NFL Team-By-Team Previews - New England Patriots

2008 Recap

Record: 11-5 (2nd AFC East)

Best Game: Week 16, vs. Cardinals, 47-7
Though the Patriots didn't get the help they needed in order to make the playoffs, they took care of business on their end, winning the last 4 games of the season. The most dominant of these wins was a week 16 drubbing of the eventual NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals. The Patriots held Arizona to just 8 first downs and 186 yards, including only 44 yards on the ground. Matt Cassel threw for 345 yards and 3 TDs to lead the offense.

Worst Game: Week 13, vs. Steelers, 10-33
In retrospect, this was the game that knocked the Patriots out of the playoffs. The Patriots turned the ball over 5 times - to put that in perspective, they only turned the ball over 16 times in their other 15 games combined, and in no other game did they have more than two turnovers. Matt Cassel was sacked 5 times, and though the Patriots jumped out to a 10-3 lead, the Steelers scored the last 30 points of the game.

MVP: Matt Cassel
When Tom Brady went down with a knee injury, the Patriots, despite having won 18 games the previous season, seemed doomed. Cassel was no Brady, but he was a more than adequate replacement, and his 21:11 TD:INT ratio was excellent for a first-year starter.


The Offseason

Significant Losses:
-QB Matt Cassel (Traded - Chiefs) - Cassel's trade suggested that the Patriots have no lingering worries about the status of Tom Brady's knee. He joins former Patriots VP of Personnel Scott Pioli in Kansas City.
-WR Jabar Gaffney (UFA) - Gaffney also joined the Broncos in free agency. A good third option at receiver, he's consistently been good for about 40 catches per season.
-LB Mike Vrabel (Traded - Chiefs) - Vrabel and Cassel were part of the same trade that sent both of them to Kansas City for 34th overall pick in the draft. A Pro Bowler and All-Pro in 2007, he is an experienced OLB.
-CB Ellis Hobbs (Traded - Eagles) - Hobbs was traded to Philadelphia for 2 fifth-round picks. Sometimes a liability in coverage (particularly against tall receivers), he is nonetheless a quality kick returner.
-SS Rodney Harrison (Retired) - Though his skills had declined appreciably in the last couple years, and he missed more games than he played over the last 4 seasons, Harrison was one of the leaders of the Patriots defense.
-V.P. of Player Personnel Scott Pioli - Only in the last few years has Scott Pioli gained the widespread recognition he deserves for his part in building the New England dynasty. His loss may not be felt immediately, but in the long run, only the losses of Belichick or Brady would be more difficult to overcome.
-OC Josh McDaniels - Just 33 years old, McDaniels was the offensive coordinator for the Patriots from 2006 to 2008. His offense dominated the NFL in 2007, but he was thoroughly outschemed by Giants DC Steve Spagnuolo in Super Bowl XLII.

Significant Additions:
-RB Fred Taylor (UFA) - The Patriots add one of the most successful active running backs to their stable, replacing LaMont Jordan, who left in free agency. At his age, Taylor won't be expected to be a feature back, but should contribute to an already strong running game.
-WR Joey Galloway (UFA) - A replacement for the departing Gaffney, Galloway has experienced a career resurrection the last few seasons in Tampa Bay. A legitimate deep threat, he averaged over 17 yards per reception in 2006 and 2007. The presence of another proven playmaker could help free up Randy Moss in the passing game.
-WR Greg Lewis (Trade - Eagles) - Lewis was acquired in the trade that sent Ellis Hobbs to Philadelphia. While the Patriots had talented receivers in Welker and Moss last season, one thing they didn't have was depth, with only 3 true wide receivers making any significant contribution. Lewis could take the role that Stallworth had in the 2007 season.
-CB Shawn Springs (UFA) - Springs adds some experience to a secondary that otherwise has little following the departure of Rodney Harrison. As a cover corner, he is also an upgrade over Ellis Hobbs. The one uncertainty about Springs is his susceptibility to injury - he hasn't started 16 games in a season since 2000.

Draft Picks:
Round 2, Pick 2: SS Patrick Chung -- Oregon
Round 2, Pick 8: DT Ron Brace -- Boston College
Round 2, Pick 9: CB Darius Butler -- Connecticut
Round 2, Pick 26: OT Sebastian Vollmer -- Houston
Round 3, Pick 19: WR Brandon Tate -- North Carolina
Round 3, Pick 33: OLB Tyrone McKenzie -- South Florida
Round 4, Pick 23: OG Rich Ohrnberger -- Penn State
Round 6, Pick 25: LB Jake Ingram -- Hawaii
Round 6, Pick 34: DT Myron Pryor -- Kentucky
Round 7, Pick 23: QB Julian Edelman -- Kent State (Converting to WR)
Round 7, Pick 25: DT Darryl Richard -- Georgia Tech

Grade: B
Second round pick Patrick Chung is brought in to replace Rodney Harrison, though he will likely start as the third safety behind Brandon Meriweather and James Sanders. Brace and Butler are also good picks, but my favorite late round pick for the Patriots was 4th rounder Rich Ohrnberger, a hard-working guard who is a technically proficient blocker. The most puzzling pick was second rounder Sebastian Vollmer, who has potential but is generally considered a project with less-than refined blocking technique, and was probably a reach in the second round.

Training Camp Report
--Shortly after training camp started, the Patriots cut QB Matt Gutierrez and signed former Raiders QB Andrew Walter. This move was likely done in order to bring in a backup to Tom Brady with experience starting in the NFL, a lesson they learned when Brady went down in week 1 last season.
--On Thursday, August 6th, the Patriots traded draft pick(s) to the Raiders for linebacker Derrick Burgess, who will help improve a very thin linebacking corps, and potentially take the place of Mike Vrabel as a pass rushing threat from the OLB position. This move shows that they're committed to continuing to run a 3-4 defense.
--The wide receivers have impressed thus far in camp, particularly new acquisitions Joey Galloway and Greg Lewis, who have made exciting some exciting catches.
--Second round pick Sebastian Vollmer has surprised with the speed of his devlopment thus far in camp.
--Tom Brady's knee appears to be physically fine, but Mike Reiss noted in his mailbag that "I’ve noticed a few times where the pressure was coming and I thought he looked down instead of keeping his eyes down the field."
--Rookie SS Patrick Chung has impressed with his work ethic and the quality of his play in training camp.

2009 Outlook

Best Case Scenario: Tom Brady picks up where he left off in 2007, and the Patriots march up and down the field on offense. The running back platoon is as effective as it was last season, and Laurence Maroney finally plays to his potential. Burgess fills the role of pass rusher that was left vacant by Mike Vrabel, Jerod Mayo makes the rest of the linebackers look better than they are, and the secondary is vastly improved with the addition of Springs, while Brandon Meriweather finally justifies his high draft spot. Nobody important gets hurt. The Patriots cruise to a 14-2 or 15-1 season on the way to their fourth Super Bowl win of the decade.

Worst Case Scenario: Tom Brady is physically back, but is mentally stuck in 2008. He spends the first 8 games of the season uncomfortable in the pocket and afraid to plant his foot on throws. The passing game suffers. The running backs show why none of them are feature back quality, and Laurence Maroney is downgraded to a full bust. Brandon Meriweather continues to underperform, and Shawn Springs can't stay healthy, while the linebacking corps shows its lack of depth. They start out 3-6 with losses to the Jets, Ravens, Titans, Dolphins, Falcons, and Colts, and limp to a 7-9 or 8-8 finish

Prediction: 13-3, 1st AFC East