Returning 22 of 24 starters

[ALP]

Guess which one positions both new guys are filling?

However that is very good news for the D...it means this unit knows and should trust each other for he most part

 

[MTM558]

Continuity is great to have, but I think that the defense could have used a bit more of a makeover.

The offense will always be fine as long as Brady is under center. Look at 2006 as proof. The Patriots had to revamp their Wide Receiver corp this year, but the Offensive Line remains in tact, the Tight Ends should be healthy, the Running Backs have proved their worth...

The Defense will again look like the following (going into OTAs and TC):

Ninkovich - Wilfork - Love - Jones
Hightower - Spikes - Mayo
Talib - McCourty - Gregory - Dennard

Obviously, we expect one of Adrian or Tavon Wilson to win the Strong Safety spot over Gregory, so that is one change. With Jamie Collins coming in and Dane Fletcher returning, the Linebackers now have some extra versatility and coverage ability - awesome.

Outside of these depth additions, though, the Patriots haven't added an always welcome presence or "game-changer" to this defense. They're banking on Wilfork and Mayo to continue their excellent play, for Jones and Hightower to make progress, and for the Secondary to finally come together.

The Defensive Tackle spot next to Wilfork still remains an issue, in my opinion. Tommy Kelly and Armond Armstead were brought in to help create an interior pass rush. I'd be disappointed if one of Love or Deaderick end up starting next to Wilfork again. If there is potential for change, I want to lean Armstead.

At Left Defensive End - Ninkovich is a solid player. But he is not a great or an exceptional player. I still believe that unless the Patriots suddenly sign a Dwight Freeney or a John Abraham to be the 3rd Defensive End in the rotation, that Ninkovich should fill that roll. Justin Francis, Jake Bequette, Michael Buchanan, Cunningham... all of them have a much thicker build that would fit the LDE mold.

It will still be exciting to see how it all unfolds.

 

[mgteich]

You forget the DT additions of Kelly and Armstead.

Continuity is great to have, but I think that the defense could have used a bit more of a makeover.

The offense will always be fine as long as Brady is under center. Look at 2006 as proof. The Patriots had to revamp their Wide Receiver corp this year, but the Offensive Line remains in tact, the Tight Ends should be healthy, the Running Backs have proved their worth...

The Defense will again look like the following (going into OTAs and TC):

Ninkovich - Wilfork - Love - Jones
Hightower - Spikes - Mayo
Talib - McCourty - Gregory - Dennard

Obviously, we expect one of Adrian or Tavon Wilson to win the Strong Safety spot over Gregory, so that is one change. With Jamie Collins coming in and Dane Fletcher returning, the Linebackers now have some extra versatility and coverage ability - awesome.

Outside of these depth additions, though, the Patriots haven't added an always welcome presence or "game-changer" to this defense. They're banking on Wilfork and Mayo to continue their excellent play, for Jones and Hightower to make progress, and for the Secondary to finally come together.

The Defensive Tackle spot next to Wilfork still remains an issue, in my opinion. Tommy Kelly and Armond Armstead were brought in to help create an interior pass rush. I'd be disappointed if one of Love or Deaderick end up starting next to Wilfork again. If there is potential for change, I want to lean Armstead.

At Left Defensive End - Ninkovich is a solid player. But he is not a great or an exceptional player. I still believe that unless the Patriots suddenly sign a Dwight Freeney or a John Abraham to be the 3rd Defensive End in the rotation, that Ninkovich should fill that roll. Justin Francis, Jake Bequette, Michael Buchanan, Cunningham... all of them have a much thicker build that would fit the LDE mold.

It will still be exciting to see how it all unfolds.

 

[BradyFTW!]

We'll be starting two new WRs, one new DT (hopefully), one new safety (hopefully), and there's an outside chance that we'll be starting a new DE. In addition, it wouldn't surprise me if the starting positions get juggled along the offensive line. Connolly at RG never seemed like an ideal fit; more a fit of necessity after Waters decided not to show up. Hopefully we can get a new RG (maybe Cannon?), enabling Connolly to move back to C, where he's better than Wendell.

