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.
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