mgteich

There is always turnover. As akways, we are counting on free agents and 2nd year players for significant meaningful reps.

However, it does seem that, even before the season starts, we are counting on rookies much more than normal. At this point, it would be a dissapointment if we don't have significant contributions from 5 of our top 7 rookies. I suspect that this board will be disappointed if we don't get signifcant contributions from 6 of the top 7.

In some sense, we are COUNTING ON rookie production at tight end and at punter.

SammyBlueCat

True. The roster has changed a lot since the last time this team won a trophy.
There is an old cliche': "Father time is undefeated".

TommyBrady12

pats are relying on too many rookies...that's the problem.

i don't want to start anything, but this goes back to the poor drafting from 2005-2008.

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"He’s the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. He goes from being a rookie that nobody is expecting anything from, to taking over with people saying he can’t do it, to winning three Super Bowls....It should already be obvious he’s the greatest quarterback to ever have played. "

- Steelers S Troy Polamalu on Tom Brady

PATRIOTSFANINPA

Gotta agree with the poor drafting from a few years ago...very few have stayed around worthwhile for a roster spot thus IMO this is a team in part transition/rebuild phase

In 2 or 3 years IF this group pans out we could see another SB contending team...right now a victorious season would be getting the #6 seed or better IMO,even if it was a one and done again.

Besides Punter and TE the OP clearly missed ILB (spikes),OLB (cunningham) and lower parts of WR (price,tate - yes Tate is virtually a rookie) as well

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mgteich

I expect us to win the division. That has been always been the goal. The second season is just that, a second opportunity.

PATRIOTSFANINPA

The division is a goal but as long as we make the playoffs,I am not concerned with it - Home Field was not much of an aid last year so its no big deal if we go on the road this time as a wild card compared to being a 5th or 6th seed instead of a 3rdor 4th..means little IMO,Its whoever comes to play better that day regardless of where its played at.

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Rob0729

Not that this is the same situation as 2003, but Wilson, Koppen, and Warren all started as rookies (althogh not off the bat) and Samuel and Bethel Johnson played roles. Also, second year players Branch, Givens, and Graham all started.

PATRIOTSFANINPA

Heres the problem...those rookies were surrounded by veteran and all pro type players and great locker room influences....there are no Vrabels,McGinests or Bruschis around to help make the transition easier for them....much more difficult now IMO

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FreeTedWilliams

Look, Chung has Merriweather (who had Rodney)
Spikes has Mayo (who ws taught by Bruschi)
Gronk and Hernandez have Crumpler (who even BB has lauded with praise for his professionalism and work ethic).
I believe Vince Wilfork is still around for the D-lineman, and you know, the guy who coached Lawrence Taylor, he might still be around someplace too.

Plus of course, Cunningham has Crable (couldn't resist)

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The Jets look like a Super Bowl contender right now about as much as Rosie O’Donnell looks like a threat for the Miss America crown. -NY Post 12/19/2011


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PatsWickedPissah

Notice on offense how rapidly the rookies and 2nd yr players with talent have flourished. Why? Brady, Moss, Welker, Faulk... as veteran mentors, seting examples mostly lacking on the 2010 D as you said.

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Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man. Advances which permit this norm to be exceeded — here and there, now and then — are the work of an extremely small minority, frequently despised, often condemned, and almost always opposed by all right-thinking people. Whenever this tiny minority is kept from creating, or (as sometimes happens) is driven out of a society, the people then slip back into abject poverty.
This is known as "bad luck." RAH