New England Patriots Links 3/01/12 - Patriots' Biggest Needs: Cornerback, Safety, Pass-rusher
by Marima on Mar 1, 2012 11:11 AM EST
in New England Patriots Links
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PrintJames Walker (ESPN) Ranking team needs: Patriots.
No. 1 need: Cornerback
Analysis: If you watched the Patriots all season, this shouldn't come as a surprise. New England's 31st-ranked pass defense was horrific last year. Even casual observers who only watched the Patriots in the Super Bowl saw New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning carve up New England and earn MVP honors. New England starting cornerback Devin McCourty took a big step back last season. Kyle Arrington had a lot of interceptions but also gave up plenty of big plays. McCourty is young and can still improve, but I don't think his ceiling is high enough to become a Darrelle Revis-type corner, who can shut down one side of the field. If New England feels it can get that caliber of corner free agency or the draft, the team should jump on it.
No. 2 need: Safety
Analysis: Many would argue safety is New England's biggest need, and it's certainly a valid debate. However, the reason I put cornerback over safety is because corner is more valuable in today's NFL. In my opinion, cornerback is the second-hardest position to play behind quarterback. You take the corner over the elite safety every time. But there's no avoiding New England's need at safety. Patrick Chung is a good, young player who needs someone next to him to take the pressure off on the back end. This is a great year for safeties in free agency. Therefore, New England could have this need filled before the draft.
No. 3 need: Pass-rusher
Analysis: This need could be helped if New England retains free-agent defensive end Mark Anderson, Andre Carter, or both. The Patriots' two best pass-rushers are set to hit the open market. Anderson most likely will generate more interest due to Carter’s season-ending quad injury. He had a great year with the Patriots and registered 10 sacks. But even if New England keeps Anderson, the team needs another threat on defense to get to the quarterback.
Tom E. Curran explores why the Patriots would offer Chad Ochocinco a chance to restructure his $3 million salary for 2012 - which is guaranteed if he's on the roster opening day.
Look, the Patriots screwed up when they traded with the Bengals and gave Ocho a three-year deal worth $11 million and close to $5 million guaranteed. By the end of the season, the greatest compliment he earned was, "Well, at least he wasn't an a-hole . . ."
He wasn't worth the money. Big deal. He wasn't an impediment to the team's success and the fact other pickups like Andre Carter and Brian Waters worked out so well lessens the sting. This could be the latest -- and last -- bit of face-saving done in L'affaire Ocho. The Patriots ask him to trim his deal, he politely refuses, the team releases him and the indignity of an outright release is avoided. Everybody loved the chance to work together and will remain friends forever.
Worst-case scenario? Ocho agrees to the pay cut.
TEAM TALK
- Paul Perillo notes the Patriots signed QB Mike Hartline to a futures contract back in January, but never announced it.
- Andy Hart discusses the five Patriots players who made the Pro Football Weekly list of the top 100 free agents, and which ones didn't.
- Andy Hart notes Chad Ochocinco acknowledged the Patriots' request to restructure his contract, through Twitter: "Restructuring is fine, the fun part is finding ways to make it back up during the offseason."
LOCAL LINKS
- Mike Reiss explores one line of thinking as to why the Patriots asked Ochocinco to restructure his contract.
- Rich Levine shares how he thinks the conversation between Belichick and Ochocinco went down about restructuring Ocho's contract.
- Mike Reiss profiles one player at each position who made an impression at the NFL combine, and who might have qualities the Patriots would value: Offense and Defense.
- Karen Guregian reports Patriots personnel will likely be attending the upcoming pro days for Boston College (March 21) and UConn (March 28).
- Christopher Price profiles WR Vincent Jackson as a possible free agent fit for the Patriots.
- Tom E. Curran thinks it's unlikely the Patriots will make a play for free agent DE Mario Williams, but lists why it would make sense... and why it wouldn't.
- Zuri Berry identifies a number of free agents who could fill the holes the Patriots need to have filled.
- Mike Reiss offers his thoughts on Peter Schrager's latest mock draft selections for the Patriots.
- Adam Hart wonders why the Patriots would be putting out feelers on the No. 2 overall draft pick.
- Jeff Howe thinks it's worth noting the Patriots have been to the Super bowl during the last three leap years (2004, 2008, 2012), and 19 other Patriots thoughts.
- Tom E. Curran takes an interesting look back at the 2001 Draft, and what stood out in the press about Richard Seymour and Matt Light after the Combine.
- Karen Guregian notes Bill Belichick played golf in a rain-shortened Honda Classic pro-am Wednesday.
