By Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Here are some quick thoughts about the New England Patriots and the upcoming season.
Preseason is a joke
Thank God the preseason is over. Really, does any player want to have to compete in four preseason games, which are also meaningless to the fans. Every preseason, players drop like flies due to season-ending injuries, and the Patriots felt that with the loss of top cornerback Leigh Bodden.
I want some Maroney
OK, I’m back to defending my man Laurence Maroney. It appears as though he won’t be the starting tailback this season (but he’s still listed as the starter on the depth chart on patriots.com, interesting), at least the numbers say so since he’s touched the ball very little and he hasn’t been starting. Listen, I like Fred Taylor (in his Jacksonville days) and SammyMorris is a nice complimentary back, and Kevin Faulk is the best third-down back in the league, but why is Maroney in the doghouse? Or is he? It seems like it, considering it’s a common theme every year under coach Bill Belichick anyway. Maroney is what he is: He’s not flashy, but he’s proven to be serviceable and effective when given the chance to succeed. Yes, I know he’s had fumbling issues in the past and he doesn’t hit the hole quite as hard as some fans would like to see, but he’s the best back in this group in New England and I’d like to see him get his touches to add a stabilizing force into this running game. I know it’s going to be by committee, but I honestly still believe that Maroney is the best back the Patriots have. I know, if you’re reading this, you think I’m crazy, but look past the jitterbug style Maroney has before he hits the hole because once he gets there he runs hard, puts his head down and tries to lower a boom on a defender. He’s not soft, I’m not buying that. He wasn’t soft in college and he isn’t soft here. What are the coaches looking for as their lead back, anyway? I guess that’s the better question.
More weapons for Brady
Second-round pick Rob Gronkowski, a tight end, appears to be the real deal. Yes, he’s a rookie and it’s natural that he’s going to make mistakes, but he’s a real threat in this passing game. Just watch how he operates and runs past defenders. It’s amazing. And, oh, watch him catch the football – with his hands, no body catches with Gronkowski. This kid is going to be real good. Rookie Aaron Hernandez, if he can stay healthy, also has sure hands and is another coverage nightmare for defenders.
Welker sure looks good
Wes Welker says he’s not 100 percent and doesn’t feel great yet, but from the naked eye I can’t tell that he’s coming off major knee surgery. Welker is a perfectionist and I respect that. Don’t worry about the knee, he’s going to be just fine …I hope.
The cornerback situation is a little concerning. That’s not based on talent, either, it’s more based on a lack of experience with rookie first-rounder Devin McCourty and second-year player Darius Butler. They’ve got the speed to keep up with the best receivers in the game, but they lack wisdom and that always shows against the savvy veterans in the league.
Double trouble
If you want the best duo of young, aggressive and talented inside linebackers with tremendous upside, the Pats have them with Jerod Mayo and rookie Brandon Spikes. Good luck running into the gut of the Patriots defense with those two brick walls. Tight ends getting behind those two for big plays in the passing game, well, that’s a totally different stories.
Great hair
Everyone has an opinion on Tom Brady’s hair, you either like it or want him to cut it off. For me, I don’t care, just don’t throw picks and keep chucking touchdowns. If he’s not vintage Brady, watch the wackos talk about how his long flowing locks are the reason for his so-so play.
Friday, September 3, 2010
The Patriots D scares me
By Jim Ingram
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
The Patriots defense scares the living heck out of me. I live by the old cliche that defense wins championships. If that is the case, than the Patriots have no chance of winning the Super Bowl. Before any of you out there start yelling at me, I know the Patriots played a "vanilla", or base 3-4 defense throughout the majority of the preseason. I know that, and that's not what I'm basing my opinion on. I'm basing my opinion on several important factors.
1. Proven starters on defense - Vince Wilfork is the only proven starter on defense for the Patriots. You can say what you want about Brandon Merriweather, but if anything he's been a very inconsistent player. He shouldn't have made the pro bowl last year, and I really think he's a bit overrated at this point. That doesn't mean I don't like him, or think he can be a very good player in the NFL. Same thing goes for Jerod Mayo. He showed great promise his rookie season, but was injured a good portion of last season. I'd actually say he's their 2nd best player on defense, but he's still young and untested for the most part.
2. Lack of Pass Rush - I'm not talking about sacks here. I am talking about the ability to put pressure on the quarterback. You don't necessarily have to sack the quarterback, and agree with BB that sacks numbers are overrated. Besides Tully Banta-Cain, who had 5 of his team leading 10 sacks against the Bills last year, who else will provide the pass rush? Derrick Burgess maybe, but don't count on the likes of Gerard Warren, Mike Wright or Ron Brace from the defensive line position.
3. Defensive Secondary - Long term I love the Pats secondary. After hating the Devin McCourty pick, I think he looks like a legit NFL corner. I love his size, his toughness and nose for the ball. I also realize how hard it is to play corner in the NFL as a rookie. I like Darius Butler, but having a rookie and 2nd year man at the corners scares me. Merriweather is a good safety, but needs to be consistent with his play. After struggling to start his rookie season, I really like the strides Patrick, don't call me Eugene, Chung has made. Ultimately the lack of pass rush will lead to struggles for the secondary. I do expect them to improve as the season goes on and they learn to play together.
Even with all that, I predict the Patriots to go 10-6 this season and narrowly win the AFC East yet again. I'm not sold on the Jets, and actually think the Dolphins may be a bigger threat in the division. The offense will be so good they'll help win games when the defense lets them down. Unfortunately, you might see the same thing happen in the playoffs as last years debacle against the Ravens. Because I try to be a positive guy, I want to end on a high note. The Pats have made some very good draft picks on defense in the past two years. I like Butler, Chung, McCourty and Spikes. I look forward to seeing what Jermaine Cunningham can do when he gets healthy. He may be able to add some help to the pass rush. Ron Brace, after being a disaster his rookie season, really showed us something this preseason. Just like the secondary, the Pats defense could return to their glory days in the years to come, especially since they have 2 first round and 2 second round picks next season.
All we can do now is hold on for the wild ride of the NFL season.
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