Will PATS be better or worst than last year?

[JR4]

This topic is discussed on Reiss's Blog but interested in what you all think.

I know it is too early to know for certain but what does your
Non Homer gut feel at this point and reasons would be nice.
( if you can put yourself in that mode)

 

[Brady2Moss]

IF the rookie wide receivers contribute, worse regular season but better in the playoffs. :first:

 

[Kontradiction]

Well, training camp hasn't even played out yet. But, IMO, these are the keys to improving upon 2012...

1. WR play, particularly out of Dobson and Boyce.

2. Health to key pieces (Gronk, Hernandez, Amendola, Talib, etc.).

3. Improved pass rush.

4. Improved coverage over the middle, particularly amongst the LB's.

5. Improved safety play (and play in secondary as a whole).

If we see improvements in those areas, I see no reason why the team can't be better than the 2012 version.

 

[JackBauer]

Don't see how this team will be worse, depending on the rookie class.

 

[eagle eye]

Well, training camp hasn't even played out yet. But, IMO, these are the keys to improving upon 2012...

1. WR play, particularly out of Dobson and Boyce.

2. Health to key pieces (Gronk, Hernandez, Amendola, Talib, etc.).

3. Improved pass rush.

4. Improved coverage over the middle, particularly amongst the LB's.

5. Improved safety play (and play in secondary as a whole).

If we see improvements in those areas, I see no reason why the team can't be better than the 2012 version.

If those three improve then there is not much concern about the offensive end. As long as Brady is healthy this team will score enough to win games almost always.

 

[mgteich]

Overall, we might be better. We are likely to have a better offense and a worse offense. This can be OK.

SPECIAL TEAMS - better
We have added one of the best kick returners in the NFL.

DEFENSE - better

DL - better
We have added Armstead and Kelly. We have lost Scott.

LB - better
We have added Collins and Fletcher.

Secondary - better
A. Smith should help. We MIGHT get 2013 help from Logan OR Hanson OR Dowling. However, this is all gravy.

OFFENSE - worse

WR - worse
We can make believe all we want. Amendola and the rooks will have a difficult time producing what the WR's did last year.

TE - better
Hopefully, but how much better depends on the health of Gronkowski, Hernandez and Ballard.

RB - worse
While Woodhead has been "replaced", I don't see his production being replaced in the passing game. HOWEVER, Washington and Blount could indeed give us a net plus.

OL - worse
We lost Thomas. He played half of the offensive reps last year. He was starter quality. We have elevated McDonald (who was here last year). If everyone is healthy all year, this won't matter.

 

[mgteich]

Yes, if the rookie receivers contribute for the first time in over a decade, then the WR's might be as good as last year, but likely won't be.

IF the rookie wide receivers contribute, worse regular season but better in the playoffs. :first:

 

[cstjohn17]

This is the impossible situation, they were damn good last year.

Resume
12-4
Top offense in the league
Made the AFC Championship, held the lead at halftime...

Only two teams ended up in a better spot and only one was happy.

God, I hate to say this but they will be worse, I blame the expectations.

 

[tonyto3690]

I don't see how we're not better. The defense should improve and the rookies + Amendola and Gronk/Hernandez healthy more than compensates for loss of Welker and Lloyd.

I'll take Vereen over Woodhead as an improvement.
Edelman is back.
Washington improves our horrible KR game.
Ridley should be a year better.
Solder should be an elite LT this year and looked like it last season.
Chandler should and projects to have a monster year this year.

And just as a whole our defense and OL has way more continuity than in the past few years which will be a huge bonus.

 

[Coach42]

I say they're better but may have a worse record. I would anticipate improvement in the D simply from one year of experience playing together and for the key rookies a NFL season under their belts.

I do think the offense takes a step back but not a huge one. Personally, I'd like to see more balance with the running game becoming more of the focus this year.

Lastly, everything depends on health. A couple unlucky breaks (literally) and we're screwed, but hey, that's every NFL team.

