Month: May 2012

Patriots Needs 2012

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Cornerback

The Patriots thought they were set at cornerback coming into 2011 with Devin McCourty, Ras-I Dowling, Leigh Bodden, and Kyle Arrington. Well McCourty regressed, Dowling got hurt again, and Bodden never recovered from his injury and was cut. Arrington ended up being the #1 cornerback, while guys like Sterling Moore and Antwaun Molden had to play significant snaps. It got so bad that offensive players like Julian Edelman and Matt Slater had to play some defensive back. Sure maybe McCourty bounces back and Arrington doesn’t regress and Dowling stays healthy, but can you really chance it. They gave up the 3rd most yards in NFL history this year. Expect this to be a primary focus of their offseason.

Safety

Safety was another position of need in their secondary. Without Patrick Chung, their lack of depth at safety was exposed this season. Brandon Meriweather was cut before the season, and rightfully so, but they didn’t have a suitable replacement for him. Look for them to add another safety this offseason.

Defensive Tackle

That Albert Haynesworth deal didn’t work out too well did it. Kyle Love is a solid player, but might be best in a rotational role so they need another defensive tackle in the mix, preferably one who can also play a 3-4 just in case they go to a hybrid scheme next year.

Defensive End

Andre Carter and Mark Anderson were both great one year signings, but they’re free agents and the Patriots will be hesitant to give them long term deals. Besides, if they switch to a hybrid scheme, neither of them have had much success in a 3-4, particularly Carter, who struggled mightily in a 3-4 in Washington in 2010. Carter is also 33 this offseason so a younger end is needed anyway. Look for them to target a young end through the draft who can play in both a 3-4 and a 4-3.

 

Wide Receiver

Wes Welker and Deion Branch are both free agents. Even if both return, both are over 30 years old. So is Chad Ochocinco, who sucked last season. They could sign Brandon Lloyd, but he’s also over 30. They need some young blood at the position for the future.

Center

Both Dan Koppen and Dan Connolly are free agents. Koppen will be allowed to walk. He’s over 30 and coming off a major injury. However, Connolly is someone they will try to resign. I didn’t think he was that great so it couldn’t hurt to add some competition for him.

Guard

Brian Waters is 35 and considering retirement, despite an awesome first year in New England last year where he made the Pro Bowl. Marcus Cannon could be a potential long term solution, but he’s rumored to be moving to tackle long term to backup Sebastian Vollmer and Nate Solder. They’ll need a new guard if he leaves and a potential future successor if he doesn’t.

Tight End

This might not make a lot of sense because they have the best 1-2 tight end combo in the NFL in Gronkowski and Hernandez, but they also like to do a lot of 3 tight end sets and they didn’t have that Alge Crumpler type tight end this year. They used Nate Solder there at times this year, but he’s technically an offensive tackle and is expected to start there next year so they’ll need to find a big blocking tight end to take Crumpler’s old role.

 

Patriots Needs 2011

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Free Agency Priorities

Wide Receiver

They really need a deep threat so their offense isn’t so one dimensional. They could just hope Brandon Tate breaks out in his 3rd year or they could sign or trade for one of many available established deep threats like Vincent Jackson or Sidney Rice. 

Rush Linebacker

They didn’t draft a single front 7 player until the 6th round though that was one of their biggest needs. They have 4 early picks in 2012 so they could trade for or sign a rush linebacker. 

3-4 Defensive End

See above. 

Guard 

Dan Connelly will take over for Stephen Neal. He’s decent, but not amazing. Logan Mankins still isn’t signed long term. If they can’t get him to sign his franchise tender, they’re very thin at this position so they’d have to find help through free agency.

 

Draft Needs 

Rush Linebacker

No one on the team had more than 5.5 sacks. Aside from Mike Wright, a nickel rusher, no one more than 5 sacks. They need a #1 rush linebacker type player.

