Is the Patriots offense good enough as is?

[Tunescribe]

I was going to make a big argument for bolstering the running game this season to take pressure off Brady and the rebuilding defense, but in the final analysis, things really look OK. We have a good rotation in place via Maroney, Taylor, Morris and Faulk (if we indeed keep all four) and a system that averaged 142 rushing YPG last year (sixth in the league). The passing offense was 12th overall in '08 w/223 YPG. So, with Brady back and some other healthy bodies available (hello, Mike Thomas), you've got to figure the passing game will improve automatically. I'd like to see the offensive line get some strong, young help -- some "road grader" style run blockers. But aside from that, the offense looks pretty darn good from top to bottom. Is there a critical need anywhere? Not that I see. We could use some OL depth and maybe tight end/fullback upgrades, perhaps a young developmental WR. I think O'Connell will be capable backing up Tom, the third QB slot going to Gutierrez/older vet/rookie.

This brings emphasis squarely back to defense for major upgrading via the draft and possibly still through free agency. I like the pickups so far. But other than possibly OL, defense looks to be the focus for "major" additions in the form of high draft picks and "name" free agents (a la, Peppers or Taylor).

 

[JFK]

It is good enough. Even the best team can always be better.

 

[Deus Irae]

If the O-line holds up and Brady is back to 90%+, this offense may exceed the 2007 scoring totals. Galloway has the potential to make that kind of impact. Of course, health "if" will be the word of the year:

If Galloway can stay healthy
If Maroney can stay healthy
If Taylor has another year in him
If Neal can stay healty


etc....

 

[mosslost]

If the O-line holds up and Brady is back to 90%+, this offense may exceed the 2007 scoring totals. Galloway has the potential to make that kind of impact. Of course, health "if" will be the word of the year:

If Galloway can stay healthy
If Maroney can stay healthy
If Taylor has another year in him
If Neal can stay healty


etc....

If they stay healthy, I'm expecting some big offensive numbers!

 

[Tunescribe]

If the O-line holds up and Brady is back to 90%+, this offense may exceed the 2007 scoring totals. Galloway has the potential to make that kind of impact. Of course, health "if" will be the word of the year:

If Galloway can stay healthy
If Maroney can stay healthy
If Taylor has another year in him
If Neal can stay healty


etc....

The health of key players is the giant asterisk attached to team fortunes every season. Last year proved that great coaching alone can keep you competitive, but you need your studs to seal the deal.

 

[ScottieC]

If the O-line holds up and Brady is back to 90%+, this offense may exceed the 2007 scoring totals. Galloway has the potential to make that kind of impact. Of course, health "if" will be the word of the year:

If Galloway can stay healthy
If Maroney can stay healthy
If Taylor has another year in him
If Neal can stay healty


etc....

Agreed, The pose such a defensive problem for opposing teams, it's hard to know how you could stop them - Even if they rush Tom and he's in trouble you can run Sammy, Lawrence and Fred all day and grind the clock.

 

[Deus Irae]

The health of key players is the giant asterisk attached to team fortunes every season. Last year proved that great coaching alone can keep you competitive, but you need your studs to seal the deal.

Indeed. Unlike the late, 'great' Donte Stallworth, Galloway is/was a bona fide #1 receiver on other teams. He's no longer the player he was 6 seasons ago, but he can still beat one-one coverage. When this team goes 4 wide on 3rd down with

Moss
Welker
Galloway
Lewis (for now, at least)
Faulk

That's going to put enormous pressure on opposing defenses. Hell, taking lewis out and putting Watson in as that #4 receiver still makes that group of matchups insane.

 

[alvinnf]

One of their TE's needs to emerge as a more than adequate pass blocker. Watson or Thomas or both. I thought Baker was a good blocker in NY, is he the best of the bunch.

 

[JSn]

Indeed. Unlike the late, 'great' Donte Stallworth, Galloway is/was a bona fide #1 receiver on other teams. He's no longer the player he was 6 seasons ago, but he can still beat one-one coverage. When this team goes 4 wide on 3rd down with

Moss
Welker
Galloway
Lewis (for now, at least)
Faulk

That's going to put enormous pressure on opposing defenses. Hell, taking lewis out and putting Watson in as that #4 receiver still makes that group of matchups insane.

I'd love to sit in a room with you guys and talk about offensive formations and how the crap you'd defend them. Trying it in a thread is a nightmare.

But what you're talking about above is just ridiculous. Three burners, a slot that demands double coverage and the best blitz p/u & slot wr/hb in the game? bwahaha. The ONLY answer for most every team in the league is pass rush. And with Brady's decisiveness and Welker and Faulk to grab the shorties... there is a genuine threat to go the distance every time.

It will be fun to see the tape-breakdown guys at work this year. It's one of the best ways to see what coaching is going on in Foxboro.

 

[jmt57]

The health of key players is the giant asterisk attached to team fortunes every season. Last year proved that great coaching alone can keep you competitive, but you need your studs to seal the deal.

