(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
When the defense is on the field: Do not adjust your sets, Jason Taylor is indeed back but he will not be his usual Pro-Bowl form. He will be used in certain situations, mostly on third down.
The biggest holes were at the secondary and drafting Vontae Davis and Sean Smith gives them toughness at the line of scrimmage, a Parcells specialty.
If Davis can control his off field issues, he has the potential to be a true shutdown corner like Ty Law.
Biggest concern(s): The lack of an elite wide receiver and Pennington's possible (or imminent) mechanical breakdowns could deter Miami's progress. Their receiving corps will consist of Davonne Bess and Ted Ginn Jr., throwing in Turner and Hartline through the draft.
Not scary, but the coaching staff will have to maximize the talent they are given on a weekly basis.
If Miami had a true No. 1 receiver, defensive game-planning would be much harder (regardless of Pennington's arm) as they would have to account for both the receivers and the wizardry of the Wildcat.
Defenses having seen film of the Wildcat must concern the Dolphins as new wrinkles will need to be thrown in order to possibly hide the problems in the passing game.
2009 prediction: They took everyone by surprise in 2008 but no one will be caught off-guard in 2009, especially Bill Belichick who was the first victim of the Wildcat. They are making good progress with Bill Parcells in the front office but they will be tested more this season especially with the Jets and Patriots reloaded and heading on a collision course.
2009 record: 9-7
New England Patriots (2008: 11-5, divisional runner-up)
2008 in review: When Tom Brady's knee was torn in two places in the opening minutes of Week One, many fans considered the Patriots dead and gone. That was before Matt Cassel stepped in and almost took the same route Brady did in 2001 en route to Super Bowl XXXVI.
New England lost out on the playoffs via tiebreakers but could have easily gone 13-3 if certain things went their way—Gaffney drop vs. Indianapolis, third and 15 stop vs. Jets. Many considered 2008 to be Bill Belichick's greatest coaching job in the face of losing one of the top players in NFL history.
Key Additions: QB Tom Brady (injury), RB Fred Taylor (FA/Jacksonville), TE Chris Baker (FA/NY Jets), CB Shawn Springs (FA/Washington), CB Leigh Bodden (FA/Detroit), WR Joey Galloway (FA/Tampa Bay), WR Greg Lewis (FA/Philadelphia), FS Patrick Chung (D2/34/Oregon), CB Darius Butler (D2/41/Connecticut), DT Ron Brace (D2/40/Boston College)
Key Losses: WR Jabar Gaffney, LB Mike Vrabel (trade w/KC), QB Matt Cassel (trade w/KC), FS Rodney Harrison (retirement), CB Ellis Hobbs (trade w/PHI)
When offense is on the field: Defenses will have to do their homework. If Tom Brady is back to his old ways, life will be hell for the rest of this division (remember he's 33-9 against the other three teams) in addition to adding a powerful running game to go along with one of the most explosive receiving corps in the NFL.
Picture this formation: Brady under center, Taylor in the backfield, Moss and Galloway on the outside, Welker and Lewis in the slots.
Try to stop that.
Taylor's presence will make Kevin Faulk and Sammy Morris even more dangerous in the running and receiving game with Faulk being one of the better running backs in the screen game. If Laurence Maroney can duplicate somewhat of he did in year one, New England will be hard to stop.
What will concern many fans is if Brady is not at 100 percent or better and the depth behind him must be put to the test with Kevin O'Connell or Brian Hoyer.
When the defense is on the field: Bill Belichick is usually a master of maximizing talent through his 3-4 scheme, not so much through pass rush but disguising of coverages while maintaining pressure on the quarterback.
Last season, this was not the case as both the linebacking corps and patchwork secondary were both exposed. The Patriots gave up 27 touchdown passes last season, second worst in the NFL to the Arizona Cardinals.
Injuries and age ended up hurting the Patriots more than ever. But, they get Adalius Thomas back, pairing him with reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Jerod Mayo who was gold in the top 10 in last year's draft.
The defense should be much better with the signings in the secondary of Bodden and Springs and the drafting of Butler out of Connecticut who steps in immediately.
Patrick Chung should also play from the first snap in replacing Rodney Harrison alongside re-signed James Sanders.
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