Around the AFC East: New England Patriots
Record in 2008: 11-5
2009 Strength of Schedule: 3rd (.590)
Notable Free Agents: LB Tully Banta-Cain (49ers), CB Leigh Bodden (Lions), WR Joey Galloway (Bucs), WR Greg Lewis (Eagles), CB Shawn Springs (Redskins), RB Fred Taylor (Jaguars)
Notable Rookies: DT Ron Brace (Boston College), CB Darius Butler (UConn), (49ers) S Patrick Chung (Oregon)
Notable Losses: QB Matt Cassel (Chiefs), WR Jabar Gaffney (Broncos), S Rodney Harrison (retirement), CB Ellis Hobbs (Eagles), LB Mike Vrabel (Chiefs),
Analysis: Tom Brady’s return is the big, big, BIG question. The Patriots will get Laurence Maroney back and has added Fragile Fred Taylor and veteran receivers Joey Galloway and Greg Lewis. Wes Welker and Randy Moss are both very excited to play with this unit, claiming that they already think that the offense is going to be better than it was in 2007.
The defense got some new faces like Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden along with a host of rookies, but look for the Patriots to have an improved secondary this season, still it’s questionable just how good this secondary unit can be.
Remaining Questions: Can the Patriots defense surge with some additions to the secondary? Will the departure of Mike Vrabel mean that this unit continues to struggle to rush the passer? How long will it take for Tom Brady to return to form from his year away?
Filed under: Main Page
what’s the status on Junior Seau?
Seau’s status? Last I heard he was still a douchebag..and retired
Great line Kirk!!! Line of the day so far
I want to be the Patriots so bad it hurts. I want Brady to have a big week 1 so when we wipe his ass up in week 2 there are no injury excuses.
I don’t see their defense being very strong this year. They have not done much to improver their linebackers. Outside of Mayo and that other cat previously from Baltimore, they have no one in their linebacking core that remotely scares me. No pass rush abilities at all.
I think overall on defense here is my Jets vs Pats grades:
DL:
Patriots, just stronger and more gifted athletes
Linebackers:
Jets, too much size and talent, not even close
Secondary:
Jets, Top five corner in the league with a pro bowl second corner and athletic safeties. What is all the hype with Shawn Springs, what has he done lately? What about one year wonder Bodden? Where is all the hype coming from? Not even close here either.
Although Fred Taylor is no spring chicken anymore he has a fragile label that is a misnomer.
Look at his production and games played in the past 7 years he hardly missed anything and in `07 he was pro-bowl.
He had 80 less carries than normal last year but the 2 years prior averaged about 1200 yards.
Still he doesn’t scare me…now.
Oh and I also think the NE defense is going to be a huge disappointment for their fans.
I think the Pats, even with Brady recovering, are clearly the class of the division because of that head coach. The amount of turnover they have on defense every year always has us saying that this is the year they fall apart, but they never do. Maybe they can not hold up in the playoffs against an elite offense, but for 16 games they always do their part. Last year they were one of the better defenses in the league and their strength (their 3 down linemen) should be returning intact.
I do think that those who say 16-0 again are crazy. They got thumped last year whenever they played a good team. Brady helps, but even he cant fix the way they lost to a team like the Steelers. My guess is they finish right in the ballpark of where they finished last season.
had a better a better draft than us. took the value that fell to them.
Good to see Vrabel gone!
Unfortunately, I think their draft class was not only outstanding, but also includes guy’s that I had hope to be Jets:
DT Ron Brace to spell Kris Jenkins and eventually become our NG.
CB Darius Butler opposite Darrell Revis
S Patrick Chung opposite Kerry Rhodes
Free Agent Shawn Springs was top-notch, but down side of their career and coming back from injury. How much gas does Joey Galloway have? And, how’s fragile Freddy’s tricky knee?
The better they are, the sweeter it is to beat them. Hopefully, this is the year that the balance of power starts to swing towards the Jets.
Before the draft I was very vocal about the fact that Brace was destined to be drafted earlier than his talent level merited. I have to admit, though, he couldn’t have landed in a better situation. I wonder if Wilfork’s holdout will help him (by making him get more reps with the starters) or hinder him (by preventing him from being able to learn from VW).
