PATRIOTS NEEDS

1. A pass rusher of some kind. Whether it be a defensive end or an outside linebacker. I don't care. Someone needs to put pressure on the quarterback. In all 3 of these recent playoff losses the other team has gotten to Tom Brady and we haven't been able to get to their quarterback. Every draft I hope that we address this area. One of Belichick's biggest mistakes was passing up on Clay Mathews in the 2009 draft. I think this year he finally needs to pick up a solid pass rush threat, whether it be in the draft or through free agency.

2. Reinforcements on the Defensive Line. The fact that Vince Wilfork was so great for us kind of hid the fact that we don't have too many options after big Vince. Fortunately these could come from within. Gerard Warren did a fantastic job all year but is a free agent. Hopefully he can be resigned. Ty Warren missed the entire year due to injury but is set to return. Also, BC product Mathias Kiwanuka is a a free agency. He's an explosive pass rusher who kind of gets forgotten since the Giants front 7 is so talented. Definitely someone to keep an eye on.

3. Reinforcements on the Offensive Line. Everyone saw the difference in our running game when Logan Mankins returned to the lineup. His presence is extremely important. He just tosses people around out there, I love his physicality at the line of scrimmage. I expect Matt Light to re-sign, which is good for Tom Brady's blind side. But it is less likely that right guard Stephen Neal will return. The lack of protection for TB12 in these recent playoff games is no fluke. This area needs some improvement.

4. Wide Receiver. I don't want to sound like I'm panicking here. Tom did have his second best year, without having a genuine deep threat. Deion Branch, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, Brandon Tate, and Taylor Price can all be effective. We've seen that they are capable of putting up a lot of points. But I feel as if the Jets exposed them a little bit. The big, long corners Cromartie and Revis were able to control the outside of the field. Those short routes across the middle that were always so effective, were less so as receivers were being bumped off their routes and redirected. Another thing that concerns me is the height or our receivers. Brandon Tate is the tallest at 6"1. So I hope that the Pats at least explore the option of bringing someone in. Bill and Ocho have always been friends... But if they don't I hope they try to involve Edelman more than they did this year. He's a threat to score every time he touches the ball. It's like he has a fever and the only prescription is the end zone.