They don't need to draft an interior ol early but try do need to get more stout up the middle through free agency or the draft.
The 2014 Offseason Thread
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I trust Dante to build up some mid round picks. I want D-line and TE to be the focus in the 1st 2 rounds.
Getting Chandler Jones a partner in crime would do wonders for our pass D too.
Getting Chandler Jones a partner in crime would do wonders for our pass D too.
Watching the Niners D, it's amazing what their LB's can do since they have space to run. The Niners D-line ties up the O-line and the LB's can run free. I want a big Impact DE. Allow Mayo and Collins to fly over the field.
1. Have to take a leap of faith with the young WRs we have.
2. Cannot afford a leap of faith at TE. They dearly need one who can catch.
3. Build the lines. I'd spend a lot of drat currency there
4. Find suitable successor to Talib. I can think of at least one formerly cap strapped team that will send a lot of money his way, on the reasonable expectation that he has matured and the probably unreasonable hope that he is good for 16 games +.
2. Cannot afford a leap of faith at TE. They dearly need one who can catch.
3. Build the lines. I'd spend a lot of drat currency there
4. Find suitable successor to Talib. I can think of at least one formerly cap strapped team that will send a lot of money his way, on the reasonable expectation that he has matured and the probably unreasonable hope that he is good for 16 games +.
--Decision on Talib
--Must pay Edelman
--Extend McCourty
--Draft a big time move TE type such as Jace Amaro or Ebron.
--Again, try to find a bigger WR while giving Dobson time to develop.
--Upgrade interior OL. Wendall is toast.
--Sign Blount
--Must pay Edelman
--Extend McCourty
--Draft a big time move TE type such as Jace Amaro or Ebron.
--Again, try to find a bigger WR while giving Dobson time to develop.
--Upgrade interior OL. Wendall is toast.
--Sign Blount
If we stay healthy next year, there really is a good chance we could become a top 5 defense. Collins thrives as a full-time starter, Hightower and Jones continue to improve and good health allows us to have three quality CB's and three quality DTs. The future of this team is in it's defense, and all the pieces are there, we just need good health.
I think this is pretty unrealistic. Blount was a good player, but his burst at the end of the season will probably allow him to make a lot more than he did last year, and a team looking for a short-yardage back will probably give him more money than the Pats are willing to pay.
RedOctober3829 said:
I think this is pretty unrealistic. Blount was a good player, but his burst at the end of the season will probably allow him to make a lot more than he did last year, and a team looking for a short-yardage back will probably give him more money than the Pats are willing to pay.
It's amazing watching San Fran and Seattle get QB pressure while just rushing four guys. Especially frustrating due to the pats inability to do this even sporadically.Kliq said:
I think that's the single biggest difference between the pats d and a top 5 defense. I'm not sure try have the piers in house yet to do that.
( . ) ( . ) and (_!_) said:
Jones took a big leap this year, and for the most part we didn't get to see him play with Wilfork. Jones+Vince could occupy 4 blockers by themselves and they are just two guys. That would make a huge difference in our pass rush. Also, Collins should some good flashes on inside blitzes.
Slightly off topic but one more point. If the officiating in the post season is indicative of what we'll see next year, that's a great sign for the Pats, and probably makes Talib more valuable. You could get away with a ton in the playoffs. It would bring us back to the big physical corner era.
Fuck Bill Polian.
Fuck Bill Polian.
Consolation for those not watching this game. The chances that the Pats would have scored 0 against either of these teams in two weeks would have been pretty high. Our o- line would have been overmatched, Brady harassed, Blount and Ridley shit down and our receivers laughed at and then killed( . ) ( . ) and (_!_) said:
This is not a one. - game overreaction. You are not running against these teams, and our receiver's limitations are self evident
Is there a Patriot who would start for either of these defenses apart from a healthy Talib?
dcmissle said:
DMC may start over Reid, and Chandler Jones over Ahmad Brooks.
But, yeah, I think that's it.
Mystic Merlin said:
Too true, I'm afraid.
Pats need a D-line that can get pressure up the middle.
Wishing for better health next year is realistic, but if you advance to the AFC Championship Game your D will be missing some key guys at that point of the season and will have to be good enough to overcome.
Well, the expectation was that the team would have Edelman, Amendola, Gronk, AH, plus the 2 rookie draft picks. That wasn't exactly a terrible plan. The fact that of that group, only Edelman was healthy was a huge and relatively understated problem for this team.H78 said:
Amendola is looking like a whiff, I'll give you that. I still expect that one of Dobson/Boyce/Thompkins could emerge next season, injuries notwithstanding.
Unfortunately, this team suddenly feels like it has a number of needs: TE (for sure), interior OL, DB (0% chance Talib is back, IMO), safety, and someone who can actually rush the QB. WR is probably next on the list, but that seems quite a bit further down. You know, if NE stopped Denver on a couple of those drives today, Brady may have at least had an extra opportunity or two to pull this game out, so I'm not exactly unhappy if Bill decides to focus on boosting the defense.
