Video: Reiss on offseason focus

Hey Mike,

Kind of a combo hit on the secondary was a lack of pressure. Obviously there was some injury issues but to me, I'd really be hard pressed to turn down a blue-chip OLB prospect who could really get after the QB. If there's a good CB/S prospect I'd say they have a really good opportunity to create a role for themselves as well but I do wonder if OLB (with Vrabel getting a bit older and Thomas a good rusher but not great) is high on the wish list.

Mike: What do you think about the Pats building the D through the draft and chasing down A. Boldin in FA to round out the offense? That puts the prolific O back and better than ever to cover as the young D gets it's feet under it. It also puts a man in place for the day Moss moves on or declines.

He seems like a good team-mate with a good head on his shoulders. Thoughts?

Will

Hi Mike,
Not to mention the front office staff.

Does this crazy Brady retiring after the SuperBowl is over rumour have any legs or is that some Jet or Colt fan stirring the pot?

Thanks

If Brady isn't ready keep Cassel (obvious choice). If Brady is good to go, trade Cassel to the Vikes for Chad Greenway and a 2nd or 3rd rounder. I would love to see Greenway in a Pat's uniform. He is a beast and he is young.

Love the thought - and indeed its probably a fantasy - of Asomugha coming to the Pats. If we get a first rounder for Cassell, we could give it to the Raiders for him...be nice...

Sign Wilfork and Andra Davis and it will be a productive offseason heading into the draft.

Maybe sniff around Dunta Robinson and Owen Daniels and see what they are asking.

Seymour is done. Get rid of the old, dead weight. Also Tedy, Vrabel, Rodney and Maroney. See ya!

Hello Mike,

You would have to think Demarcus Ware is on the pats radar. He is clearly one of the best LB's in the nfl and is still very young. I would be upset if the pats don't go after him

Mike, I disagree. They went the cheap route last year and failed to sign Samuel. That cost them big time. This year, I do see them spending on the D with emphasis on cornerback, safety and linebacker. Also, Julius Peppers is out there and if they release Seymour, he might be a good replacement and less money.

On offense, I think they might trade Maroney if they resign Jordan (less money and more effective) and certainly they will franchise Cassel although they won't trade him unless they are 100% sure on Brady. They could also ask Brady and Seymour to restructure their contracts. Brady, I'm sure, would do it given his injury situation.

The team needs another TE and a #3/4 WR. RB and O-Line is settled.

They need speed at the LB position that can rush the passer on the edge or on blitzes up the middle.

They need another CB of good quality to go with the young guys they drafted.

They need a replacement for Rodney Harrison at safety who can put fear back into WRs and TEs who cross the middle of the field.

Resign Russ Hochstein. 2nd on the depth chart for three positions and a heck of a full back. Probably the best utility back they have.

We need a new camera guy. We're never going to win another SB without someone taping the other team's signals. Technology has gotten so much better. It shouldn't be that hard to find a smaller, less detectable camera. I can't believe they were using that big camera to start with. Just go to a spy supply store and you can find some really small cameras. If we're serious about winning another SB, it's got start with using technology to obtain info from other teams. There's just too much parity to get ahead through the draft, trades, and free agency.

Mike, addressing the secondary through the draft ? How long will it take until those guys could really contribute. As for last year, perhaps the Pats get something out of Wilhite, but with the wrist problems Wheatley had in college and now at the pro level i say he won't stay healthy next year either. So, with that in mind plus your evaluation that Pees should stay as DC (see mailbag), the Pats will probably onlc try to resign their own players but won't try to sign at least some decent FA, how do you expect better defensive results in 2009 ? The Pats should rather let Cassel be a FA to make sure they don't lose any more cap money for the defensive side.

I think a change at GM will motivate team into making some real changes that has
to be done. Need some young blood and coach BB has his work cut out for himself. Whenever new players join a team (and there will be)the more coaching will be needed. Question is, who will join the Pats coaching staff?

I also need a new diaper, a welfare check, and a free pass through life. Please provide all, or I am going to hang myself.

I know our D-Line is built for the run,but in many cases some teams ran at will on us.I dont exspect to much in the D-linemen putting to much pressure on a QB.for these guys are 300lbs plus.wilfork i think is a beast.warren,and seymour seemed to have loss a step for some reason.there intensity dosent seem to be there anymore.corners! are what we need,and getting something for cassel if brady can go is a plus.

Are you kidding me. UHTT, make some sense or go to another site.
As for moves, lets start w/Cassell. We know now that the Pats are gonna Franchise him. Keep him if Tom is ready or trade him. Sign Vince...beast in the middle and guys like that are hard to come by. Extend Seymour (he's still a monster, remember stats are important in Pats system......TB too if needed since he'll be here a very LONG time), add depth at CB, S, LB and OL thru draft but obviously keeping the trade of Cassell an option for the best player available.
Guys, there isn't a panic in Patsville, even w/coaches leaving. Do you not think they look 3-4 moves ahead like a chess match. The Dynasty is still there. No playoffs is a rare thing at 11-5.....c'mon 11-5.. Can't wait for the season to begin!

finally admitting that the secondary sucks hey Reise

CORNERBACK... CORNERBACK...CORNERBACK, and once and for all, PLEASE accept the fact that Ellis Hobbs is NOT, in any circumstance, a bona fide NFL starting corner. Move him to inside nickel, PLEASE. He murders this team.

