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What is it with these ***holes? We haven't even passed through three days of FA yet and they are already being hailed as a favorite. Pardon me for a second while I go stab my eyes out with a spoon!
Per Matt Williamson of ESPN Insider...
posted: Sunday, March 4, 2007 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: New England Patriots
Want an early favorite for Super Bowl XLII? Look no further than the New England Patriots. Of course, I am not going out on a limb writing that New England is a good team and a contender. But their improvement since free agency opened Friday matched with two first-round picks will put the Patriots at the head of the class in the NFL once again.
The Patriots were very aggressive in locking up linebacker Adalius Thomas, a perfect guy for Bill Belichick's defense. He is extremely versatile and will contribute everywhere from linebacker to safety to defensive end. Belichick will move this guy all over the field to attack an offense's weaknesses. For the most part, Thomas will play outside linebacker in New England's 3-4 scheme, and he will surely make the job of getting to the quarterback easier for OLB Rosevelt Colvin.
At this point, OLB/ILB Mike Vrabel's role is undefined, but make no mistake, Belichick must be excited about putting Thomas, Colvin and Vrabel on the field at the same time. Quarterbacks will have a difficult time deciphering which player is coming after him. The 3-4 defense could just as easily be called a 5-2 front, as the outside linebackers spend the majority of their time on the line of scrimmage. With the signing of Thomas, New England and San Diego have the best front fives in the NFL. New England's defensive line does not get the credit it deserves, but NT Vince Wilfork and DEs Richard Seymour and Ty Warren are an elite starting threesome.
Thomas has been the only free-agent addition to the defense so far, but New England will surely address inside linebacker and secondary in the draft. Remember, the Patriots have the 24th and 28th picks in the first round. They will have plenty of ammunition to get players they covet. Excellent fits for New England in the draft include ILBs Paul Posluszny (wow, does he look like a Patriot) and Patrick Willis, CBs Darrelle Revis, Chris Houston and Aaron Ross and Ross' teammate at Texas, S Michael Griffin. Safety/cornerback/holder/special teamer/running back/receiver/do-it-all guy Eric Weddle from Utah also screams out as a Patriots pick, although he won't be selected in the first round.
Although New England has added TE Kyle Brady, RB Sammy Morris and probably WR Wes Welker (once Miami declines to match his offer sheet), the Pats still could draft a wide receiver such as Robert Meachem, Anthony Gonzalez or Dwayne Bowe in the first round. An offensive lineman such as Ben Grubbs, Arron Sears, Joe Staley or Justin Blalock also could be attractive in the first frame of the draft.
Brady still has enough gas in his tank to contribute with some short catches in New England's tight end-friendly offense, but his greatest contribution will be as a big, powerful blocker to open holes for Laurence Maroney. With the Patriots' wealth of talent at the position, Brady will not have to play a ton of snaps and should stay fresh and hungry.
Morris is a versatile back who is also a fine special teams player. He has performed well in spot duty and could carry the load on a short-term basis. He is a fine acquisition to lighten the load on Maroney and Kevin Faulk.
Wide receiver was clearly an area the Patriots were not up to par in 2006. Welker's addition could go a long way to providing New England's offense with a Deion Branch-type of weapon. Welker is also a fine returner, and the Patriots do a fine job adding players who are also valuable special teams contributors. Even with Welker in the fold, adding one more wide receiver -- possibly in the first round -- could still make a lot of sense. Oh yeah, the Patriots also have a quarterback named Tom Brady who is a pretty decent player who tends to raise the level of play of those around him.
Per Matt Williamson of ESPN Insider...
posted: Sunday, March 4, 2007 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: New England Patriots
Want an early favorite for Super Bowl XLII? Look no further than the New England Patriots. Of course, I am not going out on a limb writing that New England is a good team and a contender. But their improvement since free agency opened Friday matched with two first-round picks will put the Patriots at the head of the class in the NFL once again.
The Patriots were very aggressive in locking up linebacker Adalius Thomas, a perfect guy for Bill Belichick's defense. He is extremely versatile and will contribute everywhere from linebacker to safety to defensive end. Belichick will move this guy all over the field to attack an offense's weaknesses. For the most part, Thomas will play outside linebacker in New England's 3-4 scheme, and he will surely make the job of getting to the quarterback easier for OLB Rosevelt Colvin.
At this point, OLB/ILB Mike Vrabel's role is undefined, but make no mistake, Belichick must be excited about putting Thomas, Colvin and Vrabel on the field at the same time. Quarterbacks will have a difficult time deciphering which player is coming after him. The 3-4 defense could just as easily be called a 5-2 front, as the outside linebackers spend the majority of their time on the line of scrimmage. With the signing of Thomas, New England and San Diego have the best front fives in the NFL. New England's defensive line does not get the credit it deserves, but NT Vince Wilfork and DEs Richard Seymour and Ty Warren are an elite starting threesome.
Thomas has been the only free-agent addition to the defense so far, but New England will surely address inside linebacker and secondary in the draft. Remember, the Patriots have the 24th and 28th picks in the first round. They will have plenty of ammunition to get players they covet. Excellent fits for New England in the draft include ILBs Paul Posluszny (wow, does he look like a Patriot) and Patrick Willis, CBs Darrelle Revis, Chris Houston and Aaron Ross and Ross' teammate at Texas, S Michael Griffin. Safety/cornerback/holder/special teamer/running back/receiver/do-it-all guy Eric Weddle from Utah also screams out as a Patriots pick, although he won't be selected in the first round.
Although New England has added TE Kyle Brady, RB Sammy Morris and probably WR Wes Welker (once Miami declines to match his offer sheet), the Pats still could draft a wide receiver such as Robert Meachem, Anthony Gonzalez or Dwayne Bowe in the first round. An offensive lineman such as Ben Grubbs, Arron Sears, Joe Staley or Justin Blalock also could be attractive in the first frame of the draft.
Brady still has enough gas in his tank to contribute with some short catches in New England's tight end-friendly offense, but his greatest contribution will be as a big, powerful blocker to open holes for Laurence Maroney. With the Patriots' wealth of talent at the position, Brady will not have to play a ton of snaps and should stay fresh and hungry.
Morris is a versatile back who is also a fine special teams player. He has performed well in spot duty and could carry the load on a short-term basis. He is a fine acquisition to lighten the load on Maroney and Kevin Faulk.
Wide receiver was clearly an area the Patriots were not up to par in 2006. Welker's addition could go a long way to providing New England's offense with a Deion Branch-type of weapon. Welker is also a fine returner, and the Patriots do a fine job adding players who are also valuable special teams contributors. Even with Welker in the fold, adding one more wide receiver -- possibly in the first round -- could still make a lot of sense. Oh yeah, the Patriots also have a quarterback named Tom Brady who is a pretty decent player who tends to raise the level of play of those around him.
Patriots
I'm your huckleberry. 
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