at DE/OLB.

Big Vince definitely need help. Really we've revamped every position in the past few years except the interior defensive line, where we've had nothing but stiffs after stiffs.

 

[JackBauer]

Big Vince definitely need help. Really we've revamped every position in the past few years except the interior defensive line, where we've had nothing but stiffs after stiffs.

I wouldn't call Love/Deaderick stiffs, but they're clearly rotational guys, at best.

 

[Kontradiction]

You need to take a look at the 2nd half and see what they did running the ball during that half. It was night and day to what they did in the 1st half in terms of trying to run the ball. There was no sustained effort of getting the running backs utilized which was why their offense stalled. In fact, just take a look at what Woodhead and Vereen did in the 2nd half of the game and how many looks and touches that they are received. It led to their offensive downfall.

I did. Unlike many here, I actually re-watched the game to scout it. The Ravens spent much of the game in the nickel. The natural question was "why not run against that?". The answer is because we were having trouble doing so when we did. Being in the nickel sounds like an ideal time to run except that the Ravens didn't respect Lloyd deep and instead stacked a lot of people across the LoS as close as possible to take away Welker and Hernandez. Because they were doing that, they were also more capable of defending the run as well, because either Reed or Pollard would cheat up. Further, throughout that game, the team was picking up more first downs through the air then on the ground.

 

[Claremonster]

Clare - no offense but if you are going to tag me because I have a typo on my user name then that is fine. I could care less about the typo unlike yourself.

But hey - thanks for the Stallworth memo. I hope that he is ok....

It's nothing personal. Everyone here on the board is a cranky old man.

You didn't know that?

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

Well, you never know what the draft could bring even if it's some young kid coming right out of college. Could be a gem, or very talented and productive young man and we could actually get it right this time. Additionally, you know Bill has something up his sleeve. A late trade, or whatever could still happen so don't loose hope yet. The very best quarterback in the NFL (yes even over Rodgers still), two of the very best tightends, a hopefully healthy Danny Amendola who is hot, Edelman, don't know what Donald Jones could bring, and Stevan Ridley with those other dynamic runningbacks and we will be great on offense regardless.

 

[patfanken]

Have you ever stopped to think that you keep hearing those same things every offseason because the Pats have not fixed those issues? It looks as if the team has figured out that they need better talent at DE and CB, now I expect them to fix WR.

Yeah, Kontra. I can't disagree with this statement. Only difference is I think they ARE fixing it, and you don't like what they are doing.

Here's the thing, You and I make value judgments on players based on assorted stats, and very limited views on TV. Not that we should be allowed our opinions, but BB has added Jones, Edelman, DA, and Jenkins based on DAYS of watching tape, and YEARS of successful experience in judging talent. Now of course he hasn't be perfect, but why wouldn't you give him the benefit of the doubt until we get to see the product on the field. Its like you've given him a failing grade before he's even had a chance to take the test.

.....and its STILL only April. There is another 4 and half months before the Pats will have to get ready for real game. Lots can happen between then and now. I now think its a possibility that the Pats might use one of those top 3 picks to grab a WR. But I have no expectations that he'll be doing it with any expectations that the kid will be a significant contributor THIS season. So even if you are correct that the Pats will draft a WR, your concerns about the WR position will likely remain for THIS season.

Not for nothin', but could you answer these questions for me. please IS there a FA WR, that you are excited about? And if not, do you really think any WR the Pats draft this season will really make a difference in this offense?

 

[Deus Irae]

I'm trying to figure out what next year has to do with this year's depth chart.

You mean to say they'll either need to re-sign or replace some of their starters next offseason? Knock me over with a feather!

He's another member of the hypocrite squad. I see that what you quoted must have been directed towards me because it's referring to a depth chart. He posted this in a thread:

Deus - with all due respect, talk to someone else.

I took it to PMs to avoid hijacking that thread, and it was resolved by my putting him on ignore after we'd posted back and forth to one another, and my reminding him not to respond to my posts moving forward. Now, far less than a week later, he's apparently already at it.

The dude needs a red nose and big shoes.

 

[belichick010405]

He's another member of the hypocrite squad. I see that what you quoted must have been directed towards me because it's referring to a depth chart. He posted this in a thread:



I took it to PMs to avoid hijacking that thread, and it was resolved by my putting him on ignore after we'd posted back and forth to one another, and my reminding him not to respond to my posts moving forward. Now, far less than a week later, he's apparently already at it.

The dude needs a red nose and big shoes.

And you need a straight jacket.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Ivan - Do you have a solution that can be discussed outside of wasting two high round picks on wide receivers so that Tom Brady has additional passing options with the exception of Gronk, Hernandez, Ballard, Amendola, Edelman and Vereen?

The Patriots have one starting quality wide receiver and he plays in the slot, they need two more starters and the draft is the only resource left to find them. Trades cannot be counted on to get anyone and free agency is devoid of starting caliber receivers at this point. While they can still fill their other remaining needs for depth in free agency they cannot get what they need for WR there. The Patriots have put themselves in this position and they are going to have to get those WR's by using high picks on days one and two, going into the season with a bunch of jags amounts to declaring this s bridge year because any good secondary they face in the playoffs is going to shut these guys down.

That said while I can understand criticizing the idiots who call Belichick " a fool" and the Patriots "underachievers" going after those who give valid criticism of the team and calling them "tin foil hatters" is compete crap and makes those doing it look completely incapable of any kind of analysis at all. This WR corps is woefully inadequate and needs major infusions come draft day.