Patriots 2010 Regular Season

[Cman]

Well, on the "More-Good-News" front, that Oakland first rounder is looking better and better....   

Yep.  Let's hope that there is more of the same out of Oakland the rest of the season...

[nickagneta]

So if Oakland sucks all year and we get the number one pick who would you take, what do you think Belichick would do with the pick and who would he take if he kept the pick?

[the_Bird]

So if Oakland sucks all year and we get the number one pick who would you take, what do you think Belichick would do with the pick and who would he take if he kept the pick?

If it's #1 (or in the top 5), I'm thinking he wants to trade it. 

That's assuming no changes to the CBA to impose a rookie salary cap, which does seem to be a likely outcome (owners want it badly, and I don't see the players' union being THAT opposed to it, at least relative to some of their other concerns; rookie cap would really only stand to benefit the veterans, the guys who actually are IN the union).

I don't follow college football enough to know who they'd go after...  but man, if you want to get an elite pass rusher, it's real nice to be able to pick that high.

[nickagneta]

The kid Jared Crick from Nebraska has 3-4 defensive end written all over him. He's huge, strong enough to take on double teams during runs and yet fast and elusive enough to get pressure on a QB in passing situations. He will probably be up there leading the nation in tackles for loss. He has a game very similar to Ndamakung Suh and Richard Seymour.

If they trade down and AJ Green or Mark Ingramm is still there, you have to think they could be a target. But I agree they go defensive lineman.

[the_Bird]

He's never been shy about drafting defensive linemen, either.  If they end up trading Richard Seymour for Richard Seymour II....  boy, that'd be a trade for the ages, wouldn't it?  

EDIT: I should say, the only position I can see BB actually WANTING to pick in the top 3 or top 5, instead of trading down, would be for a defensive lineman.  Maybe a franchise offensive tackle - maybe.  Any other position, I just don't see him thinking that the value/reward proposition is there.  That could be changed, though, with a rookie cap. 

[KungPoweChicken]

Where was Julian Edelman today?

[Fafnir]

Where was Julian Edelman today?

Inactive due to a knee injury I believe.

[Rondo2287]

Where was Julian Edelman today?

Inactive due to a knee injury I believe.

Foot injury. but ya inactive

[nickagneta]

With the quality that the patriots now appear to have at the tight end position I believe the Patriots receivers will become more open than ever before.

And funny enough, as good as Edelman has been both this preseason and last year, his role, the slot possession receiver, is basically filled by Wes Welker, who is the best in the league at that role. Brandon Tate appears to be a major find as the third receiver and speedy downfield threat on the side opposite Moss.

Edelman will see time in spread formations but more and more it appears apparent that Hernandez as a TE/WR combo will be a dangerous weapon.

[Donoghus]

So if Oakland sucks all year and we get the number one pick who would you take, what do you think Belichick would do with the pick and who would he take if he kept the pick?

He'd try like heck to trade down.

[the_Bird]

Was Mauroney a healthy scratch (haven't been able to watch the game yet)?

[Rondo2287]

So if Oakland sucks all year and we get the number one pick who would you take, what do you think Belichick would do with the pick and who would he take if he kept the pick?

He'd try like heck to trade down.

I think that depends, if there were a clear cut number 1 like Suh at the top of this draft, I think  BB would take him and not trade down.  But if there are a slew of players with similar value i think BB def trades down

[nickagneta]

So if Oakland sucks all year and we get the number one pick who would you take, what do you think Belichick would do with the pick and who would he take if he kept the pick?

He'd try like heck to trade down.

I think that depends, if there were a clear cut number 1 like Suh at the top of this draft, I think  BB would take him and not trade down.  But if there are a slew of players with similar value i think BB def trades down

Like the Bird said earlier, if the draft is done but before anyone signs their draft picks a lockout is put in place and Belichick knows or feels pretty certain that a rookie draft pay scale will be a result of the lockout with significant curtailing of rookie salaries, he might make the pick and not trade down.

One of BB's biggest concerns is that in selecting that high the salary makes doing so a counterproductive thing to do and that asset is decreased in value because of it. But if a rookie salary scale is put in effect that makes paying pick 1-5 more in the line with his thinking as his value financially for a high draft pick, he may start keeping them.

[Cman]

So if Oakland sucks all year and we get the number one pick who would you take, what do you think Belichick would do with the pick and who would he take if he kept the pick?

Too early to say, but here are thoughts:
(1) a DE/OLB
(2) a replacement for Randy Moss.

[Cman]

So if Oakland sucks all year and we get the number one pick who would you take, what do you think Belichick would do with the pick and who would he take if he kept the pick?

He'd try like heck to trade down.

Depends on the CBA.  But likely would try to trade down to accumulate picks in later rounds/years.  

I should add that it is going to be in a weird year, and it all depends on what others are willing to give up for the pick.  In any case, it'll be interesting to see. 

FWIW, I don't think Oakland will be as bad as they looked today.  They might end up with the #1 pick, but more likely #5 or so ...