 

[patsfan13]

Some starters from last years will be depth and 1 or 2 might not even make the team. The core has been revamped and is young and developing the D is due to improve from just that along.

Compared to the opening game from last year I expect the secondary to be entirely different and upgraded in each position.

CB: McCourty ----> Talib
CB: Arrington -----> Dennard
Slot: ??? --------> Arrington
FS: Grgory -------> McCourty
SS: Chung --------> A Wilson

Upgrade at each position.

 

[tonyto3690]

The article posted on this site about Chandler wanting to be a leader was really promising. Sounds like a high class guy who wants to lead by example and work ethic. Exactly what you want. He also talks about how he never really felt comfortable in his shoes because of expectations and being a rookie but how he already feels better. Expect big things this year from him.

On the other side of the ball, it's reported that Ridley is noticeably bigger and added a lot of muscle and looks jacked. Hopefully this doesn't slow him down

 

[supafly]

Hopefully we can get a new RG (maybe Cannon?), enabling Connolly to move back to C, where he's better than Wendell.

I respectfully disagree with this thought.

Wendell played an excellent season last year at Center, so I can't imagine why Belichick would change that up.

On top of that, we have absolutely nothing at all to go on as far as Cannon moving to play guard. If anything we have several quotes from Belichick that prove the exact opposite.

 

[jmt57]

If we are not already there, we are fast approaching the point where the designation of 'starter' is a nebulous and perhaps somewhat insignificant designation for many players that earn that title.

While there is obviously a Grand Canyon chasm of a difference at a position such as QB, the difference in not so well defined in terms of amount of playing time for some of the other positions due to how often the team is in sub packages.



2012 Offensive Snap Counts (1,240 total)

Quarterback
1,224 - 98.7% - Tom Brady
16 ----- 1.3% - Ryan Mallett

Running Back and Fullback
555 - 44.8% - Stevan Ridley
423 - 34.1% - Danny Woodhead
158 - 12.7% - Shane Vereen
93 --- 7.5% - Brandon Bolden
9 --- >1.0% - Dan Connolly
8 --- >1.0% - Lex Hilliard
2 --- >1.0% - Donald Thomas

Wide Receiver
1,085 - 87.5% - Wes Welker
1,051 - 84.8% - Brandon Lloyd
482 --- 38.9% - Deion Branch
299 --- 24.1% - Julian Edelman
37 ----- 3.0% - Matthew Slater
20 ----- 1.6% - Donte’ Stallworth
6 ----- >1.0% - Greg Salas
3 ----- >1.0% - Kamar Aiken

Tight End
743 - 59.9% - Rob Gronkowski
575 - 46.4% - Aaron Hernandez
293 - 23.6% - Daniel Fells
283 - 22.8% - Michael Hoomanawanui
51 --- 4.1% - Visanthe Shiancoe
15 --- 1.2% - Marcus Cannon
9 --- >1.0% - Nick McDonald
4 --- >1.0% - Kellen Winslow

Offensive Line
1,234 - 99.8% - LT Nate Solder
1,231 - 99.5% - C Ryan Wendell
1,096 - 88.6% - RT Sebastian Vollmer
890 --- 71.8% - RG Dan Connolly
744 --- 60.5% - LG Logan Mankins
606 --- 48.9% - RG/LG Donald Thomas
246 --- 19.8% - G/C Nick McDonald
175 --- 13.6% - RT Marcus Cannon
6 ----- >1.0% - G Mitch Petrus



2012 Defensive Snap Counts (1,112 total)

Defensive End
923 – 83.0% - Rob Ninkovich
746 – 67.1% - Chandler Jones
446 – 40.1% - Jermaine Cunningham
252 – 22.7% - Trevor Scott
193 - 17.4% - Justin Francis
29 --– 2.6% - Jake Bequette

