I have a feeling the "third year" thing may now be 1st or 2nd year.
I think we'd all prefer that and I hope you're correct because I don't know if we have the depth to be that patient. I also don't know if Bill will think it
necessary to change anything based on one down year, but I hope he can draft 4 guys that can help soon. That doesn't sound like much to ask, but it'd
actually be a major improvement.
On the current roster I could suggest that Byron Cowart is a guy that they planned to bring along with the "3rd year" theory, but he had to play a lot more than they
would've preferred in year two due to injuries to Beau Allen and Adam Butler. And not bringing in anybody else that could, you know, play inside. Cowart got killed at times and
couldn't anchor nearly well enough, but didn't show any quit. He also flashed some considerable play-making potential and needs only a little more muscle and experience
and we might have something in him. He really got thrown to the wolves last year and I think he made progress, but he's got to make another sizable jump in year 3.
I'd call him a fairly typical Belichick draft pick. Blue chip prospect coming out of HS, didn't have nearly the college career predicted of him, but has some athletic traits
that are unusual in a big man. They used a 5th rounder (159) on him hoping to work on his technique and help him realize his early promise.
This year, I'm looking for a big rookie that can at least hold his ground inside and give us snaps right away. I see it as a need that is underrated with all the focus on QB
and WR and one of the major reasons why the defense went downhill last season. It shouldn't be too much to ask or require a premium investment.