2008 NFL Season Preview: #1 New England Patriots

Division: AFC East
Last Years Record: 16-0
Head Coach: Bill Belichick
Offensive Coordinator: Josh McDaniels
Defensive Coordinator: Dean Pees

Key Additions:
LB Jerod Mayo
S Tank Williams
WR Sam Aiken

Key Losses:
CB Asante Samuel
WR Donte Stallworth
LB Rosevelt Colvin

Offensive Breakdown:
The Patriots of 2007 had about as perfect a season as is imaginable. After finishing the regular season with an unblemished 16-0 record, the Patriots beat Jacksonville and San Diego in the AFC playoffs, and were one victory away from becoming the first NFL team to ever go 19-0.

But one memorable drive derailed their march towards perfection. New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning’s found the ability to elude pass rushers like his name was Randall or Donovan, it concluded with a pass to David Tyree. Where his helmet contributed to one of the greatest plays in Superbowl history. Manning capped off the drive by hitting Plaxico Burress in the end zone. On the last possession of the game the Patriots efforts were thwarted by the Giants defense. The game ended, Giants were Super Bowl Champions and New England came away with an 18-1 mark.

Tom Brady played like man possessed last season. The final numbers look more like Madden statistics then real stats. A record breaking 50 touchdowns, only eight interceptions, an outstanding 4,806 yards, and a ridiculous 68.9 completion percentage. The Jets may have added the greatest quarterback of all time to their roster, but the Patriots have the best quarterback of this decade. Since his unexpected emergence seven years ago, Brady has guided the Patriots to six AFC East crowns, five appearances in the AFC Championship game, four Superbowl trips and three Superbowl victories. He has the complete package; the arm, the accuracy, the cleft chin, the supermodel girlfriend, and he is as clutch as Joe Cool. The most remarkable thing about him, he’s still only 31.

Brady's favorite targets, are maybe the best wide receiving combination in the NFL. Wes Welker and Randy Moss are complete opposites but are possibly perfect complements for each other. Wes Welker stands only at 5'9 while Randy Moss stands at a stout 6'4. Moss can hurt you anywhere on the field, he can hurt you with short quick passes, across the middle, but most notably the home-run ball. Moss has rejuvenated his career going from team cancer to a perfect Patriot. Don't expect Moss and his numbers to decline much as Welker should draw some more attention after his league-leading 112 receptions. Welker relies on his quickness underneath and undoubtedly benefits from defenses rolling coverage to Moss. Randy had 98 more receptions for the Pats and led the team in receiving yards with 1,493, and touchdowns with 23 while Welker had 1,175 receiving yards and eight scores. Jabar Gaffney and tight end Benjamin Watson had 36 catches apiece, and combined for 11 touchdown receptions. The receiving core will not be as deep with the losses of veteran Troy Brown and Donte Stallworth, but New England expects Sam Aiken and rookie Matthew Slater to fill the void that they left. Kelley Washington should continue to see plenty of time on special teams.

The ground attack has no standout as this year looks to be another committee effort. Laurence Maroney, the Patriots’ leading rusher gained only 835 yards last year with a team-best six rushing touchdowns. But if he stays healthy (something he has failed to do in his short career), the quick and powerful Maroney could have a fantastic year. Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk should continue to see plenty of time as the backups, Faulk is a good receiver out of the backfield and the Patriots will continue to use that ability. Heath Evans returns as the starting fullback, he is a powerful blocker and runner who gets all of his carries in short yardage situations. He managed 3 touchdowns last season on a mere 34 carries. Lamont Jordan comes to the Patriots from Oakland and looks like the fourth running-back option.

