Now that the Seahawks have captured their first Lombardi Trophy and the sting from the loss in the AFC Championship Game has started to fade away, it's time to look at what the Patriots could (and should) be doing to get ready for another Super Bowl chase in 2014.
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Item one on my agenda is to make sure that Tom Brady has enough weapons to give him the ability to score points against good defenses in the playoffs.
The healthy return of tight end Rob Gronkowski will certainly make Brady's job much easier. The problems with that are not knowing when Gronk will return from his latest catastrophic injury and not knowing if he can avoid such injuries in the future.
Retaining free agent receiver Julian Edelman would also help achieve the goal of helping Brady but following a breakout season - Edelman caught 105 passes for 1056 yards and 6 touchdowns - and having a history of injury problems, he might be too rich for the Patriots to retain.
If Edelman walks, Danny Amendola becomes a key target for Brady. He was signed to be the heir apparent to the slot receiver position in the Patriots offense until an early season groin injury and Edelman's emergence made him a secondary target. Despite him not living up to the rich contract he signed last off season, Amendola did finish the year with 54 catches over 12 games and should not be written off for 2014.
Also in the mix are 2013 rookies Aaron Dobson, Josh Boyce, and Kenbrell Thompkins. A full year with Brady and a full off season to improve should make all three better players in 2014. Dobson was showing signs of emerging as a factor late in the season before a foot injury basically ended his year.
At running back, the duo of Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley give the Patriots solid production. LeGarrette Blount ran effectively down the stretch but as a free agent he may command dollars the Patriots do not want to commit to him but if retained, the trio of Vereen, Ridley, and Blount would make for an above average running attack.
What Bill Belichick needs to do - through the draft, free agency, or a trade - is add at least one tight end as insurance for Gronk and look to pick up another receiver. That receiver might be Edelman. It could also be a blockbuster trade, such as acquiring Larry Fitzgerald from the Cardinals. It could also be a draft pick. Regardless of how he does it, Belichick needs to surround Brady with enough play makers to make the Patriots offense versatile and effective from September through February.
Strengthening the offensive line should also be addressed, especially the interior as center Ryan Wendell is a free agent and guard Logan Mankins is not getting any younger.
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After making sure the offense is loaded up, Belichick must address a few holes on defense.
Adding another pass rusher from the edge would help Chandler Jones as he continues to emerge as a pass rushing threat. Adding a young interior lineman will help as well, especially if this player can rush the passer, because Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly are not getting any younger and Belichick's defenses have always been strong in the middle.
The Patriots should be set at linebacker with Jerod Mayo, Dont'a Hightower, and Jamie Collins but with Brandon Spikes likely to depart as a free agent, adding a depth player there would be helpful. A situational pass rusher or a coverage linebacker would both upgrade the defense.
In the secondary, the Patriots have lacked a hard hitting play maker since Rodney Harrison retired. Devin McCourty is a good safety but that's not his role and watching the Seattle safeties bully opposing receivers all year on their way to a Super Bowl reinforces the need to have a tone setting safety to play next to McCourty. Re-signing Aqib Talib should also be a priority for the Patriots, even more so than keeping Edelman, because his ability to take away the opponents top outside receiving threat is an invaluable asset.
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The final move Belichick needs to make is to his own staff.
With veteran coaches Dante Scarnecchia and Pepper Johnson moving on, Belichick's coaching duties will increase as he adds on new staff so it is imperative that he adds help to the front office to alleviate his duties in that department.
The news today that Mike Lombardi has been let go by the Browns offers the Patriots an available and experienced NFL front office executive who has a history of working with Belichick.
As the Patriots prepare for free agency and the draft, having another front office guy that Belichick trusts will help the team make the necessary additions it needs to bolster its roster and once again compete for the Super Bowl.
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If I could make a "wish list" for this off season, it would look like this.
The Patriots will re-sign both Talib and Edelman to team friendly deals. Ryan Wendell will also be re-signed.
In the draft the team will add Texas Tech tight end Jace Amaro, Mississippi State guard Gabe Jackson, Florida State outside linebacker Christian Jones, Washington State strong safety Deone Buccanon, and Alabama defensive lineman Ed Stinson.
In free agency the Patriots will add receiver Emmanuel Sanders and safety Jarius Byrd.
Adding more play makers on offense and impact situational players on defense will once again have the Patriots in contention for the Lombardi Trophy.
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