Throwdowns > Closed

JimJ77 RIP Mil Town Pride said 08/08, 05:59 PM
My pick is of course the New England Patriots

The Pats are coming off a 14-2 regular season last year. The offense remains intact and they have upgraded the WR position with the addition of Ochocinco. Tom Brady guides the NFL's highest scoring unit, and is in the prime of his career.

The Tight Ends, Gronkowski and Hernandez should be improved, as the biggest leap for an NFL player is in between years 1 and 2. I look for the offense to be as potent as ever.

The additions of Haynesworth, Carter, Ellis will only strengthen the D line as they join Vince Wilfork who is one of the best in the business. With the team transitioning to more of a 4-3 defense this will free up LBs Mayo and Guyton to roam and make plays with their speed. Spikes is a thumper in the middle and will bring a physicality to the defense they need.

In the back end, McCourty proved last season that he will be a top corner for many seasons to come. The #1 corner from the year before, Bodden is back in the fold. Add in Chung and Meriweather and the Pats are strong in the secondary.

The Pats are still the class of the division, and it will be tough for the Jets to make up 3 games on them this year.

JimJ77 RIP Mil Town Pride said 08/09, 06:48 PM
The Pats have Green-Ellis returning who rushed for over a 1,000 yards and was 2nd in the NFL with 13 rushing TD's. They also bring back Woodhead who had a combined 926 yards and 6 TD's.

The Pats went out and drafted Vareen in the 2nd and Ridley in the 3rd round. They also re-signed both Morris and Faulk, and are hoping 1 hangs on and fills out the RB depth.

The Pats were 9th in rushing offense and 2nd in rushing TD's, so I do not see the necessity in bringing another back in.

As much as I liked Crumpler he became expendable with the emergence of Gronkowski and Hernandez last season. The drafting of Lee Smith, who has shown flashes in camp with his hands and blocking also was the death knell for Crumpler.

Also Gronk showed last season that he is a savage as a blocking TE. Something Smith is also known for.

The offense led the NFL in scoring last season and remain pretty much intact. Money being allocated to the defense was the Pats top priority, not the 4th RB or 3rd TE on the depth chart. Its obvious the Pats are filling those positions with youth, which is the smart move to make.

All in all I like what the Pats have on offense. The best offense in the AFC East.

JimJ77 RIP Mil Town Pride said 08/10, 02:57 PM
13 fumbles for Green-Eillis? He has zero for his career. He takes care of the ball and runs hard.

The Pats are a pass first team, so a guy like Vareen would make more sense for their offense than Ingram. Also, I don't value RB's that highly, and the Pats do not draft them in the 1st round. They are fine at RB.

Like I stated previously, the defense was the primary concern, especially the front 7. They've gone out and addressed the D line by picking up guys like Haynerworth, Ellis, and Carter. With the team moving to more of a 4-3 look, LB depth becomes less of a worry. Mayo is a stud, Spikes, Guyton, Cunningham, and Nincovich are solid players.

The secondary is strong with McCourty who is a top flight corner, and Bodden returning. I look for Chung to step up his game again, to pair aside Meriweather. Ras-I Dowling was drafted with the 33rd pick and provides depth.

The Pats will be in the hunt as always. They were 14-2 last season, which was a little over their heads but have improved the team, especially the defense.

I think they drop off to a 13-3 or 12-4 record but still win the AFC East, and will have a stronger team heading into the playoffs than last season.