Defensive Tackle
904 – 81.3% - Vince Wilfork
549 – 49.4% - Kyle Love
378 – 34.0% - Brandon Deaderick
92 --– 8.3% - Ron Brace
16 –-- 1.4% - Terrell McClain
8 --– >1.0% - Marcus Forston

Linebacker
1,066 – 95.9% - Jerod Mayo
736 --– 66.2% - Brandon Spikes
574 --– 51.6% - Dont’a Hightower
71 ----– 6.4% - Tracy White
19 ----– 1.7% - Mike Rivera
9 ----– >1.0% - Niko Koutouvides
6 ----– >1.0% - Bobby Carpenter
6 ----– >1.0% - Jeff Tarpinian

Cornerback
1,092 – 98.2% Devin McCourty
838 --– 75.4% Kyle Arrington
599 --– 53.9% Alfonzo Dennard
306 --– 27.5% Aqib Talib
233 --– 21.0% Sterling Moore
197 --– 17.7% Marquice Cole
84 ----– 7.6% Ras-I Dowling
69 ----– 6.2% Derrick Martin

Safety
749 – 67.4% - Steve Gregory
536 – 48.2% - Patrick Chung
473 – 42.5% - Tavon Wilson
34 –-- 3.1% - Nate Ebner

Note: Obviously many of McCourty's snaps were at safety, but I don't have that breakdown between the two positions handy.


Snaps: Final look at '12 on offense - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
Snaps: Final look at '12 on o-line - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
Snaps: Final look at '12 on defense - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[patsfan-1982]

offense

QB Tom Brady
RB Stevan Ridley
WR Josh Boyce
WR Danny Amendola
TE Rob Gronkowski
TE Aaron Hernandez
C Ryan Wendell
LG Logan Mankins
RG Dan Connolly
LT Nate Solder
RT Sebastian Vollmer

defense

RDE Chandler Jones
LDE Rob Ninkovich
DT Vince Wilfork
DT Tommy Kelly
MLB Jerod Mayo
OLB Dont'a Hightower
OLB Brandon Spikes
SS Tavon Wilson
FS Devin McCourty
CB Aqib Talib
CB Alfonzo Dennard

ST

P Zoltan Mesko
K Stephen Gostkowski
PR Julian Edelman
KR Josh Boyce

 

[mgteich]

I'm not buying on OFFENSE

QB Brady
WR Welker, Lloyd (now Amendola and Dobson or Boyce, the other being the #3)
TE Gronkowski, Hernandez
RB Ridley
OL Solder, Mankins, Wendell, Connolly, Vollmer

Other than injury replacement, the only real package players with significant reps were Woodhead as #3 RB and Branch/Edelman as #3 WR. Even the #3 WR reps were greatly exaggerated because of injury. I guess there are also a few reps for the #3 blocking TE.

So, from my perspective, there are 11 clear starters on offense who will get almost all the reps. There are three situation players, one each at RB, WR and TE. We could see a 15th player (change of pace back) getting more reps this year.

If we are not already there, we are fast approaching the point where the designation of 'starter' is a nebulous and perhaps somewhat insignificant designation for many players that earn that title.

While there is obviously a Grand Canyon chasm of a difference at a position such as QB, the difference in not so well defined in terms of amount of playing time for some of the other positions due to how often the team is in sub packages.



