Mike Dussault

It’s fine. They need to keep throwing veteran receivers into the mix because there’s no clear cut starter at the X position right now. So the vets can compete and hopefully a high-round WR pick comes in who can slowly work into starting. But you’ll need someone on the outside to start the season, so Jenkins could be a good possibility there. But ideally I think they’d want him/Donald to be the 3rd receiver (Branch role from last year) by November with the rookie elevating to the starting lineup by then.

Ideally this is how I’d like the receiver corps:

X – Rookie, Jenkins

Z – Amendola, Edelman/Jones

F – Hernandez, Fells

Y- Gronk, Ballard, Hoomanawanui

Yeah, pretty super awesome. I really thought for the long term stability of the offensive line he was the key piece of the big three to bring back. I’m sure the crappy market helped make it happen. Is right tackle probably the easiest position on the roster to fill? Yes. But Vollmer can be the best right tackle in the NFL, and since the Patriots are protected if he gets hurt, it’s pretty much the perfect deal. 

Not to get into semantics, but Gronk is the traditional “Y” or in-line tight end, and Hernandez has played the “F”, or flex tight end position. I know some people have suggested putting Hernandez at “X”, which should be your most explosive wide receiver but I just don’t see it. He’s not a great blocker but he has the size to at least keep the defense honest against the run. Putting him out on the edge of the offense takes that away, and also puts his lack of “burner” speed under the microscope. Put it this way, you want Hernandez on linebackers, safeties or sub-corners, not Darrelle Revis.

They have until 4/19 to decide on Sanders, he’s a decent option but let’s be honest, it’s not like he’s guaranteed to light it up. Young had some off the field problems too, so I doubt he’s an option.

It leads me to think they really have to try and get a true X receiver in the draft. There are plenty of guys with potential this year. They just have to pick the right one.

Lots more on this in this B/R article I wrote earlier this week.

As anyone who reads this site knows I am in full agreement with this. It’s unfortunate because I really love how Spikes plays and what he brings to the table. The Pats run defense was the best it’s been in a decade last year, and Spikes was a big part why.

One commenter suggested trying Hightower at middle linebacker in the base, which I thought would be interesting. I do think there’s a spot for both of them, but I would like to see Dane Fletcher, or another player in his mold, get a shot at starting in the base defense. 

The Pats moved to a 4-3 defense but Spikes is really ideal for the 3-4 mike position. In the 4-3 you want someone like Brian Urlacher in his prime, who can run down the middle with tight ends and receivers.

So I’m not sure exactly what the answer is, but I think there will be some experimentation there. Unless Spikes make a big jump in coverage (which might be possible given his absence from twitter, maybe he’s working hard), I think they really need to consider reducing his snaps unless it’s against run-heavy teams.

Against the Broncos I’m not sure he should see the field, and again, I love the player, just not sure he can do what they need him to do.