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That awful game in February, the draft, FA signings and preseason have all raised interesting questions that we're about to see start geting answered...
1. Was Feb's and pre-season's OL performance an anomaly or a portent of things to come?
.....I'd guess that the OL was not as good as hyped by all the Pro-Bowl selections nor as bad as shown lately with the revolving (unfortunately literally) cast of characters.
2. Is the Pats vaunted D a ghost of the past with its aged stars?
.....Can the rooks re-invigorate the D and will it improve towards late season as all the better BB defenses did? I think that the development of the rooks will facilitate the latter.
3. Is the 2008 draft class/UDFAs as good as it looked to many in pre-season?
.....I'm optimistic but the kids are now facing NFL starters, not wannabees
4. Is Brady's current health and mobility an issue?
..... I'm taking this week's non-listing on the injury report as near factual
5. Can the defensive backfield be effective having lost 2 significant players?
.....THE bigest question in my mind. Bryant's failure and the last minute signing of O'Neil whose last couple seasons have not been notable hardly inspires confidence. I expect Pees, Capers and BB to scheme heavily the 1st 4 games to ease pressure off the corners.
6. Will the 2008 FA crop Lamont Jordan, Lewis Sanders, Deltha O'Neill et. al. contribute?
.....Big names Hobson & Bryant already cut. Most of the UFA linepersons are cut, IRed or PUPed. ..... Lamont should have an opportunity to answer HIS question Sunday
I don't think that game one barring unexpected disaster will answer much. KC should not be a challenge to even a weak defensive backfield. I would expect we'd have a good line on this team's growth and vulnerabilities by week 9, mid season.
1. Was Feb's and pre-season's OL performance an anomaly or a portent of things to come?
.....I'd guess that the OL was not as good as hyped by all the Pro-Bowl selections nor as bad as shown lately with the revolving (unfortunately literally) cast of characters.
2. Is the Pats vaunted D a ghost of the past with its aged stars?
.....Can the rooks re-invigorate the D and will it improve towards late season as all the better BB defenses did? I think that the development of the rooks will facilitate the latter.
3. Is the 2008 draft class/UDFAs as good as it looked to many in pre-season?
.....I'm optimistic but the kids are now facing NFL starters, not wannabees
4. Is Brady's current health and mobility an issue?
..... I'm taking this week's non-listing on the injury report as near factual
5. Can the defensive backfield be effective having lost 2 significant players?
.....THE bigest question in my mind. Bryant's failure and the last minute signing of O'Neil whose last couple seasons have not been notable hardly inspires confidence. I expect Pees, Capers and BB to scheme heavily the 1st 4 games to ease pressure off the corners.
6. Will the 2008 FA crop Lamont Jordan, Lewis Sanders, Deltha O'Neill et. al. contribute?
.....Big names Hobson & Bryant already cut. Most of the UFA linepersons are cut, IRed or PUPed. ..... Lamont should have an opportunity to answer HIS question Sunday
I don't think that game one barring unexpected disaster will answer much. KC should not be a challenge to even a weak defensive backfield. I would expect we'd have a good line on this team's growth and vulnerabilities by week 9, mid season.