2012 Offensive Snap Counts (1,240 total)

Quarterback
1,224 - 98.7% - Tom Brady
16 ----- 1.3% - Ryan Mallett

Running Back and Fullback
555 - 44.8% - Stevan Ridley
423 - 34.1% - Danny Woodhead
158 - 12.7% - Shane Vereen
93 --- 7.5% - Brandon Bolden
9 --- >1.0% - Dan Connolly
8 --- >1.0% - Lex Hilliard
2 --- >1.0% - Donald Thomas

Wide Receiver
1,085 - 87.5% - Wes Welker
1,051 - 84.8% - Brandon Lloyd
482 --- 38.9% - Deion Branch
299 --- 24.1% - Julian Edelman
37 ----- 3.0% - Matthew Slater
20 ----- 1.6% - Donte’ Stallworth
6 ----- >1.0% - Greg Salas
3 ----- >1.0% - Kamar Aiken

Tight End
743 - 59.9% - Rob Gronkowski
575 - 46.4% - Aaron Hernandez
293 - 23.6% - Daniel Fells
283 - 22.8% - Michael Hoomanawanui
51 --- 4.1% - Visanthe Shiancoe
15 --- 1.2% - Marcus Cannon
9 --- >1.0% - Nick McDonald
4 --- >1.0% - Kellen Winslow

Offensive Line
1,234 - 99.8% - LT Nate Solder
1,231 - 99.5% - C Ryan Wendell
1,096 - 88.6% - RT Sebastian Vollmer
890 --- 71.8% - RG Dan Connolly
744 --- 60.5% - LG Logan Mankins
606 --- 48.9% - RG/LG Donald Thomas
246 --- 19.8% - G/C Nick McDonald
175 --- 13.6% - RT Marcus Cannon
6 ----- >1.0% - G Mitch Petrus

.

 

[mgteich]

On defense, there is more of an argument for 16 players who get all the reps: 3 DE's, 3 DT's. 3 LB's, 3 corners, 3 safeties and perhaps a dime back . Still, there are still clear 10 starters who will all get 75% or more of the reps if healthy. The only starter who does get that number of reps is our #2 starting DT.

2012 Defensive Snap Counts (1,112 total)

Defensive End
923 – 83.0% - Rob Ninkovich
746 – 67.1% - Chandler Jones
446 – 40.1% - Jermaine Cunningham
252 – 22.7% - Trevor Scott
193 - 17.4% - Justin Francis
29 --– 2.6% - Jake Bequette

Defensive Tackle
904 – 81.3% - Vince Wilfork
549 – 49.4% - Kyle Love
378 – 34.0% - Brandon Deaderick
92 --– 8.3% - Ron Brace
16 –-- 1.4% - Terrell McClain
8 --– >1.0% - Marcus Forston

Linebacker
1,066 – 95.9% - Jerod Mayo
736 --– 66.2% - Brandon Spikes
574 --– 51.6% - Dont’a Hightower
71 ----– 6.4% - Tracy White
19 ----– 1.7% - Mike Rivera
9 ----– >1.0% - Niko Koutouvides
6 ----– >1.0% - Bobby Carpenter
6 ----– >1.0% - Jeff Tarpinian

Cornerback
1,092 – 98.2% Devin McCourty
838 --– 75.4% Kyle Arrington
599 --– 53.9% Alfonzo Dennard
306 --– 27.5% Aqib Talib
233 --– 21.0% Sterling Moore
197 --– 17.7% Marquice Cole
84 ----– 7.6% Ras-I Dowling
69 ----– 6.2% Derrick Martin

Safety
749 – 67.4% - Steve Gregory
536 – 48.2% - Patrick Chung
473 – 42.5% - Tavon Wilson
34 –-- 3.1% - Nate Ebner

Note: Obviously many of McCourty's snaps were at safety, but I don't have that breakdown between the two positions handy.


Snaps: Final look at '12 on offense - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
Snaps: Final look at '12 on o-line - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
Snaps: Final look at '12 on defense - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[jsull87]

2012
DL: Ninkovich - Wilfork - Love - Jones
LB: Hightower - Spikes - Mayo
CB: McCourty Arrington/Dowling (then Arrington would move into the slot)
S: Chung - Gregory

2013
DL: Ninkovich - Wilfork - Love - Jones
LB: Hightower - Spikes - Mayo
CB: Talib - Dennard - Arrington (slot)
S: McCourty - Gregory

I think 2013 is an improved unit sheerly for the Mccourty, Talib and Dennard switch. I think if Armstead can push for Ninkovich's Job and Wilson can take Gregory's then we will have a very solid unit this year.

