What was that TV commercial where the actors would notify supervisors and co-workers ahead of time that they would be involved in an accident that would cause them to miss work in the near future? Injuries are a given, rather than predict who will be injured, we just need to return to the depth analysis that has been part of the normal off-season speculation.
Entering into Training Camp:
QB: the Pats have their franchise QB, an inexperienced back-up who will be fun to watch in Pre-Season, a UDFA rookie, and a FA Veteran on unpaid retainer. As noted above, folks are already panicking over the prospective loss of Drew Bledsoe, erm Tom Brady.
RB: the Pats have a rehabbing feature back, a core trio of multi-purpose veterans, and a trio of novice players. At the moment, San Diego, Dallas, Baltimore, Denver, Houston, Buffalo, Jacksonville, and Atlanta are the only teams at this point of the season who might have two backs who could carry the load as feature backs - and only San Diego would seem to have a surefire feature duo.
WR: the Pats depth at WR has people greatly perplexed, or so I gather from the one or two threads that have touched on the subject.
TE: the Pats have an interesting talent pool that can be shuffled around to accomplish a broad scope within the play book.
LT: the Pats have two experienced LTs, a reserve who took a few LT reps last season, one rookie, and a potential All-Pro LG who can make the move outside.
RT: the Pats have two returning starters from last season, a veteran reserve, and two rookies.
LG: the Pats have three tiers of veteran depth and then they get into the rookies and first year guys.
RG: the Pats have three tiers of veteran depth and then they get into the rookies and first year guys.
C: the Pats have three tiers of veteran depth and then they get into the rookies and first year guys.
K: the Pats are a little thin here.
LS: the Pats have a savvy veteran and several college experienced reserves.
NT: the Pats have their feature player, a proven reserve, a first year player and a rookie who may all play the position differently, but offer the coaches a solid core to work with. That doesn't include the DE pool which has three veterans who have played the position and can rotate in within the scope of the game plan.
RDE: the Pats have an All-Pro, a proven reserve/third down specialist, another solid reserve, a two year Practice Squad veteran, and two rookies.
LDE: the Pats have a potential All-Pro, two solid reserves, a two year Practice Squad veteran, and two rookies.
ROLB: the Pats have three top level veterans who can fill this slot and one or two rookies.
LOLB: the Pats have three top level veterans who can fill this slot, one first year player, and a pool of rookies.
SILB: the Pats have three top level veterans who can fill this slot, and maybe one rookie.
WILB: the Pats have three top level veterans who can fill this slot, a developmental veteran who may be ready to take the next step, and a pool of first year and rookie players.
LCB: the Pats have two veteran starters, two veteran reserves, and a pool of first year players and rookies.
RCB: the Pats have three veteran starters, one veteran reserve, and a pool of first year players and rookies.
{Nickel Back}: the Pats have some veteran and younger players who can fill this vital role.
SS: the Pats have three veteran starters, one veteran reserve, and a pool of DBs who may or may not be able to fill-in.
FS: the Pats have two veteran starters and a pool of DBs who may or may not be able to fill-in.
P: the Pats have a veteran and two rookies.
So where do the Pats have the biggest depth questions entering Training Camp?
Greatest concern: QB
Next tier concerns: RB, NT, LCB, SS
Areas where younger players stepping up would really be sweet: LT, RT, LB, RCB/NB, DE
Fat City: TE, G/C, FS, P, LS, WR
Time to panic? Next off-season.
