Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

[Jason A]

Re: Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

I'm so uninformed about this guy that I can't even be negative. The ultimate no-fun pick.

 

[Jason A]

Re: Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

I'll say this: Belichick probably could have moved down past the NYJs and Miami, but he wanted to pick ahead of them. He knows this opens him up to huge criticism if Odrick and Wilson are contributing and McCourty is an occasional ST contributor for an 8-8 team. So he's hanging out there on this one. He better be right.

 

[Jason A]

Re: Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

Reiss:

FOXBORO -- The Patriots must improve their pass rush, and the selection of cornerback Devin McCourty isn't going to be the answer to doing that.

This pick appears to be a clear case of the Patriots going with the best player on their board and not reaching for a need. McCourty is a solid player -- both defensively and on special teams -- and you can never go wrong picking solid players.

But if the Patriots don't address their needs at defensive end and outside linebacker later in this draft, within the next two rounds, that should lead to some concern.

So the key here, it seems, is waiting for the second round to play out to see how the Patriots complement McCourty.

The Patriots have Leigh Bodden and Darius Butler as their projected starters at cornerback, and McCourty should help immediately as a No. 3, 4 or 5 option. His presence could affect veteran Shawn Springs and third-year players Jonathan Wilhite and Terrence Wheatley.

This pick highlights how Wheatley, a 2008 late second-round draft choice, hasn't panned out.

They used their first-rounder on a "No. 3, 4, or 5 option"?

 

[Jason A]

Re: Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

You need good nickel backs if you're going to compete with Indy and SD (and the NYJs are going to throw the ball a lot more this year -- listen to the rumblings of replacing Faneca with a better pass-blocker), but do you reach for them in the first round?

 

[Jason A]

Re: Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

****ing perfect.

Just spoke to Devin McCourty- he was convinced he wasn't going in the 1st so he went to the bathroom. Phone call came then.
about 1 hour ago via web

 

[Jason A]

Re: Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

Reiss mocks the second round:

33. St. Louis – DL Brian Price (UCLA) -- If they don’t trade down with a team looking for a quarterback, defensive-minded head coach Steve Spagnuolo gets an interior presence up front.

34. Minnesota – QB Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame) – A quarterback to groom for the future once Brett Favre officially retires.

35. Tampa Bay – LB Sergio Kindle (Texas) – Slid right out of the first round due to medical concerns, but worth the gamble here.

36. Kansas City – WR Golden Tate (Notre Dame) – A natural fit to make an immediate impact as he would be reunited with former Irish head coach Charlie Weis, now Kansas City’s offensive coordinator.

37. Philadelphia – CB Chris Cook (Virginia) – Adds size to a cornerback corps that nicely complements Asante Samuel and Ellis Hobbs.

38. Cleveland – QB Colt McCoy (Texas) – The chance to land a quarterback of the future is too good to pass up.

39. Oakland – OT Bruce Campbell (Maryland) – Workout warrior lands in the perfect place, on a roster filled with them.

40. Miami – NT Terrence Cody (Alabama) – After passing on Dan Williams in the first round, they land a big body in the middle with the pick acquired from San Diego.

41. Buffalo – OT Rodger Saffold (Indiana) – An athletic left tackle who should help address the Bills’ primary weakness.

42. Tampa Bay – WR Arrelious Benn (Illinois) – After losing Antonio Bryant in free agency, the idea is to give young quarterback Josh Freeman a promising, young target to grow with.

43. Baltimore – TE Rob Gronkowski (Arizona) – If the Patriots want him – and they had him in for a pre-draft visit presumably to check test results on his previously injured back -- they might have to leapfrog the Ravens.

44. New England – DE Linval Joseph (East Carolina) – An intriguing prospect who at 6-foot-4, 328 pounds could be a long-time fixture at end.

45. Denver – LB Sean Lee (Penn State) – After focusing on offense in the first round, time to turn to a future "quarterback" for the defense.

46. N.Y. Giants – LB Navorro Bowman (Penn State) – Grooming a replacement at the heart of the defense with Antonio Pierce no longer around.

47. New England – TE Aaron Hernandez (Florida) – Helps fill a glaring need on offense.

48. Carolina – WR Damian Williams (Southern California) – Making their first pick of the draft, they elect for a difference-maker.

49. San Francisco – S Taylor Mays (Southern California) – Physical safety hits hard and could quickly become a Mike Singletary favorite.

50. Kansas City – OLB/DE Corey Wootton (Northwestern) – Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli comes from the Parcells/Belichick tree where bigger is better.

51. Houston – RB Toby Gerhart (Stanford) – They probably would have taken one of the top backs had they lasted in the first round.

52. Pittsburgh – S Nate Allen (South Florida) – Could possibly be a better fit at corner.

53. New England – RB Dexter McCluster (Mississippi) – A stick of dynamite for a Patriots’ offense in search of a spark.

54. Cincinnati – DE Everson Griffen (Southern California) – Bengals seem to have a love affair with former Trojans.

55. Philadelphia – TE Dennis Pitta (Brigham Young) – A reliable pass-catcher to help out new quarterback Kevin Kolb.

56. Green Bay – OLB Koa Misi (Utah) – High-energy defender has shown a knack for getting after the quarterback and would play opposite Clay Matthews.

57. Baltimore – CB Jerome Murphy (South Florida) – Contributes to a physical defense.

58. Arizona – LB Darryl Washington (Texas Christian) – Promising reinforcement as they adjust to life without Karlos Dansby.

