This is obviously subject to change because the Patriots still do not have a real pass rusher despite the signing of Mark Anderson today. The Patriots have recently worked out players like DT Tommie Harris (ended up signing with Colts) OLB/DE Matt Roth (still unsigned) DE Raheem Brock (re-signed with Seattle) DE/OLB Quentin Moses (remains unsigned) DL Shaun Ellis (also unsigned) and just today LB Channing Crowder. The 2 I would like to see most on the Patriots would probably be Matt Roth and Channing Crowder. I love watching Matt Roth. He's not that best linebacker in the world but he's a very solid option and would be a great add for the team. Channing Crowder is a punk, but any guy that hates the Jets as much as I do is good with me. In the end I think you'd have to go with Matt Roth because he's played in a lot of very similar Bill Belichick defenses throughout his career.
You probably already know my thoughts about the Patriots' major trades so far (Oh, you don't know my thoughts? Well read this good friend: http://bshawsportsblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/patriots-update-and-next-season-preview.html) So now why not get right down to what matters: Where the f*ck are these guys going to play? Well you came to the right place, as I think I know what's going to go down.
QB: Tom Brady. If you didn't expect this then...
RB: BenJarvus Green-Ellis. With all the new RBs and Woodhead still here expect The Law Firms production to go down from last year.
TE: Rob Gronkowski & Aaron Hernandez. I expect these two to have great years because of the addition of Ochocinco to open up more space for the two talented tight ends.
OL: (in no order at all) Logan Mankins, Dan Koppen, Matt Light, Sebastian Vollmer, and Dan Connolly. Makins gets to start the year with the Patriots this time. Nate Solder will probably play at some point, maybe even a start.
WR: Chad Ochocinco and Deion Branch. "But Wes Welker is awesome!" not so fast Patriots fan! This was tough for me but I think it will be Ocho and Branch on the outside and Welker in the slot in the regular sets.
FB: (When needed) Sammy Morris.
I really like this offense and any offense with Tom Brady will score a lot of points. Offensive Coordinator Bill O'Brien should be drooling at the thought of all his new tools for this year. Chad Ochocinco, Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley. The development of Gronkowski and Hernandez. Danny Woodhead for a full year. Sounds good to me!
Now to the part that gets me excited the most; the defense!
DT: Vince Wilfork and Albert Haynesworth. This is a combined 690lbs coming at the QB. Be afraid.... very, very afraid.
DE: Two of either Mike Wright/Mark Anderson/Jermaine Cunningham/Eric Moore/Markell Carter. I would assume it would be Mike Wright and Jermaine Cunningham while they split with Anderson and co.
MLB: Jerod Mayo or Brandon Spikes. "But Jerod Mayo is one of the best linebackers in the NFL!" Just listen to my next predictions good sir/ma'am.
ROLB: Rob Ninkovich or Jerod Mayo. Since Spikes is strictly a MLB and with a 4-3 defense Mayo wouldn't have to rush the QB much anyway as an outside linebacker it fits well.
LOLB: Gary Guyton or Jerod Mayo. See above.
CB: Devin McCourty and Leigh Bodden. The Patriots didn't have a solid 2nd corner to compliment McCourty but now with Bodden healthy, that problem should be solved.
SS: Pat Chung. Unless you think Sergio Brown or Brandon McGowan can beat him out, this is the obvious pick.
FS: Brandon Meriweather. I know a lot of Pats fans don't like BM31 but I think he was just trying to do too much last year because of our mediocre corners (other than McCourty) he had to cover more, something that is not his strength. Now, with Bodden back he should play better and get back to those hard hits that we all love!
The defense is an interesting thing to predict. I've read articles where it says that Belichick is switching to a 4-3 and leaving his traditional 3-4. But with the addition of Albert Haynesworth you have to think that you'd put him with Wilfork to dominate all offensive lines. Just think about it, they both demand double teams and you can't have 4 out of 5 of your offensive line blocking 2 guys. I guess you could put tight ends in but what if a safety (Meriweather) is blitzing? That's what so awesome about this defense, they're a huge match-up problem for anyone. If the Patriots stay with the 3-4 I expect it to look like this:
DT: Vince Wilfork
DE: Mike Wright/Mark Anderson/Eric Moore/Markell Carter
MLB: Jerod Mayo and Brandon Spikes
ROLB: Rob Ninkovich or Gary Guyton or Jermaine Cunningham
LOLB: See above.
The defensive backs should remain the same.
Bill Belichick will have a fun time even though he only added ONE guy. Shows how much a motivated Haynesworth can do for a team.
Next up is special teams:
K: Stephen Gostkowski. He's expected to be ready for the first pre-season game.
P: Zoltan Mesko. Had a great rookie season last year, hopes to build off of it.
KR: Brandon Tate. Not the best receiver but is a very good kick returner.
PR: Julian Edelman. He showed flashes of brilliance last year and almost had a TD off a punt return but a penalty took it back.
Nothing new to the special teams game unless Shane Vereen decides he can return kicks/punts.
All in all this should be a very good year in Foxboro. I'm predicting a 13-3 record for the Pats this year.
Remember this could all change depending on what Belichick does in free agency and trades.
Thanks for reading!
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