QB aside, this is the strongest, deepest, most talented Patriots team as a whole since 2005, IMHO. Everyone wants to denigrate the DL, but they registered 40+ sacks last year, doing so without Easley, Brown or Sheard. Now add them, 2 #1s and a #2 along with a rookie #3 and the depth and quickness seems pretty good to me. The Pats got to the SB in 2011 with a secondary more full of holes than the present collection, and without a Pass Rush either, able to garner more than low 30s sack totals.
The O line is finally shaping up to be a truly competent pass and run line, with athletes, size and depth for the first time in BBs tenure here. The front liners of Solder, Stork, Seabass, Fleming and Tre Johnson is big and talented, ably backed up by Wendell and Cannon looks to be able to force the Run and protect for the Pass.
Secondary aside, I find it hard to identify openings on any squad. Even there it is not terrible. The era of UDFA or waiver wire pickups seems to be over even there. All the remaining DBs are young, early draft picks, or semi-proven youngsters like Butler. Revis may have elected to go, but don't forget BB himself pruned Browner, Fonzie and Arrington, himself, freely electing to do so even though their CAP numbers were proven acceptable. I've never seen BB shoot himself in the foot.
The only question is Brady and Goodell. The ex-Jet NFL may have proven to be the only way to beat the Patriots. Legislate their losses.
