New England Patriots Don't Need Much Help on Offense

a few years ago and immediately became a cornerstone in the Patriots' offense. He has shown consistency in his running game and in his blocking ability, though he is only above average in both categories. He is the typical Patriots role-player and doesn't look to be replaced.

Behind Evans is Belichick's Navy guy, Kyle Eckel. Eckel was used sparingly last year, but will most likely make the 53-man cut. He'll primarily contribute on special teams, where he had success in the postseason.

Needs: None

Expected Cut: None

 

Wide Receiver

Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Jabar Gaffney, Chad Jackson, Kelley Washington, Sam Aiken, Matthew Slater, C.J. Jones, Robert Ortiz

Not much needs to be said about the receiving staff that includes one player who had the most receptions in the NFL last season, and another who set the NFL record for TD receptions.

Donte Stallworth will soon be forgotten in New England, thanks to the continued improvement of Jabar Gaffney (who surpassed Stallworth as the No. 3 receiver partway through last season).

The Stallworth departure also opens the door for young, underperforming WR Chad Jackson. Still trying to justify the Patriots' trading up to draft him, Jackson has been reportedly working with the first-team squad in training camp.

This comes as good news to the Pats, because he has only been wasting a roster spot for the past few seasons. To his credit, Jackson has been injured for much of his career.

Kelley Washington was amazing last year, yet he didn't catch a single pass. It turns out that being a special-teams gunner is what this guy was built for. Realizing that he was used more productively in New England, Washington chose to re-sign with the team for a much smaller contract. Don't expect to see him much in the receiving game, but I can't say he'll put up another zero-catch year.

Matthew Slater, who also moonlights as a safety, will most likely be the Patriots' primary kick and punt returner. Don't expect to see him much (if at all) at the receiver position. He had a stellar career in college returning kicks, and has been compared to Devin Hester by many NFL scouts. Slater was also the first rookie to sign a contract with the club, with the Pats inking him to a four-year deal.

Sam Aiken has been, and will continue to be, used primarily on special teams. Expectations for him are low. Don't expect much more from C.J Jones or Robert Ortiz, either. Both players will most likely be cut or signed to the practice squad.

Needs: None whatsoever

Expected Cut: Robert Ortiz and C.J Jones, with Jones re-signing as a practice-squad player

 

Tight End

Ben Watson, David Thomas, Marcus Pollard, Stephen Spach, Jonathan Stupar

Tight end is a position of some concern for the Pats. Watson and Thomas have both had recent injuries and surgeries, while newly signed Marcus Pollard showed his age last year in Seattle. However, assuming all of these tight ends stay healthy, the Patriots still need some help.

Ben Watson is a great tight end (yeah, I said great) who has gotten a bad rep. Expectations were set high when he looked to be Brady's go-to guy (over Reche "wide-eyes" Caldwell), but opponents also recognized that he was Brady's most viable option and game-planned against him accordingly.

Even though his numbers aren't bloated, Watson has skill; there's no denying it. He's fast, he can run his routes properly, and he can catch. He's improving as a blocker, but can't fight off some of the bigger pass-rushers in the game, and he's a bit injury prone. If he can step his game up a bit, he'll be one of the highest scoring TEs in the NFL in 2008.

Behind him comes David Thomas, who sat out last year with a broken foot. Although he has yet to see extended playing time, Thomas has exceptional hands (he's one of the biggest reasons Vince Young was able to look so good in college). His fault lies in his blocking ability, which I hear has been improving. If Thomas is healthy, he'll be a regular contributor in the passing game.

Next up is Marcus Pollard, who has been a receiving TE throughout his career, but developed the "dropsies" in Seattle last season. How well (or poorly) he's aged is of concern to the Pats, but he is exactly the type of player that could thrive in Belichick's "do one thing and do it well" system. I expect some good things from Pollard this season.

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