What's New?
One thing that’s very different in Foxboro than in previous years is the way the New England Patriots approached the offseason. Generally not known for making headlines with big-name signings, Bill Belichick and company made splash after splash with some of this year’s biggest acquisitions, including linebacker Adalius Thomas and wide receiver Randy Moss.
And speaking of Moss, another area that stands out is the dramatic improvement in the receiving corps. Winning without marquee receivers seems to have always been Tom Brady’s calling card, but this year he will have the luxury of throwing to guys like Moss, the speedy Donte’ Stallworth, and the up-and-coming slot man Wes Welker. With Brady’s ability to spread the ball around, this group should give defensive coordinators headaches this year.
NFL Draft Picks
1st Round - Brandon Meriweather, S Miami
4th Round - Kareem Brown, DT Miami
5th Round - Clint Oldenburg, OT Colorado State
6th Round - Justin Rogers, LB Southern Methodist
6th Round - Mike Richardson, CB Notre Dame
6th Round - Justise Hairston, RB Central Connecticut
6th Round - Corey Hilliard, OT Oklahoma State
7th Round - Oscar Lua, LB USC
7th Round - Mike Elgin, OG Iowa
Who's Gone?
Running back Corey Dillon won’t be back this year, but Laurence Maroney is ready to take over as the feature back. The team still has Kevin Faulk as a reliable backup option, and they added some depth by picking up veteran Sammy Morris from the Dolphins in the offseason.
Tight end Daniel Graham and linebacker Tully Banta-Cain were free-agent defections, but neither will be hard to replace.
The Patriots also, in perhaps the only low point of their offseason, lost underrated defensive end Marquise Hill in a tragic jet-ski accident that cost the youngster his life earlier this year.
What Needs to Change?
The Patriots have been the most successful franchise over recent years, and there’s certainly not much that needs to change. They came within one play of winning the AFC Chamionship last season, and it won’t take much to get them back over that hump. The biggest key is getting all this newly-acquired talent on the same page, which should be no problem for what is perhaps the best coaching staff in the league.
Under Pressure to Perform
Laurence Maroney - With Dillon no longer in the picture, Maroney will be leaned on heavily in the ground game. He must prove, however, that he can hold up as an every-down back for an entire season, because the talent level dips considerably behind him.
Randy Moss - By almost admitting he gave up last season with the Oakland Raiders, Moss didn’t do anything to improve his image. So it was almost a surprise that the Patriots even showed an interest in him. Belichick went out on a limb believing Moss would change his attitude in New England, and now it’s time for Moss to show the coach’s faith wasn’t misplaced.
2006 Rankings
Overall Offense - 11th (335.6)
Rushing Offense - 12th (123.1)
Passing Offense - 12th (212.5)
Overall Defense - 6th (294.4)
Rushing Defense - 5th (94.2)
Passing Defense - 12th (200.2)
Prediction - With the Patriots loading up on talent, and doing so by adding some guys who don’t necessarily mesh with the typical team-first type that Belichick generally surrounds himself with, there’s been speculation that the head coach could be gearing up for one final run before going out to pasture. Regardless of Belichick’s status, this team is loaded for bear, and about the only thing that could knock them off track is injuries.
Look for the Pats to run away with the AFC East, and be a favorite all season to make a return trip to the Super Bowl.
Record: 13-3 and first in the AFC East.
