Phanatical
Official Daunte Hater
from phins.com website:
http://afceastreport.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=106
By Craig Natale
September 6th, 2006
The Patriots kick off their 2006 season at home against the Bills on Sunday a vastly different team than the one that self-destructed against Denver in the Divisional Playoffs some 8 months ago.
Gone are 17 veterans, headlined by Adam Vinatieri, Willie McGinest, David Givens, Christian Fauria, and Tom Ashworth. The 30% roster turnover from a team that has led the NFL in wins the past 5 seasons provides further evidence that the Patriots never rest on their laurels and refuse to deviate from their very successful personnel approach.
Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli have made their share of personnel mistakes in the past- but three Championships in five years is proof they are right far more often than they are wrong- and while the Patriots begin the 2006 season lacking depth at the ILB position and without a legitimate #1 receiver (thanks to the Deion Branch hold out/debacle) a closer look at this team reveals superior depth at many other positions.
Let’s start up front with what is unquestionably the best Offensive Line the Patriots have had since Hog Hannah and Co. helped lead the NFL in rushing some 20 years ago. With LT Matt Light and C Dan Koppen healthy again and joining mauler RG Steven Neal and impressive 2nd year LG Logan Mankins; the Patriots boast a young, versatile and deep line. The Patriots stole their starting RT in the 5th round this year in rookie behemoth Ryan O’Callaghan, who at 6’8" and 330 pounds may even keep his job when swing tackle Nick Kaczur returns from injury.
Perhaps no greater contrast exists in the talent and depth of last years team to 2006 when one looks at the Patriots running backs. When all three of their running backs got hurt in 2005 (Dillon, Faulk and Pass) the Patriots were forced to sign three street free agents (Amos Zeroue, Mike Cloud and Heath Evans) just to compete.
By drafting Laurence Maroney with their first pick last April, the Patriots did more than add depth to the RB position- they added their back of the future. Despite only 20 carries this pre-season, it’s abundantly clear Maroney has a burst and vision that hasn’t been seen in the New England, ever. While no one is comparing him to Curtis Martin- the 4th leading rusher in the history of the NFL- Maroney is quicker, faster and heavier than Martin ever was. Whether he can be a complete back like Martin, remains to be seen.
With Branch’s hold-out and legitimate concern at the WR position, the Patriots traded a 5th round pick in next year’s draft to Oakland for 6’2" 215 pound Doug Gabriel who joins Troy Brown, Reche Caldwell and rookie 2nd round pick Chad Jackson in what has to be considered one of the weakest WR corps in the NFL.
Fortunately, The Pats have proven they can win without a true #1 WR as no Patriot has caught 80 passes or 1000 yards of passes from Tom Brady since 2002 (Brown). Brady enjoys spreading the ball around and should routinely connect with as many as 10 pass catchers each week between the receivers, RB’s and their now very deep and talented group of TE’s.
Ben Watson has been doing his best Antonio Gates impression since the latter part of 2005 and was a match-up nightmare this pre-season. Combined with Daniel Graham and rookies 3rd rounder David Thomas and 4th rounder Garret Mills, the TE position should easily combine for 80 catches and 1000 yards this season.
With Tom Brady at the helm, New England’s quarterbacks are set as the Patriots are one of 9 teams ready to start the 2006 season with only 2 QB’s on the active roster. This pre-season, backup Matt Cassel displayed his myriad talents both running and passing and the Patriots confidence in him is obvious.
Defensively, the Patriots strength is in the trenches as perennial pro-bowler Richard Seymour, steady DE Ty Warren and two gap specialist Vince Wilfork comprise the leagues top three man front averaging nearly 6’5" and 320 pounds per man.
The Patriots trade for former first round DT Jonathan Sullivan will add depth as Sullivan is already performing better in the two-gap, 3-4 than he did in the penetrating one gap style in New Orleans. Former 2nd rounder Marquise Hill has been a bust and surprised many by making the final 53 man roster heading into week one.
2nd year DL Mike Wright has continued to surprise, first as a rookie free agent DT in 2005 and this year as a versatile DE, sharing snaps with DE Jarvis Green in the defensive line rotation. Rookie 6th round DT LeKevin Smith made the team but won’t see many snaps if everyone remains healthy.
With Tedy Bruschi sidelined for the first few weeks of the season the Patriots signed future Hall of Famer Junior Seau in what they hope will be spot duty on obvious run downs early in the year. If Seau gets 25 snaps a game, it will be 10 too many.
