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Thursday, August 31 By Glen Farley Pro Football Weekly | ||||||||||||||||||||
So which New England Patriots team do you suppose will show up this year?
Quarterbacks: Which Patriots team will show up this year? How about which Drew Bledsoe will show up? The one who threw for 13 touchdowns and was intercepted only four times in an MVP first half of the season? Or the one who threw for six TDs and was intercepted 17 times in an absolutely disastrous second half?
Grade: B+ Running backs: Once again this year, the Patriots head into a season with no clear-cut starter and the distinct possibility they'll take the RB-by-committee approach. By now, you know the story. Robert Edwards succeeded Curtis Martin, who took the New York shuttle out of Boston. Edwards turned in a 1,000-yard rookie season, then blew out his knee playing flag football on a beach in Hawaii. Allen was summoned late last preseason, ran for 896 yards and was banished by Belichick. In his place are the oft-injured Raymont Harris, who didn't even play in the league last year, third-round draft pick J.R. Redmond, who underwent groin surgery in June, and second-year man Kevin Faulk, who may fill the role of third-down back. Tony Carter and Chris Floyd are the fullbacks. Grade: D+ Wide receivers: No. 1 wide receiver Terry Glenn caught 69 passes for 1,147 yards (16.6 yards per reception) last season and made it to the Pro Bowl. All this after he finished the season on the Patriots' suspended list following a controversial case of the flu. That is the essence of Glenn: explosive on the field, enigmatic off it. Brown will continue in his role as "Third Down" Brown, moving the stakes. This is a make-or-break season for third-year speed burner Tony Simmons, a disappointment to date. Simmons probably will start opposite Glenn after Belichick surprisingly cut Vincent Brisby, who had been a first-teamer early in camp. Chris Calloway takes Brisby's spot on the roster. At tight end, the post-Coates era begins with the less-than-dynamic duo of Eric Bjornson and Rod Rutledge. Grade: C Offensive linemen: It used to be the Patriots' offensive line didn't run-block particularly well but gave Bledsoe protection worthy of a franchise quarterback. Last year's crew did neither. Damien Woody, a first-round pick last year, is the man in the middle. Who opens the season around him will in large part be determined by trainer Ron O'Neil. Bruce Armstrong, top draft choice Adrian Klemm, Todd Rucci, Lance Scott and Grant Williams have all spent their summers rehabilitating knee injuries. For most of the summer, the only true starters in the front line have been Woody and veteran OG Max Lane. Fourth-round draft pick Greg Robinson-Randall has opened some eyes at right tackle this summer. Grade: D Defense Defensive linemen: With the team implementing aspects of both the 4-3 and 3-4 schemes, the line will be a changin', but the key will be veteran Willie McGinest, who will play the "elephant" role, at times in a down position, at other times lined up like a linebacker. Former media darling Chad Eaton has stopped speaking, sending a message that after a drop in his performance last season, he'll let his play do the talking this year. Belichick brought Bobby Hamilton in from the Jets to man one defensive end position. Veterans Brandon Mitchell, Greg Spires, Henry Thomas and rookie free agent Reggie Grimes all could figure into the rotation. Grade: C Linebackers: This unit revolves around the scheme and Ted Johnson's health. After missing time the past two seasons with biceps tears, Johnson suffered a hamstring injury early in training camp and limped to the sideline. Either he, second-year man Andy Katzenmoyer or both will be inside. They're flanked by veterans Chris Slade and Tedy Bruschi on the outside, where Katzenmoyer can also play. Depth is questionable, but if healthy -- and that's a big "if" here -- this group is a team strength. Grade: B+ Defensive backs: Lawyer Milloy and Ty Law give the secondary Pro Bowl-level players at safety and cornerback, respectively. After two years as a bust at cornerback, could Tebucky Jones be a boon at free safety? Antonio Langham, who played for Belichick in Cleveland, and Kato Serwanga, who's looking to expand his part-time role, are battling on the corner opposite Law. Grade: B Special teams For the first time in his four-year career, kicker Adam Vinatieri failed twice with the game on the line last season, but he is still viewed as a trustworthy kicker from 40 yards and in. Thirty-eight-year-old Lee Johnson has been punting the ball like a 28-year-old this summer. Faulk is a threat as the kickoff-return man. While he may not be a home-run hitter, Brown remains steady on punt returns. Grade: B Material from Pro Football Weekly. Visit their website at http://www.profootballweekly.com |
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