UHTT, please do! We'll all be grateful.

Any moves must begin and end with Vince Wilfork. He is the key to the 3-4 defense. If he isn't resigned/extended, then this defense will undergo a major overhaul. Nose takles don't grow on trees.

UHTT is a Patriots hater posing as a Patriots fan... some people have way too much time on their hands.

Am I the only one who remembers what the Giants did to the Patriots' offensive line in the Superbowl? Nick Kaczur is a liability, Matt Light is over-rated, and injuries are taking their toll elsewhere. I sincerely hope that the Patriots either draft a top offensive lineman or sign one in free agency. Last year's draft was all defence. Time to go offence, and to have an O-line that keeps Brady standing!

Mike, what do you think about bringing Gruden in as the O.C.?

UHTT
"I also need a new diaper, a welfare check, and a free pass through life"
Not to worry big guy!!!! usama obama will save the day Oh ya the rope also is in the plan

I also thought Matt L.was overrated; But I was wrong Matt is one of the best at getting out on blocks. He's alot of the reason that we can run the WR's screens and RB screens/draws. Other teams try to run them but we own those plays. Thats why Josh used it so much. It's about using players for what their good at not trying to make them fit what you want to do. If we Draft any O this year it must be a TE.

As for the D : I'm not so sure we stay with the bend but don't break ; But i've been wrong before

When Brady's healthy, trade him to Dallas for mucho. Jerry Jones is a sucker for glitter, the Steinbrenner of the NFL. Cassel's proven it's the system more than anything, and he's younger. Belichick was at the Florida-Oklahoma game. He saw that Gator DB slamming people all over the place. He was right not to keep Asante, and should have compensated for it better last year. Upgrade defense from outside in, considering what they currently have.

For Bob Lyman..... The reason the Giants had field day with the Pats O line was the fault of Josh McDaniels and his ignorance in trying to do the same things, over and over, that werent working, thereby playing into the Giants hands and they controlled the play.

Finally, when the stubborn McDaniels adjusted, midway through the 4th quarter, the Pats moved upfield and scored what looked to be the winning touchdown.

This game should have been in total control in the 2nd quarter, while the Pats held the lead, and should have expanded it, when the Pats had multiple opportunities only to see McDaniels offensive play calling be the catalyst for defeat. He cost the Pats the Super Bowl by allowing the Giants DC to take charge and Josh never countered until it was too late.

Hi Mike. I know I'm jumping the gun here but the Pats just have to put themselves in position to draft LB Mark Herzlich from BC next year. As I'm sure you know, that kid can do everything, and he just seems to be one of those players who seems to be in the right place at the right time. I don't care what his stats are, e.g., size, speed - he simply can do the job better than most.

JoeB is a mook

YES, THIS CREW OF CORNERS IS AWFUL. ESPECIALLY HOBBS- AND WHAT IS HE DOING CELEBRATING!!! WIGGLING, TWISTING,ETC. THE PROBLEM- AS STATED ON THE TEAM WEBSITE- BB IS "SATISFIED" WITH AVERAGE TO BELOW
AVERAGE CORNERS. IN THE PAST TEN YEARS, THE ONLY 2 THAT EXCELLED, WERE LAW AND SAMUEL, AND AS SOON AS THEIR ORIGINAL CONTRACTS WERE UP, BB MADE NO EFFORT TO RE-SIGN EITHER, LETTING THEM GO FA. . I EXPECT BB WILL STICK WITH THE PRESENT CREW EVEN THOUGH THEY UNDERPERFORM, AND USE THE DRAFT TO ADD A LB, A BIG SAFETY (CLONE
OF RODNEY), AN O LINMAN, AND A TIGHT END.
OF RODNEY,, AN O LIEMAN AND A TE.

OF RODNEY)

My thoughts, in no particular order.

TE: I'd love to see a quality TE: Where was David Thomas last year after Indy? Ben Watson had his career worst year. A tight end like Dallas Clark would be devastating on opposing defenses and give either Cassel or Brady an option against the blitz/pressure Ds. I wonder if Wes Welker is running crossing routes in the middle that might otherwise go to a TE, but I am sure BB can evaluate that. A lot of mock drafts do not have teams picking TEs in the first round, so if a top of the line option is available, I would not be surprised to see some movement here.

RB: The Committee approach can work, but if Lamont Jordan wants big money he has to be let go. He was solid when he is healthy but missed half the season. Morris is similar ... his injury in 2007 was a fluke that would have crushed many a weaker man, but he has not played 100% in two years. Maroney is in his last year but he looks more like a #3 or #4 option at this point. If a quality RB is on the boards, then the Pats could go #1 here, particularly if Jordon walks. However, it is just as likely that the Patriots go free agency here as there is always good talent and RBs clearly favor teams with good QB/OLs because it makes their job easier.

