The Waiting Period: Did the Patriots Address Their Offseason Needs?

But I’d put my vote between a B+ to an A- with the only negative is the Mankins situation.

I wasn’t looking for a flashy off-season at all and was glad to see the Pats use the anti-Jets philosophy this year. There’s no way of knowing right now how the newbies will perform on the field, but I like their make-up so far and am more optimistic than I was last year. The level of competition at the spring camps has been high too, which is always a good sign.

1. I agree on Wilfork, because he changes the face of the defense. A+
2. More targets for Tommy. This is higher, because a high scoring offense can mask a piss poor defense. Our offense stagnated because doubling Moss and delaying Welker were all that was needed to shut it down. The run was Ok, but this team moves off of Brady’s arm. B+ to A+ (we’ll see at season’s end).
3. Fix the line(s). I put this one higher because our high scoring offense needs Brady vertical. The O-line was duct taped together last year, and we never found a true third for our Front Three. While I’d love to have Mankins back, we have a lot of young guys now that may be able to jump in. We have options at DE, too. While no one jumps out at you and makes you think, “this is THE guy”, I think guys will step up as the season progresses. C+ to B+
4. Fixing the locker room. This would include signing Bodden, Wilfork, Faulk. Cutting Thomas, Springs. Adding rookies that were team captains, and adding more competition at all positions. A+
5. Pass Rusher. There are multiple ways to get QB pressure, so this one drops a bit. A couple familiar names back, and some new blood. B+ to A+ (we’ll see at season’s end).

I feel the PATS addressed their “D” quite nicely with Gerrard, Lewis, and the draft picks, but even more so by improving the “O” exponentially. The wide receivers and TE’s assembled for this season have the potential to surpass the 2007 offense in total yards and points scored. PLUS, I see a much more balanced attack with many more targets being utilized beyond Moss and Welker.

I also feel the running game will be improved because of the added blocking Crumpler and Gronkowski will offer. And, the opposing “D” simply cannot risk putting 7 defenders in the box with the air attack as strong and diverse as it will be.

More offense, longer drives, and having the lead earlier in games will instantly favor the “D”. Opponents will be forced to go to the air more often. Their predictability will allow the PATS defense to concentrate on fewer options.

I think BB and staff have assembled a superb collection of draft selections and free agency veterans: adding to my confidence are a healthier Brady, last years excellent draft picks, and Moss playing in a contract year

Anything less than a Super Bowl, in my opinion, will be a surprise barring any major injuries, [ or another pathetic play calling performance by O’Brien!!! ]. I truly do not see an opponent, beyond the always impressive Colts, challenging the Patriots this season. They are loaded, they have a perfect blend of veteran presence, youth, speed, strength, and determination [to redeem themself from last season’s ending].

I agree that there are several very good AFC teams. But, in the end, I always feel that Brady and Manning are too good. Certainly, they have lost some games, but those losses are few and far apart.

Head to head, I like how the PATS have re-tooled. I just think the PAT’S “O” will be too good this season, and Manning will not have a last minute heroic opportunity to pull out a win.

The same holds true for all the other AFC contenders. They, too, will play from behind. And, I do think BB will be more involved with the “D” this season. Boden, Butler, McCourtey, Chung, Meriweather, the LB core, and etc. are fast and exceptionally athletic. If they have a lead and BB can play call accordingly, it looks very promising.

3. Find a Pass Rusher: While the Patriots brought back faces like Tully Banta-Cain and Derrick Burgess, the only veteran pass rusher the team added was Marques Murrell, who has yet to record an NFL sack…

You could argue the addition of Damione Lewis is that of a pass-rusher, as he seems to be considered a 1-gap penetrator-type on Nickle- and Dime- sets. Factor in the ability of Gerard Warren being able to fill in for Mike Wright as a true 3-4 DE (Warren’s almost 40lbs heavier than Wright), and that frees up Wright to be a very useful penetrator-type D-lineman, too. So arguably the addition of Lewis and Warren create not one but two ‘extra’ pass-rushers, albeit from the inside of the D-line.

The other thing is that the addition of Spikes and the return of McKenzie from injury probably mean Mayo will move from strongside ILB to weakside ILB, meaning he can be more of a rover and less of a block-shedder. Given how quick Mayo is (and he is very sharp), that extra little bit of freedom could well mean a number of inside pass-rush moves utilising his mobility. The beauty of a 3-4 is that you can generate a pass-rush from places other than around the edges, and the new additions on D all seem to help that inside pass-rush factor.

