Brady and Manning cancel each other out so each position outside of the QB matters. There is only two distinct advantages NE has over Denver; Bill and Gronk. One of them most likely won't be there come playoff time. I would take Miller/Ware over Jones/Ninko. Knighton over any replacement we bring in for Wilfork. Talib is not Revis but at his best he can shut down any wide out on this team. Ward can set a tone unlike DMC who lacks playmaking ability. Mayo does eclipse any of their MLB's and Colins has showed potential. Sanders makes up for losing Decker but Morano will be missed. Their playmaking tight end Thomas has a better chance of lasting at seasons end but Gronk is far greater in every category. The Patriots do not have a number one wide out like Demaryius who puts presure on defenses. Pats do win the Battle of Olines as currently constructed tho.
It's sad that each move made this Free agency seems status quo considering we needed to pass up these Broncos not pull even while falling off our Horses.
Really? Because I think you're wrong on many levels here.
Sanders is a step down from Decker.
Talib is very good, but so is the guy they lost, DRC - and DRC was there for the end. Will Talib be? In fact, how will Talib be now that the money's ont he table and he can go back to being Talib?
Ward is good, but he's not the end-all/be-all, certainly. They've lost other pieces.
Demarcus Ware replaces Shaun Philips, who had a great year for them. Ayers is gone, too.
Woodyard is gone.
I'm with Eric Davis, who was saying the other day that in his mind, the Broncos have gone sideways.
Let's add, Peyton had a magical year, and everyone stayed healthy. No guarantees that luck holds.
New England, right now, is miles better than they were at the AFCCG. Revis is an upgrade over Talib. Browner is our number 2 immediately and brings a powerful presence to match against Julius Thomas.
Kelly is back. So is Mayo. So is Gronk. Amendola is healthy, the kids are a year older and all four are a year into the system. Wilfork will likely be back, too.
You can't predict injuries, but unless the Pats get hit with massive, important injuries again, I like their chances.
Oh, and Denver has to play the NFC West, including Seattle IN Seattle. They play the AFCW twice, we play the AFCE twice. Last year, they had a cupcake schedule. Not so this year. Hell, even the weather played for them (60 degrees in the AFCCG and 45 in the SB!).
If we get home field in the playoffs against them and aren't down several pro-bowlers and I like our chances.
A lot.
Plus, Denver is coming off a Superbowl embarrassment. Have you looked at the following years for Superbowl losers?
(ps. Welker is one hit away from IR, and Peyton seems very good at putting him in position to get slammed.)