Jets aren’t better than the Pats, not close yet. How can you even knock the Pats D, which also is still better than the Jets, especially with a new secondary….the Jets secondary has eagles castoff Shephard and Leonhard who “looked” good cuz he played next to Ed Reed, I concede Revis is very good.
The Pats are nasty. Their Free Agent acquisitions look great, and between that and the draft they addressed all of their needs. Just goes to show what a well run team they are.
Yea The Pats aren’t gonna stop being good anytime soon and there’s really no way around it…that said I would trade straight up for your backfield. Washington is a playmaker and if you guys pay him he’ll be your feature back after TJ
Pats09, the DB’s that you added were both released and had sub-pair seasons last year, and Patrick Chung is a 2nd rounder who in no way is proven and merriweather isnt good so how could you assume CHung will be? You lsot your best CB last year in Ellis Hobbs, who against the Jets seemed to be a very good and underrated CB. You just replaced banta-cana with Mike Vrabel and didn’t add any other OLB. That being said the D-line is great, but Wilfork will give you a tough time with his contract and the defnse is just getting old. Whos playing next to mayo? Bruschi? Who’s your number 1 CB? Shawn Springs?
Merriweather is a solid safety who’s only getting better, as is Sanders and we brought in Chung who sounds like he’s gonna be the next Harrison. D-Line is great and Wilfork will be back contract or not, we got him for another year. Corner is clearly better than last year, and yes I think this year if he proves Springs will be #1—-(Springs vs Jets #1 Coles advantage goes to Springs), Bodden is pro-bowl caliber corner who was on a crappy team and we have 3 young talented CB in Wilhite, Wheatley, and Butler. The two W’s did very well until both got hurt for the season. Next to Mayo will be the new ILB we just got Paris Lennon. Pass Rush is the only weak spot I see, but Bill made his name as a defensive guru like Rex Ryan did, and he’ll make players better than they would be elsewhere. I mean, who else wins 11 games once they lose their starting Hall of fame QB and half the defence besides the Pats.
The Jets D will definately be better than last year but I don’t think its a top 10 D just yet–having a weak offense doesn’t help either since your D will be on the field A LOT
Here’s something to consider, the Pats’ OL was terrible at protecting the QB last season, giving up a whopping 48 sacks and ranking 26th in pass blocking by Football Outsiders. In 2007, the Pats allowed only 21 sacks. So, is Brady the difference or is the Pats’ OL vulnerable? I could not believe how powerless the Pats were against Big Jenks last season and the Pats OL looked just as bad against Jamaal Williams and Casey Hampton. If the interior of the Pats OL is vulnerable to the pass rush, Brady is in big trouble because his front leg was the injured leg and that’s what Big Jenks will hit first.
That’s an unfair evaluation of the Pats O-Line. It’s unfair because, and Rex Ryan will do this when the Jets play the Pats, teams blitz the hell out of the Pats probably 3-4 times more than they would against other teams because the Giants were able to prove that as an effective way to stop the Pats spread offense. Also, Cassel I belive was the cause of most of those sacks, as I think like 24 of the sacks came within the first six games of the season when Cassel was still learning—those were painful games to watch, especially the game against the Fins–he just held onto the ball too long. So I don’t think the O-line is a problem
Brady hasnt been touched in any of their wins in recent history. The Pats OL has gotten worse the last 2 years…. They were exposed in the SB against the Giants (yes I kow the Giants DL was crazy good) but believe it or not Cassell made the OL look better with his scramble ability last year.
That is their weakness and we have to attack it ALOT!!
Pats are a better team but that does not mean the’ll win more games or division. the jets are on there coat tails but there drafts make ours look silly.
Jets fans, don’t cry in week two when you get spanked, you can thank your rookie coach he opened his mouth and inserted his foot.
The O-line is not a weakness, its a strength, we’ve got a great line, and no I would not say the Jets are on our coat-tails. the Pats are an elite team, and as an elite team won 11 games in a injury riddled season on both sides of the ball—the Jets have not proven to be anywhere close to that, and you still have no QB, and no WR. Lavernius Coles will not be able to a #1 receiver, especially since as the Jets “best” receiver, he’ll be matched up against every team’s best corner, and probably be shut down. Most of his career he’s been covered by second or third best corners.
