I kinda agree, I think he also benefited a lot from having Suggs opposite from him as well. With that said pass rushers are tough to find and develop. I was hoping we could have a 1-2 tandem like Freeny/Mathis or Harrison/Woodley. Hopefully Mcphee/Upshaw can fill the void with sacks. I know that ain't Upshaw's forte but I'd be nice if him and Mcphee can generate at least 8-10 between the two of them.
P.S. Are the Pats gonna keep Talib and what are they going to do at corner? Also how likely are they to go at Reed I know they got young safeties in Mccourty and Chung (Gregory's not too old either)?
Ya, that's the rub when you have a great DE with the likes of Suggs. The question is does he make the other guys better or not. The good thing for you guys, is you have Ozzie and Eric DeCosta. Who are excellent personal man.
As to the Pats DB situation. Chung is gone, and that is heart breaking. I am still baffled at his decline. He was the second coming of Rodney Harrison in his first two years. Then injuries and bad angles did him in. Honestly, it makes no sense to me his decline.
CB is a problem. But if Dennard can escape Jail time we should be alright. McC is truly a great free safety. I am still hoping Ras I Dowling breaks out this year. Or at least stays healthy for a game or 2...
Reed, the Pats will likely make a offer, but they will not bid up the price for the Ravens. Belichick's connection with the ravens front office, and his sense of the history of the game(A player staying with one team his whole career) will make him tread lightly..
Also, Greg Bedard came onto PatsFans forums the other day and basically said that the Safety situation was a low priority for the Pats. He said that it might be a smoke screen. But for all intensive purposes the Pats would roll with Tavon Wilson and McC at safety next year. And that the depth at that position was not a need(This did not go over well).
Bedard...
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...hon-goldson-aqib-talib-page4.html#post3388953
That was before I came across more information at the combine (I may not have an answer one day, but I'm always working to find those answers). I was told they are going forward with McCourty and Wilson. But I couldn't tell if it was a smokescreen or not so they could lay in the weeds for another safety. Always a possibility. But that's what I was told.
I don't disagree with that, and like I said, I may have been smoke screened. But I don't think so.
When you look at the laundry list of needs on this team (WRs, CBs, backups all along OL, 3rd DE, DT) when you look at the depth chart -- something I'll do for Tuesday -- safety is well, well down the list. They have four. And I don't think they're bringing in anybody else unless other things fall through and there's good value.
As to Talib who knows. It was leaked recently that he was not putting in work, and was a odd bird. Which means that Pats where doing the classic pats, we do not negotiate in the press by negotiating in the press. And trying to suppress his value. So they are mos def in talks with him and want him back. just at a incentive based contract.
Most Pats fans know when contract talks are going on with how leaks and ownership talks. When Karft did not praise Brady during the SB, and basically said that it takes to side etc for deals. Pats boards lit up that the Pats and Brady where in contract talks. And it came true.
