No. You ASSUME that the 07 is going to be that much tougher, but there is no guarantee of that.
Thanks for the detailed reply. You know, when you look at the non-conference schedule, It's really not all that much harder. So I guess you are correct. In the conference, I expect the Jets to be much better, Buffalo to be about the same, and Miami to also be the same.
2007-------- - 2006
Cincinnati ----Cincinnati
Pittsburgh ----Denver
San Diego ----Minnesota
Indianapolis --Indianapolis
Washington --Green Bay
Baltimore ----Chicago
Cleveland ----Detroit
Dallas -- ----Houston
N.Y. Giants --Jacksonville
Philadelphia --Tennessee
Yes, if you want to make that erroneous comparison, you'd be right. However, that isn't the case. Maroney is replacing Dillon and Morris is replacing Maroney. Its more of a sideways move.
Morris isn't as good as Maroney...better receiver but not as good a runner and definately not Dillon's equal around the goal line. That's where I think we might have a bit more trouble.
I love Graham and I think that the Pats couldn't use him the way they needed. Again, I see a Watson replacing Graham, Thomas replacing Watson, and Brady becoming the #3. Not sure I would say a step backwards. More a sideways step.
I think it depends on Thomas. I think he is capable of being a terrific receiver maybe better than Graham, and an adequate blocker. Yes Brady is Graham's equal as a blocker but neither he nor Thomas has the speed to threaten the deep middle seam like Graham did.
AD (he hates going by AT and has said so) isn't replacing Seau. This is yet another erroneous assumption on your part. AD is replacing TBC. Which is a HUGE upgrade.
I dunno ...maybe Vrabel goes back to the outside where he can set the edge better than *AD* at least on 1st and 2nd downs. Either way AD is is indeed a big improvement over either Seau or TBC.
Stallworth MIGHT be a step in the right direction. There is no guarantee.
Tedd Ginn is going to be too expensive, draft pick wise, to fill the Devin Hester role.
I think he's worth it just be a KR, PR, and be the deep threat we need to get the opposing safeties to back off of the LOS. Hester is a game changer; Ginn has that potential as well. Since he's very raw as a reciever, I can see him dropping into the 20 range in the draft. I like him because I think he'll provide an immediate impact.
The Pats have about 2-3 million to spend on other FAs when you consider the the FULL CAP and draft picks and not just the top 51.
What needs to be resolved is the situation with Asante. Get him signed to a long term deal and then figure out what else you need.
I thought we were still in the 11-13 million dollar range of cap room no? As far as Asante goes, that's a ticking bomb. I say we get him to play in 07 with the promise that we won't tag him in 08. If he gives a repeat performance in 07; then we sign him for big bucks or let him loose.