Did I mention the Jets have 0 depth? you lose any of your boys on D you guys will be in serious trouble
and AKA drew- scrambling ability-Tom Brady is, with Peyton, the most mobile QB’s in the NFL, you don’t have to be a fast runner to be mobile
At least our coach open his mouth oh yea jim week two you lose your QB for the season our Def is not the same old Def if your offence makes one mistake these here boys are lookining to punish the pats and every other team that they get to play
If anyone seriously thinks that the Jets have a chance to be half way decent this year, go back and watch the sixteen games they played last year, you’ll see that they haven’t got a snowflakes chance in hell. Now you have a QB controversy between a rookie and a no-name jouneyman and a to add-on a rookie head coach. They’ll win eight games and none against the pats. Sorry, but be realistic man. They ain’t that great and Brady’s back. The jets would have to score at least 35 to make a game of it. Not going to happen.
Bent, can we add a script to the site that filters by IP address to keep NE’ers from posting here? Or that makes their posts pink?
The great thing about the NFL is that it’s structured to promote competition between the teams (except for in Cleveland). The point is that dynasties fall, and while NE was a great one, they’re on the down slide.
It is very possible, and considering the talent we’ve brought in even likely that we’ll be the dominant team in our division.
That’s right I said it, Fear us Patsies!
Yo Kix, ya gotta punctuate when you talk smack to Patsies brother.
Typical Pats fan arrogance…. The Jets won 9 games latst year despite the Legend known as Bret Favre. He won 2 games for us…. the rest he had zero part of the wins and a lot to do with the losses…especially the last 5 games.
I’ll be in NE for the Jets/Pats game this year….. Looking forward to watching and laughing at all of the drunk-ass scruffy faced Boston dorks when the Jets drill this overrated team.
Let the Pats fans run their mouths boys ….. they better hope their QB is fully healthy because he is going to get hit hard this year…..
Get Kevin O’Connell prepared…..
Jim im tired of hearing moronic comments about Ryan talknig smack. He was asked “How about the relationship and how about the idea of the Pats and their dominance does that mean anything? Is that something you specifically have to attack, because they have been such a dominant figure in this division?” Did you honestly expect Ryan to bow down his head and respect a guy who doesnt show much class and blatantly cheated? Great coach sure, but Ryan didnt take the job to feel special he’s coaching in the same division as Bellicheck.
I find that the largest seperator between the Jets and Patriots is the halftime adjustment.
We usually do quite well in the first half and then forget that Beliczek figures that all out.
We shouldn’t continue with the same plan in the second half…even if it was working…NO…especially if it was working.
What’s the over/under on Fred Taylor’s games played, 10? Is Maroney going to be what he was, which really wasn’t all that special? What about Kevin Falk, how old is he?
They are going to wind up throwing the ball 50 times a game. All I have to say is, that Patriot O line better hold up and Brady better get ride of it in a hurry.
Yes, I want to see how BUDDY BOY (Belichick ring kisser) handles Tom Brady. I want to see how much guts he has to stop the Patriots offense. SackDance99 sorry man you can pull all your stats but the Jets can only win against the pats is if we have an ultra-aggressive gameplan. I find the game is going to be won in the trenches. Jenkins and the d-line will have their work cut out without having coleman there and two aging defensive ends. Will power is going to dictate those games and every time we play them they wind up on top. You guys cannot argue that. Mangold and the rest of the o-line is going up against their nemesis who they have had some success with but also face the portion of the defense that is most improved (3 defensive tackles added). It should be a lot of fun.
Is it just me or does mr. brady look old in that picture?
Alright, I’m a pats fan and you can call me a homer all you want, even though being a fan of your hometown’s team isn’t really a crime. Let me point a few things out.
