TEAM NEEDS, DAY 2, PATS, ATLANTA, RAVENS & SEATTLE
NFL Draft day countdown, 12-days & counting. Time to analyze the needs of four more 2010 playoff teams.
New England #28
Once again the Patriots have a slew of draft picks, 3 of the top 33, 6 all told in the first three rounds. With nine picks overall, Bill Belichick can restock his Patriots.
1. Offensive linemen-This will be first on Bill Belichick's shopping list. He's in danger of losing the left side of his O-line, Logan Mankins & Matt Light, to free agency. There isn't solid depth either.
2. Defensive end-Richard Seymour was traded to Oakland 2-years ago & Belichick hasn't found a suitable replacement. The Pats need an end who can set the edge in run defense, too often runners got outside for big yardage.
3. Wide receiver-Once Randy Moss departed, New England couldn't stretch many defenses. They have enough underneath, possession guys, they need a bigger, faster playmaker outside who can get deep.
4. Outside linebacker-Weakside play was sub-par & got zero pass rush off the edge.
5. Running back-BenJarvus Green-Ellis & Danny Woodhead did a decent job last season, but I think the Pats could use an every down back, I like Green-Ellis & Woodhead as situational players, not the main guys.
Look for someone like Florida C/G Mike Pouncy, Baylor OG Danny Watkins or Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward.
Atlanta #27
The Falcons had it all set up last year, homefield advantage thruout the playoffs & then were blown out at home by the eventual champion Green Bay Packers. Their weaknesses were exposed for everyone to see, their 13-3 record was somewhat of a mirage & Atlanta has a lot of work to do if they want to return to the playoffs in 2011.
1. Defensive end-John Abraham continued his strong pass rush with 13 sacks, but the other 4 DE's on the roster combined for a total of 6 sacks. More bad news, Abraham will be 33 next month. Help here is paramount.
2. Offensive guard-both starters, Justin Blaylock & Harvey Dahl can become free agents. Nuff said.
3. Tight end-The NFL's all-time tight end, Tony Gonzalez, has said this will be his last season. His backups, Justin Peele, a 10-year vet with only 122 receptions & Michael Palmer, a 2nd year guy with 5 receptions last season. Better get somebody lined up to replace Tony G.
4. Cornerback-Starters(Dunta Robinson & Brent Grimes) played well but there's zero depth. When nickel back Brian Williams suffered a knee injury late in the season, Chris Owens stepped in & got scorched, especially by the Packers in the playoff slaughter.
5. Wide receiver-Roddy White had a great year in 2010, but he's a medium range specialist & coupled with Gonzalez, teams flood the intermediate zones attempting to stop QB Matt Ryan. It works, the Falcons don't have a true deep threat to get those safeties back on their heels, not charging toward the line of scrimmage. A true speed receiver would be a welcome addition.
The Falcons could be looking at cornerbacks Jimmy Smith of Colorado or Aaron Williams of Texas, defensive end Adrian Clayborn of Iowa or offensive guard Danny Watkins.
Baltimore #26
Tho they continue making the playoffs, the Ravens have some issues to address if they're to go deeper into the playoffs.
1. Offensive tackle-Michael Oher was underwhelming after being moved to left tackle. it might be best if he's moved back to the right side. Jared Gaither started the season at RT but his back & poor practice habits would make him doubtful to return. Marshall Yanda took over, but he's a better inside than at tackle. Oneill Cousins showed some promise but he's not as advanced as Oher at LT, so there's the rub.
2. Defensive end-Cory Redding's best days are behind him & 2nd year man Paul Kruger looks more like a career backup than a starter. Haloti Ngata is all-pro on the other side.
3. Wide receiver-The Ravens have plenty of possession-type guys, but no one capable of stretching the field. They need a young burner outside who can keep the safeties honest.
4. Outside linebacker-Terrell Suggs is a force against the run & as a pass rusher. Jarret Johnson is a fine strongside run defender, but he does little in the way of pressuring the passer, just 1.5 sacks last year. Sergio Kindle was drafted to be "the guy" on the left side, but he suffered a fractured skull falling down two flights of stairs before training camp opened. It's still not known if he'll play this season.
5. Inside linebacker-Ray Lewis will turn 36 next month, he can't go on forever. Jameel McClain is just average, he gets his stats by playing "next to" Ray Lewis.
Baltimore could go several ways in round one, one I could see is Oregon State defensive lineman Stephen Paea, another is Mississippi State offensive tackle Derrick Sherrod or possibly Cameron Hayward.
Seattle #25
The 7-9 Seahawks made it to the 2nd round of the playoffs last season but they're far from a being capable of going deep into the playoffs again this year. Pete Carroll knows he's in the worst division in the NFL, it won't take much to repeat.
1. Offensive linemen-with three due to be free agents, acquiring a couple of potential starters is imperative.
2. Quarterback-Matt Hasselback & his bad back have a very short shelf life & backup Charlie Whitehurst wasn't worth the 3rd round draft pick Carroll traded to acquire him.
3. Wide receiver-Big Mike Williams lead the Seahawks with just 65 receptions, Deon Butler was 2nd with 36, get the picture?
4. Cornerback-Kelly Jennings will be a free agent & with the exception of Walter Thurmond, there's no real depth. They need a more physical corner from this draft.
Don't be shocked if Carroll rolls the dice with local favorite, Jake Locker Washington QB. Mike Pouncey & Colorado offensive tackle Nate Solder is also possibilities.
