MrNathanDrake
In the Starting Line-Up
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2009
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This deserves it's own separate thread from the "Biggest disappointments". Here's to those who look at the cup half full. Those who are already looking forward to September. The Pats still went 12-4 and made it to their 5th consecutive AFCCG despite a ridiculous amount of injuries this year.
- Malcom Butler. Nobody expected him to be this good. We were all worried after losing Revis and Browner. Butler played like a legit #1 CB and made the Pro Bowl.
- Patrick Chung. He flashed it last season and was underrated. He had some clutch, game-saving break ups during our SB run. He's built on that and this season he's been one of the best Safeties in the league. Incredible career turn around for Chung, who looked like he was on his way out of the league just a couple season ago.
- Logan Ryan. Looked good in his rookie year, but was pretty bad last season. Nobody was confident he could come in and compete on a weekly basis with some of the best WR's in the league, but he had an excellent year.
- Jamie Collins and Donta Hightower. Probably the best Linebacker duo in the league, or close to it. Both are Pro Bowl calibre players and are the core of our defense. The difference when they were out of the lineup was very obvious.
- Akeem Hicks signing mid year. He played well for us at DT and we should all hope we're able to re-sign him for next year.
- Malcolm Brown. Didn't start off so well, but is really turning into a good DT. Looks like a great draft pick and has a bright future. Losing Wilfork didn't affect us much this year and Brown was a big part of that. I expect him to get even better, as DT's usually improve after their rookie year.
- Keshawn Martin. Got him for a late draft pick. Some guys come in at the start of training camp and still can't pick up the playbook. Martin came from a similar system in Houston and had instant chemistry with Brady. Provides the much needed deep threat. Made some big time plays. I think he can become our #2 or #3 WR once a little more trust and rapport is built with Brady.
- Dion Lewis. Amazing talent and skill. My only fear with Dion is that he's small and has had knee injuries. It's not a question of talent, it's a matter of staying healthy.
- James White. He finally showed up and is the player we expected him to be. Not a huge drop off from Vereen. Much like Vereen, they were very inconsistent with how White was used. Sometimes he was a huge part of the game plan and put up big numbers, but other games he barely touched the ball. That's more on play calling and game planning than it is on White. I was impressed with what he brought to the table this year and thought he should've been a bigger part of the game plan vs. KC and Denver.
- Tom Brady, despite his age, despite taking all the huge hits this year, is still the same player he was last year. He hasn't fallen off a cliff like Manning did. He took more hits this season than he should've and still looked fresh. I can't pin that loss to the Broncos on Brady when his OLine couldn't block and he was getting hit every play. He's probably the toughest player in the NFL and *if* major injuries don't occur, he really could play another 3-4 more years at a high level.
- Gronk survived another year without a major injury. His back worries me. But he will have the next 7 months for that to heal. He's still only 26. I don't expect him to play as long as Tony Gonzalez, but if he can make it to 30 his position as Best Tight End Ever is a foregone conclusion. I would like to see the NFL protect players knees to a certain extent. Like no targeting kneecaps when receivers are defenceless, as Gronk has had 2 injuries from those kind of hits. If the rules make defenders have to tackle properly, wrap up and bring him down, instead of taking cheap shots launching their helmet into his kneecap… Gronk might survive a few more years. He is a Randy Moss-like game changer and had another great year.
- Jabaal Sheard had a hell of a year. Great signing.
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