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Baldinger offers thoughts on Pats’ draft plans 02.17.10 at 9:11 pm ET
By Christopher Price
in-baldinger-090307

Baldinger believes the Patriots need to target an outside pass rusher in the draft.

Leading up to the draft, WEEI.com will ask NFL analysts and draft insiders their thoughts on what the Patriots should do this year. This week, Brian Baldinger of the NFL Network gives his thoughts on what type of players New England should go after on draft weekend. Baldinger, a co-host of the show “Playbook,” believes the Patriots should target — in order of importance — outside pass rushers, wide receivers, running backs and cornerbacks this April. Here’s why:

“The Patriots were an average defense at best last year, and losses to the Broncos and Dolphins and Ravens, they were unable for long stretches of the game to apply pressure from their 3-4 defense. Thirteen teams currently run a 3-4 defense, and the good ones made the playoffs. Off the top of my head, there’s San Diego, Baltimore, the New York Jets, Dallas, Green Bay and Arizona, not to mention the former Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. In all examples, you can name one if not two very good outside linebackers who can rush the passer.

“The Patriots don’t have that guy, and Belichick is not a creative blitzer. If they want to play with the pressure packages of the Jets, Steelers and Ravens in the AFC, then they need to find that guy, just the same way the Packers found Clay Matthews this year.

“As for receiver, Randy Moss looked disinterested down the stretch this season, and Welker is coming off major surgery. Watson was barely looked at by Brady, and Sam Aiken was hardly an option. Brady needs go-to guys that can win his trust immediately, the way Garcon and Collie did for Manning.

“At running back, Maroney is OK, but Taylor is done. They need help there with young, fresh legs. They could also use corner help, because they can’t seem to keep the ones they draft, and the veterans they brought in aren’t the answer.

“They need to continue to get younger and faster and more athletic. The answer for Belichick in his glorious run has always been to draft well and fortify the ranks with smart veteran players. This year, the additions of Springs, Galloway and Taylor were those guys, and it didn’t work.”

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  • Rich

    There is a lot more than Galloway to choose from this year.
    That same process of additions that did not work last year worked pretty good in years prior. The 2 draft pick penalty caught up with BB last year and it won’t happen again. The grind in being the best was too much for some, and others grew ego (which attracted them to more $)- both of which are natural. Staff turnover will not be an issue this season either.
    Keep doing what they always do (in the glorious run) is a nice compliment.

    We’ll see exactly how much teams will keep in the tank as artillery for next season, as contract signings are few lately. Very few.
    (I’m convinced that the Seymour move was in anticipation that draft picks of ‘tomorrow’ when player salaries are renegotiated (and cheaper) will have more value than the draft pick of today which will only cost more, since the team will have to pay that player based on ‘todays’ cba rules, which makes the player more ‘expensive’. The elephant in the room is getting more and more attention.)

    Great article.

  • http://www.gmail.com Tony C

    Patriots don’t e ven pay for a off coordinator that the problem they don’t “show the money !!”

  • http://www.gmail.com Tony C

    If they can afford new turf for Gillette Stadium ,why can’t they pay like the other NFL teams, for an established Offensive and defensive coordinator.
    They have drafted so poorly the past 2 drafts I miss Scot Pioli

  • Rich

    To give your complaining some context Tony, third place is worse than 1st place. You win.
    When you say ‘other NFL teams’, surely you don’t refer to those 25 teams that placed worse than us.
    We’re not that far off. Hiring a new coordinator only to have that individual leave the team in two or three years for more money somewhere else has contributed to our modest decline.
    Pioli didn’t pull the strings.
    Colts & Chargers. We have to beat these 2. That’s the only focus – to improve our 3rd place showing.

    What you’re really saying is either:
    a. Belichick is unable to get us there, or
    b. He doesn’t care to, or
    c. Kraft is prohibiting His ability to be effective (by fronting less cash)

    If ‘c’ is true, then we might have to witness Belichick’s departure from Foxboro (which would really make us more like the ‘other NFL teams’ you refer to). BB has given NO indication of this being the case. If ‘a’ or ‘b’ are true, then you may be better off cheering for the enemy. Complaining in February distinguishes your intellect from mine though. Not one transaction has taken place and you see right through everything that hasn’t happened yet. Good job.
    (The past 2 poor drafts; as in the one’s we were penalized a 1st & 2nd rounder. Do you miss your mom too?)

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