PonyExpress
In the Starting Line-Up
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- Feb 12, 2006
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The Pats are obviously at a crossroads. Opinions are like @$$holes, as they say: everyone's got one. Here are a few ideas on how to revamp the team this offseason for 2007 while laying a solid foundation for '08. I made some painful choices that I'm sure will offend some people, if any one really intends to waste valuable time reading this. But my intention is to be tough on the aging core of the team, and renovate it with young players as effectively as possible.
Key veteran acquisitions
Adalius Thomas: older than ideal, but will become the veteran leader of the OLBs as the team transitions away from Colvin and Vrabel over the next 2 years and refurbishes with young talent
L. Fletcher-Baker: solid pass coverage skills and ability to read pre-snap keys make Fletcher's height a non-issue. Becomes veteran leader of ILB unit over next 2 seasons as Bruschi journeys to the Elysian fields...
Asante Samuel (franchise tag): franchise him, and let him play to "get paid" again. Then trade him in 2008 for maximum return. Use the money on Ty Warren extension in '08 instead.
Mewelde Moore (RFA): a favorite of BB since the '04 draft, prototype 3rd down back to challenge Faulk, who again had durability issues which will likely increase.
Wes Welker: can do everything that the current version of Troy Brown can do, only he's younger and better right now, with upside as a slot receiver.
3rd TE, Visanthe Shiancoe-type: a TE that can capably fill out the roster and respond in a dual role if injury strikes (he's used to that playing behind Jeremy "China doll" Shockey). A more attractive prospect might be RFA Ben Utecht of the Colts who was an undrafted free agent, I believe. I am interested in how Polian handles that situation, and would be happy if the Pats turned the tables and stole a Colt for a change. IMO Utecht is a superior all around player to Dallas Clark.
Heath Evans: solid lunchpail guy every team needs in the locker room. Eats up the media to shield more touchy teammates. Says he will take less to stay.
Todd Sauerbrun: best leg in a Patriot uniform since Camarillo.
Tim Rattay: injury prone but a savvy backup who can win games with a good team. Pats have always been high on him, almost taking him over Brady in 2000.
Key veteran losses
Graham: Graham wants to be more than a lunchpail blocker, and another organization can offer him that. He flees for greener pastures and more receptions. Denver seems like a possibility, judging from last year's rumors.
Banta-Cain: I would prefer to keep Banta-Cain over Colvin. But Colvin still has a hefty cap hit. I would prefer a #1 draft pick at OLB to resigning TBC under these circumstances. A late 1st rd draft pick will likely be cheaper for more years at potentially better longterm impact.
T. Brown: Welker can do what the current Troy does, only better on ST and offense.
Dillon: Unless he takes a hefty pay cut and agrees to ride shotgun, it's time to move on. IMO Corey is the kind of warrior who will not accept being #2 at anything, even if he starts out convinced he can handle a demotion... The pride that made him great likely won't let him age gracefully.
Josh Miller: Miller is coming off an injury, Sauerbrun is not as good a locker room guy but more of an on-field weapon.
Cassell*: a post-draft, preseason wild card. If the right situation presents itself, especially to the NFC North (Chicago has J. Angelo, BB's buddy as GM; GB has future questions about Favre and Rogers; Detroit, depending on what happens in the draft; and even the Vikings) the Pats could move Cassell for a day 1 pick, though the more likely scenario is trading him in preseason '08 for a higher price.
1st Day Draft
1a. Anthony Spencer: Edge rusher who should impact right away as a pass-rushing specialist. Has pro-bowl potential.
1b. Brandon Siler: in 2 years will be 6'2'', 250 lbs and playing pro-bowl caliber ILB for the red white and blue.
2. AJ Davis or David Irons: '07 nickel/slot, '08 starting RCB opposite Hobbs after Samuel is traded.
3. Josh Gattis: Kerry Rhodes ahtleticism and potential. Can play FS or SS, and start in '08.
Key 2007 personnel (starters in bold)
QB: Brady, Cassell*, Rattay
RB: Maroney, Moore, Evans, Mills, Faulk
WR: Gaffney, Caldwell, Jackson, Welker
TE: Watson, Thomas, Shiancoe
OT: Light, Kaczur, O'Callaghan, Britt
OG: Mankins, Neal, Hochstein
C: Koppen
DL: Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, Green, Wright
OLB: Vrabel, Thomas, Colvin, Spencer
ILB: Fletcher, Bruschi, Alexander, Siler
CB: Samuel, Hobbs, Scott, Davis/Irons
S: Harrison, Wilson, Hawkins, Sanders, Gattis
ST: Gostkowski, Paxton, Sauerbrun, Woods, Mays, Andrews
Key 2008 personnel, starters in bold (Samuel franchised again and traded, Cassell traded, Warren signed, Hobbs signed)
QB: Brady, Rattay
RB: Maroney, Moore, Evans, Mills (Faulk moves on)
WR: Jackson, Gaffney/Caldwell, Welker
TE: Thomas, Watson, Shiancoe*
OL: same as '07
DL: same as '07 (Warren signs new deal)
OLB: Thomas, Spencer, Vrabel
ILB: Fletcher, Siler, Alexander
CB: Hobbs, Davis/Irons
S: Gattis, Sanders, Andrews
ST: Gostkowski, Sauerbrun, Paxton
Key veteran acquisitions
Adalius Thomas: older than ideal, but will become the veteran leader of the OLBs as the team transitions away from Colvin and Vrabel over the next 2 years and refurbishes with young talent
L. Fletcher-Baker: solid pass coverage skills and ability to read pre-snap keys make Fletcher's height a non-issue. Becomes veteran leader of ILB unit over next 2 seasons as Bruschi journeys to the Elysian fields...
