(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
The Patriots were busy once again in the offseason bringing in players and making trades in the draft. The roster is loaded right now and there are going to be some interesting battles in training camp for starting jobs.
Let's take a look at the offense first.
Offense
Tight End: Benjamin Watson vs. Chris Baker vs. David Thomas vs. Alex Smith
Edge: Either Baker or Smith. Both are blocking tight ends that can also catch the ball, unlike Watson as of lately. Watson needs to start securing the ball or he is going to remember fans of Reche Caldwell with all the balls that he dropped.
Watson is definitely the fastest out of the group, but should be used as a receiver instead. Thomas might end up being cut, either him or Tyson Devree because they are way too many tight ends on the roster.
Right tackle: Nick Kaczur vs. Ryan O'Callaghan
Edge: Has to go to Kaczur because he has the starting experience and nobody else on the roster can seem to play right tackle.
O'Callaghan was brought in because he was know to have a mean streak, but he is looking about as mean as a box full of kittens right now. O'Callaghan needs to start because Kaczur has been the weak link on the offensive line since he was brought in.
O'Callaghan either needs to start or light a fire under Kaczur to make him play better; like what happened last year when Jonathan Stewart mad DeAngelo Williams finally play up to his expectations.
Running Back: Sammy Morris vs. Fred Taylor vs. Laurence Maroney vs. Kevin Faulk vs. BenJarvus Green-Ellis
Edge: Either Morris or Taylor. Both are power backs, but have the speed to take it the distance. Maroney needs to step his game up or he will be out of a job at the end of the season.
Maroney can be a power back and definitely has the speed to take it the distance, but he struggles way to much at the line of scrimmage deciding which hole to run through and is often stopped at the line or behind it.
Faulk is a good third down back and pass blocker, but I don't know how much playing time he will se with the running back committee we have this year. Green-Ellis was a surprise off the practice squad last year and hope to see more of him.
Green-Ellis is similar to Morris in the fact that he is both a power back and has the speed to take it the distance. I don't know about anyone else, but he was a really good pickup for me last year in fantasy football that helped me win.
Right Guard: Stephen Neal vs. Jermail Porter
Edge: Goes to Neal. Has been the starter for years, but always seems to have a nagging injury that hampers his playing time. Neal is getting up there in age and the Patriots need a more consistent starter at right guard.
Porter is an unknown right now because he has never played football in his life, but as a collegiate wrestler he has a big upside because both Matt Light and Neal were both wrestlers in college too.
The right side of the line is really weak and it was evident in the Super Bowl loss to the Giants, after Neal went down in the first half the Giants defensive line went right through our offensive line like a knife through butter.
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