How our 2009 Draft shapes the Team

So I have been looking more and more at both what New England has done this year and past and also what we are doing this year. The more I look at it the more I come to believe that this year is the year we are gearing up for something big. Think about the school of thought McDaniels comes from, We will not pay big money for anyone regardless of who you are. Now look at the contracts coming up in the next few years, Champ Bailey, Brandon Marshall, Daniel Graham and a few others. I will add more thoughts but lets look at the depth we have and the possible thought process here.

Quarterback:

Projected Starter: Kyle Orton

Depth: Chris Simms, Tom Brandstater (Draft Pick)

We have three guys here who will do their job, get the ball to the right guy and don't turn it over. Are they superstars? No are the competent players? Yes the draft pick tells me that this is the "easiest" position for McDaniels to replace.

Running Back:

Projected Starter: Peyton Hillis

Depth: Knowshon Moreno(Draft Pick)/ Correll Buckhalter/ JJ Arrignton/ LaMont Jordan/ Selvin Young/ Ryan Torain/ Andrew Pinnock

I think afew guys get their walking papers after camp starts but if you look at this there are three types of  back and they all have competition. Selvin and JJ for scat Correll and Knowshon for spell and Hillis/ Torain and Jordan for Power. Pinnock is a FB by definition but he could be challenged by Jordan for that spot too. needless to say, if you dont live up you can kiss you horse helmet goodbye.

Wide Receiver:

Projected Starter: Brandon Marshall/ Eddie Royal

Depth: Brandon Stokely/ Jabar Gaffney/ Jayson Foster/ Chad Jackson/ Matt Willis/ Kenny McKinley (Draft Pick)

There are a lot of receivers here and honestly they wont all stay but with the change in scheme and the proposed switch to muti receiver looks we could keep as many as six on the list. I think Willis and Foster are the odd men out.

Offensive Tackle:

Projected Starters: Ryan Clady/ Ryan Harris

Depth: Tyler Polumbus/ Tyler Gorin/ Clint Oldenberg

This group will probably have only one depth guy stay on the list. As a rule we have only suited up 8 O Line guys for game dayso we wont keep too many tackles. I dont see a change in starter at all and Polumbus seems the depth chart guy to me.

Offensive Guard:

Projected Starters: Ben Hamilton/ Chris Kuper

Depth: Mitch Erickson/ Matt McChesney/ Pat Murray/ Seth Olsen (Draft Pick)

Draft pick tells me that Coach didnt like the depth we had. Olsen will probably be the depth guy on game day.

Offensive Center:

Projected Starter: Casey Weigman

Depth: Kory Lichtensteiger/ Blake Schlueter (Draft Pick)

Weigman did well last year anchoring the line with veteran presence.Lichtensteiger can play guard as well and should suit up this year. Blake tells me that Weigman's contract negotiations may not be gonig well.

Tight End:

Projected Starter: Daniel Graham

Depth: Tony Scheffler/ Richard Quinn (Draft Pick)

Tight end is one of the best positions we have. Graham is silently one of the best TE's in the game. No one blocks like him, and if he cant teach Mr. Quinn how he plays his game we coudl have another stud in the making. Tony is a different style of player than the other two but can hold his own against a LB/S is protection.I don't see a change in starter here.

Defensive End:

Projected Starters: Elvis Dumervil/ Tim Crowder

Depth: Robert Ayers (Draft Pick)/ Jarvis Moss/ Ryan McBean/ Kenny Peterson/ Darrell Reid

Someone might kill me for who I put as the starter but I see a lot of rotation between guys at this position.

Defensive Tackle/ Nose Tackle:

Projected Starters: Ronnie Fields (3-4) / Marcus Thomas (4-3)

Depth: Carlton Powell/ Nic Clemons/ Matthias Askew/ J'Vonne Parker

Once again I think there is a lot of rotation here. Some of these guys may see some time at DE as well.Look for a trade or some CFA's to be added.

Linebacker:

Projected Starters: DJ Williams/ Andra Davis/ Boss Bailey (4-3) Wesley Woodyard (3-4)

Depth: Spencer Larsen/ Louis Green/ Mario Haggan

A CFA could be added here and that coudl be good. There is a lot going here with the transition to a 3-4 and we will see a lot of rotation again.

Cornerback:

Projected Starters: Champ Bailey/ Andre Goodman

Depth: Jack Williams/ Josh Bell/ Rashod Moulton/ Alphonso Smith (Draft Pick)

I think we will stay with five so goodbye to Moulton. Look for Smith to start at Nickle with Williams and Bell as depth.

Safety:

Projected Starters: Brian Dawkins Renaldo Hill

Depth: Josh Barrett/ Vernon Fox/ Herana-daze Jones/ Darcel McBath (Draft Pick)/ David Burton (Draft Pick)

I think that Fox and Jones are cut and that Burton goes to the practice squad. The back ups will be McBath and Barrett. That being said I coudl see Dawkins switching to SS. That would create a few problems though so I don't know

Okay thats what I have pre CFA signings. Tell me what you think...