AFC East Preview: The Pats Are Back

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AFC EAST

Opponents—(NFC South, AFC South)—NE (BAL, DEN)—BUF (KC, CLE)—MIA (SD, PIT)—NYJ (OAK, CIN)

(1 - Every division plays one division from the other conference. 2 - Every division plays one division from the same conference. 3 - The remaining eight teams in the conference are split amongst the divisional teams [referred to as variable games])

New England Patriots

Offense: They return the same offensive line for the third consecutive year,  helping the offense maintain continuity.  They also added depth to the position by drafting 6'8" Sebastian Vollmer, who can play guard and tackle, in the second round of this past year’s draft. 

Also returning are Randy Moss and Wes Welker to the receiver positions, and they will be supported in the WR corps this season by Joey Galloway (TB) and Greg Lewis (PHI).

They will miss Jabar Gaffney, an underrated third receiver.  Gaffney had built a solid chemistry with Brady since joining the Pats in the middle of the 2006 season.  

In the '07 season, Gaffney had 24 receptions and 4 touchdowns between Weeks 11 and 16.   Also, 2006 season’s playoffs, Gaffney had 18 catches in the first two games.

The tight end position welcomes two new veteran additions to the mix, Chris Baker (NYJ) and Alex Smith (TB).  Both Baker and Smith, and fourth-year man David Thomas, will compete, presumably, for the No. 2 TE slot behind Benjamin Watson. 

At running back, the Pats added one new guy to the mix, Fred Taylor (formerly of JAX).  It’s unclear who will start and, most likely, playing time will be distributed among all of NE's backs (Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, Laurence Maroney, and Taylor).

The biggest news for the offense is the return of Tom Brady.  Brady looks healthy so far this offseason.  He is backed up by Andrew Walter (OAK) and second year man Kevin O’Connell.

Look for the offense to continue to put up numbers, even with the loss of Josh McDaniels.  The offense will be the same, spread style of attack, so expect Faulk to receive the bulk of the plays as the receiving/third down back.  The Pats will need either Galloway or Lewis to step up as defenses key on Moss and Welker.  If neither can, quarterback-turned-receiver Julian Edelman and Mathew Slater appear to be their only competition, and neither have real NFL experience.

Defense: For the sixth straight year, the Pats will have the same three starting on the defense line.  Richard Seymour, Ty Warren and Vince Wilfork (all first round picks) have been constants on an otherwise revolving door of players on defense. 

Wilfork is in negotiations with the Pats about extending his deal, and although it is unlikely, if he were to be traded, expect Ron Brace to replace him at nose tackle.

At linebacker, the Pats have two sure things—second-year man Jerod Mayo and Adalius Thomas.  Tedy Bruschi will most likely share time with second-year man Gary Guyton at MLB as Bruschi continues to age.

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