If their are potential weaknesses on offense, they would be starting running back and the o line. But with such a strong aerial attack, it shouldn’t be a problem to set up the run. I think Maroney, Taylor, and Morris (whether together or individually) can will be very successful on 1st down, 2nd down, and 3rd & short. Faulk has always been a threat out of the backfiekd on third and long. The o line had trouble last year because of the transition from brady to cassel. One bad game in 2007 does not make them a horrible squad. They were amazing throughout the season, weren’t they? Cassel had problems holding on to the ball for too long, every nfl expert was stating this during the season. The starting o line was also not intact until late in the season. People tend to forget that the pats were riddled with injuries and had 15 players on IR last year.
nflfan09,
I personally thin Cassel right now is ready to win a championship right now. Don’tget me wrong Brady is a really good quarterback but Cassel shows more hunger and determination. I think he is more primed to win a championship right now with the whole Chiefs team behind him. The pats weakness was really Mangini last year. He is the only one who can play Belichick at his own game and win. This is why I am so angry at this front office with the corrupt owner. The fanbase here needs uplifting really. Our owner spends and spends until his pockets are empty (not really). We haven’t developed a blueprint for winning inside our organization let alone on the football field. Mangini was the only one close since our corrupt owner took a hold of this franchise.
correction:
I personally think cassel is ready to win a championship.
There are also some areas on the pats defense that could potentially be weak, the outside pass rush and part of the secondary.
Adalius Thomas was dominating until he was put on the IR last year so the pass rush should be very strong from at least one side. We’re still looking for a replacement from the other side, but Pierre Woods was doing pretty solid until he broke his jaw last year. I actually think the secondary will be pretty strong next year. Springs and Bodden both had strong 2007 seasons and have the potential to perform just as well this year. Wheatley (IR last season) and Wilhite both showed great promise last season. Darius Butler has a ton of potential, QBs in college flat out refused to throw the ball towards him. I’m really happy with our safeties; Meriweather (i’m predicting break out year) and Sanders are both strong starters. Patrick Chung has a ton of potential and will get to see some action this year. Tank Williams is also back (from the IR) to bring extra power to the front seven.
I think Mangini actually has some potential as a head coach. He did bring the jets to the playoffs one year and won 2 out 6 against the pats, which is better than the dolphins and the bills. I do think he has an attitude problem though.
Obviously, as a true blue pats fan, I think most of our players will reach their potential and that our acquisitions pan out. While a jets fan may say Joey Galloway is too old, I say he’s still got. There really isn’t any way around this. I honestly think I am being realistic with what I just wrote.
To cap this off, I think the Pats will end the regular season either 12-4 and 15-1. And I know this will piss all of you off, but i see the Pats sweeping their division foes.
Lafflin,
Pats fans are welcome to post here as long as they adhere to the site rules (ie no name calling, no personal attacks, don’t come here just to tell us our website or our team sucks or that we are all pathetic etc). I do like the idea of turning their posts pink though. (Apologies to NFLFan09, I was just experimenting with that above).
Fonzie said:
“I personally think cassel is ready to win a championship.”
You do realize he just joined Kansas City?
Pats 09 said:
“Lavernius Coles will not be able to a #1 receiver, especially since as the Jets “best” receiver, he’ll be matched up against every team’s best corner, and probably be shut down. Most of his career he’s been covered by second or third best corners.”
You do realize he just joined the Bengals?
NFLFan09 said:
“I know this will piss all of you off, but i see the Pats sweeping their division foes.”
Doesn’t piss me off at all. Either you’ll be right, which would suck anyway regardless of what you’d said or you’ll be wrong which will make the fact that the Pats fall short of your expectations that much more enjoyable.
Fonzie is Hank/Naples. Hank uses the Fonzie name to give ridiculous and convoluted oponions incognito.
yea when I said Coles I meant Cotchery.
Anyway, thank god I’m not from Joisey
The pink looks good for the bandwagon jumpers hometown fan my ass
Ramble – Hank is Fonzie’s father. They are definitely two separate people.
AKA Drew, Keep dreaming. Don’t forget Ryans a first year Head Coach he’s no Bill Bellichick. You’ll have to wait a couple years to see what kind of Coach Ryan will be.
They might as well be the same.
Simply put…you have to be able to score points to win games. Whomever the Jet’s starting quarterback is (probably Sanchez), his experience level, nor his game acumen will be sufficient to beat a Belichick defense, let alone any others.
LY the Jet’s used the run (Jones is a monster) most effectively. Teams would not stuff the box, because opposing teams knew Favre would pick them apart. However, with a rookie QB, teams will stack the box with 8 players all day long and dare Sanchez to win by putting the ball in the air. And to further confuse Sanchez, most teams will zone blitz all day to further confuse Sanchez. There will be blood in the water and the sharks will feast…
Excellent point JB, even when Favre was throwing picks left and right at the end of the year teams still had to play cover football.
