NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
2009 RECORD: 10-6-0
(1st in AFC East)
HEAD COACH: Bill Belichick
Key Additions: DT Damione Lewis (FA/Carolina), WR Torry Holt (FA/Jacksonville), TE Alge Crumpler (FA/Tennessee), WR David Patten (FA/Cleveland)
Key Losses: TE Ben Watson (FA/Cleveland), LB Adalius Thomas (FA), DE Jarvis Green (FA/Denver), TE Chris Baker (FA/Seattle)
Offense: Quarterback Tom Brady (4,398 yards passing in '09 with 28 TD and 13 INT) and wide receiver Randy Moss continue to be the mainstays on this offense as there are questions regarding others from year's past as the 2010 season approaches.
Wide receiver Wes Welker suffered a terrible knee injury in the final regular season game last year after a great season in which he led the NFL with 123 receptions. Welker had 1,348 receiving yards and four touchdowns before going out with the injury.
Moss (83 catches, 1,264 yards and 13 TD) continues to be his usual brilliant self on the field and along with Welker forms a formidable duo for the Patriots.
But will Welker be totally healthy once the season begins?
Julian Edelman (37 catches for 359 yards and one TD) can step right in and shows much resemblance to Welker at wide receiver. Torry Holt was signed from Jacksonville, but injuries put him on the injured list and it was reported he will be lost for the season.
The tight ends will be two newcomers to New England as Ben Watson and Chris Baker left via free agency. Veteran Alge Crumpler comes over from Tennessee and rookie Rob Gronkowski (Arizona University) is also available.
The running game has veterans Laurence Maroney and Fred Taylor along with 12-year veteran Kevin Faulk lining up in the backfield.
Maroney led the Pats in '09 with 757 yards rushing and scored nine touchdowns. Faulk was the second leading rusher (335 yards, 5.4 ypc average, two TD) and also caught 37 passes.
Taylor, who was banged up some in 2009, ran for 269 yards and scored four touchdowns. Sammy Morris (319 yards rushing in '09) provides depth as well.
The line consists of center Dan Koppen, guards Stephen Neal and Logan Mankins and tackles Matt Light and Sebastian Vollmer. It's a solid group that has many veterans and protects Brady in the pocket, allowing just 19 sacks a year ago.
Defense: The Patriots' defense was decent a year ago, allowing 110 yards rushing per game and 210 yards passing, which was good for an overall ranking of 11th in the NFL.
Unfortunately, veteran defensive end Ty Warren was lost for the season to injury in training camp.
Nose tackle Vince Wilfork is solid up front and will team with ends Mike Wright and free agent signee Damione Lewis.
The linebackers in the 3-4 scheme are Pierre Woods and Tully Banta-Cain on the outside and Jerod Mayo and Brandon Spikes lining up inside. Banta-Cain led the Patriots with 10 quarterback sacks in 2009.
The defensive backs include safeties Brandon Meriweather (five interceptions) and James Sanders. The cornerbacks are Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden (five picks in '09) along with Darius Butler, who showed improved and steady play late last year. Butler intercepted three passes for New England as well.
OUTLOOK: Head Coach Bill Belichick would like to see the team get back to playing the brand of football that earned them four Super Bowl appearances in a seven year span, including three titles between 2001 and 2004.
However, with all the changing personnel in the past two seasons, it's been difficult for New England to maintain consistency throughout the season.
Brady bounced back nicely from a serious knee injury in 2008 and now it remains to be seen if his favorite target (Welker) can do the same this year.
With a healthy Welker back and Randy Moss running the deep routes, the Patriots are always a threat to score often. They finished sixth in scoring in '09 with 427 points.
The defense is capable of dominating opponents at times, but they can also get burned as well.
In the post-season last year, New England came unglued early and was blown out (at home) by Baltimore, 33-14 in the Wild Card round.
The Patriots will face a stiff challenge for the AFC East crown in 2010 from the New York Jets and Miami is always tough.
A 10-6 finish is likely once again this season and most assuredly a spot in the playoffs again. It would be a reach to see the Patriots go to the Super Bowl this season.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- vs. Cincinnati
Week 2- at NY Jets
Week 3- vs. Buffalo
Week 4- at Miami
Week 5- Bye Week
Week 6- vs. Baltimore
Week 7- at San Diego
Week 8- vs. Minnesota
Week 9- at Cleveland
Week 10- at Pittsburgh
Week 11- vs. Indianapolis
Week 12- at Detroit
Week 13- vs. NY Jets
Week 14- at Chicago
Week 15- vs. Green Bay
Week 16- at Buffalo
Week 17- vs. Miami
No comments:
Post a Comment