Drafted Markell Williams (#194) 

3-4 Defensive End

Ty Warren will be back next year, but he’ll be coming off of season ending surgery. They’ll need a compliment across from him anyway. Brandon Deaderick, Mike Wright, Eric Moore, and Gerard Warren are all nice rotation guys, but not true starters like this team needs.

Signed Marcus Stroud 

Offensive Tackle

This becomes need #1 if they don’t resign Matt Light, but it’s looking like they won’t resign him as he’s 30+. They’ll either need a new right tackle if they see Sebastian Vollmer as a left tackle. If not, they’ll need a left tackle.

Drafted Nate Solder (#17) 

Guard

More offensive line help. Logan Mankins will not be given the longterm deal he wants, most likely, while Stephen Neal says 2011 will be his last year. Dan Connolly can play one of the guard positions, but they need someone to play the other. Danny Watkins is ready to go in the 2nd round range.

Drafted Marcus Cannon (#138) 

Cornerback

Devin McCourty’s clearly a keeper and Leigh Bodden is going to be the starter across from him, but Bodden will be coming off a season ending injury at 30+ and neither Darius Butler nor Kyle Arrington are guys you want starting. They could take another cornerback this year.

Drafted Ras-I Dowling (#33), Drafted Malcolm Williams (#219) 

Wide Receiver

They need a Randy Moss type deep threat without the Randy Moss attitude. Taking a young kid whose ego hasn’t inflated yet in the draft makes sense. Leonard Hankerson could be an option in the 2nd.

Running Back

They don’t have a true breakaway running back. Shane Vereen, Derrick Locke, and Noel Devine make sense in the 3rd. 

Drafted Shane Vereen (#56), Drafted Stevan Ridley (#73) 

 

Patriots Moves 2011

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() FA Rank

RB BenJarvus Green Ellis

OT Matt Light (#36)

He’s not quite the player he was in his prime, but he was a big part of the reason behind the Patriots success this year as the line as a whole protected Tom Brady very well. He struggled with more athletic pass rushers against the Jets however and he’s over 30.

OT Quinn Ojinnaka

G Logan Mankins (#11)- franchised 

Mankins was thrown right into the action midseason after finally signing his tender and he still looked like one of the best interior linemen in the game. He’ll get paid somewhere eventually.

3-4 DE Gerard Warren

MLB Tracy White

CB Kyle Arrington (exclusive rights)- tendered

S Jarrad Page

S Brandon McGowan

S Josh Barrett- 2 years 1.75 million

K Shayne Graham 

Offseason moves:

Signed Marcus Stroud

Tendered Kyle Arrington

Resigned Josh Barrett

Franchised Logan Mankins

Draft

Patriots Draft Visits

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DT Armond Armstead (USC)

CB Josh Bellamy (Louisville)

S Jordan Bernstine (Iowa)

CB Omar Bolden (Arizona State)

DT Michael Brockers (LSU)

CB Ron Brooks (LSU)

OLB Zach Brown (North Carolina)

WR Derek Carrier (Beloit)

DE Claude Davis (South Florida)

OLB Ryan Davis (Bethune-Cookman)

S Tony Dye (UCLA)

CB Casey Hayward (Vanderbilt)

DE Melvin Ingram (South Carolina)

OLB Bruce Irvin (West Virginia)

S Trumaine Johnson (Montana)

MLB Noah Keller (Ohio)

DE Ronnell Lewis (Oklahoma)

OLB Travis Lewis (Oklahoma)

CB Micah Pellerin (Hampton)

DE Nick Perry (USC)

RB Chris Rainey (Florida)

WR Darius Reynolds (Iowa State)

S Brandon Taylor (LSU)

RB David Wilson (Virginia Tech)

 

Patriots Draft Grades

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17. OT Nate Solder C

In BB we trust? No, not this time. I don’t like this pick. Solder isn’t strong enough to be an elite tackle. 6-8 308 is very skinny for his height and his short arms and the fact that he’s already put on 25 pounds to move from tight end to tackle (and 65 pounds since arriving at Colorado) suggest that he doesn’t have a lot of room to bulk up more. I didn’t have a first round grade on him.