As mentioned earlier the additions of Collins, Fletcher and our 3rd rounder should really help our depth as well.

 

[VrabelJr]

We're returning 22 of 24 starters as of today. Once the camp battles start I expect competition to push the number down by 2 or 3.

 

[supafly]

We're returning 22 of 24 starters as of today. Once the camp battles start I expect competition to push the number down by 2 or 3.

Exactly. That's why these springtime exercises are totally pointless, besides entertaining us with having something to talk about and pass the time.

While the general thought of having continuity and returning starters is great for a defense that was the 3rd youngest in the NFL last year, there are also exceptions to this rule as in the case of adding outside players for improvement. I think back to about a month ago when everyone was freaking out and overreacting about the starters lost on BAL, but in all actuality they may very well have improved in some areas just as well. You just can't rush to a reaction this early one way or another, and we go through this every single year.

In the case of our team, it'll be great to see those 2nd yr jumps from players like Jones/Hightower/T.Wilson, but the real benefit of this defense will be having full yrs of Talib, Dennard, and McCourty at their respective secondary positions. Those are all upgrades that should make a huge difference in my opinion. The return from injury for players like Fletcher and Dowling should help too, and the offseason acquisitions of A.Wilson, Collins, and depth to the secondary are all major bonuses.

As you pointed out, in the end it won't equal as many "starters" who return from last year, but it will definitely point towards improvement as a whole, and that's the main point to every offseason.

 

[Se7eN]

offense

QB Tom Brady
RB Stevan Ridley
WR Josh Boyce
WR Danny Amendola
TE Rob Gronkowski
TE Aaron Hernandez
C Ryan Wendell
LG Logan Mankins
RG Dan Connolly
LT Nate Solder
RT Sebastian Vollmer

defense

RDE Chandler Jones
LDE Rob Ninkovich
DT Vince Wilfork
DT Tommy Kelly
MLB Jerod Mayo
OLB Dont'a Hightower
OLB Brandon Spikes
SS Tavon Wilson
FS Devin McCourty
CB Aqib Talib
CB Alfonzo Dennard

ST

P Zoltan Mesko
K Stephen Gostkowski
PR Julian Edelman
KR Josh Boyce

KR will be Washington I think, read somewhere that that was what his purpose was and I can imagine Bill preferring Vereen for 3DRB considering he has been in the system for a while and has proved he can also come into the fold on other downs and not be exclusively a passing back.

 

[AzPatsFan]

On Defense I think there is a certain "critical mass" of players and talent. If you are below that number due to simple lack of talent or injury the Defens crumbles and falls apart.

Above that critcal number the Defense transforms into something else.
I think we started to view that transition above critical mass in the second half of the past season.

But then injuries reduced the Defense again, and if fell apart in the Playoff game against the Ravens. But the way the Pats demolished and discouraged the very good Texans team was magnificent. By the end of the game the Texans had given up tryng to move the ball on the ground or the air; and had ceased trying to stop the Pats on the ground or in the air. They just wanted the game to end.

The offseason means the return to health of Jones, Love, Talib, Dowling, Fletcher, as well as newcomers Adrain Wilson, Collins, Ryan, and Harmon. Plus this very young team has a year of playing together. Has Belichick moved the team permanently above the critical mass?

.

 

[Ring 6]

If we are not already there, we are fast approaching the point where the designation of 'starter' is a nebulous and perhaps somewhat insignificant designation for many players that earn that title.

While there is obviously a Grand Canyon chasm of a difference at a position such as QB, the difference in not so well defined in terms of amount of playing time for some of the other positions due to how often the team is in sub packages.