Asante Samuel (franchise tag): franchise him, and let him play to "get paid" again. Then trade him in 2008 for maximum return. Use the money on Ty Warren extension in '08 instead.
Mewelde Moore (RFA): a favorite of BB since the '04 draft, prototype 3rd down back to challenge Faulk, who again had durability issues which will likely increase.
Wes Welker: can do everything that the current version of Troy Brown can do, only he's younger and better right now, with upside as a slot receiver.
3rd TE, Visanthe Shiancoe-type: a TE that can capably fill out the roster and respond in a dual role if injury strikes (he's used to that playing behind Jeremy "China doll" Shockey). A more attractive prospect might be RFA Ben Utecht of the Colts who was an undrafted free agent, I believe. I am interested in how Polian handles that situation, and would be happy if the Pats turned the tables and stole a Colt for a change. IMO Utecht is a superior all around player to Dallas Clark.
Heath Evans: solid lunchpail guy every team needs in the locker room. Eats up the media to shield more touchy teammates. Says he will take less to stay.
Todd Sauerbrun: best leg in a Patriot uniform since Camarillo.
Tim Rattay: injury prone but a savvy backup who can win games with a good team. Pats have always been high on him, almost taking him over Brady in 2000.
Key veteran losses
Graham: Graham wants to be more than a lunchpail blocker, and another organization can offer him that. He flees for greener pastures and more receptions. Denver seems like a possibility, judging from last year's rumors.
Banta-Cain: I would prefer to keep Banta-Cain over Colvin. But Colvin still has a hefty cap hit. I would prefer a #1 draft pick at OLB to resigning TBC under these circumstances. A late 1st rd draft pick will likely be cheaper for more years at potentially better longterm impact.
T. Brown: Welker can do what the current Troy does, only better on ST and offense.
Dillon: Unless he takes a hefty pay cut and agrees to ride shotgun, it's time to move on. IMO Corey is the kind of warrior who will not accept being #2 at anything, even if he starts out convinced he can handle a demotion... The pride that made him great likely won't let him age gracefully.
Josh Miller: Miller is coming off an injury, Sauerbrun is not as good a locker room guy but more of an on-field weapon.
Cassell*: a post-draft, preseason wild card. If the right situation presents itself, especially to the NFC North (Chicago has J. Angelo, BB's buddy as GM; GB has future questions about Favre and Rogers; Detroit, depending on what happens in the draft; and even the Vikings) the Pats could move Cassell for a day 1 pick, though the more likely scenario is trading him in preseason '08 for a higher price.
1st Day Draft
1a. Anthony Spencer: Edge rusher who should impact right away as a pass-rushing specialist. Has pro-bowl potential.
1b. Brandon Siler: in 2 years will be 6'2'', 250 lbs and playing pro-bowl caliber ILB for the red white and blue.
2. AJ Davis or David Irons: '07 nickel/slot, '08 starting RCB opposite Hobbs after Samuel is traded.
3. Josh Gattis: Kerry Rhodes ahtleticism and potential. Can play FS or SS, and start in '08.
Key 2007 personnel (starters in bold)
QB: Brady, Cassell*, Rattay
RB: Maroney, Moore, Evans, Mills, Faulk
WR: Gaffney, Caldwell, Jackson, Welker
TE: Watson, Thomas, Shiancoe
OT: Light, Kaczur, O'Callaghan, Britt
OG: Mankins, Neal, Hochstein
C: Koppen
DL: Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, Green, Wright
OLB: Vrabel, Thomas, Colvin, Spencer
ILB: Fletcher, Bruschi, Alexander, Siler
CB: Samuel, Hobbs, Scott, Davis/Irons
S: Harrison, Wilson, Hawkins, Sanders, Gattis
ST: Gostkowski, Paxton, Sauerbrun, Woods, Mays, Andrews
Key 2008 personnel, starters in bold (Samuel franchised again and traded, Cassell traded, Warren signed, Hobbs signed)
QB: Brady, Rattay
RB: Maroney, Moore, Evans, Mills (Faulk moves on)
WR: Jackson, Gaffney/Caldwell, Welker
TE: Thomas, Watson, Shiancoe*
OL: same as '07
DL: same as '07 (Warren signs new deal)
OLB: Thomas, Spencer, Vrabel
ILB: Fletcher, Siler, Alexander
CB: Hobbs, Davis/Irons
S: Gattis, Sanders, Andrews
ST: Gostkowski, Sauerbrun, Paxton
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