Which former Patriot

[BaseballJones]

We do this from time to time here. So here’s the 2021-22 version.

Which former Patriot would you most like to have on this year’s team? I think the easy answer is Brady. But maybe there’s arguments to be made for other players too. So let’s hear it.

Wilfork - need a lot of help stopping the run
Seymour - dual purpose defensive lineman - can stop the run and get to the QB
Gilmore/Law - need help at corner
Moss - legit deep threat for Mac
Welker/Edelman - would love a go to receiver
Faulk - need a good pass catching RB
Bruschi - LB is a major problem right now
Chandler - could use some edge rushing to complement Judon
Tippett - helps in the pass rush and LB roles
Gronk - what a weapon as a receiver and blocker

 

[joe dokes]

Any would help (duh), but I think Moss would represent the biggest upgrade at a position of need.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

We do this from time to time here. So here’s the 2021-22 version.

Which former Patriot would you most like to have on this year’s team? I think the easy answer is Brady. But maybe there’s arguments to be made for other players too. So let’s hear it.

Wilfork - need a lot of help stopping the run
Seymour - dual purpose defensive lineman - can stop the run and get to the QB
Gilmore/Law - need help at corner
Moss - legit deep threat for Mac
Welker/Edelman - would love a go to receiver
Faulk - need a good pass catching RB
Bruschi - LB is a major problem right now
Chandler - could use some edge rushing to complement Judon
Tippett - helps in the pass rush and LB roles
Gronk - what a weapon as a receiver and blocker

Brady is such a no-brainer that I don't think a credible argument could be made for anyone else. But there are plenty of guys, such as those you mention, who would make a huge difference.

Offensively..

Gronk is just an unprecedented NFL player. There are a lot of names on list of HoF caliber receiving TEs. Very few of them after Gronk get to have "blocks like a third tackle" on their resume. Maybe a Mark Bavaro gets to say that. But he wasn't the big play receiving threat Gronk was. Unique player in the history of the game, could obviously help the current team - or any current team - a ton.

Edelman is tailor made to be a slot receiver for Mac, and they have no one like him. Meyers has the role now but is the wrong type of athlete for the position. He would add a ton to the current team because they are so deficient at such a huge position of need. Amendola and Welker also fit here but if I got to pick I'd take Jules. Troy Brown, too.

I agree with Gilmore/Law/Samuel, but I'd also add Jon Jones as a slot corner.

 

[snowmanny]

OP mentioned Welker/Edelman. I’d throw Troy Brown into that mix as well. Not just for WR with those guys; I would love a Gunner upgrade. He’s not awful, but we’ve seen better.

edit- missed that EJ just mentioned Brown.

 

[Saints Rest]

I think it’s more interesting to say “what current person would you want to put on the team?” IOW, you’re not adding a mythical 2007 Randy Miss but today’s Randy Mss.
Again TB12 is the obvious answer, but in the category of humans, who would be the answer?

• Gronk?
• Chandler Jones?
• Grugier-Hill?
• Thuney?
• Patterson?
• Hicks?

 

[Jungleland]

Brady is a boring answer because, well, duh, and also that with a non rookie QB it wouldn't feel like this team. So I'm going with Randy or Bruschi, either of which I think would singlehandedly bump the effectiveness of their side of the ball by several percentage points. They need a WR that commands defensive attention and can bail Mac out. And they need athleticism at LB. Don't disagree that corner help would be a plus nor that vintage Edelman/Welker/Brown would be a big difference maker, so any of those picks would make up my second tier.

Given how big a difference linebacker and corner help would make, it's a little bit of a bummer to think how much better off the team would be with healthy (younger) Hightower and Jonathan Jones. And to Saints Rest's question, it says a lot about the state of WR drafting in New England that at the greatest position of need there's not a single former Patriot currently active/effective pass catching option outside of what Gronk could bring them in the red zone.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Why Faulk and no Martin?

 

[BrazilianSoxFan]

Beyond Brady, a player with the characteristics of Randy Moss would probably have the greatest impact on this offense, I just don't know if any rookie QB would have the necessary gravitas to handle 2007 Moss.

 

[Don Buddin's GS]

John “Hog” Hanna would certainly shore up the O line.

 

[Euclis20]

Prime Gronk, assuming he's healthy, would be the biggest game-changer. I've long believed he's the best offensive player (non-QB) of the 2010s, and adding him to this team would upgrade the offense at every level. He can be a security blanket or a deep threat, an incredible decoy or an extra tackle. Add to the fact that we know what Belichick can do with a stacked TE room (Henry and Smith aren't exactly Aaron Hernandez, but there are two of them), and I believe his presence would turn this group into a top 5 offense and SB ready now.

 

[Cellar-Door]

I'm going to go with current only, not hypothetical peak guys.

I mean it's Brady by a wide wide margin since QB is the most important position and you'd be going from a pretty average player who is a rookie to one of the best in the league and an all-time great.

Putting Brady aside.... probably Chandler Jones. The biggest flaw on the defense is probably coverage by our LBs, but I don't see any former Pats in the league now that help much, so more pressure is good.

 

[pappymojo]

First thought from the original post (former Patriot at peak, non-Brady division) was Bruce Armstrong. This team is so much better when the offensive line is healthy and playing well.

Former Patriots at current health/age? I love Mac but give me this year's version of Tom on this year's team and I think we are winning the Super Bowl.

Non-Brady, former Patriot at current health/age? Probably Chandler Jones.

 

[SMU_Sox]

On offense Gronk. They are a run heavy team and while Jonnu has had some nice moments including today his blocking has been bad this year in average. Having peak Gronk would give them an advantage in any personnel set.

On defense this is really hard. I’m torn between three guys, Wilfork, Seymour, and Law/Gilmore. Wilfork because they play an old school front and they use Godchaux as an NT. They’ve struggled against teams with power in the trenches. Against the Titans and Colts who run a lot of inside zone or duo if you combo block and move the nose the defense is in trouble. And that has happened far too often this year. Carl Davis has been really bad. Godchaux is better as a penetrator vs someone who can take on a combo block. Wilfork doesn’t have that issue. You aren’t moving him. If you play the front the way they often do you need a war-daddy. Wilfork is one of the all time great war-daddies.
Gilmore or Law because that way Mills could cover slots and going up against better teams with 3 good receivers you need all the elite corners you can get.
Seymour because he is the rare pass rusher run stopping base end. The thing is though he would be taking snaps from Guy, Barmore, Wise, and Godchaux (when he isn’t playing NT). Those guys are all at least above average to good. Sure it’s an upgrade but it doesn’t move the needle like Wilfork or Gilmore or Law.

I have stared at the screen for like 20 minutes and I still can’t decide. My gut tells me Gilmore or Law because they could use another elite corner in the playoffs.

If I just had to pick one then Gronk though.