2011 NFL Mock Draft: New England Patriots: Going for the Gold!

Will the Pats go for the Gold this year?

On the Yes They Will Side is Tom Brady getting older, becoming more family/Giselle oriented, and having done it all for a career.

2011-2013 will probably be his only strong remaining years, unless the Pats get lucky. We aren't getting another Brady—the odds are too long. We got Bledsoe through having the worst record in the NFL and missed a bullet by not picking the Notre Dame whiz kid.

Brady's 6th round pick was the miracle of the NFL Draft: Brady was a Michigan Star, beat Alabama 35-34 in their big clutch game, and had a loyal following. Those two things are not likely to happen in the next decade—this is our last big shot.

Against this is Bob Kraft's stated commitment to always having a competitive team, never rolling the dice for just one great year.

Despite a few naysayers, the vast majority of Pats fans love the Krafts and all they have done for the team and feeling in the community. All genuine. So, Mr. Kraft's approach has led to many great years of football. One of the most outstanding was the 11-5 year with Matt Cassell when we should have made the playoffs. Pats fans have a lot to be grateful for.

Tony Santorsa, our Pats specialist, has written a first class draft prediction. Read and savor it because we may see no football in 2011 and will have to resort to articles, plans, and so forth.

This article is focused on what COULD the Pats do if they wanted to go for the Gold. Tony S has done a first class job on what the Pats will probably do.

Defense, Defense, Defense.

Dice Roll #1: Trade up for Prince Amukamara and double down at cornerback. Devin is a 2nd year man of outstanding character and would help Prince become all that he can be—now.

Why?

This is what Rex Ryan, Mark Sanchez, and the rest of the league would fear most. As in the classic Art of War, find out what they fear, and then do it.

Think about all the games that really matter, the close ones. Picture Prince and Devin lined up together! As Mark Twain said, paraphrased, we can have all the confidence of a Christian holding 4 Aces.

The problem with just one great cornerback is they throw at the other as so many writers more expert than I am have said repeatedly—and correctly. With two, where do they go?

Who do they package to get up to picks 9-11? The Pats are the best at that. Picks 17 & 33? Keep 28, if possible, to pick up another defensive stud. The deal I like is: the trade is only good IF they get their choice, the Prince himself.

Dice Roll #2: Trade up to get Mark Ingram. Woodhead and Jarvus Green are terrific, and they will only be better with a real stud running back in the mix. Corey Dillon served for a couple of years late in his career. We let Curtis Martin get away. The Pats haven't had a real stud running back in his prime since forever, if then....

If we get the Prince in the first roll of the dice, consider giving up a lot of picks for Ingram. The Pats do this remarkably well and they don't need my tactical advice.

Summary: This could be a blowout draft that powers the Pats to another great decade. If both picks work out, Super Bowl time. If one works out, possibly. It is hard to imagine one won't work out.

Play it Safe Option: See Tony Santorsa's picks.

Two I particularly like are cornerback Aaron Williams from Texas at 33, if available, and Chris Neild at 193 Nose Tackle to help Vince Wilfork rest a bit and sometimes come in to bull stop a run.