Roosevelt Colvin and Mike Vrabel continue to be the consummate professionals on the linebacking corps; while OLB Tully Banta-Cain seems ready to emerge as a play maker following a strong camp rushing the passer. 6’5" 250 pound rookie Pierre Woods (Mich St) was one of the surprises of camp and actually beat out 6th round draft pick Jeremy Mincey and veterans Chad Brown and Monty Beisel to make the final roster while special teamers Lary Izzo, Don Davis and Eric Alexander round out the thin corps of linebackers.
The secondary will start rehabbing Rodney Harrison at strong safety, Eugene Wilson at FS and the up and coming Ellis Hobbs at CB. Asante Samuel had perhaps his best camp ever and mans the other corner spot. Hobbs has a chance to be a special player as he was lauded for his play as a rookie a year ago.
2nd year S James Sanders, veteran CB Chad Scott, CB/S Artrell Hawkins and former street Free Agent CB Randall Gay round out the secondary with 7th rounder Willie Andrews slated for special teams and kick return duty. Sanders in particular has grown by leaps and bounds since his rookie 2005 campaign and should emerge this year as a valued member of the secondary.
Rookie K Stephen Gostkowski was 9-9 this pre-season in FG attempts, including a booming 54-yarder against the Giants. Gostkowski can never replace Vinatieri, but he has already shown that he has a stronger leg. The Pats brass is hoping for an extra 4 or 5 yards of field position after each kick-off between his extra length and hang time.
In summary, the Patriots are talented and deep along the offensive line, at TE and RB and the hope is that those three units can overcome the poor WR corps and help Tom Brady surgically pick apart opposing defenses.
Any additional injuries at WR or LB could be devastating and if they can avoid those hideous injuries that have plagued them in the past, a 12-4 record and 4th straight Divisional Title should be well within reach.
natalysis@yahoo.com
He made some good points but man, what a homer. Notice he doesn't mention the weak secondary, that ranked dead last in the NFL last year, that the Patsies have done little to upgrade. Culpepper and co. should be able to put up some major points against that weak unit.
GO PHINS~!:dolphins:
http://afceastreport.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=106
2006 Patriots Preview
By Craig Natale
September 6th, 2006
The Patriots kick off their 2006 season at home against the Bills on Sunday a vastly different team than the one that self-destructed against Denver in the Divisional Playoffs some 8 months ago.
Gone are 17 veterans, headlined by Adam Vinatieri, Willie McGinest, David Givens, Christian Fauria, and Tom Ashworth. The 30% roster turnover from a team that has led the NFL in wins the past 5 seasons provides further evidence that the Patriots never rest on their laurels and refuse to deviate from their very successful personnel approach.
Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli have made their share of personnel mistakes in the past- but three Championships in five years is proof they are right far more often than they are wrong- and while the Patriots begin the 2006 season lacking depth at the ILB position and without a legitimate #1 receiver (thanks to the Deion Branch hold out/debacle) a closer look at this team reveals superior depth at many other positions.
Let’s start up front with what is unquestionably the best Offensive Line the Patriots have had since Hog Hannah and Co. helped lead the NFL in rushing some 20 years ago. With LT Matt Light and C Dan Koppen healthy again and joining mauler RG Steven Neal and impressive 2nd year LG Logan Mankins; the Patriots boast a young, versatile and deep line. The Patriots stole their starting RT in the 5th round this year in rookie behemoth Ryan O’Callaghan, who at 6’8" and 330 pounds may even keep his job when swing tackle Nick Kaczur returns from injury.
Perhaps no greater contrast exists in the talent and depth of last years team to 2006 when one looks at the Patriots running backs. When all three of their running backs got hurt in 2005 (Dillon, Faulk and Pass) the Patriots were forced to sign three street free agents (Amos Zeroue, Mike Cloud and Heath Evans) just to compete.
By drafting Laurence Maroney with their first pick last April, the Patriots did more than add depth to the RB position- they added their back of the future. Despite only 20 carries this pre-season, it’s abundantly clear Maroney has a burst and vision that hasn’t been seen in the New England, ever. While no one is comparing him to Curtis Martin- the 4th leading rusher in the history of the NFL- Maroney is quicker, faster and heavier than Martin ever was. Whether he can be a complete back like Martin, remains to be seen.
