What are reasonable expectations for the Patriots

[Rondo2287]

With Brady looking healthy(ignoring the minor shoulder thing)and a platoon of good running backs with Taylor, Morris and Faulk, one of if not the best receiving core in the NFL, a good offensive line, and a mixed bag on defense, could be good could be pretty average, what do you think are reasonable expectations for this team. 

I think another 16-0 regular season isnt out of the question. 

[Fafnir]

With Brady looking healthy(ignoring the minor shoulder thing)and a platoon of good running backs with Taylor, Morris and Faulk, one of if not the best receiving core in the NFL, a good offensive line, and a mixed bag on defense, could be good could be pretty average, what do you think are reasonable expectations for this team. 

I think another 16-0 regular season isnt out of the question. 

The defense has been trending downward, I'm not sure how good it will be as they continue to turn over the personale. I don't think you can expect the offense to be as good as that record breaking year though, so another 16-0 is not going to happen.

Even that year the Pats had to get lucky in a few games to pull it out.

[Rondo2287]

I know that they had to get lucky but im asking do you think there is any team that is clear cut better than the patriots out there? Especially on their schedule? 

And while I agree there defense has been trending down but I think that is more to do with in general the defense got old, and now we had to turn over just to get young again. 

There isnt a single team in the league that the patriots cant outscore, and I think this offense could be just as good as the 16-0 year especially with Baker emerging as a more dependable TE.  And while I dont think its likely, I dont think it can be ruled out. 

[Chris]

With Brady looking healthy(ignoring the minor shoulder thing)and a platoon of good running backs with Taylor, Morris and Faulk, one of if not the best receiving core in the NFL, a good offensive line, and a mixed bag on defense, could be good could be pretty average, what do you think are reasonable expectations for this team. 

I think another 16-0 regular season isnt out of the question. 

Well, if we are talking reasonable expectations, I would say 12-4, given the inexperience on defense, and the fact that Brady is clearly still getting used to being on the field again, and not stepping into all his throws (meaning he is just a very good QB right now, instead of a great one).  However, I would not be the least bit surprised if they do go 16-0 again...I just don't think its a reasonable expectation of any team.

[ssspence]

i think 18-1 is a very reasonable expectation.

[Rondo2287]

Ssspence, you see that receiver drop the Eli Bomb the other day.  Thats a shame, he throws his one good pass a game, and surprise, without toomer or Burress, it gets dropped, just like I said.  Oh and by the way, In my 10 team fantasy league Eli went undrafted yesterday.  One team actually took two kickers over him. 

[Rondo2287]

Chris I see what your saying, but the highest paid quarterback in the league hasnt stepped into a pass since he has been in the league.  And I think Brady even at 75% is still a top 3 QB in the leauge which is a testament to the overall mediocrity of QBs in this league.  But seeing the Brady Moss connection last week against the skins makes me think those two are all you really need.  Add in Welker, this offense is going to be prolific.  If Galloway can manage to hold onto a catch we will be all the more better as well. 

[Fafnir]

i think 18-1 is a very reasonable expectation.

The Patriots already have the third best 18-1 team in NFL history, why not add the fourth!  

I look at their schedule and I think they'll win 12. Outside their division they play four tough games Baltimore/Titans/Indy/Carolina. Three at home but still I don't think they'll win all four. And the Pats division is still going to be a tough one.

[ssspence]

Ssspence, you see that receiver drop the Eli Bomb the other day.  Thats a shame, he throws his one good pass a game, and surprise, without toomer or Burress, it gets dropped, just like I said.  Oh and by the way, In my 10 team fantasy league Eli went undrafted yesterday.  One team actually took two kickers over him. 

i know! he's just terrible.

must make it all the more painful to think of that perfect season lost to the guy in a 4th quarter Super Bowl comeback. things in Foxboro really haven't been the same since, huh?

[KCattheStripe]

13-3

[ssspence]

i think the pats win 13 games this year -- assuming brady's healthy throughout.

[Rondo2287]

Faf I disagree about the Division.  Miami was a one hit wonder playing with the Wildcat.  Teams will have had all offseason to gameplan against it, and with a front four of Seymour, Wilfork, Brace, Warren they will have to pass the ball which I will take everyday of the week with pennington throwing the ball.  

Buffalo wont be a problem, the Jets will be pretty bad I think.  

And people worry about the pats defense, but being up big will put other teams into pass only situations which will make the patriots defense alot better knowing that its coming.  The 16-0 defense while good was made better by the big leads they were protecting.  

[Rondo2287]

Ssspence, you see that receiver drop the Eli Bomb the other day.  Thats a shame, he throws his one good pass a game, and surprise, without toomer or Burress, it gets dropped, just like I said.  Oh and by the way, In my 10 team fantasy league Eli went undrafted yesterday.  One team actually took two kickers over him. 

i know! he's just terrible.

must make it all the more painful to think of that perfect season lost to the guy in a 4th quarter Super Bowl comeback. things in Foxboro really haven't been the same since, huh?

Meh I dunno, the Giants defense won that game for them.  I dont think Eli had alot to do with it, he basically tried to give that game away to Asante, and the Pats couldnt capitlize.  But ya the Giants d really was phenomenal that day. 

[ssspence]

Ssspence, you see that receiver drop the Eli Bomb the other day.  Thats a shame, he throws his one good pass a game, and surprise, without toomer or Burress, it gets dropped, just like I said.  Oh and by the way, In my 10 team fantasy league Eli went undrafted yesterday.  One team actually took two kickers over him. 

i know! he's just terrible.

must make it all the more painful to think of that perfect season lost to the guy in a 4th quarter Super Bowl comeback. things in Foxboro really haven't been the same since, huh?

Meh I dunno, the Giants defense won that game for them.  I dont think Eli had alot to do with it, he basically tried to give that game away to Asante, and the Pats couldnt capitlize.  But ya the Giants d really was phenomenal that day. 

a team effort. the plays still have to be made, and he made em. meanwhile, no one would be happier if the teams met again the Super Bowl again this year than me.

[Fafnir]

Faf I disagree about the Division.  Miami was a one hit wonder playing with the Wildcat.  Teams will have had all offseason to gameplan against it, and with a front four of Seymour, Wilfork, Brace, Warren they will have to pass the ball which I will take everyday of the week with pennington throwing the ball.   

The Wildcat was only a small part of the Miami's success. I do think the Jets take a step back, but they're still at least an average team. I don't think much of Buffalo.

And people worry about the pats defense, but being up big will put other teams into pass only situations which will make the patriots defense alot better knowing that its coming.  The 16-0 defense while good was made better by the big leads they were protecting.

But that's my point, the offense won't be as good as the 16-0 year. Brady needs to come back, and years like that don't happen all the time. The offense is worse, the defense is probably worse but maybe the same. That makes me think 12-4, which is still a great season.