There’s still a hole at 3rd receiver (at least until Holt or Tate seal that hole). There’s still the age and rather abysmal running back unit that’s taking up valuable slots on the roster due to a lack of talent(we need 3 RB, not 4 or 5). They didn’t address pass rush sufficiently for me to feel comfortable. The O-Line will lose depth if Mankins isn’t resigned (and likely remove that guy from being a fullback for fear of injury). There’s no qualified OC or DC in either position so I expect to see more of the same style of weak offense or worse, burnout on BB’s part leading to an early retirement. There’s just too many holes for me to feel real comfy. That said, I still expect at least a 10-6 record because after all is said and done, there’s still consistency and the locker room mentality has improved drastically with Holt added and AT gone.

I also feel that the pass rush was improved in several ways.

1. The “O” looks to be far more dangerous than last season. Hence, control of field position and/or game leads could very well be the result of the many additions to the “O”. Those are variables that will turn opponents into more one dimensional teams – allowing the PATS “D” to rush more aggressively – and field position is a huge aspect of winning football games – especially when you have a guy like Gostkowski who is almost automatic on FG’s. He allows Brady to take more chances knowing that a FG is almost assured. Plus, Gostkowski almost regularly creates touch backs thus beginning the field position advantage.

2. An inside rush is far more impacting on altering a QB’s throwing options than any outside rush. Brady and Manning live and die as pocket passers. Both have mastery of sliding around and up into the pocket because both are blessed with an excellent center. An inside rush collapses the pocket very quickly, and that causes faster releases or scrambling – neither being advantageous to the QB – statistically. The PATS seem to be well suited to create a far more impacting, inside rush this season.

3. I feel that Boden, Butler, McCourtey, Meriweather, Chung, and others will offer superior coverage this season delaying QB releases and therefore allowing the inside and outside rush additional seconds to pressure the QB.

As for the #3 receiver, I think the wide spread talent at TE, the versatility of Holt and Hernandez, the slot depth with Welker and Edelman, and the speed of Tate and Price will create so many varied options that there won’t be a #3 receiver [statistically]. It, too, will be a position by committee [like RB], and far more productive as a result. This group, alone, should contribute to Brady’s game stats by 125 +/- yds per game.

As I see it, if things go really well, Welker and Edelman [the slot position productivity] will total around the 80 yds per game [far less looks at that one option]. The group consisting of the TE’s, Holt, Tate, Price, and Aiken [or Patten] will tally 125 yds per game, and Moss will hover around 100 yds per game [on 5 +/- receptions] utiizing his ability for the bigger strikes down field – and single coverage. The RB committee will tally around 100 yds per game.

That’s 400 +/- yds of offense per game from 10 +/- players combined; it’s impossible to defend that type of balance and unpredictability.

Brady and Manning will absolutely retire from their respective teams. These are two legends. These two ARE the team: the franchise: the face of their respective organization.

Brady, in particular, has won Super Bowls with lesser, overall talent at WR than most other “QB legends”. The one season 2007 when Brady was given equivalent talent to Manning [as well as Young, Marino, Montana, Aikmen, and Bradshaw], he broke records and fell one game short of the seemingly impossible feat to repeat – an undefeated season.

And, if you consider what Branch has done since leaving the PATS, it is not a stretch to say that Branch was a beneficiary of Brady [and Weiss].

This upcoming PATS receiver core is easily on par with the great receiver combinations all of those aforementioned QB’s enjoyed in their hay day. I personally think this group is even better. There’s every reason to be excited by the “O” potential of this team.

I wonder how the PATS will use all three of their TE’s consistently. Crumpler was a wonderful acquisition: attitude, proven skills, and size.

Gronkowski WAS my pre-draft favorite. I was willing to get him with their 1st round selection if necessary though I am very excited they landed McCourtey [not that I knew of him before the draft]. Day two had me analyzing every team’s needs prior to the PAT’s 2nd round selection: hoping no one needed a TE. I was absolutely elated that they got Gronkowski. He reminds me of Ben Coates and Russ Francis.

