DEAR TRADER TED.....HERE'S AN IDEA

[Maxie the Taxi]

A stud TE would make the team more fun to watch, but I think a capable OT might be more critical to their success.

So if you had to chose between Gronk and Joe Thomas (assuming he's capable), you'd choose Thomas?

[mraynrand]

It might not hurt to get a speedy WR. From everything I've heard most teams say we have no speed on the outside with Jordy gone.

Ya I'm just saying they can't come out of the draft without a decent player at these two spots, if for nothing else, depth. They could get 'em at 2, 3, 4 and take a speed guy with the #1.

[ThunderDan]

A stud TE would make the team more fun to watch, but I think a capable OT might be more critical to their success.

I think a capable OT who doesn't get hurt would be excellent.

When you look back at the O-Line at the beginning of the year it was supposed to be a strong point. We were going to have 7 players who had started at some point in their careers. Bacteria - Sitton - Lindsley - Lang - Bulaga with Tretter and Barclay. Injuries have really hurt this line.

[Tony Oday]

Calvin Johnson will be a Packer next year, Jordy, Megatron and Cobb with a new rookie TE will make this offense hum.

We will draft replacements up and down the O line.

The secondary is solid and will get better with Shields not having his head broken and the rookies will have seasoning.

CMIII will be moved back to OLB and we will draft ILBs and sign a mid tier Vet.

Our D Line is pretty solid and has enough money in it.

This team is not far off from dominating.

[Patler]

So if you had to chose between Gronk and Joe Thomas (assuming he's capable), you'd choose Thomas?

Age would enter into that decision (26 vs 31).
The problem with a guy like Joe Thomas at this stage of his career, even if you do get him, you have to start looking for his replacement almost immediately.
On the other hand, Gronkowski hasn't played a full season since 2011, and may not be the most dedicated to off season preparation.

If I could have one fully ready to play this weekend, I would take Joe Thomas.

[mraynrand]

Age would enter into that decision (26 vs 31).
The problem with a guy like Joe Thomas at this stage of his career, even if you do get him, you have to start looking for his replacement almost immediately.
On the other hand, Gronkowski hasn't played a full season since 2011, and may not be the most dedicated to off season preparation.

If I could have one fully ready to play this weekend, I would take Joe Thomas.

Good post. Joe Thomas is a good tackle with a lot of baggage, but he certainly would be better than Barclay or Sitton. The issue with him is that after 4-5 offenses and a career of losing, and a clear loss of talent with age, how much is he really worth and how long will he last? Thomas is better than Sherrod of course, but you have to believe TT can draft someone better than Sherry this year.

Thompson could really use a GM year like Wolf's 2000

[Tony Oday]

If Joe has 3-4 years left you can draft his replacement in the next 2 years and give him a year to season to the NFL.

[Patler]

If Joe has 3-4 years left you can draft his replacement in the next 2 years and give him a year to season to the NFL.

His contract has three years left, and that is about all you can plan on from him, I think. You almost have to take a tackle as soon as you find one worth the slot you are at, because if you wait until 2017, there might not be one. Getting Thomas this off season would not relieve the pressure to draft a tackle at all.

[Tony Oday]

His contract has three years left, and that is about all you can plan on from him, I think. You almost have to take a tackle as soon as you find one worth the slot you are at, because if you wait until 2017, there might not be one. Getting Thomas this off season would not relieve the pressure to draft a tackle at all.

BUT you wouldn't have to start a rookie protecting AR's blindside.

[Patler]

BUT you wouldn't have to start a rookie protecting AR's blindside.

Well, they wouldn't have to anyway, because the have Bakhtiari, who, like Clifton, did start as a rookie.
My point was that Thomas is only a quick improvement, added depth (by moving Bakhtiari or Bulaga to the bench). He wouldn't change the "needs" for starters at all.

[Maxie the Taxi]

I'd take Gronk in a heartbeat.

[mraynrand]

Well, they wouldn't have to anyway, because the have Bakhtiari, who, like Clifton, did start as a rookie.
My point was that Thomas is only a quick improvement, added depth (by moving Bakhtiari or Bulaga to the bench). He wouldn't change the "needs" for starters at all.

It depends a lot on whether you think Bulaga is finished and if so, whether you think Bacteria or Thomas can play RT.

If you like Bact, and he only plays LT, and Thomas only plays LT, you're better off drafting a RT, and signing a vet RT (assuming Bulaga is finished).

I like your idea of a trade, but I would bet no one would part with a #2 and Thomas to get Bacteria.

[pbmax]

It depends a lot on whether you think Bulaga is finished and if so, whether you think Bacteria or Thomas can play RT.

If you like Bact, and he only plays LT, and Thomas only plays LT, you're better off drafting a RT, and signing a vet RT (assuming Bulaga is finished).

I like your idea of a trade, but I would bet no one would part with a #2 and Thomas to get Bacteria.

Wasn't it Bach and a #2 to get Thomas?

[Tony Oday]

Sure it does, it moves the need two years down the road.

[ThunderDan]

It depends a lot on whether you think Bulaga is finished and if so, whether you think Bacteria or Thomas can play RT.

If you like Bact, and he only plays LT, and Thomas only plays LT, you're better off drafting a RT, and signing a vet RT (assuming Bulaga is finished).

I like your idea of a trade, but I would bet no one would part with a #2 and Thomas to get Bacteria.

You never know with those moneyball guys!