 

[Kontradiction]

Yes, if the rookie receivers contribute for the first time in over a decade, then the WR's might be as good as last year, but likely won't be.

So you think we'll be worse offensively because of what a bunch of rookie WR's that are no longer on the team were unable to do a few years ago? I would at least give them a shot.

 

[JR4]

Yes, if the rookie receivers contribute for the first time in over a decade, then the WR's might be as good as last year, but likely won't be.

New receivers yes but Tom has had success with new receivers in the past
when he had to.
This year he has lost his favorite go to guy so he will have to use other
receivers. Will they be good enough to learn how Tom expects things?
Don't know but I've read that the new WR regime is smart and physical.
Also Tommy has said recently he feels real good, feels like he is 25. To me
that is a good sign. I am guessing that PATS passing game will be one of the
best in the league this year.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

"Will PATS be better or worst than last year?"

I voted YES because they most likely will be better or worse.

 

[Brady2Moss]

Yes, if the rookie receivers contribute for the first time in over a decade, then the WR's might be as good as last year, but likely won't be.

Now that Welker is gone Brady has to actually try assimilating them into the offense, with Welker here there was never a chance because most of the time Welker got open especially against the crap AFC east teams we faced every year. When good defenses limited Welker in the playoffs Brady had nowhere to go due to a lack of talent at WR besides Welker and no level of comfort with other receivers due to locking onto Welker.

 

[mgteich]

I said that the team would be better. The offense will be worse. And just BTW, there is no reason to complain if our team is just as good as last year. That is a very high bar.
==========================
OUT: Welker, Lloyd, Branch and Woodhead

IN: Amendola, Boyce, Dobson and Washington

Maybe the IN's will be more productive than the OUT's. We certainly HOPE so. A more reasonable hope is that the TE's will make up for the loss of production of the wide receiver position. It is not unreasonable to make trade offs and expect that it will take more than a year for a completely new set of wide receivers to gel.
===========================

So you think we'll be worse offensively because of what a bunch of rookie WR's that are no longer on the team were unable to do a few years ago? I would at least give them a shot.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Barring any major injuries, I voted better although I think the offense will sputter a bit out of the gate. WW was such a huge part of the passing attack and there is no doubt he will be missed, but as long as everyone else produces to their expectations, the offense will still put up 30+ a game. If the rookie WRs develop the way we hope, they could also provide an alternative red zone threat.

I think that this is the year the defense becomes Top 5 material. I think they have all the pieces now. No more excuses.

 

[Brady2Moss]

I said that the team would be better. The offense will be worse. And just BTW, there is no reason to complain if our team is just as good as last year. That is a very high bar.
==========================
OUT: Welker, Lloyd, Branch and Woodhead

IN: Amendola, Boyce, Dobson and Washington

Maybe the IN's will be more productive than the OUT's. We certainly HOPE so. A more reasonable hope is that the TE's will make up for the loss of production of the wide receiver position. It is not unreasonable to make trade offs and expect that it will take more than a year for a completely new set of wide receivers to gel.
===========================

Branch was useless last year and I think given what Vereen has shown this past year he can easily make up for Woodheads production and be more explosive. The real question comes down to Welker --> Amendola, as I think Dobson will give us more of what we expected than Lloyd as a deep-intermediate threat. If Amendola gets hurt and one of the tight ends get hurt certainly we are screwed. And that is a real possibility.

 

[Kontradiction]

"Will PATS be better or worst than last year?"

I voted YES because they most likely will be better or worse.

Although it is altogether possible that the Pats field their worst team since 2012.

 

[chasa]

I think they will be consistent. Its hard to say new players, new opponents, old opponents changing. Its not just the patriots making changes, but overall i dont think we will be worse then last year

 

[VinnyPatrollie]

"Will PATS be better or worst than last year?"

I voted YES because they most likely will be better or worse.

My first thought. Poll results could be slightly flawed here.

To me it's pretty simple. If the team stays healthy, particularly the WRs and TEs, it should be significantly better. I expect the D to be better regardless.