patsox23

Since the vast majority of you seem to think talking cameragate is somehow worthwhile or "fun" or something - to the point of pretty much EVERY thread being on that topic, you miserable SOBs - I thought I'd throw out, ya know, FOOTBALL TALK. So....

One of the biggest factors heading into any season is the health of a team's biggest playmakers. Last year, two of the Patriots most important, most impactful players came into the season with injuries that lingered for much, if not all, of the slate of games.

AFAIK, Laurence Maroney and Richard Seymour are healthier now than they've been in at least a year. We saw what Maroney could do when healthy and given the bulk of the load, and it brought great balance to an already powerful offense. Richard Seymour had a(nother) sub-par season, still a very solid DL, but far lower an impact than an all-pro DL should have. I expect a bounce-back season from him now that he's healthy.

If these two players can make their way back to their full potential, the ripple effect on both sides of the ball will be obvious, tangible and important. Thoughts?

JoePats

Enormous impact, especially Seymour. He seemed to play better as the season went on, as you would expect, and most important he doesn't turn 29 until October, so he is in the peak of his career. I don't think his skills are eroding, but his body might be. So if he stays healthy, I think we're talking about a top 5 or 10 player at his position, which upgrades the DL, and complements an improved linebacking corps.

signbabybrady

I don't rememeber the source but I do remember reading on here fairly recently that Seymour was talking part in full participation in the Pats offseason program which he hasn't always done. They were saying that he had played last year when a lot of guys would not have and that he is finally healthy and that he is smiling alot more than anyone rememebers and that seems happier than ever. Speculation being that he is excited about being healthy again and working real hard to make sure is back to form.

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BelichickFan

Our front seven should be so much better than what we ended last year with. Seymour will hopefully be more like his normal self. Thomas should be more comfortable in the defense and stay at one spot (OLB) all year. Mayo should bring more speed and athleticism at ILB than we've seen in a long time. Hobson could be anything from good depth to a viable starter at ILB and we have some interesting young guys at OLB in Woods and Crable, who knows if either will be ready to contribute. But just the changes with Seymour, Mayo and Thomas should improve things tremendously.

bradmahn

You're exactly right.

It's hard to quantify just how much it affected his game considering he got off to a really good start against the Jets and Chargers, but Maroney participating in this year's offseason activities will be a great benefit to him. Hopefully we'll see the return of that bruising stiff arm to his repertoire given that he'll be able to focus on upper body strength now that his shoulder is healthy. Chad Jackson is another player who is going through a full offseason healthy for the first time of his career. We could see tremendous things from the top two picks of the 2006 draft this year.

If Seymour is good-to-go for the season that gives the Patriots three Pro Bowl calibre linemen on a three man line. You can double team Seymour and Wilfork, but you're then leaving Warren against a single man (or you can send the TE against him as well, but then you're leaving both OLBs to the back(s)). It's a good thing for a defense and will undoubtedly prove a lot of help to the ILBs as well.

AD, Seymour, Big Vince, Warren, Vrabel... not too many comparable groups of on-the-line players in the league.

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I don't like Dungy and that's because he [was] the head coach of the Colts. Period. End of question. The degree to which I like a player or coach is predicated solely on the color of the laundry they wear on Sunday. When fans admit this and stop bashing players and coaches for any other reason, the world of sports will be infinitely improved.

patsox23

I'm with most of your post except the Hobson part. I think he could be anywhere from total JAG SCRUB (think: Beisel/Brown with a bit more knowledge of the system) to good depth/spot starter.

Tunescribe

I've decided to withhold speculation until I hear what Arlen Specter has to say. Maroney, in particular, might not be worth doo-doo if we can't tape defensive signals.

BelichickFan

The chance of him pulling a Full Monty are small, IMO, as Belichick has seen him playing in a defense similar to ours for two years.

However - as long as Seymour is his old self, Thomas kicks butt in his second year and Mayo does what we expect from a #10 rookie (flashes of brilliance with a few whoopsies mixed in) and we have no more than average injuries, all the stuff related to Hobson, Woods, Crable , etc, is basically moot. However we need one to come through as we'll almost certainly have one LB miss some time.

bradmahn

Is there a reason you don't think he could be a good starter?

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I don't like Dungy and that's because he [was] the head coach of the Colts. Period. End of question. The degree to which I like a player or coach is predicated solely on the color of the laundry they wear on Sunday. When fans admit this and stop bashing players and coaches for any other reason, the world of sports will be infinitely improved.

BrianPat

I think with all the defensive work, Seymour and Morris back up to full strength, this team could be better then last year. I think Gaffney, Jackson and Maroney will also step up another rung. I am looking forward to the reviews of the games, that's the only time when you really learn the game is when aspects of the game are pointed out and discussed.

Thanks for switching the topic back onto football, even though the spy crap is easier to deal with now that Walsh has been exposed and the Herald is it's knee's in front of the Patriots and their fans, it also helps that the Jets have been implicated by Walsh as taping signals from the sidelines.