PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Mike Dussault

Mock Drafting: Picking for the 2012 schemes or 2013 potential evolutions?

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I am really agonizing over this final mock draft, as you can probably tell from my double posts today sharing my thoughts on putting it together. 

Ultimately here’s what it comes down to: Do I pick the guys for how the 2012 Patriots ran things? Or do I pick the guys for how I think the 2013 Patriots should evolve?

The easiest example of this is on the defensive line where I’ve written ad nauseum about the need for pass rush in the base defense. While I have stats to back that argument up, it’s impossible to know if they want to stick with the “double-nose” base.

If they want to stick with that there are plenty of options like Jesse Willams or Johnathan Hankins at the top of the draft. But if I stay true to how I think they should evolve I would take someone like Sylvester Wiliams or Kawann Short.

Same thing goes for receivers. Ideally a tall outside threat seems like the missing piece, so someone like Justin Hunter would make sense. But maybe the Pats like their offense built around possession receivers just fine, so that would put those 6’0" or under into play as well.

Wish there were some perfect guys who are a combination of both but I don’t see anyone clear cut. 

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You talk to any defensive coordinator in the league, and one of the first things they proclaim is how much more they can do schematically if they have even one corner that can play man-to-man with no help from either an underneath linebacker or an over the top safety. That player, the man-to-man corner, may be the most vital piece of the defensive puzzle. He shapes the defense tactically, allowing for maximum flexibility with both the pressure schemes and the coverage concepts, especially in those critical third down situations.

Shutdown Corner | Sports Blog – Yahoo! Sports

Hope Talib can be this guy for a full season this fall…

https://www.patspropaganda.com/you-talk-to-any-defensive-coordinator-in-the/

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https://www.patspropaganda.com/12665/

Why not a WR in the first and a WR in the second?

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Making the final push here on the last mock draft, and given what the Pats really truly need I’m wondering right now why couldn’t they go with two wide receivers with their first two picks? Not sure I’m ready to pull the trigger on that just yet for the mock, but right now I think it really makes sense.

Why? Well let’s be realistic about the Pats other needs. Outside of receiver, every other starter returns on both sides of the ball. You can make plenty of arguments for other needs, especially in the long-term interest of the team, but none compare to level of need at receiver.

Defensive End? Sure. Ninkovich is in the last year of his deal. Though it still seems plausible that John Abraham or even Dwight Freeney could be added. No one knows what to expect out of Jermaine Cunningham or Justin Francis. Same goes for Armond Armstead, even if many are projecting him as a defensive tackle. Still, I don’t see defensive end as a critical need, even for camp competition. Give me a designated pass rushing veteran and they’re pretty much set there for 2013 in my view.

What about cornerback? All the starters return and though no one is counting on Ras-I Dowling for anything, it’s not a critical situation there either.

If there’s one thing that seems clear to me, it’s that the Patriots must get an impact wide receiver in the draft. They need it for 2013, and they need it for the long term. 

So why not mitigate risk and take two receivers with the first two picks? There are a number of talented ones that will go in the top two rounds of the draft. Receivers of all shapes and sizes. Taking two ensures one of them should get it. And who knows, maybe both will and the Pats will be set on offense for the foreseeable future.

Everyone knows how hard the Pats offense is on receivers, and everyone knows the history of misses on them both in the draft and free agency. I won’t argue that wide receiver is the most vital position on the field, it’s far from it, and I think no matter who is on the outside, the Pats should be okay this year.

But if they truly want to build another explosive offense they still need to add pieces at the position because there is not enough talent there at the moment.

I’m narrowing down my favorite receivers now, and by next Thursday will make a decision on what the best fits are, but right now I can see a lot of reasons why a double-dip right at the top makes sense.

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https://www.patspropaganda.com/12672/

Hernandez has shoulder surgery, should be ready for training camp

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It sure hasn’t been an easy offseason for the Patriots, at this point it seems like their only significant weapon from 2012 that isn’t dealing with an injury (and is still a Patriot) is Stevan Ridley, who, oh by the way, was last seen laid out on the field, unconscious.

At this point, we’ve all gone into “hopefully everyone will be healthy and ready for the playoff push” because it certainly seems like the offense will be dealing with a number of issues at the start of the season. 

Gronk could still be out, Edelman will be the only legit receiver who’s caught a pass from TFB (and I use the term “legit” loosely), and now Hernandez might possibly be limited as well.

Let’s just get to the draft so we can have some new players to be excited about, because I’m sick of the random “oh and this guy’s still injured too” reports.