Our biggest concern?

[GrogansArmy]

I'm just curious what everyone thinks is our biggest concern going into this season. For me, I'm split between the OL and the D. However, I think TB will be quick enough on the release to hide our OL issues.

So , I guess its the D I'm mostly worried about during the regular season. Come the playoffs though (yes I'm making an assumption here), I think our OL could bite us in the butt as it seems to have the past few years (imo). Or perhaps its just that the opposing D's have been much higher caliber in the postseason. Regardless - TB seems to have trouble whether its the opposing D or our OL not up to par.

Also, I guess I should note that our run game worries me a bit also. I like Ridley, I really do, but it was comforting to know that we could rely on a short yardage runner who will never fumble.

 

[BananaRepublican]

So , I guess its the D I'm mostly worried about during the regular season.

Not the OL. Guards will be there in TN. Vollmer will be back.

For me it's the DBs. I like some of what I see so far but we ain't seen that much. Lingering doubts about McCourty and the sturdiness of Dowling. But if those two were to play up to what should be their standards we'll be in good shape.

 

[Deus Irae]

Biggest concern? Health

It's been a killer since 2006

2006 AFCCG - Defensive illness and injury results in Alexander being on the field and getting abused like Cinderella on a bad day.

2007 SB - Brady plays hobbled from AFCCG and can't avoid the rush, Neal gets hurt and the line can't hold up.

2008 - Reg Season - Brady goes down

2009 Wild card round - Meaningless damned final game of the season (son of a ....) Welker goes down

2010 Divisional round - Patriots just blow game against Jets, injury takes a year off

2011 SB - Gronk's all but useless due to an ankle injury suffered in the AFCCG, Brady seemingly reinjures shoulder

 

[Joey007]

On offense, it's our O-line's health. I think we have the players we need on our O-line, they just gotta stay healthy

On defense as usual, if the D Backfield can turn it around. Especially McCourty. It sure is nice though that for the first time since 07, I feel good about our pass rush going into this season.

 

[randomk1]

There was a thread like this recently and the consensus was the OL.

 

[Triumph]

The pass defense.

IMO, if NE can improve to at least 16th, they can win a SB. My prediction is that it will improve and NE will face GB in a rematch of the 96 Super Bowl with NE winning.

 

[Fencer]

Biggest concern? Health

It's been a killer since 2006

2006 AFCCG - Defensive illness and injury results in Alexander being on the field and getting abused like Cinderella on a bad day.

2007 SB - Brady plays hobbled from AFCCG and can't avoid the rush, Neal gets hurt and the line can't hold up.

2008 - Reg Season - Brady goes down

2009 Wild card round - Meaningless damned final game of the season (son of a ....) Welker goes down

2010 Divisional round - Patriots just blow game against Jets, injury takes a year off

2011 SB - Gronk's all but useless due to an ankle injury suffered in the AFCCG, Brady seemingly reinjures shoulder

Right. BB has it all covered, in personnel and schemes, as long as health holds up.

OT, TE, and CB are looking the thinnest going into the season, in some order. We only have one CB who has played consistently for the past year at a level that would make us comfortable, and the same is true at OT.

Here I am deliberately NOT making allowances for injuries.

 

[DarrylS]

Finishing.. aka sealing the deal.

 

[Kontradiction]

Right now, it has to be the health of the OL with the defense coming in second. Interior pressure is a killer for this offense. Right now, question marks about Mankins' knee, Koppen's leg, and the overall return of Brian Waters are the biggest concern. Whether or not our second worst of all time pass defese improves with the offseason additions is the second biggest concern, but it's a distant second after the health of the OL.

 

[Gumby]

There was a thread like this recently and the consensus was the OL.

I'm down for that answer.

BB can scheme to adjust for weakness anywhere on D and he will keep throwing players at the holes as well. Maybe wont be perfect; but if last year got us to a SB - no worries with all the trainable youth we have this year.

On O; it all runs through TB; if he goes down say hello 2008. OL is key to brady staying upright or not taking a lot of dings through a 16 game haul. Also a bonus if they can field a consistent-5 enough to work run blocking in addition to pass blocking (and then as a team actually be a threat to run).

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Overriding concern as always is keeping the franchise upright and in tact, so out of the gate OL health and depth has to be the biggest. Beginning to grasp what it was (talent aside) about our projected veteran RG that led KC to move on - catering to his comfort level leaves the rest of his linemates in the lurch. On a young team in flux they couldn't cater. On a veteran team we could - except that circumstances (beyond individual control) resulted in a situation where we really can't.

