I think they cut Hank early out of that respect, to allow him the opportunity to possibly catch on with another club. On the Branch scenario, I think reality is sinking in. The Pats offer is the market for Branch. Take the money. Everybody in the NFL realizes that Brady is largely responsible for making Branch look Good. It's a gamble to take him away from Brady for even that sized contract. Dude has never had over 5 TD's in a season, and they're offering him a deal that's worth around 30 million and 13 million of that up front? Come on? Undepaid? I don't think Deon or his agent have any sense of reality when they talk about underpaid. You are a cog in a well built machine Deon, and you are not the central cog, nor an irreplacable cog. Sign the contract, while you can, because if you don't, you will not see anything that's 80% of this after Friday. Wow, this original post was a long time ago.
I see the WR corps coming back w/ Branch at #1, Andre Davis at #2. After that, it's up in the air. Givens, I'm thinking, is probably gone. I'd love to see him stay, but preparing myself for the worst. Troy Brown? Still a very solid 4-5. Bethel Johnson? I just don't see him back. He's fast, but never developed.
Branch will be signed, probably taking the 3 year deal on Friday, or at least that's my hope. Caldwell can't be the 2, can he? Really, the WR race is open. Brown looksl like the 3 to me. The ageless, surehanded wonder. He's a class act. The WR position is up in the air. I have little fear, because they don't have to be great, just good.
QB. Brady. and CAssell as the backup is solid. Anybody who saw him against Miami has to believe that he'll only be in NE for a few years and then a solid starter somewhere else. The kid does look good. Can Flutie come back next year? I think he can, but I also think he was more of a safety net this year, while Cassell developed. I see a rookie at the #3 slot. Risky? Yes, but you can't waste cap room on anything else.
I stand by my words at the close of the season. I think they'll have two QB's on the team, and Bramlett on the practice squad. I do look forward to seeing Cassell plaly in the NFL someday. He appears to have a certain moxie about him that will make him a Bradyesque QB. In and NFC Uni of course.
RB. My biggest area of concern. I love Corey Dillon. But, IMHO he was never in good shape this year. Age? I'll agree, but we need to draft a solid young RB. Faulk makes great plays, but he also puts the ball on the ground, a lot. Pass is a very solid FB who can tote the rock in a pinch. But, NE really needs to address the position this off season. I also see Heath Evans back next year.
The Pats appear to have a wealth of riches at RB in Camp. Dillon, Maroney, locks. Evans appears to be the lock at FB. I'd think Pass is a lock because of his versatility in the special teams. Cobbs looks too good to let go. Does that leave Faulk as the odd man out? They can't carry six RB's, can they? Because I think they'll carry 4 TE's. With Mills capable of playing FB. I'm excited, because we haven't broken camp with even two guys that I had confidence in toting the rock, and now we have three ball carriers, and three solid blockers.
TE. I think they're in great shape. Watson lost his rookie season, so this really was it. But, man when the kid came on late in the season, he was everything I expected. Anybody see the overhead shot of him chasing down Bailey, at altitude? That dude can fly. He's stong, great hands. They've got to get him into the offense more. Dan Graham is like another tackle on the line. And, he's got great hands and can get down the field. To be fair, the TE's didn't catch many balls this year, because they were in for protection a lot, with all the line injuries. But, I don't think there's any change at the position.
Graham Cracker!!!! I love it. Sad, but true. Plays like a tackle, with all the toughness of a backup kicker. But, a wealth of talent, with Graham, Watson, Mills and Thomas all making the team.
Oline-I think we're in great shape. We lost our center, Koppen, our Left Tackle and left guard for most of the year. And still were decent. With light and Koppen back next year, and Mankins having a season under his belt, and Kaczur with a lot of PT to come off the bench. We're in good shape here, though I expect another mid round pick in the draft.
I couldn't be happier with where we're at here. Apparantly found a starter in O'Callaghan in the 5th round, or at least a very solid backup, which just improves the depth is what was already going to be a pretty deep line, due to the forced trial by fire last year, because of injury. Not worried at all here. This will be one of the top units in the league. Less than 20 sacks, and a 5.0 ypc.D-Line, still think our front 3 is the best in the game. By the end of the year, the rest of the league will speak as highly of Wilfork as they do of Seymour. Our backup NT plays on special teams. I love that. Ty Warren doesn't get the accolades he deserves, because he plays with such greats, but he's a top 10 DT. With Green Wright and Sullivan coming off the bench, we have depth. LB-Signing Seau was HUGE> He can't go 60, but he can go hard for 30. It allows BB to move Vrabel in and out, taking advantage of his immense talent. Would like a little more depth here. I want to see Tully Banta-Cain, and see if he's hit his potential. That would be huge. He's been coming. Also Don Davis. They've been there, and know the system. BB hasn't been holding them for nothing. The secondary has me worried, but the from 7 are so good that they don't have to be great, just good, and having Harrison back there to be the traffic cop will be the glue to hold them together. He was sorely missed. I'm optomistic that they can be a top 5-10 D, and probably higher, solely on the strength of the front 7. If the DB's have gotten the system down, they are top 5.
