***OFFICIAL NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS SEASON THREAD*** (13-4) - Patriots @ Broncos - Sun 3:05PM EST - Bra

[DeadsetAce]

First preseason game is in two and half weeks or so...sneaking right up on us. Should be an interesting year. MAJOR changes on offense with Wes and Aaron gone. Can the running game and defense take pressure off Tom, that's the big question.

Additions:
RB Leon Washington
WR Danny Amendola
WR Michael Jenkins
OT Will Svitek
DT Tommy Kelly
S Adrian Wilson
OLB Jamie Collins (rookie draft pick)
WR Aaron Dobson (rookie draft pick)
CB Logan Ryan (rookie draft pick)

Losses:
RB Danny Woodhead
WR Brandon Lloyd
WR Wes Welker
TE Aaron Hernandez
G Donald Thomas
DT Kyle Love
DE Trevor Scott
S Patrick Chung

Clearly those losses on offense are HUGE. Receiver, TE, and even Woodhead...all impact players for us. I'm not sure how much Amendola and Jenkins will fill the gap, but as long as TB12 is healthy, I like our chances. Big year for Ridley and Vereen, too. They need to stay healthy and contribute. On defense, Wilson is a nice signing and should help us in the secondary, but the problem has been and remains to be the pass rush. We haven't really brought anyone in who can get to the QB.

I think once Gronk is back, we'll be fine on offense. We're not going to be hanging 35 plus a game, but we'll have more than enough talent to put points on the board. It's the defense that worries me.

View media item 509480
Prediction: 12-4

 

[DeadsetAce]

first post

piss off, NY fans

 

[onewearz]

2nd post

 

[DeadsetAce]

belichick actually giving some good thoughts on the hernandez situation rather than the typical, "we off that" type of the spiel. in particular, he said he is "hurt and disappointed" and that the patriots (paraphrasing), "messed up in the evaluation of character when drafting hernandez".

well done, bill. now we move on.

 

[lynchpin33]

First question by reporters BB is already shutting it down #hoody

 

[DeadsetAce]

these reporters are asking some dumbass questions

 

[DeadsetAce]

hernandez a 1 on the maturity test

 

[DeadsetAce]

Hearing the following things about camp practices so far:

Dobson has impressed. Brady going his way a lot in 7x7 drills and he's been making a lot of catches, showing off his hands and making some tough sideline grabs.
Hands continue to be an issue for Ridley, who fumbled a few times over the weekend.
Talib looks sharp so far.
Kembrell Thompkins is another rookie receiver that has impressed a bit over the weekend.
Amendola has been good in camp so far, but nothing spectacular.
Tebow taking part in RB type drills even though hes been mostly working as QB.
Fells and Hoho have seemed to do alright and should be able to cover for Gronk partly while he works to get healthy.

 

[shannonscrooks]

Hands continue to be an issue for Ridley, who fumbled a few times over the weekend

 

[DeadsetAce]

sounding like TB12 will playing quite a bit this preseason

 

[nooera]

:x :x :x

Come on fam . Ridley is right up there as the most important piece of our offense. He needs to protect the football. He can become a Patriot legend this year if he plays a big part in a Super Bowl run.

I was thinking today.. When you really break it down, the Pats replaced Welker with Amendola and lost Hernandez for good, Gronk for a few weeks. That really isnt THAT bad. If Gronkowski can come back healthy and Amendola can stay healthy, i still see us as #1 or 2 offense in football.

I also have big expectations for our defense. One of the best young defenses in the L. This their year to shine. McCourty, Spikes, Mayo, Jones , Hightower... Whats not to like?

Hyped

Also, we sweeping the division this year.

 

[DeadsetAce]

Also, we sweeping the division this year.

i think we lose in miami...always tough down there.


i can kind of agree with what you're saying on really only losing hernandez (who usually misses a part of the year anyway due to injuries). but i think it's all on how quickly TB12 gets synced up with the new guys. gronk is the only familiar primary target. it'll take some time for amendola and dobson to get in sync with the offense. vereen should be used quite a bit as a pass catcher this year, which is good and somewhat familiar. the loss of lloyd is underrated imo...but we'll see how quickly dobson can make me forget about lloyd. lloyd had a quiet 900 yards for us. it's quite a bit to replace.

i think at the end of the day though, it'll be on the defense. they're really going to have play well consistently this year.

 

[nooera]

Did we ever hear anything on WHY they cut B Lloyd? As you said, dude quietly lived up to expectations. Then they just cut dude loose? Must be a headcase for real

 

[DeadsetAce]

i think it was a $$$$$ thing...that'd be my guess. i thought he fit in fine and got along well with coaches...but who knows.

dobson "walking slow" at practice today....

 

[DeadsetAce]

the latest ive heard is that san fran might give him a look. i'm surprised we haven't brought him back after this hernandez crap.

 

[shannonscrooks]

Should tell you waht the thought of Lloyd

 

[DeadsetAce]

^ no doubt. is it cause he just dropped to the ground everytime after catching the ball? because other than that, he seemed to be in sync with 12 and did a good job catching the ball. couple drops here and there, but overall he was fine outside of hitting the deck early.

 

[illoquent aka dsk]

I heard Brandon Lloyd was a weird *** dude for real. In front of cameras he'd say and do all the right things...but in the locker room and **** he's a moody guy with a mild "selfish" label.

 

[finallyfamous]

Chalk up that L week 14

 

[DeadsetAce]

^ sit the **** down, cleveland

 

[fraij da 5 11]

Debated whether I wanted to comment in here and have this stupid thread highlighted all season....

But I feel its worth it.

 

[DeadsetAce]

^ it's all good, bro. i'd be jelly and hate us and our QB too if i had to root for another team

hate on...


seriously tho, where is that pic from?

 

[fraij da 5 11]

Cmon you know I wouldn't trade my QB for 2 Tom Brady's DSA....

 

[DeadsetAce]

Edelman's glass *** was back on the field yesterday and looked to be going full speed in all drills. Good to have him back. Needs to stay healthy now.

Dobson back on the field after just taking a cleat to the leg. Sounds like he's fine and good to go.

7 days

 

[DeadsetAce]

realistic return for gronk is week 4 or 5. week 4 is @ ATL...if he's not truly ready for that game, i hope they don't push him to come back for that just because it's a big game. this is all barring any setbacks of course.