Patriots Latest Offseason Moves Will Bring New England Super Bowl Glory

After falling to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, the New England Patriots had a lot to work on roster-wise. So far this offseason they have addressed those needs superbly and have set themselves up as Super Bowl favorites for the 2012 season.

First, New England needed to add a legitimate No. 2 receiver to take some of the pressure off No. 1 target Wes Welker. They did that by signing Brandon Lloyd to a very affordable three-year, $12 million contract. 

Then the Patriots added to their offensive line by signing guard Robert Gallery, while re-signing center Dan Koppen and guard Dan Connolly. Those moves will ensure that the interior of the team's offensive line stays strong. 

But by far the biggest priority this offseason was for the Patriots to strengthen a defense that allowed 6,577 yards in 2011 and ranked 31st in the NFL. 

New England signed safety Steve Gregory away from the San Diego Chargers. Gregory may not be an every-down safety but he was very good in passing situations with the Bolts. Then the Pats went about getting stronger up front by adding defensive linemen Trevor Scott and Jonathan Fanene. 

Then came the 2012 NFL Draft, where the Patriots got a whole lot better. In the first round (with the 21st pick) they snagged ridiculously athletic defensive end/outside linebacker Chandler Jones. The Syracuse product will step in right away and improve the team's push off the edge. With Mark Anderson off to Buffalo in free agency, adding a pass rusher was a huge need.

The Patriots then used their second first-round pick (No. 25) on Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower. Hightower is versatile enough to play all over New England's 3-4/4-3 hybrid scheme and I will be interested to see how Bill Belichick uses him.

In the second round, New England continued to improve its secondary by drafting Illinois safety Tavon Wilson, and in the third round the Patriots took another defensive end in Arkansas' Jake Bequette.

The team needed an overhaul defensively and in the draft it used its first six picks to fill holes on that side of the ball. 

New England is now a whole lot younger and more athletic defensively and has strengthened the offensive line and receiving corps. With Stevan Ridley, a healthy Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead and the recently signed Joseph Addai, the Patriots' running game should be improved as well.

Thanks to a fantastic offseason, the Patriots look poised for another Super Bowl run this season.