2012 NFL Team Preview: New England Patriots

New England Patriots

Front Office:

Owner:                        Robert Kraft

GM:                 Floyd Reece

A:        The owner is smart enough to just listen to Bill Belichek.  In fact, the Patriots really do not have a GM.  Floyd Reece has taken the job of Scott Pioli who advises Belichek.

Coaching:

HC:     Bill Belichick

OC:     Bill O’Brien

DC:     None

A-:       Belichick has been fleeced of many bright minded Coordinators over the past 5-6 years.  It has taken its toll whether anyone wants to admit it or not.  Belichek has run himself a little thin but I should cut him some slack.  The Hoodie still has his teams ready for the Super Bowl every year.  Bill O’Brien could be another OC that could be a HC for another team in the near future.

QB:     A-

Tom Brady, despite his ridiculous long hair, does not seem to be slowing down.  Even without elite weapons he keeps churning out MVP type seasons.  His backups are an MSU Grad Brian Hoyer and a U of M transfer Ryan Mallett.  Both have potential and will be given time to develop under Brady.

RB:     B-

BJG had a very solid season but does not have much of a future.  If he did, the Patriots would not have spent both a second and third round selection on the position.  Danny Woodhead is the perfect RB for this team.  Woodhead will be complemented by Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley.  Though none are an elite talent, the Patriots are surrounded with talented, diverse players.

WR/TE: B

Deion Branch and Wes Welker are very good in the system but neither strikes fear in anyone.  A deep threat is missing on this team.  Brandon Tate has the speed but not the hands to be a consistent threat.  I have a feeling the Patriots will address this weakness in FA.  At TE they have a Dynamic Duo in Gronkowski and Hernandez.

OL:     B

This unit is solid but needs to resign some players in order to keep this grade.  Logan Mankins has earned his money.  Someone shake the Hoody’s sweatshirt and collect the dollars that fall out.  This cheap team needs to retain him as well as resign Matt Light for 1-2 years.  Nate Soldier will replace him, but not this year.  At RT they have Vollmer who might be a Pro Bowler and at center they have the grizzled veteran Dan Koppen.  Dan Connolly will try to fill the hole at RG.  He was awesome at returning kicks.

DL:     C

Wilfork and Warren are still solid but are showing signs of wearing down.  The Patriots have not restocked this position and it’s starting to show.  Shames on the Hoody since his 3 Super Bowls’ were won not only by Brady’s arm, but by the DL Belichick assembled from hell: Seymour, Warren, and Wilfork.  These were all early first round selections.  The Patriots have gone quantity over quality in recent drafts and it shows.

LB:     B

Youth has been assembled here and eventually this unit will round out into a solid group.  Jerrod Mayo is the second best inside LB in the NFL.  Mayo is partnered with the aggressive Brandon Spikes.  At OLB Tully Banta-Cain and Rob Ninkovich are solid but the team is hoping that in year two Jermaine Cunningham will be more productive.  It wouldn’t hurt to acquire one more elite pass rusher.

DB:     B+

In a few years, the tandem of Devin McCourtney and Ras I Dowling might be the best in football.  Both players I wanted for the Lions.  Leigh Bodden is a solid veteran…who should still be a Lion.  At safety there is talent but there is inconsistency in Patrick Chung and Brandon Meriweather.

Last Draft:

Nate Soldier, while over rated, is a good fit on this team.  Ras I Dowling will give the Patriots another shut down CB.  Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley improved the RB position and Ryan Mallett gave the Patriots a potential steal at QB in round 3.  The rest of the draft was not much to talk about.  B-

Sleepers on Offense/Defense

On offense I believe that Shane Vereen could be a very good for this football team.  He will not be an every down RB and even though he is in a rotation, Vereen is the most deadly of them.  I think he is capable of 700-800 yards rushing, 300-400 yards receiving and 5-6 TD’s.

In year two, I believe that Jermaine Cunningham will be much more prepared to play in a 3-4 than in year 1.  I think Cunningham will be solid against the run and sound in pass coverage.  His forte’ is pass rushing where he will get 7-8 this year.

Prediction for the year:                                12-4

This is a team who will win their division, get a playoff bye, and go to the AFC Championship where they will battle a familiar foe in the Indianapolis Colts.  I do not know the outcome but I believe the Patriots will go down due to their line of scrimmage being so/so.