2012 Offensive Snap Counts (1,240 total)

Quarterback
1,224 - 98.7% - Tom Brady
16 ----- 1.3% - Ryan Mallett

Running Back and Fullback
555 - 44.8% - Stevan Ridley
423 - 34.1% - Danny Woodhead
158 - 12.7% - Shane Vereen
93 --- 7.5% - Brandon Bolden
9 --- >1.0% - Dan Connolly
8 --- >1.0% - Lex Hilliard
2 --- >1.0% - Donald Thomas

Wide Receiver
1,085 - 87.5% - Wes Welker
1,051 - 84.8% - Brandon Lloyd
482 --- 38.9% - Deion Branch
299 --- 24.1% - Julian Edelman
37 ----- 3.0% - Matthew Slater
20 ----- 1.6% - Donte’ Stallworth
6 ----- >1.0% - Greg Salas
3 ----- >1.0% - Kamar Aiken

Tight End
743 - 59.9% - Rob Gronkowski
575 - 46.4% - Aaron Hernandez
293 - 23.6% - Daniel Fells
283 - 22.8% - Michael Hoomanawanui
51 --- 4.1% - Visanthe Shiancoe
15 --- 1.2% - Marcus Cannon
9 --- >1.0% - Nick McDonald
4 --- >1.0% - Kellen Winslow

Offensive Line
1,234 - 99.8% - LT Nate Solder
1,231 - 99.5% - C Ryan Wendell
1,096 - 88.6% - RT Sebastian Vollmer
890 --- 71.8% - RG Dan Connolly
744 --- 60.5% - LG Logan Mankins
606 --- 48.9% - RG/LG Donald Thomas
246 --- 19.8% - G/C Nick McDonald
175 --- 13.6% - RT Marcus Cannon
6 ----- >1.0% - G Mitch Petrus



2012 Defensive Snap Counts (1,112 total)

Defensive End
923 – 83.0% - Rob Ninkovich
746 – 67.1% - Chandler Jones
446 – 40.1% - Jermaine Cunningham
252 – 22.7% - Trevor Scott
193 - 17.4% - Justin Francis
29 --– 2.6% - Jake Bequette

Defensive Tackle
904 – 81.3% - Vince Wilfork
549 – 49.4% - Kyle Love
378 – 34.0% - Brandon Deaderick
92 --– 8.3% - Ron Brace
16 –-- 1.4% - Terrell McClain
8 --– >1.0% - Marcus Forston

Linebacker
1,066 – 95.9% - Jerod Mayo
736 --– 66.2% - Brandon Spikes
574 --– 51.6% - Dont’a Hightower
71 ----– 6.4% - Tracy White
19 ----– 1.7% - Mike Rivera
9 ----– >1.0% - Niko Koutouvides
6 ----– >1.0% - Bobby Carpenter
6 ----– >1.0% - Jeff Tarpinian

Cornerback
1,092 – 98.2% Devin McCourty
838 --– 75.4% Kyle Arrington
599 --– 53.9% Alfonzo Dennard
306 --– 27.5% Aqib Talib
233 --– 21.0% Sterling Moore
197 --– 17.7% Marquice Cole
84 ----– 7.6% Ras-I Dowling
69 ----– 6.2% Derrick Martin

Safety
749 – 67.4% - Steve Gregory
536 – 48.2% - Patrick Chung
473 – 42.5% - Tavon Wilson
34 –-- 3.1% - Nate Ebner

Note: Obviously many of McCourty's snaps were at safety, but I don't have that breakdown between the two positions handy.


Snaps: Final look at '12 on offense - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
Snaps: Final look at '12 on o-line - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
Snaps: Final look at '12 on defense - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Part of the dynamic is also injuries.
There are a few spots that dont really have 'starters' like RB, DT and the LB who comes out in nickel and the db who comes in. The discrepancies in other spots is really an injury thing not a playing time thing.