Normally I would bemoan such a dark analysis, Captain, but since it is you why would I mock such legendary cynicism.
However since I am as optimistic as you are dark, allow me to put a bit more positive spin on the upcoming offensive team we should be seeing.
Don't forget, but as badly as the offense limped to its conclusion, they didn't abjectly suck for most of the season.
The OL, - last season - Started out WITHOUT 2 key performers in Andrews and Wynn. Add to that Cannon's and Mason's subpar year, it is hard to believe that the offense was able to move the ball at all last season.
The OL THIS season - Andrews is back, and when he's healthy, he's a top 10 C in the league (some say even better) Wynn, when he finally reentered the line up consistently show why he was a first round pick. And if you believe that Mason and Cannon's bad season was a result of nagging injuries, or just a down year, they have had enough good years to believe a rebound year is more than just possible.
Cajuste, Frodholt, Elumanour are all huge question marks as depth possibilities, but we've started successful seasons with bigger questions among the starters let alone the reserves.
I agree with Bedard that this could be one of the best OL's in the league this season.
I categorically disagree with your opinion of the WR position. Just health alone improves Sanu and Edelman's play to start the season. I also think Harry will become a much more effective receiver this season. IIRC big physical WR types tend to take a little longer to develop into effective WR's than quick twitch ones.
TE's- Well we know that it can't be worse than last year. So by definition, there is literally no bar at all to seeing improvement at this position. The UCLA kid is really intriguing and Keene is looks to to me at least to be a more athletic and versatile version of James Devlin.
RB's - The RB's are good, if not spectacular, and will greatly enjoy having the FB position back this season. Make no mistake, I can easily see the Pats being in the top 5 in running the football.
QB- HUGE questions of course. Cam could return to the form that made him one of most efficient QB's in the league 2 seasons ago, OR his arm could explode half way though TC.
Personally I still think Stidham is a year away from being ready to take over, but again, who knows how he will react to the opportunity of being able to compete for the job. I think POTENTIALLY he can be the LT answer, but we shall see.
In summary, I can't see a scenario where this offensive edition isn't going to be better than last seasons (injuries being the X factor of course)
Can't wait to see how it evolves....if they actually make it to the field and can stay on it. I think even you will be pleasantly surprised.
You are correct, this fan of classic heavy rock is indeed a dark thinker, of the Hope for the best but expect the worst category...You are also correct that it is possible for some facets of the offense to improve from last season...
OL
Improvement: A healthy and full season at LT for Isaiah Wynn. I'm not writing off his career as an injury-prone part-timer, yet...It's not like Matt Light, Nate Solder or Trent Brown are going to the HOF without a ticket either, and I still believe that Wynn can compete with that group over time as the dependable if not spectacular blind-side protector that we've been accustomed to seeing here...
I also can see him moving inside to LG next year if Joe Thuney is not retained and another, more physically dominant LT is drafted or otherwise acquired...
David Andrews is returning (fingers crossed), although and to his credit Mongo Jr Jr did a very admirable job as his replacement, especially after he solved his shotgun-snapping issues...
And although Thuney's playing here this season under the franchise tag does not qualify as an improvement, I'd still rather have him under that condition than not have him at all.
No improvement: The right side of the line...Shack Mason at this point in his career is who he is:
a little bowling ball of a run-blocking RG but also a below-average pass blocker, even at his most healthy...He has the 2020 season to prove that he's worthy of keeping in 2021 under the current terms of his contract...
And I fear the end is coming very, very soon for a physically deteriorating Cannon ...there's Zero chance he's on the 2021 53 without a massive pay cut...He might not even be on
this year's 53 if it weren't for the complete lack of experienced, quality depth behind the starters; in fact I would not have chosen ANY of Cachoo, Frodo, ElManure, Cunnyham, OneMenu & the other two stiffs where they were taken during their respective drafts...Billy should've used his late 2nd/early 3rd-rounder this year on OT Joshua Jones.
WR
We're just going to have to disagree here...Edelman & Mo' Snuze might begin the season healthier, but they'll also begin it older (they're already over 30) and likely end it less healthy than they ended this past season...Whenever I see Kneal Harry, I'll forever think of AJ Brown (very, very similar to the Aaron Dropson - Keenan Allen dynamic)...As for the rest of them: all easily replaceable.
TE
We're in agreement here, though I would've chosen Adam Trautman ahead of both Asiasi and especially Dalton Keene...and I liked Keene throughout the draft process, but it certainly wasn't close to a 101st-overall kind of like however.
RB
We're also in agreement here, but only if Damien the Omen Harris is FREED! Run Omen run!
QB
Yep, the biggest question mark of them all, anywhere from Better than 2018/19 Brady all the way to Sam Darnold would be an improvement...I just don't want to suffer through an 8-8 season and still be no closer to knowing who our QB of the Future will be, and then also not have the draft position needed to secure one if we do indeed still need to secure one.
I'm also not as concerned over McD's ability to adopt game plans for either QB if necessary; he's done it in the past, with varying degrees of success, for the likes of Matt Cassel, Kyle Orton, Sam Bradford, Jimmy G & Jacoby Brissett, so there should be no excuses there...Now if we could just somehow get him to fix some of his dumb-ass short-yardage play-calling...
