Official New England Patriots Forum Thread

[celtsxpatsxsox]

I am pretty sure we could find a replacement for Gaffney easily, Fred Taylor was a great signing and I think he might contribute a lot more than people think.

Matt Cassel should be traded by the draft but Belichick would rather get a bunch of draft picks rather than a top 5 pick. Wouldnt be surprised if Belichick(we all know he has a lot to say in what the team does) trades cassel to KC for there 1st round pick then trades the pick it to someone like the Lions for there later 1st round pick and maybe 2nd or 3rd round pick.

I also wouldnt put out the possibility of the patriots making an attempt at Julius Peppers especially if they can clear Cassel's salary.

[Len B]

Fred Taylor coming in = great move
Getting rid of Vrabel = great move

If the Patriots can get another young stud LB in the draft they are looking at a beastly, young and aggressive LB core. I think they are going in this direction to start putting a lot more pressure on QB's to make up for a lack of a secondary.

[celtsxpatsxsox]

the only thing about Peppers though is that he will demand a lot of money and the patriots organization usually doesnt like to spend big money on players.(aside from a few)

[Len B]

No way the Patriots go after Peppers. They have more pressing needs, and that D-Line is already elite.

[Scorask]

I know Gaffney is replaceable but Kelley Washington was cut a week or two ago. I like Fred Taylor a lot, I think he going the be huge for us. I'm more concerned with whats up with Cassel? There is only so much you can do with that amount of money tied up!

[celtsxpatsxsox]

I am pretty sure Cassel is going to be traded by the draft. Once all the FA QB's are signed you will see more teams inquire about him. I still say he goes to the chiefs though.

And Len if we did get Peppers he would play OLB not DE. Then we could draft another MLB(I know we have Guyton and Mayo) or a cornerback.

[Yawkey Way]

i'm not really happy about the vrabel move. What if all these "what ifs" that we're mentioning don't work out. What if there isn't a "stud LB" available in the draft? Now we're sitting in training camp with tully banta-cain? Pierre Woods? In my opinion we should of held onto vrabel, he's vital to the D.

[celtsxpatsxsox]

i'm not really happy about the vrabel move. What if all these "what ifs" that we're mentioning don't work out. What if there isn't a "stud LB" available in the draft? Now we're sitting in training camp with tully banta-cain? Pierre Woods? In my opinion we should of held onto vrabel, he's vital to the D.

there are plenty of LB in this years draft so I dont think there is a problem with us getting one. Tully Banta-Cain isnt on the pats so we wouldnt be stuck with him. Worst comes to worst we move Gary Guyton to OLB.

[killgod]

between Thomas, Crable, Mayo, Guyton, Woods and Bruschi I think our LB's look arlright for this season so far.

BB will grab another in the draft and plug in a cheap Vet (maybe Spikes?)

Vrabel is far from 'vital' to our D. In order to stay competitive year in and year out, you need to cycle your roster to keep value coming in.

We keep Vrabel for a couple more years, he ages, gets worse and retires. Or we get some value for him now. Makes sense to me.



Please post ASAP when anyone hears of what we got for Cassel.

[celtsxpatsxsox]

I am pretty sure we could find a replacement for Gaffney easily, Fred Taylor was a great signing and I think he might contribute a lot more than people think.

Matt Cassel should be traded by the draft but Belichick would rather get a bunch of draft picks rather than a top 5 pick. Wouldnt be surprised if Belichick(we all know he has a lot to say in what the team does) trades cassel to KC for there 1st round pick then trades the pick it to someone like the Lions for there later 1st round pick and maybe 2nd or 3rd round pick.

I also wouldnt put out the possibility of the patriots making an attempt at Julius Peppers especially if they can clear Cassel's salary.

looks like my prediction could be right about cassel.

[kyhadley]

Im liking what they're doing so far this off-season, they're opening up alot of cap and they're getting younger. I wish they could've gotten more for Cassel but thats cause I really liked him, but in Bill we trust.

Also Tully Banta-Cain is on the Pats. link

[kyhadley]

oops, double post

[Len B]

I'm curious to see what direction they go in the draft. Four picks in the first two rounds means they could essentially rebuild the LB/S position easily, but I have a feeling they might go offense as well with either a WR or HB.

[Len B]

I'm a little bummed they passed on the #12 pick (if thats a true story). Rey Maualuga would've been nice.

[celtsxpatsxsox]

I would like them to get a LB or CB in the first round. In the second round they will probably draft a wide receiver with one of those picks cause we could use another guy on the outside. Lets hope he doesnt turn into Chad Jackson.