33. CB Ras-I Dowling B

I had a first round grade on Ras-I Dowling and that has been the case for 2 years, but they had bigger needs than cornerback. As long as Leigh Bodden is healthy, their depth is fine at that position. I understand drafting a cornerback at some point as a luxury pick, but not at this point.

56. RB Shane Vereen C

I knew they’d try to add another running back. All of their running backs other than Danny Woodhead and BenJarvus Green Ellis are old and done and they like having multiple running backs to hand off to, but in the 2nd round? You can find a 3rd running back in the late rounds. They didn’t need a starting back. They needed depth. You take starters in the 2nd and depth in later rounds.

73. RB Stevan Ridley F

A 2nd running back? I understand wanting to be able to hand the ball off to 4 different running backs, but they didn’t need to use a 2nd and a 3rd rounder on them. BJGE and Woodhead are good. They weren’t the weakness of this team. That was the front 7, as well as the guard position with Stephen Neal retired and Logan Mankins still not signed long term. They also need a big play receiver.

74. QB Ryan Mallett A-

I had a 2nd round grade on Mallett so this is one case this year where a team gets a good value by taking a quarterback. Given that, I understand the desire to take Mallett to groom him behind Brady given his physical talents. However, they did have other needs and I would have preferred to have seen them build more for now than the future, but these are the Patriots we’re talking about.

138. G Marcus Cannon A

Again, building for the future. Cannon probably won’t be able to play in 2011 because he has to undergo 12 weeks of treatment for a mass in his stomach, but when he is healthy, he’s a 2nd round prospect. He also fills a need.

159. TE Lee Smith C+

In a way this makes some sense. Alge Crumpler is getting up there in age and Smith can take his role as a pure blocking tight end. I just had Smith rated lower than the 5th round for character reasons.

194. RLB Markell Carter B-

This is the first front seven player they drafted. Wow. I didn’t have Carter in my top 300, however, so this is a reach.

219. CB Malcolm Williams D

A 2nd cornerback? This wasn’t needed at all and Williams wasn’t in my top 300.

Overall:

Again, the Patriots planned for the future. They came out of this draft with an extra 1st and an extra 2nd in a stronger 2012 draft class and they got a potential future replacement for Tom Brady in Ryan Mallett. If Mallett stops doing blow, he could be an amazing player. Big IF though. They also got a future starter at guard in Marcus Cannon, assuming he recovers well. However, this team is built to win now. Their 3 biggest needs were offensive line, the defensive front 7, and adding a big play receiver. They got their left tackle replacement for Matt Light in the first, though I think they would have been better off with someone like Anthony Castonzo, Derek Sherrod, Gabe Carimi, or Ben Ijalana. However, they didn’t get an immediate guard replacement for Stephen Neal. They didn’t draft a front 7 player until the 6th round and I think they reached there. They didn’t draft a single receiver. Those were needed much more than 2 cornerbacks and 2 running backs. They only needed one cornerback, and not one in the 2nd round, and two running backs could have been added much, much later. They had very few picks I actually liked. I don’t think they’re done, however. With 2 picks in each of the first 2 rounds next year, I suspect they’re going to try to add a veteran pass rusher and/or receiver through a trade, rather than relying on rookies, a smart idea. Maybe BB stockpiled all these picks for this year, in hopes of trading some for veterans and then just got screwed over by the lockout and traded them instead for future picks, which they could trade for players once the lockout ended. That makes sense. That’s what saves this draft grade for them.

