I'm normally one to temper my expectations, but ...

[Fixit]

... I'm having a hard time not being giddy about this (non-Gronk) receiving corps. Amendola, Thompkins, Dobson, Boyce, Sims, Sudfeld ... I don't know if I've ever been this excited. Ever.

For the first time in Brady's career, it looks like he's going to have all of the following: a) a shifty, big-play slot guy, b) an all-world TE, c) a big threat out of the backfield, and d) at least a few big targets who can stretch the field, get YAC, make adjustments, and just go up and ******* get it sometimes.

Between the camp reports and the video, I just ... I dunno. I shouldn't be this optimistic.

But I am. Sue me.*




*Don't sue me.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Maintaining my position as Pats #3 homer is a big challenge this pre-season

 

[Kontradiction]

I would advise cautious optimism. Remember that a lot of these guys are still rookies. Also, remember that they haven't played a meaningful down in the NFL yet. The reports sound great, but I still want to see them in action first before my concerns about the WR position are extinguished.

 

[KDPPatsfan85]

... I'm having a hard time not being giddy about this (non-Gronk) receiving corps. Amendola, Thompkins, Dobson, Boyce, Sims, Sudfeld ... I don't know if I've ever been this excited. Ever.

For the first time in Brady's career, it looks like he's going to have all of the following: a) a shifty, big-play slot guy, b) an all-world TE, c) a big threat out of the backfield, and d) at least a few big targets who can stretch the field, get YAC, make adjustments, and just go up and ******* get it sometimes.

Between the camp reports and the video, I just ... I dunno. I shouldn't be this optimistic.

But I am. Sue me.*




*Don't sue me.

I am already on the phone with a lawyer to file a lawsuit against you!

I am trying to be a realist here when it comes to this season. It is what it is. Will the Patriots make it to the superbowl this year? Maybe, if the offense can click and the defense can get off the field.

 

[Fixit]

Maintaining my position as Pats #3 homer is a big challenge this pre-season

Hey, I've never, ever worn homer glasses this thick. But I felt the need to confess.

So who's #1 and #2?

 

[TriplecHamp]

For years I watched big bodied WR's go out and make QB's like Eli, Flacco, Sanchez (for a period) etc. look good. They went out and all the QB would do is look and their direction, see single coverage and let them find the ball first. It was a staple of Eli's two playoff runs with the back shoulders to Plax and Nicks, Flaccos with Boldin and Torrey Smith, Sanchez did it with Braylon. Dobson and Thompkins seem to have shown the same type of ability to just overpower DB's and give the QB some room for error. I think the offense this year will take on a more explosive identity. Brady will throw the ball down field a bit more and it will open things up late in games for Ridley, Gronk and Amendola to sustain those long clock killing drives. It also allows us to put up more points in a hurry like we saw against San Fran. The best QB in the game will be freed up to do a lot more this year.

 

[Anne Malene DK]

Ha. Me too. It's ridiculous. We sound a bit like Miami fans. Highest drafted rookie is still drafted lower than Tavon was last year, so... maybe the won't make us forget Randy by week 3. But then all the more reason to dream now, while we can.

 

[Oswlek]

I would advise cautious optimism. Remember that a lot of these guys are still rookies. Also, remember that they haven't played a meaningful down in the NFL yet. The reports sound great, but I still want to see them in action first before my concerns about the WR position are extinguished.

Advice noted and disregarded.

SUPERBOWL BABY!!!! WOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

19 and O here we come!!!!!

The only question for me is who catches the record breaking 51st TD. Brady having three future HOFers at his disposal makes it totally unpredictable who it will be.

 

[RobAllan]

First, the "*Don't sue me" was hilarious. Well done.

I don't know that I have high expectations, or any at all yet, but I will say this is the most exciting preseason for me since 2007.
1. There's a ton of new players
2. More of the new players at tv-friendly positions will be starters than anytime in recent history
3. We may, with any luck, finally have a reliable well-rounded defense to watch
4. Because so many new players will make the cut the play on the preseason field feels like it matters way more than it used to

So my optimism isn't so much about how the team performs in the regular season, I just think this preseason is going to be an absolute blast to watch for all 4 quarters of each game due to our need for depth. That doesn't happen often!

GO PATS

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

As long as the 51st TD player doesn't subsequently murder someone & ruin the highlight film, I'm good.

 

[TruthSeeker]

... I'm having a hard time not being giddy about this (non-Gronk) receiving corps. Amendola, Thompkins, Dobson, Boyce, Sims, Sudfeld ... I don't know if I've ever been this excited. Ever.