With Branch’s hold-out and legitimate concern at the WR position, the Patriots traded a 5th round pick in next year’s draft to Oakland for 6’2" 215 pound Doug Gabriel who joins Troy Brown, Reche Caldwell and rookie 2nd round pick Chad Jackson in what has to be considered one of the weakest WR corps in the NFL.
Fortunately, The Pats have proven they can win without a true #1 WR as no Patriot has caught 80 passes or 1000 yards of passes from Tom Brady since 2002 (Brown). Brady enjoys spreading the ball around and should routinely connect with as many as 10 pass catchers each week between the receivers, RB’s and their now very deep and talented group of TE’s.
Ben Watson has been doing his best Antonio Gates impression since the latter part of 2005 and was a match-up nightmare this pre-season. Combined with Daniel Graham and rookies 3rd rounder David Thomas and 4th rounder Garret Mills, the TE position should easily combine for 80 catches and 1000 yards this season.
With Tom Brady at the helm, New England’s quarterbacks are set as the Patriots are one of 9 teams ready to start the 2006 season with only 2 QB’s on the active roster. This pre-season, backup Matt Cassel displayed his myriad talents both running and passing and the Patriots confidence in him is obvious.
Defensively, the Patriots strength is in the trenches as perennial pro-bowler Richard Seymour, steady DE Ty Warren and two gap specialist Vince Wilfork comprise the leagues top three man front averaging nearly 6’5" and 320 pounds per man.
The Patriots trade for former first round DT Jonathan Sullivan will add depth as Sullivan is already performing better in the two-gap, 3-4 than he did in the penetrating one gap style in New Orleans. Former 2nd rounder Marquise Hill has been a bust and surprised many by making the final 53 man roster heading into week one.
2nd year DL Mike Wright has continued to surprise, first as a rookie free agent DT in 2005 and this year as a versatile DE, sharing snaps with DE Jarvis Green in the defensive line rotation. Rookie 6th round DT LeKevin Smith made the team but won’t see many snaps if everyone remains healthy.
With Tedy Bruschi sidelined for the first few weeks of the season the Patriots signed future Hall of Famer Junior Seau in what they hope will be spot duty on obvious run downs early in the year. If Seau gets 25 snaps a game, it will be 10 too many.
Roosevelt Colvin and Mike Vrabel continue to be the consummate professionals on the linebacking corps; while OLB Tully Banta-Cain seems ready to emerge as a play maker following a strong camp rushing the passer. 6’5" 250 pound rookie Pierre Woods (Mich St) was one of the surprises of camp and actually beat out 6th round draft pick Jeremy Mincey and veterans Chad Brown and Monty Beisel to make the final roster while special teamers Lary Izzo, Don Davis and Eric Alexander round out the thin corps of linebackers.
The secondary will start rehabbing Rodney Harrison at strong safety, Eugene Wilson at FS and the up and coming Ellis Hobbs at CB. Asante Samuel had perhaps his best camp ever and mans the other corner spot. Hobbs has a chance to be a special player as he was lauded for his play as a rookie a year ago.
2nd year S James Sanders, veteran CB Chad Scott, CB/S Artrell Hawkins and former street Free Agent CB Randall Gay round out the secondary with 7th rounder Willie Andrews slated for special teams and kick return duty. Sanders in particular has grown by leaps and bounds since his rookie 2005 campaign and should emerge this year as a valued member of the secondary.
Rookie K Stephen Gostkowski was 9-9 this pre-season in FG attempts, including a booming 54-yarder against the Giants. Gostkowski can never replace Vinatieri, but he has already shown that he has a stronger leg. The Pats brass is hoping for an extra 4 or 5 yards of field position after each kick-off between his extra length and hang time.
In summary, the Patriots are talented and deep along the offensive line, at TE and RB and the hope is that those three units can overcome the poor WR corps and help Tom Brady surgically pick apart opposing defenses.
Any additional injuries at WR or LB could be devastating and if they can avoid those hideous injuries that have plagued them in the past, a 12-4 record and 4th straight Divisional Title should be well within reach.
natalysis@yahoo.com
He made some good points but man, what a homer. Notice he doesn't mention the weak secondary, that ranked dead last in the NFL last year, that the Patsies have done little to upgrade. Culpepper and co. should be able to put up some major points against that weak unit.
GO PHINS~!:dolphins:
