Pro Football Weekly's 2008 NFL Preview

[PATSNUTme]

here is how they rank the Patriots players by position:

QB Tom Brady #1 out of 28 rated
RB Maroney #19 out of 31
WR Moss #1 and Welker #15 out of 33
TE Watson #12 out of 17
C Koppen #5 out of 20
G Mankins #5 out of 24
T Light #10 out of 28
DE Seymour #7 and Warren #10 out of 31
DT Big Vince #5 out of 27
ILB none rnked out of 24
OLB Vrabel #7 and AD #8 out of 23
CB none rated out of 27
S none out of 25

 

[MoLewisrocks]

here is how they rank the Patriots players by position:

QB Tom Brady #1 out of 28 rated
RB Maroney #19 out of 31
WR Moss #1 and Welker 315 out of 33
TE Watson #12 out of 17
C Koppen #5 out of 20
G Mankins #5 out of 24
T Light #10 out of 28
DE Seymour #7 and Warren #10 out of 31
DT Big Vince #5 out of 27
ILB none rnked out of 24
OLB Vrabel #7 and AD #8 out of 23
CB none rated out of 27
S none out of 25

I know Wes is diminutive and got robbed on the pro bowl, but jeez...LOL

And I guess some folks never learn...

 

[Patjew]

I won't. I haven't watched the '06 AFCCG at Indy and I won't watch the '07 (season not year) SB. Ever.

Same here, neverfrigginever. I turn away if they even show a highlight from those games on TV. I'd rather cut off a pinky then watch that garbage.

 

[BelichickFan]

Same here, neverfrigginever. I turn away if they even show a highlight from those games on TV. I'd rather cut off a pinky then watch that garbage.

Just re-playing plays from those games in my mind is painful enough, I don't need to see the real thing.

 

[BelichickFan]

I know Wes is diminutive and got robbed on the pro bowl, but jeez...LOL

And I guess some folks never learn...

Welker 31st is nuts. I guess the argument is he only did it because of Moss and Brady but I think we all saw enough with our eyes to know how good he is.

 

[theKrafty1tar]

Welker 31st is nuts. I guess the argument is he only did it because of Moss and Brady but I think we all saw enough with our eyes to know how good he is.

I think its Welker 15, he put 315, and notice how the 3=#... musta just missed pressing shift

 

[BelichickFan]

I think its Welker 15, he put 315, and notice how the 3=#... musta just missed pressing shift

Thanks - still too low for me but better.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Thanks - still too low for me but better.

I corrected the typo. He's #15 out of 33 ranked.

 

[LuthierJr]

I couldn't give a crap about our record so long as it ends with a super bowl win.

How is Brady #1? Everyone knows that he is going to suck next year when he doesn't know the signals of the other team.... oh wait that happened this past year too... geez they must have been "cheating" then too.

 

[FootballFanetic]

I predicted 13-3 last year, and would be very happy with 13-3 this year as well..

The only thing that worries me about this year or any year are injuries.. barring this we are hands down the best team with the best talent.

I'm a bit surprised myself that you guys haven't upgraded the #2 QB spot. While you've got one of the best ever to play the game at #1, if something happens to Brady even your loaded team would struggle to win 10-11 games with Cassel at the helm, IMHO--Brady is that important to your other strengths, like getting Moss and Welker the ball. Wouldn't it make sense to give C-Pep (Randy could get him in line if need be, I'm sure, and already has chemistry with him) or Leftwich a try, for ex? O'Connell (?) may turn out to be decent later on, but he's only a rookie and couldn't really be expected to step in right away if there's a problem with Brady. This is really your only big and obvious Achilles heel at present, so surprised that it hasn't been addressed, especially when options are available. Then again, perhaps Pioli's playing a waiting game to drive the price down--that wouldn't surprise me either, although with QB's you would want them involved in your OTA's, etc. as early as possible to get to know the program. As the King of Siam would say, "is a puzzlement."

 

[Deus Irae]

I'm a bit surprised myself that you guys haven't upgraded the #2 QB spot. While you've got one of the best ever to play the game at #1, if something happens to Brady even your loaded team would struggle to win 10-11 games with Cassel at the helm, IMHO--Brady is that important to your other strengths, like getting Moss and Welker the ball. Wouldn't it make sense to give C-Pep (Randy could get him in line if need be, I'm sure, and already has chemistry with him) or Leftwich a try, for ex? O'Connell (?) may turn out to be decent later on, but he's only a rookie and couldn't really be expected to step in right away if there's a problem with Brady. This is really your only big and obvious Achilles heel at present, so surprised that it hasn't been addressed, especially when options are available. Then again, perhaps Pioli's playing a waiting game to drive the price down--that wouldn't surprise me either, although with QB's you would want them involved in your OTA's, etc. as early as possible to get to know the program. As the King of Siam would say, "is a puzzlement."

How many games have you seen Cassel play?

 

[FootballFanetic]

How many games have you seen Cassel play?

Since I haven't had the chance to watch High School ball in Northern California since watching my brother-in-law's team out there a few years ago, not many (and, may I add, neither have you, since he hasn't played in many, considering he has 39 career NFL attempts in mop up time over 3 seasons). After all, that's the last time he really started anywhere. A 72 career rating is a far cry from Brady's, no? Last season's 33 is even much worse than that. Seems like the Pats' coaching staff thinks so as well, hence, the drafting of O'Connell in the 3rd this year. Look, I'm not "trolling" here on this point--which the tone of your e-mail seems to imply, but forgive me if I'm wrong--it's a serious question.

 

[Deus Irae]

Since I haven't had the chance to watch High School ball in Northern California since watching my brother-in-law's team out there a few years ago, not many (and, may I add, neither have you, since he hasn't played in many, considering he has 39 career NFL attempts in mop up time over 3 seasons). After all, that's the last time he really started anywhere. A 72 career rating is a far cry from Brady's, no? Last season's 33 is even much worse than that. Seems like the Pats' coaching staff thinks so as well, hence, the drafting of O'Connell in the 3rd this year. Look, I'm not "trolling" here on this point--which the tone of your e-mail seems to imply, but forgive me if I'm wrong--it's a serious question.

He's, realistically, played only 1 game in the NFL, and he did fine. Using numbers based off of cameo appearances in other games isn't going to give you a read on the guy. I'm not saying he's capable of getting the job done, and I'm not saying that he's not. I'm saying that nobody, with the possible exceptions of his coaches and teammates, has any idea how well he'd do out there.

 

[Kontradiction]

I made the mistake of watching it on NFL Network the other night.

luckily we have 2 other great teams to help make it all better until the new season starts.

I dont wish for a loss, but every time i hear some nitwit say anything about a perfect season in 2008 and i want to upchuck. I dont care about a perfect season. I care about winning the Super Bowl.

You have to admit that a perfect season and a Super Bowl would be excellent though. I thought it was going to happen this year then those damn Giants robbed me of my football dreams. That said, I don't think we'll go undefeated next year. Teams that are capable have to blue print to beat us: sack the **** out of Tom Brady.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I'm a bit surprised myself that you guys haven't upgraded the #2 QB spot. While you've got one of the best ever to play the game at #1, if something happens to Brady even your loaded team would struggle to win 10-11 games with Cassel at the helm, IMHO--Brady is that important to your other strengths, like getting Moss and Welker the ball. Wouldn't it make sense to give C-Pep (Randy could get him in line if need be, I'm sure, and already has chemistry with him) or Leftwich a try, for ex? O'Connell (?) may turn out to be decent later on, but he's only a rookie and couldn't really be expected to step in right away if there's a problem with Brady. This is really your only big and obvious Achilles heel at present, so surprised that it hasn't been addressed, especially when options are available. Then again, perhaps Pioli's playing a waiting game to drive the price down--that wouldn't surprise me either, although with QB's you would want them involved in your OTA's, etc. as early as possible to get to know the program. As the King of Siam would say, "is a puzzlement."

It's not a puzzlement to those who know this team. Belioli have a book on what it takes to be the/a QB for the NEP. Fumblepepper and Baby Huey don't possess any of the significant traits the position demands here. Why people always want to see teams pick up a guy who failed miserably in multiple locations is beyond me. I know each had a certain level of measurable talent, but they were also each devoid of intangibles. Cassel knows this offense and will make fewer stupid mistakes per capita that either of Daunte or Byron. They are seat of the pants QB's and we don't run a seat of the pants system. Nobody can replace Brady, but a decent technician with a thorough grasp of the system and personnel and no ego to interfere with running it could keep this team afloat through all but a catestrophic injury to Brady. And that's really all you can expect of any backup (which is what made Brady such a remarkable find). Teams don't survive those (if survival is defined competing for a Lombardi). I'd rather have Cassel right now than say Sorgi who may thoroughly grasp Indy's system but has no capacity whatsoever to run it because their system is Manning. We can always revert to dink and dunk and with 3 very good rb's and Welker, and Randy lying in the long weeds...

 

[FootballFanetic]

It's not a puzzlement to those who know this team. Belioli have a book on what it takes to be the/a QB for the NEP. Fumblepepper and Baby Huey don't possess any of the significant traits the position demands here. Why people always want to see teams pick up a guy who failed miserably in multiple locations is beyond me. I know each had a certain level of measurable talent, but they were also each devoid of intangibles. Cassel knows this offense and will make fewer stupid mistakes per capita that either of Daunte or Byron. They are seat of the pants QB's and we don't run a seat of the pants system. Nobody can replace Brady, but a decent technician with a thorough grasp of the system and personnel and no ego to interfere with running it could keep this team afloat through all but a catestrophic injury to Brady. And that's really all you can expect of any backup (which is what made Brady such a remarkable find). Teams don't survive those (if survival is defined competing for a Lombardi). I'd rather have Cassel right now than say Sorgi who may thoroughly grasp Indy's system but has no capacity whatsoever to run it because their system is Manning. We can always revert to dink and dunk and with 3 very good rb's and Welker, and Randy lying in the long weeds...

I take both your and Deus's points. What I don't get, though, is that you have a team that's loaded with talent such that even an avg QB could have a chance to take it all the way, but you probably don't have someone that's even an avg QB as a backup when you have the chance to get one and for cheap. I take Deus's point so I say "probably"--by drafting O'Connell so high, however, I'd wager that Belichick doesn't think so much of Cassel, either.

I don't root for injuries, so hopefully nothing will happen to Brady, but if it does that would be about the only way I'd see for your team to completely unravel next year, "completely unravel" being a relative term, of course, and here meaning going from 16-0 to about 8-8, which is about what I'd give as a win-loss over-under if Cassel is the QB. That or a combo of injuries to others, like Wilfork, Seymour, Moss, etc., but that's a lot less likely to occur than an injury to one star. If Brady does go down, I really don't see Cassel as being able to come in and get the job done and by the time that were to happen (TC or during the season) it may be too late for any number of reasons to bring someone in to salvage a lost season that didn't have to be lost, as I'd wager that with Culpepper or Leftwich this team could win 10-12 games and make the playoffs and by then, either of those guys would have the experience with the team to make something happen in the playoffs. Could be wrong, but that's just one non-Pats fan's opinion.....

 

[jmt57]

I'm a bit surprised myself that you guys haven't upgraded the #2 QB spot. While you've got one of the best ever to play the game at #1, if something happens to Brady even your loaded team would struggle to win 10-11 games with Cassel at the helm, IMHO--Brady is that important to your other strengths, like getting Moss and Welker the ball. Wouldn't it make sense to give C-Pep (Randy could get him in line if need be, I'm sure, and already has chemistry with him) or Leftwich a try, for ex? O'Connell (?) may turn out to be decent later on, but he's only a rookie and couldn't really be expected to step in right away if there's a problem with Brady. This is really your only big and obvious Achilles heel at present, so surprised that it hasn't been addressed, especially when options are available. Then again, perhaps Pioli's playing a waiting game to drive the price down--that wouldn't surprise me either, although with QB's you would want them involved in your OTA's, etc. as early as possible to get to know the program. As the King of Siam would say, "is a puzzlement."

Thanks to the salary cap, it is very rare to find super bowl contenders with a high quality backup. Yeah, a vet like the Pats have had in the recent past (Vinny, Flutie) would provide a comfort zone to me as a fan, but I've learned to trust Pioli and BB's decisions. My first thought back when Bledsoe went out with that chest injury the Pats were headed toward the top overall draft pick, and look what happened that season. If Culpepper was the right fit he would have already been here, and Leftwich turned the ball over 8 times in just three games last year. I'll take the Pats chances with Cassel or Guttierez over the Bucs with Griese or the Redskins with Collins, thank you. Those teams have invested in better backups because there is a much higher probability that they will need to use them at some point this season.

SP/BB see a lot more than you and I and are surely aware of their backup QB position. If they had felt there was a better option, value, and fit out there, then he would have been signed. If they feel the need to bring in a vet, they will.

 

[Disco Volante]

For anyone who honestly feels a season can be jinxed/cursed by a media or message board member making a perfect prediction, please re-evaluate your logic.

 

[Pats_R_#1]

Did any of the magazines predict we will have another championship in the bag and then for the 3rd straight year the defense will let the other team drive 80 yards in the last 2 minutes to blow it?

I tend to get frustrated when the defense gets the blame for losing the Super Bowl to the Giants. The Pats' defense gave up 17 points per game to their opponents, so in that respect they did their jobs. It was the offense scoring less than half of their seasonal average that disappointed me the most. I think the last scoring drive is what killed the Pats' chances quite honestly. They were in the driver's seat, and they could have easily drained the clock before punching it in the endzone, but instead they left the Giants with 3 timeouts and the 2 minute warning. That's waaaay too much to ask of a defense that already played their hearts out for the better part of 58 minutes.

 

[Kontradiction]

Considering our D's age last year, the fact that they held up that well in the SB actually impressed me.