Very true, look at the improvement last year once Neal came off PUP and Kaczur was available again. There was a huge, immediate positive impact to the offense.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Lewis doesn't scare anybody. Until Watson can catch the ball, he doesn't scare anybody. The Pats should add another WR and an OL through the draft.

 

[fair catch fryar]

Yes. Especially if BB addresses the key issues on defense this year. Imagine the opportunities the O will get if the D develops an effective pass rush and stopping 3rd down conversions forcing a lot of 3 and outs.:rocker:

 

[Deus Irae]

Lewis doesn't scare anybody. Until Watson can catch the ball, he doesn't scare anybody. The Pats should add another WR and an OL through the draft.

Neither Lewis nor Watson need to scare anybody. Watson is a quality player, despite the ravings of Patsfans.com experts, and Lewis has the speed to put a lot of pressure on linebackers and low end DBs. With DBs having to cover Moss and Galloway, that will leave bottom of the barrel DBs, or linebackers, trying to cover Welker and Lewis/Watson, and wings and prayers trying to cover Faulk out of the backfield.

 

[The 12th Man]

One big area of concern for me is the FB position with the departure of Heath Evans. I always liked what Evans brought to the team and was always under the radar kind of guy who could block well, catch well, and run well when asked. I think he was a big part of our great running game last year and we will miss him more than Gaffney IMO. I think a solid FB is our #1 immediate need on offense.

 

[JSn]

Neither Lewis nor Watson need to scare anybody. Watson is a quality player, despite the ravings of Patsfans.com experts, and Lewis has the speed to put a lot of pressure on linebackers and low end DBs. With DBs having to cover Moss and Galloway, that will leave bottom of the barrel DBs, or linebackers, trying to cover Welker and Lewis/Watson, and wings and prayers trying to cover Faulk out of the backfield.

Exactly. The player-hater bandwagon gets a ton of action around here. Watson is a good TE and hasn't found his ceiling yet. Be nice for him to grow a bit this year and then click right after he signs a cheap extension, hehe.

 

[Deus Irae]

Exactly. The player-hater bandwagon gets a ton of action around here. Watson is a good TE and hasn't found his ceiling yet. Be nice for him to grow a bit this year and then click right after he signs a cheap extension, hehe.

Well, I can see where it comes from. Watson, like Maroney, has been less successful as a first round pick than players like Wilfork and Seymour (who also gets skewered unfairly), and people will always look for things to gripe about. If the Patriots had not lost a game in the past 8 seasons, and every draft pick was Pro Bowl bound, people would start complaining that the team didn't bring in enough quality UDFAs, or something along those lines. It's just natural human reaction, unfortunately, that people take "less than one hoped" and turn it into "flat out sucks" or something along those lines.

 

[JSn]

Well, I can see where it comes from. Watson, like Maroney, has been less successful as a first round pick than players like Wilfork and Seymour (who also gets skewered unfairly), and people will always look for things to gripe about. If the Patriots had not lost a game in the past 8 seasons, and every draft pick was Pro Bowl bound, people would start complaining that the team didn't bring in enough quality UDFAs, or something along those lines. It's just natural human reaction, unfortunately, that people take "less than one hoped" and turn it into "flat out sucks" or something along those lines.

I understand that. Watson didn't decide to be a first rounder though, lol.

I think his speed and blocking are big assets (yeah, he's definitely improved his blocking, it's undeniable) and Meriweather proved that hands can be improved. Also, Watson may have made strides and had a hard time adjusting to a different "ball" - both Gaffney and Welker talked about the differences catching from Cassel. In fact I think the comments were something to the effect of "too much heat on it" hehe.

 

[Tunescribe]

One big area of concern for me is the FB position with the departure of Heath Evans. I always liked what Evans brought to the team and was always under the radar kind of guy who could block well, catch well, and run well when asked. I think he was a big part of our great running game last year and we will miss him more than Gaffney IMO. I think a solid FB is our #1 immediate need on offense.

Fullback has always been somewhat of a nebulous position in BB's offense, and probably the one offensive position with the least "impact," IMHO. I can't recall a high-profile player in that position throughout BB's tenure, but it's also a league-wide thing. Gone are the days of the split backfield where fullbacks carried the ball much. Now, they block situationally and occasionally catch passes. Evans would only carry the ball on 1-yard dive plays, and was successful about half the time. I liked Lamont Jordan for those inside runs and was sorry to see him go.

 

[billdog3484]

I think our offense is going to be pretty darn good again, one of the best in the league as long as Brady and Moss stay healthy. I think OL is a position where we can upgrade in this draft, either OT at 23 or 34, or OG, 34,47 or 58. Obviously a S and a LB would be nice in the first two rounds. 5 needs, 4 top picks, so we should be in good shape

 

[tatepatsfan]

I agree with your offensive analysis completely.

1. OL depth, 2. TE depth, 3. WR depth

If we use all of our top 6 picks in the first 3 rounds (although I doubt we do), I'd be very surprised if any more than 1 or 2 were on offense.