Patriots have a better TE core. But Im still debating WR in my own head.
Is?
Lloyd going to = or be better than Colston. Not so far.
Gaffney going to = or better than Moore. Not so far.
Plus we still have henderson, Arrington, and Toon. Don't expect much from Toon, even thou the media does. Arrington was drafted to replace Colston. He's ok, catches 82%, but no Colston.
But he's never been played much.
OL seems to be a wash, but I think Light is better than Bushrod, but your weaker on the right side with Vollmer and Waters. Our weak spot might be in the center with Puente and Tennant as C, and Grubbs being a new LG.
I still think you have the better QB, their equally smart, but Brady has abilities Brees just dosnt have. yeah your RB's are not as good, lol I mean really not good. That might change, Thomas was unknown. Ridley or Vereen might do someting. Its hard to figure out. Im just trying to get over the WR hump at the moment.
If you strictly want to compare the two team's top wide receivers, here are the 2011 numbers
Patriots
122-1569 - 9 -- Wes Welker
70 - 966 - 5 -- Brandon Lloyd
68 - 947 - 5 -- Jabar Gaffney
51 - 702 - 5 -- Deion Branch
Saints
80 - 1143 - 8 -- Marques Colston
52 -- 627 - 8 -- Lance Moore
32 -- 503 - 2 -- Devery Henderson
2 ---- 31 - 0 -- Adrian Arrington
Now obviously those numbers are a bit skewed. Lloyd and Gaffney's production will likely decrease as their proportion of the team's offense will decrease (no longer the number one option), while that of Moore, Henderson and Arrington will increase to offset the loss of Robert Meachem (40-620-6). Even so, if I had to make a wager based on which group will outperform the other I think I would have to go with the Patriots' receivers.
If you want to change the term from 'WR' to 'pass catchers' then it gets a little trickier, but may paint a more complete picture. The Pats' totals look better with the addition of the tight ends, while the Saints' improves with the inclusion of the running back position.
Patriots
122 - 1569 - 9 -- Wes Welker
90 -- 1327 - 17 -- Rob Gronkowski
70 --- 966 - 5 -- Brandon Lloyd
68 --- 947 - 5 -- Jabar Gaffney
79 --- 910 - 7 -- Aaron Hernandez
51 --- 702 - 5 -- Deion Branch
23 --- 386 - 1 -- other receivers on team in 2011
37 --- 363 - 0 -- all running backs on team in 2011
19 --- 256 - 3 -- Daniel Fells
Saints
99 - 1310 - 11 - Jimmy Graham
80 - 1143 - 8 -- Marques Colston
86 -- 710 - 7 -- Darren Sproles
52 -- 627 - 8 -- Lance Moore
32 -- 503 - 2 -- Devery Henderson
50 -- 425 - 1 -- Pierre Thomas
11 --- 50 - 2 -- Jed Collins
11 --- 46 - 0 -- Mark Ingram
8 ---- 36 - 1 -- John Gilmore/David Thomas
2 ---- 31 - 0 -- Adrian Arrington
1 ----- 4 - 0 -- Michael Higgins
Projecting ahead for 2012 it's not really a question of Lloyd vs Colston to me; instead the comparisons in production should look something like this:
- Gronkowski vs Graham
- Welker vs Colston
- Lloyd vs Moore
- Gaffney vs Henderson
- Hernandez vs Sproles
- Fells vs other Saints TEs
- Pats WR#4 (Branch?) vs Arrington
- All Pats RBs vs all other Saints RBs (not Sproles)
While it is something that could go either way, I'm more inclined to give the edge to the Patriots in the 2012 passing game.