GrogansArmy

I'm just curious what everyone thinks is our biggest concern going into this season. For me, I'm split between the OL and the D. However, I think TB will be quick enough on the release to hide our OL issues.

So , I guess its the D I'm mostly worried about during the regular season. Come the playoffs though (yes I'm making an assumption here), I think our OL could bite us in the butt as it seems to have the past few years (imo). Or perhaps its just that the opposing D's have been much higher caliber in the postseason. Regardless - TB seems to have trouble whether its the opposing D or our OL not up to par.

Also, I guess I should note that our run game worries me a bit also. I like Ridley, I really do, but it was comforting to know that we could rely on a short yardage runner who will never fumble.

BananaRepublican

Not the OL. Guards will be there in TN. Vollmer will be back.

For me it's the DBs. I like some of what I see so far but we ain't seen that much. Lingering doubts about McCourty and the sturdiness of Dowling. But if those two were to play up to what should be their standards we'll be in good shape.

Deus Irae

Biggest concern? Health

It's been a killer since 2006

2006 AFCCG - Defensive illness and injury results in Alexander being on the field and getting abused like Cinderella on a bad day.

2007 SB - Brady plays hobbled from AFCCG and can't avoid the rush, Neal gets hurt and the line can't hold up.

2008 - Reg Season - Brady goes down

2009 Wild card round - Meaningless damned final game of the season (son of a ....) Welker goes down

2010 Divisional round - Patriots just blow game against Jets, injury takes a year off

2011 SB - Gronk's all but useless due to an ankle injury suffered in the AFCCG, Brady seemingly reinjures shoulder

__________________
"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
- Marcus Aurelius

Joey007

On offense, it's our O-line's health. I think we have the players we need on our O-line, they just gotta stay healthy

On defense as usual, if the D Backfield can turn it around. Especially McCourty. It sure is nice though that for the first time since 07, I feel good about our pass rush going into this season.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


Stevan Ridley. Bringing back the art of running the football back to New England since 2011.

randomk1

There was a thread like this recently and the consensus was the OL.

__________________
Three out of Four. Back-to-back.

Triumph

The pass defense.

IMO, if NE can improve to at least 16th, they can win a SB. My prediction is that it will improve and NE will face GB in a rematch of the 96 Super Bowl with NE winning.

Fencer

Right. BB has it all covered, in personnel and schemes, as long as health holds up.

OT, TE, and CB are looking the thinnest going into the season, in some order. We only have one CB who has played consistently for the past year at a level that would make us comfortable, and the same is true at OT.

Here I am deliberately NOT making allowances for injuries.

__________________
"To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness." -- Oscar Wilde

DarrylS

Finishing.. aka sealing the deal.

__________________
"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.

KontradictioN

Right now, it has to be the health of the OL with the defense coming in second. Interior pressure is a killer for this offense. Right now, question marks about Mankins' knee, Koppen's leg, and the overall return of Brian Waters are the biggest concern. Whether or not our second worst of all time pass defese improves with the offseason additions is the second biggest concern, but it's a distant second after the health of the OL.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


CREDIT - Sicilian

Gumby

I'm down for that answer.

BB can scheme to adjust for weakness anywhere on D and he will keep throwing players at the holes as well. Maybe wont be perfect; but if last year got us to a SB - no worries with all the trainable youth we have this year.

On O; it all runs through TB; if he goes down say hello 2008. OL is key to brady staying upright or not taking a lot of dings through a 16 game haul. Also a bonus if they can field a consistent-5 enough to work run blocking in addition to pass blocking (and then as a team actually be a threat to run).