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http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/story/90014.html
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady turns 30 in August. He probably has four more years to play in the prime of his career.
The Patriots appear determined to make the most of them.
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New England
Keygains: LB Adalius Thomas (Ravens), WR Randy Moss (Raiders), WR Donte Stallworth (Eagles), WR Wes Welker (Dolphins), CB Tory James (Bengals), TE Kyle Brady (Jaguars), RB Sammy Morris (Dolphins), WR Kelley Washington (Bengals), FS Brandon Meriweather (Miami).
Key losses: TE Daniel Graham (Broncos), LB Tully Banta-Cain (Niners).
Breakdown: The Pats addressed their aging linebacking corps by giving Thomas $20 million in guaranteed money. He’s a versatile 270- pounder. Mark him down for 10 sacks, at least. The sorry wideout corps was overhauled. Moss, 30, aims to regain his All-Pro form. Welker had 67 catches for Miami last year and is a star return man. Stallworth is a firstround talent who averaged 19 yards a catch for the Eagles last year. He should be good in the red zone. Washington did little in four years with the Bengals. Kyle Brady, 35, is a blocker who isn’t an upgrade over Graham.
Questions: The defense could not stop the Colts last year. Has it gotten much better? Yes, Thomas is a stud. But the middle backers are getting slower. Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel will be 34 and 32, respectively. Junior Seau, 38, may return. Will CB Asante Samuel have his head on straight due to the franchise tag? How fast can Meriweather catch on?
This got me thinking, Vilma struggled in his new role taking on OL head's up last season. What if Schlegel is playing well? Moving Vilma around between OLB/ILB might be a way to get more from him in terms of his speed, and create mismatches off the edge or in coverage...Lawrence Taylor didn't play at a particularly hefty weight as I recall. (Preemptive strike: For those morons who choose to read this as a comparison between Vilma and Talyor, please shove your heads back in the appropriate orifice and use your typing finger to count your toes.)N.Y. Jets
Questions: Can Harris beat out Eric Barton right away at inside backer? Does the Harris pick mean Anthony Schlegel, a third-round pick last year, is a bust?
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