So let’s talk about the good remaining qualities of this team.

Joey007 · Mar 28, 2020

We still have the best coach of all time.

We still have likely the best secondary in the NFL.

If Andrews comes back, Thuney stays, and others like Wynn stay healthy, we still have one of the better O-lines in the NFL.

ST remains amongst the elite groups in the league (especially with Phillips addition)

RB group could greatly improve with Harris getting a sophomore boost in year two. If that happens, Michel Harris and White could make for a strong trio.

WR group looks shaky. But if Harry improves year 2 and Sanu gets healthy and proves last year was just injuries, that changes this group pretty quickly. A lot of if’s, but it’s not hopeless with this group.

Front seven also looks shaky. But if nothing else, we still have Hightower. Winovich looks very promising. And we have several solid role players throughout the front seven in Simon, Butler, and Guy. Good continuity with that group of guys if nothing else. Would like to see draft picks invested here.

All in all, this cupboard is not yet empty. I don’t have much good to say about the QB situation until I see more from Stidham, and the TE group still appalls me.

But hey, a lot is still here. This team is still good enough to win a good amount of games.

mgteich · Mar 28, 2020

Joey007 said:
We still have the best coach of all time.

We still have likely the best secondary in the NFL.

If Andrews comes back, Thuney stays, and others like Wynn stay healthy, we still have one of the better O-lines in the NFL.

ST remains amongst the elite groups in the league (especially with Phillips addition)

RB group could greatly improve with Harris getting a sophomore boost in year two. If that happens, Michel Harris and White could make for a strong trio.

WR group looks shaky. But if Harry improves year 2 and Sanu gets healthy and proves last year was just injuries, that changes this group pretty quickly. A lot of if’s, but it’s not hopeless with this group.

Front seven also looks shaky. But if nothing else, we still have Hightower. Winovich looks very promising. And we have several solid role players throughout the front seven in Simon, Butler, and Guy. Good continuity with that group of guys if nothing else.

Would like to see draft picks invested here.

All in all, this cupboard is not yet empty. I don’t have much good to say about the QB situation until I see more from Stidham, and the TE group still appalls me.

But hey, a lot is still here. This team is still good enough to win a good amount of games.

If the discussion is about "good qualities", a fine idea, I think that you might have simply not mentioned QB, TE, WR, and the defensive front seven. They are best left for a different discussion.

nabwong · Mar 28, 2020

Our best player is our punter.

Ice_Ice_Brady · Mar 28, 2020

The best defensive player in the league and my favorite to watch.

Joey007 · Mar 28, 2020

mgteich said:
If the discussion is about "good qualities", a fine idea, I think that you might have simply not mentioned QB, TE, WR, and the defensive front seven. They are best left for a different discussion.

Hey, I was really trying with the front seven and WR group. I was really trying to spin it the best I could.

mgteich · Mar 28, 2020

Joey007 said:
Hey, I was really trying with the front seven and WR group. I was really trying to spin it the best I could.

And you did a good job. I just wanted to separate the "good" from the not-good at this point.

BTW, I think that the front seven will be fine by midseason. I do think that we need 3 additions in the front seven. Wee especially need help put he middle. However, i=one top draft choice or trade at ILB could immediately make the defense almost as good as last year.

Gabriel_p94 · Mar 29, 2020

I may be in the minority here but I’m not too worried about this team. Maybe I’m putting a lot of faith into BB but if there is a coach to trust with the rebuild or reload of this team I think he’s earned it.

Anyway I believe this draft and the next draft may be the draft we use to really set this team up with the youth movement we need. We have a lot of picks this year ( not having a second rounder as of now stings) and next year we should have plenty of compensatory picks coming our way. If Stidham is the guy that we keep hearing is going to be the one who leads us into this new era then I’m hoping they use the capitol in this draft to just put the best possible team around him. Also if Stidham doesn’t show anything too promising this year we’ll be in excellent position to take a QB next year.

holyredeemer · Mar 29, 2020

I agree with most of what the OP said, and remain hopeful. Hell, I believe more in this team this season than I believe a season is actually going to happen. That’s a sobering thought. We have a lot of what-ifs, and that’s okay. Except for one spot, QB. As was said, either Stidham is going to prove himself, or next season we are drafting high. I would love to see strong depth on the O-Line, and really hope that the rooks from last year can contribute, and Wynn/Andrews can stay healthy. The front 7 definitely needs at minimum 3 more guys, preferably in the middle. We have a lot of guys that can play the edge in Simon, Winovich, Guy, HT....but it’s that middle that needs some love. Butler is a solid DT, but not that run stopping guy. Fat Thor should be that guy, but he’s not going to be a Wilfork replacement. Hell, we’d be lucky if he was a Shelton replacement. Good thing (for now) we still have the draft, cut down and last minute trades.

