MrNathanDrake

My biggest concern is the strength of schedule.

We play the NFC West and AFC South.... two of the easier divisions in the NFL.

Our only real tests will be the Ravens, Texans, 49ers, and maybe the Jets/Bills.

Last year we had a battle tested team. Same with the 2007 squad (which had a really tough schedule). Coincidentally those were the last 2 times we made the SuperBowl.

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Bring on the 2012 Season

brdmaverick

The media would be quick to point out that we didn't beat a team with a winning record last year. Not sure if that qualifies as battle tested.

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Steve:Section 102

I disagree. The division was weak, and they never should have lost in Buffalo. Chiefs, Eagles, Redskins...meh. Denver was possibly the weakest playoff team in the field. Colts sans manning were a Triple A squad. The Steelers and Giants were tests, and they lost. The remainder of the games were games this team should have won.

This year, there are two tests early, with Baltimore and Denver, and two late, Houston and San Fran. The Seattle game is a tough haul all the way across the the country. The Jet games are always emotional, and the St. Louis game follows the Jet home game. The Rams could be a trap game in London. This year's schedule, at this point on July 23, looks to be a bit more of a test, but certainly not grueling.

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Uncle Rico

I'm pretty comfortable with the team core's battle-testedness. They went 14-2 against a brutal schedule in 2010, with a fair amount of rookies and other younger players. And of course last year they got to the big game with a patch-work defense. The core of this team loves winning.

An easier schedule should give the team a chance to rest some folks here and there and integrate all the new guys more as the season goes along, making them that much stronger for the playoffs.

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randomk1

O-line,D,RBs - in that order.

Light is gone,Vollmer was an issue last year. Mankins had the injury and our foes supposedly improved their pass rush in the offseason.

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Three out of Four. Back-to-back.

JackBauer

Honestly, my only concern is Wilfork's health.

Brady_to_Moss

For me..it's Gronks ankle (probably no issue at all)

And the DBs...i just hope they can stop someone this year

JR4

About the schedule concern:

Two of the more difficult teams are towards the end of the schedule.
By that time the PATS should be about where they need to be for the
playoffs so it will be a good measure as to how they stand.

There are teams that may not be strong in all 3 phases of the game but
there will be challenges. Examples: Jets defense will test our offense,
Jags and Seahawks pass D may test PATs pass offense. Broncos with
Manning, who knows how that team will come together.
In fact some teams that are considered middle of the road according to last
years stats may make the needed improvement to become very good.
Cards may become a stronger passing team.

I think with the 3 tough teams plus Jets x 2 and some teams who are improving there
will be enough to test the PATs pretty well during the year.

Rob0729

A couple of things:

- Last year's schedule wasn't a "battle tested schedule". The Pats played the AFC West and the NFC East which neither produced a team with double digit wins. The SOS games were Indy (horrible) and Pittsburgh. During the regular season, the Pats faced one team with 10 or more wins.
- Who knows what the true SOS schedule will be this year. The quality of teams can change from year to year. This time last year, everyone thought that the 49ers would suck, the Colts would win the AFC South, and the Chargers were legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Rob0729

BTW, my biggest concerns are (in no particular order):

- Guard - Is Mankins healthy? Will Waters return and will he hit the age wall? Is Cannon ready if one of them aren't ready to go?
- RT - Is Vollmer's back going to be an issue.
- CB - Will McCourty rebound? Will Dowling take over the other starter role?
- Safety - Will Gregory step up? Will Allen take the spot? Is Belichick right to take Wilson so high or were the critics right that he was a huge reach?
- Outside pass rush - The Pats have removed 20 sacks from their roster (although Carter could be back). Will Scott, Bequette, Cunningham, and/or Jones replace that outside pressure? Is Cunningham going to step up or become an official bust?