For the first time in Brady's career, it looks like he's going to have all of the following: a) a shifty, big-play slot guy, b) an all-world TE, c) a big threat out of the backfield, and d) at least a few big targets who can stretch the field, get YAC, make adjustments, and just go up and ******* get it sometimes.

Between the camp reports and the video, I just ... I dunno. I shouldn't be this optimistic.

But I am. Sue me.*




*Don't sue me.

No need to temper your expectations. BB did a great job bringing in some excellent rookies, completely overturning the WR position, and now it's time to see some of it to come to fruition. I'm always excited for the first Pat's preseason game, but this time, the excitement is kicked up a notch. Besides the rookie receivers (I'm a big Dobson fan), I'm excited what the TEs can do as well. Sudfeld, Fells, Hooman and Ballard. The first 3 have had excellent camps and are healthy, so I really wanna see what Fells and Hooman can do in their 2nd season in this offense.

Then add the defensive guys like Jones and Hightower, and the rookie Collins, and I'm chomping at the bit to see some Pat's preaseason ball.

 

[Remarker]

I'm just glad to be here for the ride and an opportunity to get to know there is at least one NFL team that is a class act.

This may be bad news for some members here but the Pats have a new fan...regardless of who is on the roster.

 

[signbabybrady]

I would advise cautious optimism. Remember that a lot of these guys are still rookies. Also, remember that they haven't played a meaningful down in the NFL yet. The reports sound great, but I still want to see them in action first before my concerns about the WR position are extinguished.

At this point my biggest concern is health and not inexperience.

The way I see it ignoring health:
Amendola = Welker (sure 120 catches is optimistic but DA is a proven NFL commodity who is fitting like a glove here)

Gronk this year = Gronk from any year.

Once the above is recognized what is left to replace? Hernandez is really the only significant replacement left and you have a promising rookie in Suddfield and solid vet in Ballard, Fells, or Whoman. Certainly a downgrade from AHern. But after that you are talking Lloyd and Branch and I see no reason that with what we have seen out of Dobson, Boyce, and Kenbrell that we should not be extremely excited with where the position is heading.

To Simplify We likely will see some drop off from the top 3 targets of a year ago(Gronk,AHERN,WES) to the top 3 from this year(Gronk,DA,whichever rookie produces the most) but everything else should be better and deeper.

 

[fnordcircle]

Meh, I'm reining in my expectations. 15-1 but that loss will be because of the refs.

Boyce will get ROY, though.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Meh, I'm reining in my expectations. 15-1 but that loss will be because of the refs.

Boyce will get ROY, though.

Calling Boyce to come in 4th behind Dobson, Kenbreezy, and Sudfeld. No Homer of course.

 

[Silver Blue&Red]

I am super excited this yr. I even switched band practice fri to thurs just to watch tonite. I see no harm in getting pumped. I have nothing to lose, as long as I'm not getting kocky with my phins and jest friends. BTW, my phins pals have toned it down a notch since getting owned by 'boys

 

[Silver Blue&Red]

I am super excited this yr. I even switched band practice fri to thurs just to watch tonite. I see no harm in getting pumped. I have nothing to lose, as long as I'm not getting kocky with my phins and jest friends. BTW, my phins pals have toned it down a notch since getting owned by 'boys. My biggest wrry remains injuries. I read 15 guys sidelined tonite

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I am super excited this yr. I even switched band practice fri to thurs just to watch tonite. I see no harm in getting pumped. I have nothing to lose, as long as I'm not getting kocky with my phins and jest friends. BTW, my phins pals have toned it down a notch since getting owned by 'boys

Send the bastids this...

Dolphin strandings, deaths seen off East Coast waters

Carnage in the AFCE this season

 

[mgteich]

Getting excited over rookies is an annual event for many, especially those who think that younger is almost always better.

 

[Bruins29]

Getting excited over rookies is an annual event for many, especially those who think that younger is almost always better.

I agree that the new guys are always hyped up a bit but I will say that this feels a bit different than years past. Perhaps they dumbed down the playbook.

Regardless, they needed to do this and this was probably the right time to do it with Brady still playing at a TB level and probably willing to be patient.

As far as younger VS better. I dont see the WW to DA trade off as such a bad thing. After WW we diddnt exactly have much that could not be replaced. Branch was not that useful and Lloyd for all his Yards actually had an ok season especially when you factor in how many looks he got. I think that if you got that many balls to one of these rookies you would get some production. You would certainly get more YAC, win more jump balls and have a better locker room presence.

Hopefully they wont have to rely on production from players and can go back to getting production from a group - more like the formula from the Superbowl years.