LB: Vrabel, Thomas and Mayo are top notch but the Pats but a fourth cornerstone is needed. There is some interesting potential in players like Crable and Guyton, but potential is not enough. I think the Pats need to draft two LBs, likely one in the second round to keep sufficient depth here.

CB: No point in repeating the obvious. I still believe in Hobbs. His return skills alone earn him not only a roster spot but also respect. However, he is not a #1 quality CB, and Wheatley and Wilhite show some promise but are not proven yet. CB appears to be an expensive position to acquire in free agency, so my guess is that the Pats use either their late first round or mid-second round pick for this position, depending on what is still on the table when those picks are called.

Cassell. I don't believe the franchise stories. As far as I can tell, no patriots source has confirmed this and if there was any basis to the hype, the Herald would publish it in a heartbeat.

i think the story is being leaked so that the Pats can see if their phone rings with an offer. However, Matt Cassell will sign the franchise offer the moment it comes, and at $14M, no team is going to offer a first or second round pick for a one year $14M deal that leaves Cassell back in free agency. Remember the Jets got Farve for what turned out to be a third round pick.

sorry guys but i disagree w/ alot of you, #1 the defense d-line:resign vince wilfork, richard seymour, mike wright : d-backs: if they not conidring retiring then bring back bruschci and harrison old or not they are the defence and its more dominate with young backs like mayo and merriweather the only thin the pats have to do is deal with CB causeo neal i dont know he good but didnt really execute as expected but i give him another chance and maybe resign ty law now the the o-line franchise cassel cause we cant afford to loose him if brady not ready and by camp he going to be a married man so anything can happen ,resign jabarr gafey and russ hocstein and chris hanson and la mont jordan and trade lawrence maroney cause he just a waste of cap space .............more to come

To Justin...Your reply was well thought out. On Hobbs, I am not suggesting getting rid of him, as you say, he is a decent KO return guy, but please, please, I must BEG Belichick, get him the hell off of the corner. He is murdering the defense out there. Any time an opponent needs a nig play, late in a game, or for that matter, anytime, they will pick on Hobbs.

He needs to be pulled off of the corner and moved inside, to nickel back where he is not responsible for going one on one with a speedy, and usually much taller wide receiver but as nickel he can read the quarterback and move towards the offensive player that might be part of the play. He wont be required to stay one on one with a much wideout. He is a hard nosed player, he just sucks at the outside corner position.

I have had that position on Hobbs for a long time. Finally, I am not out on an island with that thought. Take him off of the corner, PLEASE.

Sure our D need tweaking, our secondary was ripped apart. However, maybe because we couldnt penetrate and pressure the QB. So that part, we need to adjust on LB, i love our LBs, but vrabel and bruschi is getting old and losing the speed. Maybe we hit a big spash in FA, maybe not, Suggs anyone? probaly cost too much $$$. While Guyton and Crables show promising, do they have what it take to step in immediate impact? probaly not yet. Dline is solid, but Seymour high hit cap need to evaluate, plus we need to resign Wilfork. Key here is the NT. 2gaps 3-4 focus on him alot. Oline need a lil tweak, TE side too. Maybe even a 2nd deep threat reciever

I believe our secondary will improve this year but, I do agree with most of you on us needing a #1 corner. I hope they go through free agency rather the draft. In the first 2 rounds. I would love for B.B. to draft the DL Mc Coy from Oaklahoma for our DL. Hopefully he will be able to find another stud like Mayo who will make an imidiate impact. We have about 10 + draft picks so I hope we can package some for a CB and get Mc Coy and a LB. This would greatly improve our D.
Now as far as our offense, I hope we can get a RB like Moreno or the Colorado RB to develop so we can replace Maroney. I do like maroney but he is turning into Chad Jackson (Injured all the time). Don't get me wrong he does contribute but ask yourself how often and when?. I hope Seymour will restructure his contract and He helps develop Mc Coy who I think is a stud.
As far as Cassel I hope we do trade hime and get either a 1st and a 3rd this year or a 1st next year and a 3rd this year. I believe Brady will bounce back and we might endure a small slump I.E. the Colts/Peyton Manning. O'Connel will have all the mini camps, preseason and maybe the first few weeks of the season to contribute if Brady needs more time.
Our O line is ineed of a reminder on how to run block so when we want to run they do it and actually open some holes. RB is our biggest concern on offense outside Brady and Cassels future. Besides that Getting a stud LB and DL will greatly improve our defense.

Time to let Seymour go, gain $7 million in cap money. He's the second highest paid player after Tom and will be a FA next year anyhow. He's not been the same player after his injury and gets no pressure at all on the QB. Use that money on a young, fast DE. We need some pass rush!!

Ed Reed!! Bill loves this guy. Lets talk to him. We need some young LB's and also need to look at the O line!! Everyone else is getting younger. It's our turn.