Grade: C

 

Patriots Draft 2012

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Draft Grades, 2012 NFL Off-Season

 

21. DE Chandler Jones B-

Defensive end was a need of theirs, but I had a 2nd round grade on Chandler Jones. He’s very raw, especially as a pass rusher. He can come in as play the run right now, but he’s a project as a pass rusher. He’s got the upside though and I trust the Patriots to get it out of him, but I don’t like that they traded up for him, especially with so few picks in this draft. There were plenty of pass rushers available at 27 and even if Jones was not there, that’s fine because he would have been a reach even there.

25. OLB Dont’a Hightower B+

Focusing on the front 7 more, Hightower is a great player. My only 2 concerns with him were his history of injuries and his lack of a true position in a 4-3. The Patriots will probably run a 4-3 in 2012 (especially since Jones is more of a 4-3 end than a 3-4 rush linebacker), but they like versatile guys like Hightower. He can play middle linebacker, outside linebacker, and defensive end for them. He fits the range and can be an immediate contributor for the Patriots.

48. S Tavon Wilson F

Safety was definitely a need, but Tavon Wilson is the first player drafted that wasn’t on my top 250. And it wasn’t for lack of watching him. I even spotlighted him in an Illinois game against Michigan. He’s a big stiff at cornerback and a little undersized at safety. He’s a tweener, but I like him more at safety than anywhere. Still don’t like him much. The Patriots should have traded down and tried to get him, especially with so few picks.

90. DE Jake Bequette A

Another defensive end? Well it was certainly a need even after drafting Jones and Hightower. Bequette was one of my underrated prospects and he fits the range here.

197. S Nate Ebner C

One of only a few I had never heard of that had been drafted, Ebner had 31 tackles in 3 years at Ohio State as primarily a special teamer. He’s supposedly a great special teamer and he has great measurables, but special teams aren’t hard to find. There had to be better picks than this.

224. CB Alfonzo Dennard A

Assuming he doesn’t go to jail, Dennard is a great pick here. Even if he does go to jail, it’s worth the risk. I had a 2nd round grade on Dennard before his arrest and even mocked him in the 2nd to the Patriots because he’s such a good scheme fit. He’s a bit of a bonehead for getting arrested so close to draft day and you have to question his love of the game after putting himself in that position. He’s definitely worth it in the 7th round. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he were a starter at cornerback, a position of need, for them at some point.

235. WR Jeremy Ebert A

Another player I actually had never heard of, but I don’t know how I don’t. Ebert had 2 good years of production for Northwestern in the Big 10 and ran in the 4.3s at his Pro Day. I don’t know why he wasn’t in my top 250 and why I had never heard of him. I’m baffled this guy slipped past me. This is my bad and definitely a good pick by the Patriots in the 7th round, needing some youth at receiver.

The Patriots clearly made defense a focus of their draft and rightfully so after giving up the 3rd most yards of any team ever last year. I didn’t really like the Chandler Jones pick, but he can still be a contributor, as can Jake Bequette and Dont’a Hightower. Tavon Wilson was a major reach in the 2nd round, but they got a good value with Alfonzo Dennard in the 7th.

Nate Ebner is head scratching, but it’s the late rounds. I didn’t love this draft, but I think they made the defense a lot better for the future and if not for the Wilson reach, this would probably be a B+. Replace Wilson with someone like Brandon Taylor after a move down and this is a A- probably. Stay at 27 and take Harrison Smith and grab a defensive end like Vinny Curry in the 2nd, this is probably an A draft.