- Ian Rapoport posts his random picture of the day: Julian Edelman riding the Zamboni at the Bruins game last night.
- Jeff Howe issues his Mock Draft 2.0. Pats select DT Devon Still (Penn State) and DE Andre Branch (Clemson).
- CSNNE reports NFLN analyst Heath Evans thinks Miami drafting QB Robert Griffin III would make their offense particularly difficult for the Patriots to handle.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Nate Davis (USA Today) Three-and-out: Patriots' free agency outlook.
- Kevin Fishbain and Eli Kaberon (Pro Football Weekly) After setbacks, 2011 rookies ready to make another go of it.
- First Take (ESPN) Debate: What should Pats do about Ocho?
- Andrew Brandt (Nat'l Football Post) Receiver Roulette, Part 2: Six more interesting names set to hit the market.
- Jason La Canfora (NFL.com) You might not recognize the names of these future millionaires.
- Adam Rank (NFL.com) Six biggest leaps of faith with free agency, draft approaching.
- Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) Not the draft for immediate help in slowing down the spread.
- Ron Borges (Pro Football Weekly) When The Catch falls to the ground.
- Dave George (Palm Beach Post) Commentary: Far from hoodies and snow, Bill Belichick shines his own way through Honda Classic pro-am.
- Don Banks (SI) 2012 Scouting Combine awards.
- Jack Bechta (Nat'l Football Post) Is it time to rethink the Combine?
- Kerry J. Byrne (Cold Hard Football Facts) The 2012 NFL Combine: Not so fast!
- Joshua Brustein (NY Times) The predictive value of the NFL Combine.
- Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Combine rewind: Interviews are overrated, just like hyped 40 times.
- Michael Silver (Yahoo! Sports) NFL needs to open access to Underwear Olympics.
- Chris Burke (SI) Who might be 'mystery' team in Robert Griffin III sweepstakes?
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Friday could be franchise tag day.
- Jason Cole (Yahoo! Sports) Flurry of franchise tags could dampen free-agent market for Vincent Jackson, others.
- Dane Brugler (CBS Sports) NFL Draft risers and fallers.
- Peter Schrager (Fox Sports) Post-NFL Combine mock draft. Pats take WR Kendall Wright (Baylor) and LB Zack Brown (UNC).
- Jeff Sperber (Cold Hard Football Facts) 101 football-related things to do during the offseason.
- Rivers McCown (Football Outsiders) The month in quotes: February 2012.
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I think Safety > Cornerback for this team at this time
The CB play suffered in part by poor execution individually, no doubt. But not having a free safety to back them up amplified the problems. Without a competent safety to defend the long ball, CBs had to play off their man more than usual and could not reliably play tight to bump at the line. This is why they were 31st in yards given up, yet 15th in points allowed.
They have Chung at SS, but he is just OK in pass situations. They need talent at FS. They have 3 options:
1. FA – not sure which ones are a good fit (that won’t be locked up by their team)
2. Draft – I think Barron is more SS. If they draft somebody, they have to be special and without character issues.
3. McCourty. I think he can excel as Free Safety and he’s a good tackler to boot. However, giving up on him as a CB this early might be a mistake. He showed elite ability in his rookie year. And if this is the way they go, then it’s go with the guys they have as CB or start the CB hunt.
What do you guys (and girls) think?
It's not whether you win or lose.
It's whether you win.
-Trump 'The Game'
While I agree that last year we really needed safety help, I don't know that I'd rank one above another.
First of all, they are both needs. Second of all, we have McC, Dowling, and Molden that can play safety if we end up with more CB’s than safeties. Third, there are a bunch of decent safeties available in free-agency and relatively few good safeties available in the draft.
What I think is BB will probably test the FA market and see what he can get pre-draft. The fewer “needs” we have a draft time the better.
Each player come draft time will be graded based upon how the Patriots feel they would use that player. Every down, sub package, depth/bit role, special teams, whatever. They grab whatever players they feel represent the best value for each pick, including trading out, up, or down if that’s the best value. Right now, the pats have a need for an every down free safety and if there is one, his draft value would be higher than if our safety cupboard was full. If the guy has serious issues with his game, he won’t be an every down player despite the “need”.
Then BB will again address the FA / UFA market and get his 80 man camp quota. It happens every year.
If we end up with several CB’s and no FS’s, then I see McC and Dowling (maybe Molden) getting some serious reps there during camp to see who works the best. We can always go shopping for one next year if the shopping is better. No sense buying a rotten banana, just because you feel you need a banana.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."
by SlotMachinePlayer on Mar 1, 2012 11:59 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed
I wasn’t saying safety is our top priority, just that it’s higher than CB in my mind since we have several options at CB – where CB is their natural position.