Ross12 · Mar 29, 2020

NashuaPats · Mar 29, 2020

I’m wondering if Gunner can contribute as a receiver this year. He had no receiving experience last year and was about 10-15 lbs of muscle too light. An off-season in the gym would help a lot.

Gabriel_p94 · Mar 29, 2020

I think the team should go about it kind of like Dallas did for dak Prescott. Give Stidham a good o-line and a dependable running game and see what he can do with what we have. I think the defense is going to need some retooling though because as it looks now they don’t look like they can keep us in games.

p8ryts · Mar 29, 2020

Gabriel_p94 said:
I think the team should go about it kind of like Dallas did for dak Prescott. Give Stidham a good o-line and a dependable running game and see what he can do with what we have. I think the defense is going to need some retooling though because as it looks now they don’t look like they can keep us in games.

I think Phillips is going to be a good addition. Have hopes that Coleman and Allen are competent. If those three can contribute then I will feel a lot better. I'm with Holy Redeemer and his concerns about actually having a season. If there is one there will be a premium on a good organization bringing in new players and molding them into a team and we have the best so there is still much to look forward to. Admittedly, I am pessimistic because of the schedule but frankly I would have felt the same way regardless of who the QB was. I'm excited to see how the team develops and plays. First team kool aid drinker here!

Tottie · Mar 29, 2020

Gabriel_p94 said:
I think the team should go about it kind of like Dallas did for dak Prescott. Give Stidham a good o-line and a dependable running game and see what he can do with what we have. I think the defense is going to need some retooling though because as it looks now they don’t look like they can keep us in games.

The Prescott 'formula' was partially about Oline play, but the biggest thing is play action. I'm not sure how good he is under center, but that team leads the league in Playaction and it's no surprise with that line and Zeke. Can Michel provide the same thing?

Jangles · Mar 29, 2020

Joey007 said:
RB group could greatly improve with Harris getting a sophomore boost in year two. If that happens, Michel Harris and White could make for a strong trio

oops I misread

Hopefully Harris has an all time great sophomore boost and white returns to form. Lot of slack to pick up from our former 1st round pick

Chevrolet · Mar 29, 2020

The OP correctly points out some very solid positional areas.

However, an untested QB with no experience in NFL as a starting QB or Brian Hoyer is a HUGE question mark and will remain so until proven otherwise.

On top of that question marks at WR and TE and even RB mean the offense as a whole is a huge question mark.
I think we can also agree that the front 7 is not a strong group compared to other teams.

For a team that has won 11 straight division titles, this is the first time Pats have gone into a season with so many legitimate question marks and a tough schedule and an inexperienced QB.

Simpelton · Mar 29, 2020

Belichick has plenty to work with here. If he and mcDaniels can figure out how to get the most out of Stidham we're still a playoff team, easily.

that said I expect a rough patch in the first half of the season as everyone gets used to each other, we're built around Brady and Stidham is a different quarterback. It'll take time.

That said, Stidham seems to have all the tools, and he developed some good chemistry with some of our younger wideouts, so I'm actually hopeful that with Belichick coaching him and McD scheming him, we should have a solid year and still be competitive.

JayNM · Mar 29, 2020

Ross12 said:

I hoping he can become a good remaining part of the team

JayNM · Mar 29, 2020

Overall our team is Good. Worse than last year, but still good.

The problem is that we have no idea what to expect out of our QB, which is as premium as it ever was in the NFL, and his support skill positions are in absolute shambles.

So, besides what I've said, we need some LB-DL line help and depth overall. One real good draft could still correct the ship pretty nicely, making us having a very good team, with QB questions.

Now, rationally, this year is all about growing pains. I think they are good enough to go to the playoffs (it's all about that QB), but I don't really get the tanking talk.

Joey007 · Mar 29, 2020

JayNM said:
Overall our team is Good. Worse than last year, but still good.

The problem is that we have no idea what to expect out of our QB, which is as premium as it ever was in the NFL, and his support skill positions are in absolute shambles.

So, besides what I've said, we need some LB-DL line help and depth overall. One real good draft could still correct the ship pretty nicely, making us having a very good team, with QB questions.

Now, rationally, this year is all about growing pains. I think they are good enough to go to the playoffs (it's all about that QB), but I don't really get the tanking talk.

I don’t get it until we start shipping off the likes of Gilmore and Edelman.

If we trade Edelman, there’s no reason to believe we’re trying to seriously compete. The lack of draft capital we’d get return along with the minimal cap space it would clear simply does not justify jettisoning him unless he absolutely wants out.

JayNM · Mar 29, 2020

Joey007 said:
I don’t get it until we start shipping off the likes of Gilmore and Edelman.

If we trade Edelman, there’s no reason to believe we’re trying to seriously compete. The lack of draft capital we’d get return along with the minimal cap space it would clear simply does not justify jettisoning him unless he absolutely wants out.

Edelman, I wouldn't say so, but Gilmore, yeah

So let’s talk about the good remaining qualities of this team.

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