Grade: B-

 

Patriots/Chargers

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By Cormac Eklof 

Seemingly every year the Chargers start off slow, but right now every single NFL pundit is tripping over themselves to pick them as a ‘come-back’ team to watch for in the second half of the season. The problem is, have you seen how soft the Chargers early schedule was, and against that all they managed was a pathetic 2-4 record? Their four losses have come to teams that went a combined 15-49 in 2009. Losing to those teams is nothing short of pathetic for a side with as much talent as the Chargers. This game is a tough situation for San Diego . All the pressure is on Norv Turner and his team. Turner has to produce results ‘yesterday’. The Patriots are effectively playing with house money, with big wins in the bag already. However, there is a bit of history between these two teams, they really don’t like each other and you can bet Bill Belichick will hammer that home all week long to his Patriots. The New England offence looks completely re-energized by the Moss trade, as if they have been freed of a weight. Brady looks very comfortable with Branch/Welker/Tate as ‘his guys’ and the play calling was very mixed and creative against Baltimore . Once again, all the pressure is on Turner and the Chargers, the Patriots can relax and go in and play their game. Traditionally the Chargers build a hole for themselves and then come back in the second half of the season, sure, but traditions are there to be ended, and the Patriots can jam a serious monkey wrench into the Chargers season with a hard fought win this coming Sunday.

The pick: New England 30-27

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Patriots at Bears

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By Cormac Eklof

Will Bill Belichick post news snippets and images from the famous Superbowl blow-out of old to rally his troops before this one? Do Bears fans have a warm, cosy feeling about the Patriots? Personally, as, at the time, a young Patriots fan, I will never forget that horrible, traumatic beating. Neither will Tony Eason, no doubt.

In there here and now, the Bears have righted their ship after a sticky little mid season slump. And are right now one of the form teams in the NFL. Playing with confidence at home, their defence is hitting hard and often. These two sides are fantastically evenly matched. Both will not be worried about the frigid weather forecast, and both will be riding long winning streaks coming in.

The Bears carry a slight edge playing at home in front of their fans, however two major aspects might give a slim overall edge to the Patriots.

First of all, as well as the Bears defence is playing, the Patriots are using every single offensive player at their disposal while averaging a superb 31 points a game. The Bears are averaging 20. IfNew England scores a couple early, it may be hard for the Bears to keep up.

Secondly, while the Bears winning streak is commendable, it has come against the likes of Buffalo , the Vikings, Miami and Detroit . The Patriots meanwhile have put away the Jets, Colts andSteelers on their streak. Clearly, advantage Patriots.

 We haven’t had a Tom Brady led fourth quarter game winning drive in a while, this looks and feels like it could be just that. A hard fought, tight game with the superior offence given the ball one more time at the end with a chance to win it. 

The pick: Patriots 34-28

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Go back to Patriots Fan Spot 

 

Patriots

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2010 Record: 14-2

Draft Position: 28

2010 Season Recap: Click Here

Offseason Needs: Click Here

Free Agents/Team Transactions: Click Here

Draft Grades: Click Here

Key Offseason Moves: Signed Marcus Stroud

Patriots Blogger: Cormac Eklof

 

2010 Posts 

Patriots @ Bears, Jets @ Patriots, Patriots @ Steelers, Tom Brady: NFL MVP at the half way point?, Minnesota Vikings vs. New England Patriots, Patriots/Chargers Preview, Five Things We Learned on NFL Sunday, Patriots/Bills Preview, New England Patriots Season Preview

 

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Patrick Stoudamire

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Today at The Football Fan Spot we have Western Illinois cornerback and NFL Draft Prospect, Patrick Stoudamire. He made the Division I-AA All-American 2nd team last year and made the All-Missouri Valley Conference first team in each of the last 3 years. He is regarded, for the most part, as a 4th-6th round prospect. A merchant cash advance is something that we will not see in Stoudamire’s immediate future, his prospects as an NFL player looks like a good one! Today he has come around to talk to us about his experience playing this game and his Pre-Draft thoughts.

The Football Fan Spot: You played last year in Division I-AA. How do you think playing in Division I-AA compares to playing in Division I? Would you say it’s a bit of a disadvantage coming from a smaller school background as you try to transition to the NFL?