It's not whether you win or lose.
It's whether you win.
-Trump 'The Game'
i dont think giving up on dmc at safety is a big deal
Reason being is we have seen how valuable these cb/s hybrids can be…especially Ud imagine it would get someone who values versatility as much as bb quite excited. Mind u this would be a backup plan. First plan is fa, maybe goldson or decoud. Second is not reaching in draft… meaning not reaching for a safety when a better player is available. This may be difficult as this draft is quite deep n top strong at cb n wr n there will be few situations where the best cb/wr available will not be better than the best fs available. In that case u grab the best cb n go with dmc. At least that’s my opinion. I’d rather have a Jenkins,boykin, or a minnifield ivet most safeties in this draft. As well as quite a few other wrs and cbs.
by AMORALES on Mar 1, 2012 12:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Cornerback?
We drafted one with the first pick of the second round last year! How quickly we forget Ras-I Dowling even on the roster. Everybody wants to predict that the guy’s career is already over after an injury-plagued first season, but lets try be a little patient with the development of our DB investments, shall we?
We’ll take a mulligan for that season with Ras-I. If you look at it, it’s almost like we’ve drafted another high-round CB already as his impact obviously wasn’t felt at all last season. He’ll be a starter and will greatly improve the passing defense if he can stay healthy.
Can I Scream?
I don't forget him.
It still doesn’t mean we couldn’t grab another guy. I just don’t have any idea how strong our secondary will be?
Will McC get back to his rookie self?
Will Dowling stay healthy and if so will he be good?
Were Arrington’s picks flukes, and can he learn to cover better?
Molden looked pretty good at the end of the season, but can he be consistent?
Will Edelman have to spend a serious amount of time on defense to fill in?
There’s more questions in our CB corps than answers. Adding another body couldn’t hurt. I’d rather have the guy win the position over stiff competition than have him win it because he sucks the least.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
As the Greek philosopher Mediocrites once said, "Eh, it's good enough."
by SlotMachinePlayer on Mar 1, 2012 12:35 PM EST up reply actions
Its foolish not to pick up high end talent at any position simply because you have some talent there already
This is a fickle league and you never know what can happen. Last year many of us were ready to let Matt Light sail off into the night because we drafted two promising linemen in Solder and Cannon. Nobody is saying that now and we would all be happy if he sticks around for another year. It is tougher to find a high caliber corner than it is a serviceable safety. If we bring in another corner two and they can beat out the likes of Arrington or McC at the position it only means our defense is getting better. Considering McC and Moore both took snaps at safety last year and we have some other young guys coming back from injury like Locket and Barrett, there will be plenty of competition for the FS spot already.
this
U of A is better than ASU at everything, and it doesn't take a genius to prove it
by freeland1787 on Mar 1, 2012 11:41 PM EST up reply actions
I didn't think..
Last year many of us were ready to let Matt Light sail off into the night because we drafted two promising linemen in Solder and Cannon.
…that it had anything to do with drafting Cannon, but rather because the Patriots drafted Solder and had Volmer.
i definitely dont forget him either.
I was ras i’s biggest supporter on this site even before he was a patriot. I like him very much. But cb is a very unsure situation for us, n by shoring it up we may even be fixing the safety situation at the same time by allowing one of our superfluos corners to slide over. Plus the draft is just very deep at that position and it just makes sense. Guys like Jenkins minnifield and boykin are going much lower this year than thwy normally would.
by AMORALES on Mar 1, 2012 11:53 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I am hopping the Pats draft harrison smith...
…To shore up the safety position.
"There is an old saying about the strength of the wolf is the pack, and I think there is a lot of truth to that. On a football team, it's not the strength of the individual players, but it is the strength of the unit and how they all function together." - Bill Belichick
I really like Smith.
good size, good range, instincts. I think he would be a welcome addition to the secondary.
"Fight on, my men!" Sir Andrew said, "A little I'm hurt, but not yet slain. I'll just lay down and bleed awhile... and then I'll rise, and fight again!"
a lot of analysts feel he's getting overrated because the safety draft is so shallow this year.
Lakers and Patriots forever.
That's certainly a possibility.
As a pure athlete though, he’s pretty solid. He ran a 4.57 at 6’1, 215, exhibited good explosion in the drills, and had extremely fluid hips while tracking the ball. If Belichick can deal with Sergio Brown, Edelman and Slater in the secondary, I think he’ll think a guy like Smith is a blessing. As much as I like Barron’s physicality, I’d take H. Smith over him any day since we already have Chung.
Naturally, this is assuming the Pats don’t get someone in free agency who would be able to start.
