Yes, but they've reached their point of maximum vulnerability now because both lines are rotting fast on them. A Brady injury this year would take them to 6-10 not float them at 11-5 like 2 years ago. The o-line is weak and if Brady goes down they're sunk. I wonder if the Warren injury means the Brady contract situation will go unsolved this season? I'd be afraid to give him a huge 6 year deal right now because the team may not be good enough to support him and justify the contract.
The Patriots have two first round picks in 2011 and one of them has a great chance of being in the top ten. They'll be able to bring in another receiver and another big time defensive player next season. ...and New England will most definitely re-sign Brady to a huge deal. He's the most clutch quarterback in the league and he's the face of that franchise. It will have nothing to do with his supporting cast.
As long as they have Brady they have a chance, the guy is arguably the best QB in the game for a reason. I stand by the thought that Brady made Belli and the Pats, I can't imagine that they'll not lock him up long term. I do however think that last year's playoff performance was the begining of the end for the dynasty. Both Jets and Dolphins potentially could be better and you have to think San Diego, Baltimore and Indy will be better. Cinci could give them problems and the Steelers always seem to have big seasons when you think they're done. At this point they're still on the cusp of a playoff spot but I think anybody thinking they have a SB run in them is just using wishful thinking. Of course that means they'll go 13-3 and win it all. That being said even if they somehow falter to 7-9 this year that would likley give them 2 picks in the top 15 although outside of a few hits Belli's drafts haven't exactly torn up the charts.
Good post, and I agree... the Patriots could end up on either end of it this year. It wouldn't surprise me to see anything from 7-9 to 12-4. There are a lot of question marks, even though #12 isn't one of them. It's unchartered territory overall though. Lots of new faces, and it depends on what kind of players guys like Mayo, Merriweather, Chung, and other guys end up being.
I think the Patriots will go 10-6, minimum, even with their injury problems. However, I can still see Belli trading down for 56 sixth-rounders or some other shit, no matter how stacked the draft is. Old habits die hard and the Pasts look for "value".
I think BB has been waiting for the slotted draft for years. If he gets one in the new CBA he'll use his high picks if he gets them.
I have a huge fucking boner for Julian Edleman. I know plenty of Pats fans/ media (cheerleaders) have been saying this, but I really think this dude is ready to blow up this year. He's elusive as fuck, has good hands, and even though he's new to being the position he's already pretty good at getting open. After looking up his college highlights though, I see no reason this guy couldn't be an absolute monster in the wildcat or at least be a serious weapon for trick plays if he lines up at running back. Dude's got a pretty nice arm, there's a couple 60 yard bombs in that vid. [YOUTUBE]Sqr-fAkrcV8[/YOUTUBE]
Agree on Edelman. He's not a very big player (6'0" 190lbs), but he is very versitile. Using him on a 'trick play' as a QB would really be something but I don't think it happens. The big problem with the Patriots will be filling in the O line due to the problems with Kazur and Mankins. Some of us are more concerned about protecting Brady than using the versitility of Edelman.
