8/9/2019 Gridiron Preview_New England Patriots

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8/9/2019 Gridiron Preview_New England Patriots

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2009 Season: 10-6, 1st in AFC East

Playoffs: Lost to Baltimore in AFC Wild-Card Round

Free Agency Additions: TE Alge Crumpler, DT Damoine Lewis, WR Torry Holt

Free Agency Subtractions: TE Ben Watson, DE Jarvis Green, LB Adalius Thomas, CBShawn Springs

2010 Draft (important picks): CB Devin McCourty, TE Rob Gronkowski, DE JermaineCunningham, LB Brandon Spikes, WR Taylor Price, TE Aaron Hernandez, P Zoltan Mesko

2009 Recap: The Patriots welcomed back QB Tom Brady, who missed most of 2008 witha knee injury, in the 2009 season. Brady won NFL Comeback Player of the Year as hethrew for 4398 yards and 28 TDs. WRs Randy Moss and Wes Welker also hadoutstanding seasons, but Welker suffered a torn ACL in the final game that puts his 2010season in question. The defense was led by LB Jerod Mayo, who also bounced back froman injury-plagued 2009, and LB Tully Banta-Cain, who had 9.5 sacks. The Patriots were 8-

0 at home, but only 2-6 on the road, including losses at Indianapolis, New York, and NewOrleans. They still won their division, but surprisingly their season ended at home, whenthe Ravens jumped to a 24-0 lead en route to a 33-14 victory in the 1st round of theplayoffs.

2010 Offense Outlook: The Patriots are a team in transition heading into 2010. Brady andMoss are in the final year of their contracts, and contentious negotiations are expected asboth will be 33 this season. Welkers ACL injury will sideline him for at least a few gamesin 2010, although he is rehabbing aggressively to avoid missing time. They signed Holt asinsurance while hoping 2nd-year pro Julian Edelman and rookie Price develop. Watson wasallowed to leave in free agency because of his inconsistency. Gronowski and Hernandezare capable receivers, while Crumpler has transitioned to an excellent blocker as he ages,but one will have to step up as a starter. The OL is in flux, as LT Matt Light continues toage and OG Logan Mankins threatens a holdout in his quest for a new contract. WithBrady no longer as mobile as he was, poor offensive line play will severely cripple theirpass-first offense. This is especially crucial as their running game continues to be a weakpoint. RB Kevin Faulk is their best option, but he will be 34 and was never a primary ballcarrier. If RB Laurence Maroney doesnt step up this season they will have to find a long-term solution in the 2011 draft, as Faulk, RB Sammy Morris, and RB Fred Taylor (if hemakes the team) are too old to rely on.

2010 Defense Outlook: The defense was fairly decent in 2009, but major changes areafoot. Stalwart DE Richard Seymour was traded before Week 1, and while the defense still

performed well overall they struggled in big games. Thomas was phased out andeventually cut, and Banta-Cain was the only player to record more than 5 sacks. SBrandon Meriweather emerged as a Pro Bowl talent, but the secondary has little else in itsfavor. McCourty should help in that area, as he is a polished senior corner. They will needto develop a pass rush, as Banta-Cain cannot be expected to repeat his 2009performance. They have many young players capable of stepping up, but they are all stillquestion marks. The re-signing of DT Vince Wilfork should keep their run defense near thetop of the league.

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2010 Schedule Outlook: The Patriots take on the AFC East, AFC North, and NFC North,as well as the 1st-place teams in the other AFC divisions. Unfortunately, this presents themwith a daunting slate of games. Right off the bat they take on two improved playoff teamsin Cincinnati and their bitter rivals the New York Jets. They need to take full advantage oftheir bye week, as it is followed with clashes against Baltimore, San Diego, and Minnesota.

There arent many areas for them to rest, as easy tiffs with Cleveland and Detroit arefollowed by games against Pittsburgh and the Jets, respectively. One advantage they willhave in many games is at coach, where Bill Belichick is one of the all-time greats. Theycant expect an 8-0 home record like last year, so they must perform better on the road.

Regular Season Prediction:10-6.

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