My takeaway from the 2017 defensive season was that a high-priced secondary isn’t worth much if the front seven stinks, so I was surprised by reports connecting Aqib Talib and Richard Sherman to the Patriots. Yes, the Pats will probably (definitely) lose Malcolm Butler, but with Eric Rowe still there, Jonathan Jones returning and the veteran trio back at safety, maybe it’s best to not make a drastic move at cornerback for a second year in a row?
I know corners like Talib and Sherman are shiny objects, but I’d far prefer my Patriots shiny defensive objects to be defensive end and linebacker types. There was just so much attrition at those spots in 2017, basically losing four veteran edge players who made some of the biggest plays of the last few seasons. The position group needs to be flooded with as much camp competition as possible, to let the next Ninkovich emerge and also find out how good guys like Dietrich Wise, Adam Butler, Derek Rivers and Eric Lee really are.
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Cyrus Jones has had a rough two years to start his career but he’s a very good camp piece who should leave it all out on the field and who knows, maybe become a viable fourth rotational corner. We do know Stephon Gilmore seemed to find his stride and looks like someone who can be left on an island. That already makes things a lot easier for the rest of the secondary, trying to find a near-equivalent of that in the free agency market, at a raised price, seems an inefficient use of cap space.
Add in two second-year safeties in Damarius Travis and David Jones who spent all of 2017 on the practice squad, as well as (and I know we all hate it but they seem to like him for some inexplicable reason) Jordan Richards and the Pats already have a pretty deep secondary before entering either free agency or the draft.
That investment needs to go toward a vet like Connor Barwin or Trent Murphy, veteran players who can bring toughness, leadership and versatility up front. I’m fine extending James Harrison an offer, if nothing else he sets the edge and still gets push with his bull rush. Let him compete in August and help set a tone.
With a new defensive coordinator the 2018 defense will inevitably have a new feel to it, especially on the edges after Hightower and Flowers where they must find the next generation of playmakers who can get to the quarterback in the big game.
Speaking of investing heavily at LB or DE, are you buying the hype around Boise St ILB, Leighton Vander Esch? Seems like everyone is putting him on the Pat’s draft board for a late 1st round.
Mike,
Totally agree on the front 7. It also made me think about this off-season, the Jimmy G trade, and whatever the issues are with the big 3 + Gronk. Is it possible B.B. wanted to bridge to Jimmy G ( even though jimmy wouldn’t have taken it except if by force via franchise) and Brady and Kraft saw that as crippling Bradys final years to win with $18M per on a backup so Kraft would not sign off on it? And if that’s the case, and B.B. is more focused on long term viability vs win now is that the problem over there? You made the (1000% correct) call to ride the Brady wave out. Now you have to go all in. Have to. Don’t half ass this. You shipped a likely franchise QB out for this opportunity to win now. Grooming next QB not a priority. Can’t let Gronk walk. Can’t let Solder walk . Need to add an impact piece in front seven. Cap woes be damned. If B.B., who only has 5? years left, is not on board with this, even though he is the one who built this empire, what do you do as Kraft? Would you do the unthinkable and shop B.B. for control to win now and a boatload of picks? This was unfathomable until recently but B.B. may be his own worst enemy with the house he has built. This past offseason they did almost go all in except for maxing out on Jimmy G return. Can he change his colors when it comes to team
Building (which he has done – trading for future picks a round higher dried up, now trading a first for a receiver) to win now? Should go out in a blaze of glory while the best player in history is still playing like it. AFC still ripe for the taking. I would absolutely take 5 yrs of Browns level awful for 1 (or 2) more titles. I hope B.B. takes that approach.
Great points, didn’t even think about how much comes with saying it’s Brady Till The End!
I’m for riding Brady to the end however I still favor the classic BB approach of win now AND later with smarter short and long term planning and better and smarter roster management with good roster depth and a productive middle class.
I think grooming a QB has to be a priority. However it has to be someone they like nearly as much as Jimmy. You don’t get a signal called just to do it. You get the right guy, or if he isn’t there you invest in other areas of the team and try again the following year.