The 2016 Pats already better than 2015?

[BobDigital]

The key loses were Jones and Hicks but looking at what they have added they already feel like a better team even before the draft has taken place.

 

[patsinthesnow]

The Bennett trade was enough to make that case IMO. The Pats haven't had 3 weapons of that caliber since Welker/Gronk/Prisoner (and really Gronk/Edelman/Dion too when the offense was on pace to be one of the best ever).

If Dion returns to full speed then we may have the best set of four pass catchers since the 2013 Broncos. The OL just has to be marginal and not terrible. Banking on Mason improving, Solder returning, drafting a swing tackle, return of Dante, and a great camp battle between Stork/Andrews will turn that unit around.

Defensively, we swapped Jones/Hicks/Mayo for Long/Knighton/McClellin. It'll be up to players like Butler, Roberts, Brown, Easley, etc. to take the next step for the defense to be elite.


Summary:

#1 offense in NFL, potential to be historic
#5-10 defense in NFL, potential for top 3 if a lot of pleasant surprises fall our way

 

[IllegalContact]

Best team evah!

 

[jefmblrd]

One of the keys to the season will be the offensive line. I can see them taking a tackle in the draft, and I would imagine the younger players improving especially under Scarneccia's tutelage. Brady is great at getting the ball out quickly, but an improved offensive line would give him extra time and make him even more dangerous.

 

[Kontradiction]

They look to have upgraded but they still have pressing needs on the OL, RB, and WR on offense and still need another DT, LB, and CB on defense. The good news is that many, if not all, of those needs can be filled in the draft and in the first round of cuts.

 

[PatriotsPimp136]

Well i am hoping we get the bennett from two years ago. His numbers fell off last year. I wish we had a big target wr on the
Outside and this offense would be unstoppable.

 

[chasa]

it won't matter what we add if the team can't stay healthy.

Dion needs to play a whole season, the Oline needs to not be a hodgepodge due to injuries.

 

[PatriotsPimp136]

it won't matter what we add if the team can't stay healthy.

Dion needs to play a whole season, the Oline needs to not be a hodgepodge due to injuries.

This team was ravage last year. Solder's injury killed us more. He needs to stay healthy. We might have to add another tackle.

 

[BTTA]

They look to have upgraded but they still have pressing needs on the OL, RB, and WR on offense and still need another DT, LB, and CB on defense. The good news is that many, if not all, of those needs can be filled in the draft and in the first round of cuts.

In each of those 6 positions listed, there are young players who could take a second or third year leap to fill the need. It won't happen in every one, but it is reasonable for it to happen in 2 of the 6, and we can hope for more. Add that to another couple of FA and the draft and it looks very manageable. The critical issue is injuries, of course.

 

[sb1]

One ill informed decision in the 2nd Circuit will change that in a hurry. Let's hope they do the right thing.

 

[BobDigital]

Best team evah!

Could you add a little more "Boston" on that?

 

[IllegalContact]

Could you add a little more "Boston" on that?

The effin pats are the most wicked awesomest team this year.....I'm gunna get hammahd before every game and afta, I'm probably gunna be brawlin with my retahded friends until someone splattahs their face on the ground.....it'll be pissa....it always is

Then I'll go ovah to triple Os, puke on the bahtendah, get my ass kicked by a bouncah, get my ass kicked again by a cop.....then I'll go up to the lith club and get a coupla more beers and a pizza...... Probably get slapped around by some bum from the projects along the way

 

[BlueThunder]

Bahstan ?

Wicked Pissah place !

 

[IcyPatriot]

The key loses were Jones and Hicks but looking at what they have added they already feel like a better team even before the draft has taken place.

We had an excellent team before 2015 began then injuries happened ...
Easy to compare a newly signed team compared to an injury decimated team.
If just Lewis had stayed healthy we go to and win the Super Bowl IMO.

 

[oldrover]

So we've won the offseason? The Jets will be so disappointed.

 

[The Gr8est]

Well i am hoping we get the bennett from two years ago. His numbers fell off last year. I wish we had a big target wr on the
Outside and this offense would be unstoppable.

The NFL* front office, Dean Blandino, and the referees scoff at your optimism.

 

[RayClay]

The Bennett trade was enough to make that case IMO. The Pats haven't had 3 weapons of that caliber since Welker/Gronk/Prisoner (and really Gronk/Edelman/Dion too when the offense was on pace to be one of the best ever).

If Dion returns to full speed then we may have the best set of four pass catchers since the 2013 Broncos. The OL just has to be marginal and not terrible. Banking on Mason improving, Solder returning, drafting a swing tackle, return of Dante, and a great camp battle between Stork/Andrews will turn that unit around.

Defensively, we swapped Jones/Hicks/Mayo for Long/Knighton/McClellin. It'll be up to players like Butler, Roberts, Brown, Easley, etc. to take the next step for the defense to be elite.


Summary:

#1 offense in NFL, potential to be historic
#5-10 defense in NFL, potential for top 3 if a lot of pleasant surprises fall our way

I don't thibnk it's been mentioned, but McLellin, the bad fit pass rusher switched to ILB, seems like a decent fit for eventual Ninkovich replacement.

Nink gets his sacks, but I don't think anyone considers him a superstar DE. He's an all around DE/LB who is opportunistic.

I'm sure Ninkovich wasn't quite a fit early in his career. Makes that contract more understandable.

 

[RayClay]

The effin pats are the most wicked awesomest team this year.....I'm gunna get hammahd before every game and afta, I'm probably gunna be brawlin with my retahded friends until someone splattahs their face on the ground.....it'll be pissa....it always is

Then I'll go ovah to triple Os, puke on the bahtendah, get my ass kicked by a bouncah, get my ass kicked again by a cop.....then I'll go up to the lith club and get a coupla more beers and a pizza...... Probably get slapped around by some bum from the projects along the way

I'd usually pass it by [humor?] but that was wicked pissah.

 

[BobDigital]

We had an excellent team before 2015 began then injuries happened ...
Easy to compare a newly signed team compared to an injury decimated team.
If just Lewis had stayed healthy we go to and win the Super Bowl IMO.

Yeah. If 100% healthy they were the best team last year and i think this team will be better.

 

[aluminum seats]

There's no question they're better. And that's even putting health issues aside, which are of course paramount.

I'm not particularly concerned about the Oline for 2016, as I see health, coaching, and year 2 improvements making what the Pats have now more than adequate. Don't think they have to draft for the interior, but OT for future seasons/depth. I like the swap of Hicks for Knighton (net result, not directly of course) and think Malcolm Brown will have a breakout year. The pass catchers have improved, possibly significantly.

I have mild concern over DE, less because of Jones than a decline in Ninkovich. I do think his snaps should be managed this year, which I hope is possible with Jones gone.

They need another CB, but that was true last year too.