Finally, I don't get the reluctance regarding Solder. He's missed all of 1 game in the past 2 seasons; he's the guy you keep, especially with Vollmer's medical history.
James Christensen @NEPatriotsDraft3m
RT @PatriotsSB49: Would expect to hear about an Amendola surgery in the next few weeks. Did what he could with a detached groin muscle
How long has he been playing with a groin injury?
RT @PatriotsSB49: Would expect to hear about an Amendola surgery in the next few weeks. Did what he could with a detached groin muscle
How long has he been playing with a groin injury?
I think with a d line of wilfork chandler and nink you have good personnel. How much of this is the d scheme? It almost seems were stuck in the 90s where we have d hold their positions and stout slow linebackers like Hightower and Spikes (even Mayo is not fleet) filling the gaps. BB thinks he can solve by subbing, but the league is not predictable like that anymore. Problem is the running game is not the issue and you need speed. I loved that they were forced to use Collins and hope his usage shows a change in philosophy.
Just my non expert feelings.
Just my non expert feelings.
I think the usage patterns were a function of the personnel. Of the players you mentioned: Hightower wasn't this slow his rookie year, but he did seem to get better later in the year. Wilfork, Mayo, and Spikes were all watching this game on TV or from the sidelines. Collins was a beast, but I think it truly took him a few games to get going, not an uncommon situation for a rookie.Steve Dillard said:
Amendola played the whole season with either a detached groin or a sports hernia then dealt with the concussion. He was out there the bulk of the season and you need to give him credit in that sense.
I'll gladly give him credit for this but it does nothing to change my expectation that he won't be healthy for 16 games and the playoffs next year. Maybe that's unreasonable but the guy has that rep for a reason.RedOctober3829 said:
Anyone else think BB needs to go Fuck You mode in the WR position and go get a couple dudes?( . ) ( . ) and (_!_) said:
Anyone else think BB needs to go Fuck You mode in the WR position and go get a couple dudes?
I'd like to see it, sure. But who do we get and at what cost?
I'd like to see it, sure. But who do we get and at what cost?
Jeremy Maclin coming off a knee injury is an interesting buy low opportunity.Boston Brawler said:
But I don't think he is the big body this team needs at WR
People are being way too hard on Amendola. Even with his injury he was 21st in WR DVOA. He wasn't Wes Welker II, but he was an above average player who played in 14 out of the team's 18 games. Not all he could have been, but hardly a bust.
Arthur jones is also an interesting free agent to me. Productive and more of an interior rush guy then a run stuffer. And the obvious come play with your brother angle.
IMO. The #1 thing the Patriots need for next year is good health. Don't forget, by the second quarter of this game, the Pats were missing their top two DT (Wilfork and Kelly), their best LB (Mayo), their best run-stopping LB (Spikes), and their best CB (Taliban). That's five starters, at least three of whom are pro-bowl caliber. (Plus Adrian Wilson)
And this just the defense.
On the offense, they were missing their top offensive weapon (Gronk), their second best offensive weapon (Hernandez, who obviously. won't be back), their best OL (Vollmer), and three of their top four WR were seriously banged up (Amendola, Dobson, and Thompkins).
That's a LOT to overcome.
It would be like SF missing Joe Staley, Vernon Davis, and having Boldin, Crabtree, and Patton all hobbled with injuries. And then on D, they'd be missing Dorsey, Justin Smith, Brooks, Willis, and Carlos Rogers.
I mean, how many teams could withstand those losses? None that I know of.
But SF has ALL of those guys playing tonight. Not missing any of them.
If the Pats were fully healthy, they'd have been incredible. Instead of guys like Ryan, Chris Jones, Hoo-man, and Fletcher (for example) playing crucial roles like the ended up playing, they'd have been playing complementary roles.
But you can't depend on good health, so the best thing you can do is build quality depth and get as many quality players as you can within the cap constraints.
And this just the defense.
On the offense, they were missing their top offensive weapon (Gronk), their second best offensive weapon (Hernandez, who obviously. won't be back), their best OL (Vollmer), and three of their top four WR were seriously banged up (Amendola, Dobson, and Thompkins).
That's a LOT to overcome.
It would be like SF missing Joe Staley, Vernon Davis, and having Boldin, Crabtree, and Patton all hobbled with injuries. And then on D, they'd be missing Dorsey, Justin Smith, Brooks, Willis, and Carlos Rogers.
I mean, how many teams could withstand those losses? None that I know of.
But SF has ALL of those guys playing tonight. Not missing any of them.
If the Pats were fully healthy, they'd have been incredible. Instead of guys like Ryan, Chris Jones, Hoo-man, and Fletcher (for example) playing crucial roles like the ended up playing, they'd have been playing complementary roles.