"Fight on, my men!" Sir Andrew said, "A little I'm hurt, but not yet slain. I'll just lay down and bleed awhile... and then I'll rise, and fight again!"
Devon Still to NE
I’d be completely fine with him rolling in. His very similar to Jared Odrick, and is a kid that never gives up. Everyone wants to kill him for his performance against Wisconsin but he was playing with the Flu. I think his career body of work is pretty impressive and was a guy that people had to gameplan for. He’d work as a DE then swing inside on sub-package downs.
I would be completely on board
Dear BB- please draft a DL first because you are 3-0 in the Super Bowl when you do that
U of A is better than ASU at everything, and it doesn't take a genius to prove it
by freeland1787 on Mar 1, 2012 11:42 PM EST up reply actions
Cornerback..for real?
Notice that the last few team that had a “terrible” defense also had a high scoring offense. Example: Greenbay and the Saints The fact is that when a team can move down the field in a few minutes, it places a lot more stress on the defense. Hence, the defense is on the field longer. Notice, that in the Super Bowl the longest play was nearly 30 yards. The way they determine if a defense is bad or not should not be based off of yards. It should be a combination of things. One being if the other team scores or not. Which the Patriots were around the middle of the pack. (14th or 15th)
Ultimately we can always use another corner. But to say our corners bad or average is far from the truth. The fact that we had no over the top help and the CB’s biggest goal was to keep the play in front of them speaks volumes about talent.
Hmm mike Wallace will not receive the first round tender any takers on how he could fit in?
by alweezy61 on Mar 1, 2012 5:03 PM EST via Android app reply actions
I think
he won’t be receiving the franchise tag. I can’t imagine a scenario where he doesn’t get a 1st round tender.
Josh Barrett seems injury prone
was injured the entire 2010 season
played only 5 games in 2011 season
also injured in college a couple times
usually teams move on after two years of injuries
would have like to have seen him play an entire season
hold the phone right now
I blame his injuries more to the lockout- lets see what he can do here w/ a full offseason
U of A is better than ASU at everything, and it doesn't take a genius to prove it
by freeland1787 on Mar 1, 2012 11:44 PM EST up reply actions
WR
is the biggest need; someone that is a legitimate deep threat so TB doesn’t have to marshal his way down the field getting small chunks at a time, game after game. Give the guy a break. Look what he did that one year he finally got an elite deep threat!
An elite pass rusher
would take a lot of pressure off of the DBs. Get to the QB one second or even a half second faster and the DBs benefit from the pressure. The QB would have to either release the ball sooner resulting in an incomplete pass or and interception and even better a sack for a loss or a fumble. A great pass rush will make an average DB look like an excelllent defender. While the Pats need a lot of help in the back of the defense, a great pass rusher will improve the defense especially on the third down. A stat where the Pats are one of the worse teams for giving up first downs. Even if the Pats upgrade the CB and S positions, if the opposing QB has 4-6 seconds to complete a pass the chains are going to move. The best defenders can not cover receivers effectively for an extended period of time. A good pass rush will dramatically improve a defense.
absolutely, but we can have both
Quality corners will be available with our 63rd pick. Fletcher cox in the first plus wr n maybe an Andre branch or.cam Johnson n wedve gotten 3rotation regulars on defense and a wr to compete for starting job.
by AMORALES on Mar 1, 2012 9:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Devin McCourty is our CB!!!!!
Forget about labels like “shutdown corner” or “Darrelle Revis types.”
In today’s pass-friendly NFL era, the shutdown corner position is no longer valid because the most potent offenses (Packers, Saints, Giants) all play with 4-receiver sets when they are at their most explosive.
We need to have McCourty play consistently. With a real offseason, a chance to get healthy, and right his confidence levels, McCourty will most likely be a very good, not great, long-term answer for the Pats at CB. He’s very intelligent, savvy, and will turn the corner next season.
McCourty remains my favority Patriot
or he can be a great not good hybrid safety
ala woodson
ill take a woodson caliber player any day of the week and twice on sunday
Woodson circa early 2000’s definitely
U of A is better than ASU at everything, and it doesn't take a genius to prove it
by freeland1787 on Mar 1, 2012 11:45 PM EST up reply actions
How many “Revis type” corners are there in the NFL?
Answer: 1. Darrelle Revis.
The rest are scrubs.
by quadruple option on Mar 2, 2012 2:23 AM EST reply actions
My biggest issue with Walker's ranking of positions...
…is that the Patriots could go on next season with one new safety and it would change their defense. One new corner would still leave a hole at safety.
Current Secondary + Top new S > Current Secondary + Top new CB
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