I went to add an appointment to my calendar this morning and came to the frightening realization that the month of July is upon us. The flipping of the calendar normally gets me positively giddy, as the countdown to football officially begins.
This year, it’s a process akin to the old reference from “The Simpsons” in the “Mr. Plow” episode. Don’t tell me that you can’t recall the connection between waiting and playing “Hungry Hungry Hippo.”
In years past, I’d be poring through travel options and training camp schedules while counting down the days until my road trip. For now, I’m staring at a bunch of TBDs and waiting for the ink to dry on a ratified CBA.
In the interim, I’m making a preliminary assessment of teams across the NFL. This time out, I put the microscope on the Patriots.
Quarterback
What is there to say? Tom Brady has passed for at least 3,529 yards in each of his past eight complete NFL seasons. His 2010 efforts were positively mind-boggling, as Brady passed for 3,900 yards with 36 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Brady’s output was made even more impressive by the fact that he operated without a true No. 1 receiver. He deployed multiple options and two-tight end sets to produce his most efficient campaign to date. Brady is expected to be fully recovered from offseason surgery to correct a stress fracture.
Brian Hoyer has appeared in five games in each of the past two seasons. He remains the backup while rookie Ryan Mallett acclimates to the NFL.
Offensive Line
Guard Logan Mankins, who held out for the first half of the 2010 season, was tendered with a franchise tag by the Patriots for 2011. He reported to the team last November at the behest of the NFLPA. Will he hold out again?
Veteran center Dan Koppen (working on the final year of a six-year contract) returns to anchor the Patriots’ line, which surrendered only 25 sacks and kept Tom Brady upright to work his magic. New England selected left tackle Nate Solder, a 6-foot-8 behemoth from Colorado, in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He may replace longtime starter Matt Light, who is slated to be a free agent.
Running Back
It’s not quite a backfield in line with those of the Shanahans, but Bill Belichick has been known to mix and match players and shuffle workloads with the best of them. In 2010, the Patriots leaned heavily on BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who piled up 229 carries to lead the team (nine games with at least 16 carries). Fantasy superhero Danny Woodhead carried the ball 97 times and caught 34 passes.
The Patriots clouded the running back scenario by selecting two new options in this April’s NFL Draft. Shane Vereen was selected in the second round out of California. Vereen amassed over 2,000 rushing yards with 25 touchdowns in his final two seasons with the Bears. He also proved to be a capable receiver out of the backfield by accruing 74 receptions. Vereen’s arrival may signal the end of veteran Kevin Faulk’s run with the team.
New England went right back into the pool for a power back in LSU’s Stevan Ridley. Ridley rushed for 1,147 yards with 15 touchdowns in 2010. He compares favorably with Green-Ellis in terms of his tough-nosed running style.
Wide Receiver
The Patroits made a surprising, albeit effective, switch in philosophy during the 2010 season when the team dealt Randy Moss to Minnesota. Left without a proven deep threat, the team embraced a two-tight end approach and reacquired former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch. Of course, the ultra-efficient possession hero Wes Welker (86 receptions) remained Tom Brady’s anchor in the receiving corps.
Branch caught 48 passes following his reacquisition for 706 yards with five touchdowns. He also caught five passes with a touchdown in the Patriots’ playoff loss. He afforded Brady a reliable downfield threat while Brandon Tate grew into the role. Tate finished the season with 24 receptions for 432 yards and three touchdowns in his second NFL season. He’s a super sleeper option for 2011 for the always-efficient New England offense.
Tight End
The Patriots deployed a truly remarkable set of rookie right ends during the 2010 season. They complemented one another perfectly and kept the Patriots’ offensive machine rolling (first in the NFL at 32.4 points per game). Aaron Hernandez became an immediate PPR hero with his 45 receptions. Rob Gronkowski nearly matched that total with 42 receptions of his own and hauled in 10 touchdowns.
Kicker
Stephen Gostkowski ended the 2010 season on injured reserve because of a torn quadriceps muscle. He was on pace to challenge his previous career scoring mark, as Gostkowski had registered 56 points in eight games (10-of-13 field goal attempts and 26 PATs). Gostkowski had piled up 125 or more points in three consecutive seasons.
I suspect that the Patriots bring another kicker into camp while Bill Belichick and company assess Gostkowski’s game-readiness. Shayne Graham served as the team’s kicker for the second half of the 2010 season, converting 35-of-37 PATs and 12 field goals.
Defense/ST
Longtime readers of my work know of my man-crush on players like Haloti Ngata, Casey Hampton and Vince Wilfork. In the past, I’ve spoken, with the utmost respect intended, of Wilfork swallowing opposing runners. The Patriots ranked 11th against the run in 2010 at 108 rushing yards allowed per game (10 touchdowns).
New England ranked eighth in total defense, allowing 19.6 points per game. This impressive output was attained because of the immediate contributions offered by linebacker Brandon Spikes and left cornerbacks Devin McCourty. Spikes amassed 61 tackles, while McCourty racked up 82 tackles and seven interceptions. Add to those budding stars the perpetual brilliance of linebacker Jerod Mayo, who piled up 174 tackles in 2010, and you have the base for another fantastic season.