Hernandez is the steal of the draft: awesome acquisition. I figured he would be extremely versatile. His presence in the slot does allow for an additional block on the OLB. And, he could be a superb option for that critical two yard gain using the quick screen pass. His TE size would guarentee forward progress after the contact unlike a RB or slot receiver.

I hope we see all three TE’s with regularity: if possible. I think all three bring amazing “O” potential. I also favor big targets as chain movers. And, for me, the task O’Brien faces is creating single coverage on Moss by using all of these other offensive assets effectively. Moss is the HR hitter. His receptions, in single coverage, should be over 20 yds per play. This can easily happen if O’Brien forces the safeties to shade the TE’s underneath and over the middle. Plus, Holt, Tate, and Price have speed. Speed that will also occupy safety interest if used effectively.

There’s so much to get excited about with this “O”, and it all rests with O’Brien. :-\

I went with a C. Here’s why…..

I’m a spoiled Patriots fan. By that, I mean I expect them to be a solid Super Bowl contender every year. That may be lofty, grandiose and unrealistic, but it’s the truth. Since their Super Bowl loss, it seems they’ve gone from AFC frontrunners to a team many feel aren’t even the studs of their own division any more. Well, that eats at me because whether I like it or not, there’s “some” substance to it!

I’ve always LOVED the way BB maneuvered thru the draft. He found ways to fill our needs AND got a pick or two for the following year. For me, this changed in the drafts of 09 and 10. I recall hoping Bill would be much more aggressive (particularly in the first two rounds). While I still tip my hat to Bill’s craftiness on draft day, I disagree with the strategy. For the first time in 7 years, I kept praying the Pats would either trade up, or at the very least, stay put. Neither occurred in either year!

Before I get any deeper, I am not challenging the selection of any one particular draftee. Getting the guys they got, at the spot in which they got them, seems to be of solid value. That’s not what I’m questioning. It’s the overall strategy. As the go-to guy, Bill seems to be the one who will look for the “best overall value” when he goes shopping even when it’s painfully obvious he can afford anything he wants!

In spite of that, this is what I’ve heard many, many times……. “they had their eye on a guy (in the 1st round) and they knew they could STILL get him by trading down a few slots…. AND…. It worked!” To that I say… YEP!…. I agree folks! Yet I ask, when will it be the right time to either trade up, or stay put? I’ve had dozens of conversations and this is what I usually hear…..“They had their eye on a guy (in the 1st round) and they knew they could STILL get him by trading down a few slots…. AND…. It worked!” To that I say… YEP!…. I agree folks! Yet I ask, when will it be the right time to be the ones trading up? I would NEVER suggest mortgaging ones future to “win now” but I hardly believe the Pats would even have to do that!!!! We went into the 10 draft with better drafting positions for 2011 than just about all others! There was ZERO need to plan for 2011!

Since becoming active on PatsPulpit, my opinion on this one subject has drawn the most fire from my fellow bloggers. Most of you seem to feel Belichick’s draft day decisions are sheer genius. While I would have agreed for the previous 7 years, I still feel 2010 wasn’t the right time for that strategy no matter how genius it was. The Pats went into this draft with a FULL hand and their drafting possibilities were endless. They didn’t need 14 picks! They could have put together just about any kind of package to consistently MOVE UP as opposed to routinely trading down. I adore Hoodie, but I can’t help but think some of the “at-a-boys” we’re heaping on him are the result of the drafting expectations he has “willed” us to accept! In other words, No matter how desperate the Pats are in terms of positional holes, it’s just not within him to dip into his “drafting piggy bank” to fill them. As Patriots faithful, we have not only accepted that, we expect it….. AND…. we collectively pat him on the back after he does it. I know, I’ve faithfully been one of them. In short, we seem to be the “drafting misers” of the league.

I find it difficult to defend my stance because Hoodie’s “save for a rainy day” strategy is good stewardship. I can’t argue with maintaining a fat drafting piggy bank! I get that! But, the Pats just never seem to recognize when it starts to “rain”. As a Pats fan, I’ve seen the franchise drift just slightly toward mediocrity with the loss of about 7 or 8 veteran defensive studs over the past 2 years and I personaly think the precipitation is quite noticable. As I said, I expect them to be GREAT…. I’ve been spoiled and I’m no longer satisfied with “good”.