Why does everyone think the patriots will be so godly this year? Their running game is almost non existant, Tom Brady is coming off a crippling knee injury (ala Carson Palmer in which they went from 11-5 to 8-8 to 7-9 and 4-11-1.) There is no guarantee the first time pretty boy gets dropped on by a safety blitz he doesnt crumble again. Plus on top of all of this they have a sub standard secondary and on old front 7. They are desperate enough in the run game to go pick up the ageless wonder in Fred Taylor (who I had nothing but respect for til this) I suppose I just dont see the threat. Plus their offensive line is deteroirating they gave up 48 sacks in 2008 as opposed to 21 in 2007. Someone please explain to me how they will dominate this AFC East.
There's no predicting the future, but there are counter-points to everything you wrote:
- Their running game can at minimum be as good as it was in 07, when they went undefeated. Even if Fred Taylor sucks (he didn't last year) they still have the Maroney / Morris / Faulk combo that has been good enough.
- A less-than-100% Tom Brady should still be better than Matt Cassel was...and who's to say that he won't be 100%
- Carson Palmer's knee was not the reason for Cincinatti's decline. He threw for over 4000 yds and more than 25 TD's each of the 2 seasons after his knee injury. Each injury is different anyway, so it has little meaning, but Palmer did come back strong after his injury
- Secondary SHOULD be better than last year...they got Leigh Bodden, who many here wanted, and who all here would proclaim 'the answer' if we had signed him. Shawn Springs is still a decnet player when healthy, and they have sufficient depth that he shouldn't have to play all downs. Merriweather should benefit from his playing experience.
- Front 7 isn't that old....Wilfork, Warren, Seymor are in their primes, and as good a front 3 as you'll find. Linebackers are not special, but play well in the system. Teddy Bruschi will likely be phased out during the year. Expect young LB's to be drafted.
- I think that the young inexperienced Matt Cassel had more to do with the huge jump in sacks than the line did. Teams pressure young QB's (ask Joey Porter) and if he doesn't get rid of the ball...no O-Line is going to keep him upright.
I hope you ar eright and all those weaknesses you see are true, and the Patriots go 2-14 (beating the Jets twice)....but I have a feeling they are going to be pretty good still.