The offensive line remains intact, and it is one of the best in the NFL. Center Dan Koppen, left tackle Matt Light and left guard Logan Mankins were all 2007 Pro Bowl selections. Filling out the line are right guard Stephen Neal and right tackle Nick Kaczur. This line played spectacularly all season, until Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo found the secret to slow down the Patriots. To get pressure on Brady, Spagnuolo overloaded New York’s pass-rush up the middle. This obstructed Brady’s vision and rattled the cages of Patriot guards Logan Mankins and Steve Neal, as well as center Dan Koppen. It also forced New England running backs to direct their pass-blocking help inside. This left Patriots tackles Matt Light and Nick Kaczur on an island, where they were manhandled by Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan. The Patriots will need to put more focus on the running-game if they don't want that to happen again.

Defensive Breakdown:
The front three of the Patriots is a force, if you outrun one of them most likely you are being tackled by the other two. Defensive ends Richard Seymour and Ty Warren return to be grouped with tackle Vince Wilfork. Each of the three are a force on their own, and create a devastating defensive front.

Pro Bowlers Adalius Thomas and Mike Vrabel return to their jobs at outside linebacker. They combined for 19 sacks last season and with Thomas' role to be expanded, you can expect these two to punish even more opposing QBs this season. They are joined by veteran Tedy Bruschi and rookie Jerod Mayo. Mayo has the athleticism and intelligence that the Patriots covet. He played all three linebacker positions as a Volunteer and projects as Bruschi’s heir apparent. Bruschi is getting older at 35, but the Patriots defense allows defenders to play longer as they are consistently in one-on-one situations. Pierre Woods and Shawn Crable are the backups on the outside, while Gary Guyton and Eric Alexander are the backups on in the inside. Veteran Larry Izzo should see most of his time on special teams.

They lost their best corner in the off-season to free agency, but the Patriots much like the Steelers seem to let their best defenders go grab a huge paycheck from a different team each off-season. It never seems to affect them, but I don't know if they have the talent on this team to replace the abilities of Asante Samuel. Ellis Hobbs gives the Pats a solid right corner-back, and rookie Terrence Wheatley out of Colorado is starting at left corner-back. They are backed up by Deltha O'neal and Jonathan Willhite. Rodney Harrison, 35, is back at strong safety. Young James Sanders is the starting free safety. Brandon Merriweather provides depth as the backup safety. Wide Receiver Matt Slater could end up becoming the next Troy Brown, as he is listed as the backup at strong safety.

Season Outlook:
It seems highly unlikely that the Patriots could go 16-0 for a second straight season, but it is not out of the realm of possibility. They have the easiest schedule in the league, with an opponents' 2007 winning percentage of .387. They should easily get to 13 wins but the games that could stop them from reaching 16-0 for a second straight season, will be a tough West Coast swing against Seattle and Oakland late in the season. The Patriots will be back with a vengeance this season, and don't be surprised if they are back in the Super Bowl because they still have savvy head coach Bill Belichick. (clips not safe for work)





I had to do it



Schedule:
Week 1: Sep 07 KC @ NE 1:00 PM Tickets CBS 706 7061 147 126
Week 2: Sep 14 NE @ NYJ 4:15 PM Tickets CBS 714 7141 123 126
Week 3: Sep 21 MIA @ NE 1:00 PM Tickets CBS 707 7071 107 127
Week 4: Bye Week
Week 5: Oct 05 NE @ SF 4:15 PM CBS
Week 6: Oct 12 NE @ SD 8:15 PM NBC
Week 7: Oct 20 DEN @ NE 8:30 PM ESPN
Week 8: Oct 26 STL @ NE 1:00 PM FOX
Week 9: Nov 02 NE @ IND 8:15 PM NBC
Week 10: Nov 09 BUF @ NE 1:00 PM CBS
Week 11: Nov 13 NYJ @ NE 8:15 PM NFL NETWORK
Week 12: Nov 23 NE @ MIA 1:00 PM CBS
Week 13: Nov 30 PIT @ NE 4:15 PM CBS
Week 14: Dec 07 NE @ SEA 8:15 PM NBC
Week 15: Dec 14 NE @ OAK 4:15 PM CBS
Week 16: Dec 21 ARI @ NE 1:00 PM FOX
Week 17: Dec 28 NE @ BUF 1:00 PM CBS