betterthanthealternative

I don't believe any position will be worse this year than last. The most vulnerable is WR, if Holt doesn't work out and Welker doesn't make it back.

Staying roughly the same will be OL, WR; RB, OLB, DL

Getter a bit better will be QB, WR with Welker, S, ILB, CB

Potentially much better is TE.

This assumes no major injuries. Most vulnerable to injury are WR (Moss or Holt), DL, and OLB.

I'm high on the TE situation, even though unproven.

I expect Brady to be better this year than last as he recovers fully.

I think Holt will do very well, and the news on Crumpler (kick boxing?!) is encouraging.

The DBackfield should come of age this year.

If Spikes is as advertised, and can make the transition, and Mayo recovers fully, wow at ILB.

I am not as sold on Cunningham, but would love to be surprised.

Your thoughts? (I'm not awake or smart enough to make this into a poll),

Patriot 37

I agree with your your assesment except WR, Holt at worst is Jabar Gafney. Eddleman and a healthy Tate will be better (not expecting much from Price in his 1st year), but the if Welker misses 10-12 games and comes back at 75%or the whole season I still say we are worse off.

I not worried about OLB Ninovich is better against the run than Thomas and if all Cunningham does is come in on passing downs and try to speed rush around the RT without using any pass rush moves, then he's equaled Burgess. OLB is like TE it really can't get worse.

sbpatfan

I think this team is going to have a very tough time making the playoffs. This year will probably be just another growing year where they stay competitive, but ultimately come up short in important games due to lack of experience and youth.

mgteich

Our starting OLB's are Banta-Cain and Ninkovich.
Woods sets the edge on running downs.
Our backups are Crable and Cunningham.
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This is by far our weakest position and one of the most vulnerable (after QB and WR).

Cunningham could surprise in his rookie year; but 3-4 OLB is a tough position to make an immediate impact for the patriots.
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For me, the biggest unkowns are
1) the identity of our pass rushers,
2) who will get Green's DE reps (and who will start at DE, and
3) who we will add at OLB before Training Camp.
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This isn't much of a list of concerns for this point in the preseason. The players are there at DE, and I expect that we will add an OLB or two.

JR4

I agree with your analysis.

My only added thought is does the coaching/play calling improve as well?

I just hope PATs learn how to spread the ball around again and not be
so predictable.
If they do, this offense has the potential to be top 5.

patchick

You know, I think we all generally agree with this statement. But how the heck do we know? As far as I can recall, no rookie OLB drafted above round 7 has ever been healthy on the Patriots 53-man roster in BB's entire regime.

robertweathers

I disagree. By position calling out rookie starters...

QB-No, backup lacks big game experience.
RB-No
TE-Maybe, but Crumpler is there to back them up
WR-Edelman will be fine. Tate we don't know. Moss has plenty. If WW makes it back has has plenty. Holt has tons. The rooks will be used sparingly.
OL-No
DL-No
OLB-Cunningham perhaps but TBC has plenty.
ILB-Spikes, but Mayo is there
CB-Maybe McCourtney, but Bodden, Springs are there.
Safety-No, but Chung got his feet wet last year. Sanders and Merriweather are there.
K- No
P-Yes, but that should not be an issue.

__________________
“I'm not really concerned about the other 31 teams,” - Bill Belichick

"If a player has talent and doesn't succeed, that means that they either don't want to be successful or I have failed as a coach." - Bill Belichick

Sicilian

That's a good point, I can't think of one. I think Cunningham's bigger obstacle would be the position change, converting from college DE to pro OLB. But that doesn't mean he can't make an impact on passing downs while he learns to be a more every down LB.

RayClay

You crack me up mgteich. Where did you come up with this, throwing darts or ouija board?

I expect BB will throw Cunningham and Spikes in if they seem up to it in training camp. Wouldn't be surprised if they offered Burgess a one year deal though, either.

The only thing I'm sure of is TBC will be rushing the passer. Woods probably plays on run downs. Did I miss some steps in the transition Nink made from nobody to sure thing? When did that happen?

Crable could be in a wheel chair, for all we know.

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patchick

...or starting. It's clearly the most unsettled position on the roster.

Woods and Ninkovich both look like useful depth players, but I'm crossing my fingers for one of Cunningham and Crable to emerge and take significant playing time.