The next installment will include the Saints, Eagles, Colts & Chiefs.
New England #28
Once again the Patriots have a slew of draft picks, 3 of the top 33, 6 all told in the first three rounds. With nine picks overall, Bill Belichick can restock his Patriots.
1. Offensive linemen-This will be first on Bill Belichick's shopping list. He's in danger of losing the left side of his O-line, Logan Mankins & Matt Light, to free agency. There isn't solid depth either.
2. Defensive end-Richard Seymour was traded to Oakland 2-years ago & Belichick hasn't found a suitable replacement. The Pats need an end who can set the edge in run defense, too often runners got outside for big yardage.
3. Wide receiver-Once Randy Moss departed, New England couldn't stretch many defenses. They have enough underneath, possession guys, they need a bigger, faster playmaker outside who can get deep.
4. Outside linebacker-Weakside play was sub-par & got zero pass rush off the edge.
5. Running back-BenJarvus Green-Ellis & Danny Woodhead did a decent job last season, but I think the Pats could use an every down back, I like Green-Ellis & Woodhead as situational players, not the main guys.
Look for someone like Florida C/G Mike Pouncy, Baylor OG Danny Watkins or Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward.
Atlanta #27
The Falcons had it all set up last year, homefield advantage thruout the playoffs & then were blown out at home by the eventual champion Green Bay Packers. Their weaknesses were exposed for everyone to see, their 13-3 record was somewhat of a mirage & Atlanta has a lot of work to do if they want to return to the playoffs in 2011.
1. Defensive end-John Abraham continued his strong pass rush with 13 sacks, but the other 4 DE's on the roster combined for a total of 6 sacks. More bad news, Abraham will be 33 next month. Help here is paramount.
2. Offensive guard-both starters, Justin Blaylock & Harvey Dahl can become free agents. Nuff said.
3. Tight end-The NFL's all-time tight end, Tony Gonzalez, has said this will be his last season. His backups, Justin Peele, a 10-year vet with only 122 receptions & Michael Palmer, a 2nd year guy with 5 receptions last season. Better get somebody lined up to replace Tony G.
4. Cornerback-Starters(Dunta Robinson & Brent Grimes) played well but there's zero depth. When nickel back Brian Williams suffered a knee injury late in the season, Chris Owens stepped in & got scorched, especially by the Packers in the playoff slaughter.
5. Wide receiver-Roddy White had a great year in 2010, but he's a medium range specialist & coupled with Gonzalez, teams flood the intermediate zones attempting to stop QB Matt Ryan. It works, the Falcons don't have a true deep threat to get those safeties back on their heels, not charging toward the line of scrimmage. A true speed receiver would be a welcome addition.
The Falcons could be looking at cornerbacks Jimmy Smith of Colorado or Aaron Williams of Texas, defensive end Adrian Clayborn of Iowa or offensive guard Danny Watkins.
Baltimore #26
Tho they continue making the playoffs, the Ravens have some issues to address if they're to go deeper into the playoffs.
1. Offensive tackle-Michael Oher was underwhelming after being moved to left tackle. it might be best if he's moved back to the right side. Jared Gaither started the season at RT but his back & poor practice habits would make him doubtful to return. Marshall Yanda took over, but he's a better inside than at tackle. Oneill Cousins showed some promise but he's not as advanced as Oher at LT, so there's the rub.
2. Defensive end-Cory Redding's best days are behind him & 2nd year man Paul Kruger looks more like a career backup than a starter. Haloti Ngata is all-pro on the other side.
3. Wide receiver-The Ravens have plenty of possession-type guys, but no one capable of stretching the field. They need a young burner outside who can keep the safeties honest.
4. Outside linebacker-Terrell Suggs is a force against the run & as a pass rusher. Jarret Johnson is a fine strongside run defender, but he does little in the way of pressuring the passer, just 1.5 sacks last year. Sergio Kindle was drafted to be "the guy" on the left side, but he suffered a fractured skull falling down two flights of stairs before training camp opened. It's still not known if he'll play this season.
5. Inside linebacker-Ray Lewis will turn 36 next month, he can't go on forever. Jameel McClain is just average, he gets his stats by playing "next to" Ray Lewis.
Baltimore could go several ways in round one, one I could see is Oregon State defensive lineman Stephen Paea, another is Mississippi State offensive tackle Derrick Sherrod or possibly Cameron Hayward.
Seattle #25
The 7-9 Seahawks made it to the 2nd round of the playoffs last season but they're far from a being capable of going deep into the playoffs again this year. Pete Carroll knows he's in the worst division in the NFL, it won't take much to repeat.
1. Offensive linemen-with three due to be free agents, acquiring a couple of potential starters is imperative.
2. Quarterback-Matt Hasselback & his bad back have a very short shelf life & backup Charlie Whitehurst wasn't worth the 3rd round draft pick Carroll traded to acquire him.
3. Wide receiver-Big Mike Williams lead the Seahawks with just 65 receptions, Deon Butler was 2nd with 36, get the picture?
4. Cornerback-Kelly Jennings will be a free agent & with the exception of Walter Thurmond, there's no real depth. They need a more physical corner from this draft.
Don't be shocked if Carroll rolls the dice with local favorite, Jake Locker Washington QB. Mike Pouncey & Colorado offensive tackle Nate Solder is also possibilities.
The next installment will include the Saints, Eagles, Colts & Chiefs.
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