Everywhere else Bill has done a nice job assembling some potentially intriguing talent and depth, although he seems to be having some issues getting or keeping some of it on the field across the board. The FB competition folks looked forward to seems to be non existent. Fiametta walked away and Larsen can't seem to get on the field. The 3rd and/or 4th TE competition has yet to materialize despite multiple signings because no one can get or stay on the field at the position beyond a reserve DE. The return game seems to be mired in it is what it is. Would have been so nice to see a youngster making the roster as a returner. Scary to see Ahern and even Woodhead out there.

The D should be much improved front to back although CB is still a concern and a little thin with Dennard already missing days at a time. McCourty still isn't getting his head around, but he appears to be making some plays. If Jones and Hightower can stay healthy they appear poised to do some serious damage. Spikes remains an injury concern.

Hopefully Bill is being overly cautious with guys in camp and this isn't a situation that bodes of things to come. Lots of talent if only it could all play...

 

[Rob0729]

My biggest concern is whether to rest Brady in second half of games this year and give Hoyer some practice time.

No seriously, I would say it is the secondary. I am hopeful that McCourty rebounds and Dowling will turn into a solid CB along with Gregory stabilizing the safety position, but it is a cautious optimism.

As for the o-line, I am not going to worry about that for a couple of weeks. If the final week of the preseason Waters, Mankins, and Vollmer aren't practicing; then I will be concerned. Right now, it is best to ease them back and not risk getting them reinjured at this point of the preseason.

 

[patfanken]

History has shown us that we can learn nothing from this game as a team. From last season's "dominant" defensive performance in the preseason opener against the Bucs, to the 30-0 beat down by the Bengals in one of the superbowl years; early preseason games can only give us some indications about INDIVIDUAL players, they tell us almost nothing about the team as a whole.

That being said, these are the players that I'll be watching with great interest for no other reason but that these are the ones that most interest ME.

Jones, Hightower, Wilson, McCourty, Cunningham, Mallet, Solder, Edelman, and Cannon.

This scrimmage is all about looking for "flash". You want to see which of the RBs show us some burst. I could care less about the actual result of the play. Of course we want to see who shows us a quick first step and some explosiveness on the pass rush. Whether they get there or not is less important. And we all want to finally see Brandon Lloyd in action for the first time.

As a team this is more important to the coaches who are getting to practice their game day logistics for the first time, than the team as a whole. This scrimmage is all about the individual players who are fighting for roster spots and starting assignments. Unfortunately its hard to follow individuals form a TV feed.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

The OP asked for your biggest concern heading into the season, not your take on the pre season, Ken.

 

[ensoul]

OL is a concern. Light retired and Waters is MIA. Secondary is another. I have not been following every off season move but I don't see where the improvement in the secondary will come from.

 

[DarrylS]

Think Waters will be back by the tail end of training camp..

 

[PatsSox363804]

The O-line until Mankins and Waters are practicing.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

OL is a concern. Light retired and Waters is MIA. Secondary is another. I have not been following every off season move but I don't see where the improvement in the secondary will come from.

Dowling has been on the field and seems poised to be a starter pushing Arrington to the slot where he should flourish. McCourty has been making some plays, albeit not necessarily the way we want him to. Suppoedly he's been a factor in press. And he's been disruptive without looking for the ball... Dennard showed some promise before he went MIA this week. Chung has been healthy and making plays in camp and they've added some veteran depth and an intriguing rookie to the safety mix in Wilson.

 

[ivanvamp]

My biggest concerns at this point, in order:

1. The offensive line. Apparently is getting manhandled by the Saints' DL in practice, and even is struggling vs. the Pats' rookies in pass protection. The OL is the key to everything they do offensively, and right now they're not impressing. That should change when Waters and Mankins return so I'm not that worried, but they do need to improve.

2. Brady's health, which is directly linked to the first concern. He needs to stay healthy. If I'm BB, I look for opportunities this season to rest Brady and let Hoyer play. If its the fourth quarter with 13 minutes left and the Pats are up by 24, I would seriously consider pulling Brady. It's for the long term good of the team that he doesn't take any more needless wear and tear.

3. The pass defense. They should be improved over last year, but if they're not, they are going to have to score a ton of points to win, and the offense can't afford to have an off day in the playoffs.

 

[Patriot Missile]

The last few seasons it's been the soft belly defense in the middle of the field. I'm starting to feel better with it since watching Hightower in coverage. Gregory seems to be grasping nicely as well.

I guess right now I'm with the consensus of missing Waters, Mankins and Vollmer.