But you can't depend on good health, so the best thing you can do is build quality depth and get as many quality players as you can within the cap constraints.
Stitch01 said:
I'm fully on board here.
Grab a big TE like Jace Amaro - my personal favorite - and throw the rest of the picks at the OL and front seven. I don't think you devote much to other spots.
They could be in a worse position, that's for sure. The roster is pretty young.
Stitch01 said:
That's the plan I hope for, and actually expect as well. I think a project WR (be it a Moss-style attitude project or a Maclin-type physical project) or two should be in camp, to see if they catch lightning in a bottle there, but I wouldn't invest a lot more in the position than what is already here.
The defensive line needs both depth inside and quality on the edge. The offensive line probably needs one big interior addition; maybe Cannon slides back in to provide that, but I'm not sure that's enough (or the best fit).
I'd be surprised to see Blount back, unless the rest of the league simply doesn't bite on him. Talib is a tougher call; I agree with the comment upthread that if someone will pay him as a true shutdown guy he'll be gone, but I don't know that anyone will. If his market is a somewhat better version of last summer's, I think he could be back.
Yeah, another mid round flyer or buy low on Maclin seems good. Hopefully Dobson progresses and Boyce puts some of that raw talent together (I think Thompkins is sort of a JAG, fine as a 4th or 5th guy).
Second the Amaro pick. Plays to Brady and he offenses strengths, provides Gronk insurance, and provides anger red zone target,
Hopefully Edelman comes back on a reasonable deal, I'd rather sign him if the money isn't stupid than pay big dollars to someone else on the market.
Edelman/Dobson/Amendola/Thompkins/Boyce/flyer/Amaro/Gronk with Vereen out of the backfield would be plenty of firepower.
EDIT: Talib is a tough call. could go either way there. Seems nicked up and some maturity issues, but the secondary is finally a good unit when he's out there. Depends on the dollars I'd think. I Think they need one pass rusher on defense, preferably on the interior. Armstead making a contribution would be awesome there, but can't count on it.
Second the Amaro pick. Plays to Brady and he offenses strengths, provides Gronk insurance, and provides anger red zone target,
Hopefully Edelman comes back on a reasonable deal, I'd rather sign him if the money isn't stupid than pay big dollars to someone else on the market.
Edelman/Dobson/Amendola/Thompkins/Boyce/flyer/Amaro/Gronk with Vereen out of the backfield would be plenty of firepower.
EDIT: Talib is a tough call. could go either way there. Seems nicked up and some maturity issues, but the secondary is finally a good unit when he's out there. Depends on the dollars I'd think. I Think they need one pass rusher on defense, preferably on the interior. Armstead making a contribution would be awesome there, but can't count on it.
What are everyone's thoughts on the safety position? Obviously they don't view Gregory as a long term starter. Does Harmon make the second year leap and become the starter next to DMC? Do they draft (yet another) safety? Sign a FA?
tims4wins said:
They need an in the strong safety that can blast fucking people to team with McCourty. Adrian Wilson is washed up and probably a goner. Steve Gregory is soft and can't tackle or play for shit and Tavon Wilson is a bust. The jury is out on Duron Harmon. I'd love Jarius Byrd but he is a free safety.
TJ Ward (Cle) is a strong safety who fits the bill. Free agent.jsinger121 said:
Plus if we sign him, he won't take out Gronk again. Unless its practice.
I think they'd be crazy not to franchise him, but its Cleveland, so I'm hopeful.jsinger121 said:
http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/534584/20140116/nfl-trade.htm#.UtynjP876c0
This link just came across my timeline so take it FWIW. But says the Texans might trade for Ryan Mallett if they decide to go another path in the draft
Gil Brandt @Gil_BrandtJan 6
O'Brien likes big QBs. I could see #Texans trying to trade w #Patriots for Ryan Mallett, going diff direction in draft
This link just came across my timeline so take it FWIW. But says the Texans might trade for Ryan Mallett if they decide to go another path in the draft
Gil Brandt @Gil_BrandtJan 6
O'Brien likes big QBs. I could see #Texans trying to trade w #Patriots for Ryan Mallett, going diff direction in draft
I know he has his eyes square on retirement, but I wonder if Belichick could coax one more season out of Tony Gonzalez. Pair him with Gronk, sign Edelman, hope for improvement from Dobson and Boyce, hope for similar production from KT, give Ridley some gorilla glue, and that looks pretty good to me. That's my big, wild hope.
Defensively I'm at a bit of a loss. (Wilfork-Mayo should obviously represent a huge upgrade.) I don't know what to do in the defensive backfield -- but am having a hard time recognizing an option better than Talib, even though I feel like I want to find a way to bolster the unit.
Defensively I'm at a bit of a loss. (Wilfork-Mayo should obviously represent a huge upgrade.) I don't know what to do in the defensive backfield -- but am having a hard time recognizing an option better than Talib, even though I feel like I want to find a way to bolster the unit.
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