The ineffectiveness of the Jets offense will mean the Jets D, which should be an above average D, will be on the field for 40 per game—leading to fatigue and possible injuries. Unlike the Patriots, which has always been a deep team, the Jets lack depth, really only being pretty good at RB and having a solid O-Line
Lets see now. The Pats were 27-5 the last 2 regular seasons. How the Jets do?
Bent,
Cassel right now is ready to win. Obviously his team is not a strong or experienced as the patriots which I didn’t explain myself clearly. His attitude and state is growing now that he has had a year under his belt and he has another dimension that Brady doesn’t have which is the ability to run on key plays. Brady is a traditional pocket passer but Cassel can hurt you with his legs just the same. He not a Vick but he doesn’t have to be one he just needs to know the playbook to beat you which is why he believed in Josh McDaniels last year. He had three years to learn the playbook and develop into a good quarterback with a good offensive line.
The Chiefs are building their team this year pretty much like the Jets did in 2006. Their o-line consists of young and old players. They have a similar virginia tackle like the jets had in Brandon Albert and some experience with Brian Waters and Damion McIntosh. They have a strong running game with Jaamal Charles (he gashed the jets on certain occasions last year when we played against them on long runs) and of course Larry Johnson who can be so unpredictable ( really bad versus good). Dwayne Bowe presents problems towards our secondary. Even though Revis contained him last year for some part he is dangerous when in single coverage just like Randy Moss. He may not be a Moss but he can be deadly in his own way. Jeff Webb is an interesting player in their recieving corps who will have his role increased with the departure of Tony Gonzales. Mark Bradley (scored a touchdown against the jets last year before halftime) and Devard Darling will have their role increased. So Cassel has a somewhat good team around him. The defense is loaded with talent at the ends with Tamba Hali (on third downs) and Tyson Jackson, and Glenn Dorsey (who will be making his most interesting position change DT to DE). Tank Tyler is in the middle holding the fort. Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson, Turk McBride, and veterans Mike Vrabel ( yes he can still play) and Zack Thomas are in the interior with Monty Beisel. The secondary looks almost the same as last year with Bernard Pollard and Jerrad Page at the safeties and Brandon Flowers (yes he intercepted FARVE’s pass last year for a touchdown late in the game a scary moment) and Brandon Carr. This is the first year the Chiefs have a 3-4 defense. Hey Bent do you think the Chiefs can get by with smoke and mirrors like the Jets did in 2006 this year? Special teams are up in the air with all their undrafted free agents. Bent would this team scare you now that Thigpen is third on the roster behind Cassel and Croyle? Thigpen almost beat the jets defense last year and almost outplayed FARVE.
Bent,
I am not saying the Chiefs are going to win their division this year or even come close to the Patriots but what I am saying is that Cassel on this day is ready to win a championship more than Brady. He has more pressure on him to bring the Chiefs higher than Brady who just has to show up to camp to have all his weapons at his disposal. Cassel has more hunger and determination than Brady does surprising as that may sound he needs to believe in his team something I said to “rex” a long time ago.
Correction:
OLBs Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson, Turk McBride, with veterans Mike Vrabel, Zack Thomas, and Monty Beisel are in the interior LB positions make up the LB corps.
fonzie/hank/naples,
I cited both a fact, the Pats OL sucked in pass protection (48 sacks), and specific game examples that I watched: Jenkins, Williams and Hampton dominated the interior of the Pats OL. I have no idea what your point was.
Pats fans, crow all you want. The Pats have been great, but if I’m right and the Pats interior OL pass blocking is weak, pray for Brady, because he’ll be beaten up. I’m not saying the Jets will take Brady out, but the Pats play some pretty good defenses (Jets, Baltimore,Tennessee, Miami) in the first 8 games. If he can’t be protected, then Brady could be limited.
Fonzie -
Don’t worry about it, I was half kidding. I figured your view would be that Cassel was a good enough player to one day win and that while the Chiefs are not exactly a contender right now, perhaps they have the potential to become one.
