cstjohn17

Hmm. things we think about...

I would say No, the 2007 team was the deepest and most talented since free agency started. But the 2009 team would be better than the 2008 team which went 11-5 without the league MVP at QB.

As BB said, is it my paper versus your paper? but still on paper it would look good.

eom

is this question contingent on foote and taylor signing?

__________________
if we played the patriots 10 times, we'd win 9

~ Ladainian Tomlinson [2007]

“I don’t think you’ll find a better team on paper.”

~ Calvin Pace

Sicilian

I think offensively we're more balanced than 2007 already. We're not going to score as many points (it was a record or near record for a reason), but we'll be better suited to a lot of different situations, assuming Brady's health.

Defensively, I think we're potentially better and potentially worse. It all depends on health and maturation of youth. I think signing Taylor AND Foote would provide much need depth and versatility, and would put us over the top of the 2007 team.

Not saying we'd go 19-0, cuz anything can happen, but I'd feel better about the team going in then I did that year for sure.

patsfan-1982

Larry Foote is kinda small as far as patriot LB go and i dont think hes any better then any one all redy on the team and we dont even know if jason taylor has any thing in the tank he may just be a old LB who will only give 5 or 6 sacks and if thats so hes no better then mike vrabel who we give a way i say no thay would not be better

supafly

I agree with your assessment of the defense we have already, however one of these guys certainly couldn't hurt our chances any.

And if Taylor got 6 sacks that'd be pretty darn good, considering Seymour led the team with 8.

stinkypete

Foote wants to play for Detroit. God knows why.

The 2009 team won't be better than the 2007 team, but I think it is potentially a more well balanced team. The 2009 squad should have more pass/run balance, more short/long balance. I think the defense will be deeper and better equipped to handle injuries.

On both sides of the ball I see less explosive firepower, fewer points, fewer defensive turnovers and sacks, then the 2007 team. I think this team is better equipped to handle the haul of the season, and will look much more comfortable in a tight January game then the 2007 team did.

maverick4

The 2008 team had devastating season-ending injuries to the defense, nobody talks about this.

The 2009 edition is going to be the best Pats team. We won't go 16-0 in the regular season, but we have a better shot of winning it all.

Tunescribe

Why not? I mean, it's quite a feat, but if this team is indeed better than the 2007 team, who's on the schedule you're worried about?

maverick4

We went 16-0 from talent, but also from Belichick adapting the Meyer spread offense, which many teams were unprepared for that year. Teams adapted in the playoffs and we had no answer at the end.

I see the 09 team as more similar to the 2004 team, which didn't win every single game but was a better team. Yes, I think the 2004 team is better than the 2007 team.

supafly

Absolutely true, AND we somehow still finished 10th overall. We've patched up plenty of holes, and added plenty of depth--I see no possible way we couldn't improve over last yr.

The most important thing, IMO--is that we have to continue our good penalty ratio from last yr, and play smart. Continue to keep penalties and turnovers down, and we'll contend even if my grandma plays OLB.

These are the top 3 things for us to compete, regardless of who we add--don't add, etc :

1. Protect Brady, possibly have a good back up plan if needed. I wouldn't object to signing a vet somewhere down the line, mostly because we now lack a viable body with much experience. At least Cassel had 4 yrs in learning the playbook. Chances are, we probably won't end up signing a vet, but I personally would be a lot happier. At the very least, we need to protect our QB to the absolute max.

2. Continue to keep the penalties down. This couldn't be any more key, other than the Brady factor, IMO.

3. Improve even more on our turnover ratio, or at the very least--continue to keep ours down. This shouldn't be too hard, with TB coming back, etc. Cassel did a pretty darn good job of this, as did the RB's.

As long as we do these 3 things, and play like a team, we'll be just fine.