2007 Rankings
Rushing: 13th (115.6)
Passing: 1st (295.7)
Total Offense:1st (411.3)
Run Defense: 10th (98.3)
Pass Defense: 6th (190.1)
Total Defense: 4th (288.3)
What was the Patriots’ best move during the offseason?
The New England Patriots weren’t very active in the free-agent market, but the loss of cornerback Asante Samuel early in the offseason couldn’t be ignored. So the New England Patriots answered by landing former Detroit Lions defensive back Fernando Bryant to help fill the void. They also spent a second-round draft pick on cornerback Terrence Wheatley, who is a bit on the small side, but should contribute right off the bat.
What needs to go right for the Patriots to succeed this season?
Basically, the Patriots need to just keep doing what they did last year. Tom Brady and Randy Moss are the most dangerous quarterback/wide receiver combination in the league, and keeping them both healthy and on the field is critical. There is some concern with Brady having been hobbled prior to the Super Bowl with an ankle injury, and being sidelined yet again through the preseason with another foot injury that he says is not the same as the one that limited his mobility in Super Bowl XLII. But Brady, who is one of the NFL’s iron men at quarterback, says he will be ready to go when the regular season begins, and given his history there is little room to doubt him.
As long as both Brady and Moss remain healthy and their offensive line proves their performance against the New York Giants defensive line in their postseason finale was an anomaly, the Patriots offense should remain the best in the league again this year.
Also, with most of this club’s key players in their 30s, it’s time for some of the young talent drafted over the past couple seasons to step up, particularly on defense. Guys like Brandon Meriweather, Jerod Mayo, and Shawn Crable could be instrumental in solidifying a defense that has relied in recent years on an aging, but cagey linebacking corps. The Pats have yet to bring back veteran Junior Seau – although we wouldn’t rule out the possibility – so the inside linebacker spot next to Tedy Bruschi will go to either Victor Hobson or the rookie Mayo. Head coach Bill Belichick generally prefers to go with experience at the position, which would seem to give Hobson the edge. But New England didn’t draft Mayo at No. 10 overall to keep him on the bench for long.
Where will the Patriots finish the 2008 NFL season?
Having Brett Favre in the division makes for a nice storyline, but I don’t believe either the New York Jets – or Buffalo Bills (and obviously the Miami Dolphins) for that matter -- are ready to challenge the mighty Patriots for the division title just yet.
Duplicating their regular-season success from 2007 is too much to ask, but with the way last season ended for the Patriots, it’s hard to imagine they won’t be highly motivated this year, especially with the master motivator Bill Belichick now in possession of so much ammo to fire up his troops. Losing their final game last season and another NFL championship – following a combined 18-0 record throughout the regular season and the playoffs -- was the ultimate embarrassment for a squad that remains highly talented.
To make it all work, though, they must have a healthy Brady. If he’s in the lineup, the Patriots can beat anyone. And although the rest of the division seems to be improving, it doesn’t look as though the Pats will be seriously challenged for the division crown this year.
Prediction: 14-2 and first place in the AFC East.