Personally, I’m not all that impressed with Cassel, but then I wasn’t that impressed with Brady after his first season either. Cassel is at a disadvantage though compared to Brady, by joining an inferior franchise. I like Dwayne Bowe, but he’s no Randy Moss and the Chiefs don’t have safety valves the cailber of Welker, Faulk and the TEs.
“Hey Bent do you think the Chiefs can get by with smoke and mirrors like the Jets did in 2006 this year?”
It’s funny you should say that because I think that’s the ONLY way they can get by this year and 2006 is a perfect comparison because once again a new coach takes over a franchise that Herm took backwards.
“Bent would this team scare you now that Thigpen is third on the roster behind Cassel and Croyle? Thigpen almost beat the jets defense last year and almost outplayed FARVE.”
No, but they scare me more now that Herm is gone! As I said above, I don’t rate Cassel that highly and Thigpen was one of a string of guys the Jets struggled with that they had never faced before (like the Mets, who always struggle against pitchers they’ve never seen before, the Jets tended to fare better against teams they had a lot of film on, perhaps due to Mangini’s meticulous preparation).
I like some of their guys, but am not quite so prepared to list as many of them as key players. Jeff Webb, for example, caught just 5 passes last year – is he any more likely to be an impact player than Clowney? Jamaal Charles is fast, so always a threat to make a long run, but can’t stay on the field because he is so poor at pass protection. Hali is dangerous, but Thomas, Beisel and Vrabel are old.
Finally, Thigpen DID outplay Favre that day, who despite the comeback win was terrible!
SackDance99,
What’s the matter Sack? Did I confuse you by providing too much information? My point is clear.
I am saying that Cassel is PERSONALLY more ready than Tom Brady to win a championship right now. He has a good team (see above) behind him and with PIOLI they will make drastic improvements in the next couple of years.
I am not saying the Chiefs team is better than the patriots right now. I am not saying their going to win a championship right now but they, sure as heck are going to be as competitive as the patriots and jets.
fonzie,
Look at your posts,
fonzie said:
“SackDance99 sorry man you can pull all your stats but the Jets can only win against the pats is if we have an ultra-aggressive gameplan.”
I wasn’t saying anything about the Jets’ gameplan, but implicit in my comment was the idea that the Jets should pressure the Pats up the middle because their interior OL can’t handle Big Jenks. Interior blitzing is a very aggressive tactic. So, in context, your comment was, to say the least, puzzling.
Moreover, I know you have a man crush on Mangini. Yet, Mangini’s signature game plan (in Foxboro in 2006) wasn’t “ultra-aggressive.” His plan, which worked great, was to confuse Brady by dropping multiple players in coverage. Of course, that plan worked pre-Welker and Moss. As we saw in last season’s game in Foxboro, Mangini’s “passive” plan of dropping 8 men in coverage and not even having Jenks in nearly cost the Jets the game.
As for Cassell, I just don’t know how he’ll deal without Welker, the premier slot WR in the NFL, and Moss, a top 3 deep threat. I like Bowe, but KC’s OL and thin receiving corps without Gonzo, should cause Cassell to struggle. More ready than Brady to win a Super Bowl?!? Even if I didn’t think that Brady was a great QB, Brady’s weapons could make even a mediocre QB good-to-great. The Pats’ offense should be great, except if they get into obvious passing downs, that weak interior OL pass-blocking has to be a concern.
SackDance99,
Do not change the subject. My argument was about Matt Cassel and that he is more ready than Brady is to win a championship. He doesn’t have a “safety” blanket at tight end with Gonzales gone but he can rely on Bowe, Webb, Darling, and Bradley all who hurt the jets last season to pick up where he left off. He has Larry Johnson and Jaamal Charles as a one two punch. I said their o-line mixed experience (Brian Waters, Mike Goff, and Damion McIntosh as the older linemen. Brandon Albert, Wade Smith (ex-Jet), and Rudy Niswanger as the younger linemen.) Contrary to what you think they are not thin at the line. They have a similar blend of talent and experience that the Jets have just not overpaid free agents (Woody and Faneca). If you think that Cassel cannot be as effective with his receiving corps now as he was in new england you are mistaken. He can benefit from Bradley and Darling similar to what he had with Gaffney, Kelly Washington, and Kevin Faulk. They are just as reliable as those players.