Buffalo News: Today’s installment looks at the AFC East.

[Box_O_Rocks]

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?

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?

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.)

 

[reflexblue]

Re: Buffalo News: Today’s installment looks at the AFC East.

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/story/90014.htmlThis 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.)

I think Taylors weight was in the 240-245lb range.Tippit and Taylor were physical almost identical from what I remember.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Re: Buffalo News: Today’s installment looks at the AFC East.

What am I missing that I keep seeing Tully Banta-Cain listed as a key loss for the Patriots or a key gain for the 49ers? I never viewed him as a key player for the Patriots (he was barely a starter) and doubt that he'll be key for any other team.

 

[PonyExpress]

Re: Buffalo News: Today’s installment looks at the AFC East.

I think Vilma is getting a bad rap for his performance last year. Despite the team's inexperience with the 3-4, a $hitty D-line and the lack of other quality players suited to the scheme, Vilma's leadership helped the defense gel over the 2nd half of the year when they led the league in fewest points allowed. That is a major accomplishment for an ILB in a team oriented scheme. He is durable committed and a student of the game. While not an ideal 3-4 ILB, he has elite football IQ and I would welcome him on the Pats. Behind our monstrous D-line IMO he would thrive, similar to the way Zach Thomas does for the Phins despite his diminutive size.

 

[BradfordPatsFan]

Re: Buffalo News: Today’s installment looks at the AFC East.

What am I missing that I keep seeing Tully Banta-Cain listed as a key loss for the Patriots or a key gain for the 49ers? I never viewed him as a key player for the Patriots (he was barely a starter) and doubt that he'll be key for any other team.

Role player, nothing more, nothing less. A role player being replaced by Thomas. I'll take it.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Re: Buffalo News: Today’s installment looks at the AFC East.

yeah it's pretty interesting how we were all thinking, hey TBC is coming right along here... you have to expect a little bit of development time...

And boom, snatched up in free agency the moment it's possible.

That's the NFL now I guess. Also, it doesn't hurt to have that "Pats Aura" hanging over you to up your FA value, especially for down at heels franchises.

PFnV

 

[PATRIOT64]

Re: Buffalo News: Today’s installment looks at the AFC East.

yeah it's pretty interesting how we were all thinking, hey TBC is coming right along here... you have to expect a little bit of development time...

And boom, snatched up in free agency the moment it's possible.

That's the NFL now I guess. Also, it doesn't hurt to have that "Pats Aura" hanging over you to up your FA value, especially for down at heels franchises.

PFnV

Yeah,If Tully was a player for the Lions could you have seen any team knocking down the door to get him this year?

IMO he is just an average LB,nothing at all even close to special and will be just another Joe in the 49ers defense.

 

[mangenious]

Re: Buffalo News: Today’s installment looks at the AFC East.

I think Vilma is getting a bad rap for his performance last year. Despite the team's inexperience with the 3-4, a $hitty D-line and the lack of other quality players suited to the scheme, Vilma's leadership helped the defense gel over the 2nd half of the year when they led the league in fewest points allowed. That is a major accomplishment for an ILB in a team oriented scheme. He is durable committed and a student of the game. While not an ideal 3-4 ILB, he has elite football IQ and I would welcome him on the Pats. Behind our monstrous D-line IMO he would thrive, similar to the way Zach Thomas does for the Phins despite his diminutive size.

Very well said. My opinion of Vilma in the 3-4 exactly mirror you statement above. Vilma is about 6'0 235 and would be too small to play OLB. Many people around the team think the increased performance by Vic Hobson and Bryan Thomas were a result of Vilma eating blocks. How valid that is is unknown by me.

 

[Patjew]

Re: Buffalo News: Today’s installment looks at the AFC East.

TBC is a key loss, but not Dillon?

BTW B_O_R, that was some pre-emptive smackdown!

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

TBC is a key loss, but not Dillon?

BTW B_O_R, that was some pre-emptive smackdown!

Bitter paranoia, it has it's uses.