Two key players on defense have to step up for the Pats: safety
Adrian Wilson and defensive tackle
Tommy Kelly. Wilson is thought of as a box safety better against the run than the pass and time will tell how he plays in space against teams trying to match up their vertical threat tight ends against him. Kelly has talent but has been labeled an underachiever at times. He should provide some inside push with
Vince Wilfork to help collapse the pocket.
...
Position battles
Right cornerback: Second-year player
Alfonzo Dennard is penciled in as the starter but veteran
Kyle Arrington and rookie
Logan Ryan will press to take the job. The top loser should be the nickel back.
Linebacker: The Patriots have invested heavily at linebacker over the past few years with
Jerod Mayo and
Dont'a Hightower as former first-round picks and
Brandon Spikes a second-round selection. Keep an eye on this year's Round 2 linebacker,
Jamie Collins, trying to fight his way on to the field.
Running back: This will be interesting to watch as
Stevan Ridley and
Shane Vereen should compete for most of the playing time, but the addition of
LeGarrette Blount and
Leon Washington make the situation very competitive.
New schemes
The Patriots are listed as a 4-3 defense, which they played last year as their base defense but they have a long history of being a 3-4. With the personnel on this roster right now Coach Bill Belichick could easily return to a 3-4 package. On the offensive side of the ball until the health status of tight end
Rob Gronkowski is known they may have to be creative with their personnel groupings.
Jake Ballard could get significant time at tight end or they could use more of a hybrid two-back system.
Bubble watch
Former 2010 second-round pick OLB/DE
Jermaine Cunningham has fallen down the depth chart and is questionable to make the roster.
Tim Tebow is no lock to make the team, especially with a non-guaranteed contract and the Patriots' recent history of keeping only two quarterbacks.