59. Dallas – OT Vladimir Ducasse (UMass) – After cutting left tackle Flozell Adams, they’re looking for a possible left tackle for the future.

60. Seattle – OT Charles Brown (Southern California) – Seahawks continue a terrific draft by picking up another reinforcement on the line, one that head coach Pete Carroll is familiar with.

61. N.Y. Jets – G/T John Jerry (Utah) – With Alan Faneca reportedly ready to be let go, they could groom a replacement.

62. Minnesota – DT Cam Thomas (North Carolina) – A big body for the middle as Pat Williams can’t play forever.

63. Indianapolis – G Jon Asamoah (Illinois) – Colts looking for reinforcements after feeling they were exposed in the Super Bowl.

64. New Orleans – RB Ben Tate (Auburn) – Could replace production of the departed Mike Bell, who signed as a restricted free agent with the Eagles.

 

[Netman]

Re: Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

I mock the first round.

That pick sucks!

 

[Rover]

Re: Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

I've given it a day, and I still don't feel better about this one. Nothing's worse than seeing "special teams demon" in the first sentence of the guy's write-up. Not for a first rounder anyway.

The point about the secondary needing help I get. Wilhite is no good. Still waiting for the others to prove or not prove themselves. I'm good with Bodden covering the other team's #2 receiver but they need a #1 back there. Why didn't they just trade the pick for an established player (that Raiders CB for example) instead??? Odd choice on 10 different levels.

 

[pirate]

Re: Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

****ing perfect.

Look at the bright side, he probably didn't go with a drunk 20 year old and a bodyguard. He's got that going for him.

 

[neshl05]

Re: Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

I've given it a day, and I still don't feel better about this one. Nothing's worse than seeing "special teams demon" in the first sentence of the guy's write-up. Not for a first rounder anyway.

The point about the secondary needing help I get. Wilhite is no good. Still waiting for the others to prove or not prove themselves. I'm good with Bodden covering the other team's #2 receiver but they need a #1 back there. Why didn't they just trade the pick for an established player (that Raiders CB for example) instead??? Odd choice on 10 different levels.

Nothing makes you feel better than reading special teams demon for a first round pick lol... This team has so many holes and we pick a special teams demon... ***... This team is in deep trouble.

 

[Jason A]

Re: Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

McCluster to the Chiefs.

No facts to go on, obviously, but it feels to me that the Pats are competing for the same players with two other teams (KC and Denver) who pick higher than they do in every round.

 

[Jason A]

Re: Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

A bit of confusion there. So NE and Oakland trade picks, moving NE up two spots from 44 to 42. Pats give Oakland the 44 and apparently the 190 (NFLN can't be bothered to tell us what the trade was). And it's time for another celebrity pick announcer.

Mayock loves it, says it's a steal to get a first-round TE at that spot.

Rd 1, Pick 27 (27): Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
Rd 2, Pick 10 (42): Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona
Rd 2, Pick 15 (47)
Rd 2, Pick 21 (53)
Rd 3, Pick 26 (90)
Rd 4, Pick 21 (113)
Rd 6, Pick 36 (205*)
Rd 7, Pick 22 (229)
Rd 7, Pick 24 (231)
Rd 7, Pick 40 (247*)
Rd 7, Pick 41 (248*)
Rd 7, Pick 43 (250*)
*Compensatory picks can't be traded

 

[Jason A]

Re: Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

Pats trade the 47 to Arizona for 58 and 89.

Rd 1, Pick 27 (27): Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
Rd 2, Pick 10 (42): Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona
Rd 2, Pick 21 (53)
Rd 2, Pick 26 (58)
Rd 3, Pick 25 (89)
Rd 3, Pick 26 (90)
Rd 4, Pick 21 (113)
Rd 6, Pick 36 (205*)
Rd 7, Pick 22 (229)
Rd 7, Pick 24 (231)
Rd 7, Pick 40 (247*)
Rd 7, Pick 41 (248*)
Rd 7, Pick 43 (250*)
*Compensatory picks can't be traded

 

[Eagles]

Re: Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

Why did they trade down again??

 

[walrus]

Re: Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

Whats the deal with a TE, didn't they have a good one last year, what did he catch, 15 20 passes

 

[Jason A]

Re: Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

Well they're certainly not going to throw to him. They'll turn him into a blocking specialist within two years, though.

 

[Eagles]

Re: Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

Any prediction for their next pick? A small part of me is hoping for Golden Tate.

 

[walrus]

Re: Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

I think we need a DE badly, I also think Belichek has lost it so who knows what he picks

 

[Jason A]

Re: Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

Tom Curran:

My feeling is this, it's nice to add picks, get value, load for rainy day...but you have to realize it's raining now at DE, pass rusher
11 minutes ago via web

If they stay at 53, maybe Griffen (if he's still there)?

 

[Jason A]

Re: Patriots' Offseason: Last Days of the Dynasty?

Pats select Jermaine Cunningham, a DE from Florida, at 53.

Mayock projects him as an OLB with NE.

Rd 1, Pick 27 (27): Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
Rd 2, Pick 10 (42): Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona
Rd 2, Pick 21 (53): Jermaine Cunningham, DE, Florida
Rd 2, Pick 26 (58)
Rd 3, Pick 25 (89)
Rd 3, Pick 26 (90)
Rd 4, Pick 21 (113)
Rd 6, Pick 36 (205*)
Rd 7, Pick 22 (229)
Rd 7, Pick 24 (231)
Rd 7, Pick 40 (247*)
Rd 7, Pick 41 (248*)
Rd 7, Pick 43 (250*)
*Compensatory picks can't be traded