Patrick Stoudamire: I believe the only thing that is different between D1-AA and D1-A is the front 7, because it is shown in the past that D1-AA and smaller are actually producing well in the NFL. I believe if you can lock up a receiver at D1-AA you can in D1-A. I showed that in the East-West game and practices. The only disadvantage I would say is the quarterbacks in D1-AA do not throw at a good corner but the D1-A school quarterbacks do over and over which allows those corners to rack up INTs and pass break-ups, and also a lot of passes caught and scored on. But the transition into the NFL is always going to be a shocker just like it was to become a collegiate player. The speed and the strength and crisp routes by the receivers and the arm accuracy and strength and power of the quarterbacks all improve.

TFFS: You got a chance to play in the East-West shrine game despite your small school background. What was that experience like?

PS: The experience of the East/West game was a once in the life time experience because of the kids, visiting the hospital was very life changing, we were running so those kids can walk. And on the football aspect it was great because I got to go against the best, Freddie Barnes and Blair White in practice everyday and showing the scouts that I can guard whoever is in front of me.

TFFS: Do you think you did a good job of showing what kind of pro you could be to the scouts watching or were there a few things you wish you could have done differently?

PS: I hope I grabbed the attention of the scouts even if it was only one because all it takes is one.

TFFS: Which players at the East/West game, either on your team or the opposing team, really impressed you most?

PS: Blair White impressed me the most. His routes were very crisp and he was faster and more quicker than I thought.

TFFS: You didn’t get a chance to work out at the Combine, but you have a Pro Day coming up. How have you been preparing for that?

PS: Even though I didn’t get an invite to the combine, I still went on my way to train even harder to prove that I should have and I have been working out at Perfect Competition with Auto Bolden as my speed coach and Brain Martin and his crew. Now I am working on my starts to better my 40.

TFFS: Who do you compare yourself most to in the NFL? Is there anyone you model your game after?

PS: Champ Bailey, a lock down corner and my style of play is like Nnamdi Asomugha he is just so dominant out there.

TFFS: A little bit of background stuff, when did you start playing football? Who did were some of your favorite players to watch as a kid? Favorite team to watch?

PS: I started playing football in 4th grade I believe. The earlier years were just for fun, started out in flag. My favorite players as a kid were Brett Favre and Champ Bailey. My favorite team was Green Bay with Brett Favre, Antonio Freeman, Reggie White, and Dorsey Levens. Beast team.

TFFS: When did you first realize that you had a really got shot at the NFL?

PS: I realized my sophomore year that I had a great chance in playing in the NFL so I gave up playing basketball. I did play two sports my freshman year that is why I went to WIU and not a bigger school.

TFFS: Give me a little bit of a self scouting report, what do you say you could contribute most to an NFL team? What is your biggest weakness or thing you need to work on most?

PS: A very good sized corner with speed and the determination to do what it takes to get the job done. The biggest thing I need to work on and can always improve is driving through the receiver, which I worked on a lot in the East/West Shrine game/practice.

TFFS: Which, if any, NFL teams have contacted you up to this point?

PS: I talked with the Bears, Jaguars, Falcons, Patriots, Redskins, Buccaneers, Panthers, just to name a few.

TFFS: Your former teammate, Jason Williams, was a 3rd round pick of the Dallas Cowboys last year. Have you been keeping in contact with him throughout this Pre-Draft process and if so, what has he told you and how has he helped you?

PS: Yes, Jason is a close friend and he is always giving me advice throughout this process. He has gotten me ready to come into a business not just a sport. Another person who has helped me a lot was my mentor and my late cousin Chris Mims. He told me to always keep my body in the tubs and treat this like a business and go back to school and finish your degree because football is just the beginning and the leather ball will open doors for you that not many people even get the chance, so take every opportunity to listen to people who are successful.

TFFS: One final question, if an NFL GM were standing right in front of you and asked you, why should we draft you, what would you say to him?

PS: I am a reliable person, will do whatever it takes to get the job done and that you can rely on me.

TFFS: Thanks again for doing this. Good luck in the NFL.

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