What are reasonable expectations for the Patriots

[Rondo2287]

No, run ofense is more important, particularly when the weather turns cold.  The run eats up clock and increases your time of possession.  Being able to run-- and to stop the other team from running-- is critical for keeping your defense off the field and well rested.

They will run the ball, three probowl linemen, Maroney, Taylor, Morris, and then the running game of short passes to Welker with the constant threat of going long to moss.  Their running game will be fine

[Brickowski]

Well yes, their "running game" is their slot receiver (Welker) plus getting Faulk one-on-one against a linebacker on 3rd down.

This approach works much less well in the red zone and in bad weather, however.

[Rondo2287]

No, Sammy Morris is pretty good in the Red Zone. As was Lawrence Maroney in 2007 which people seem to forget. 

[Evantime34]

Pass Offense: the best in the game, one of the best ever.
Run Offense: as good as it needs, to be to score in the red zone and keep the defense honest. Would much rather see them pass the ball than run the ball

Run Defense: moving to the 4-3, being able to move Warren and Seymour to the ends in that formation is going to clog running lanes ( I have read that most of their d-lineman are still playing a 2 gap style). Running straight at them will be difficult for other teams. OLB will be allowed to focus on outside contain which will improve their play.

Pass Defense: if teams pass on early downs it will be a problem, the big lineman that will be in to stop the run might have problems getting pressure ,especially from the outside, and especially from mobile qbs. If there is no pressure, the young, mediocre dbs will get exposed.

As of now teams will look to pass on the Patriots. Except for if you pass on the Pats you could get yourself into a shoot out. With the pats offense I take them 99% of the time in a shoot out.

Projected record: 13-3

[xmuscularghandix]

With the defense running a 4-3 and using our Defensive ROTY we can slow down the opposing offense, then let Brady/Moss/Welker score so we can go into a pass defense and shut them down.

13-3 and a Superbowl win. i just don't know who will be there for the NFC yet...

i'm picking Seahawks, Falcons, Vikings, and Eagles as the division winners. Not becuase any of them are that good, but because there are some pretty mediocre teams out there.

[Rondo2287]

How do you guys think Burgess is gonna get used? If he can return to anywhere near his form of a couple years ago, he could be one of the really underrated pickups of the offseason.

[yall hate]

How do you guys think Burgess is gonna get used? If he can return to anywhere near his form of a couple years ago, he could be one of the really underrated pickups of the offseason.

I can't foresee a situation where he is considered 'underrated'.  The cost to pick him up was high, especially considering that by all accounts he is going to be a part time player. 

I would assume he plays as primarily a pass rusher (he hasnt shown the ability to stop the run this preseason).  I would even say that thus far (which doesnt mean a lot), TBC has looked better than him.

[Rondo2287]

Didnt mean that he was underrated, it just seems like he doesnt get talked about alot so I think he if does well it could be a move that over the summer went under the radar

[yall hate]

Didnt mean that he was underrated, it just seems like he doesnt get talked about alot so I think he if does well it could be a move that over the summer went under the radar

right, but what I was saying is that due to the high cost, the fans will likely look at him as a disappointment unless he is outstanding (which he hasnt played like thus far - although he is still learning the system).

I also question how 'under the radar' it was (we may use different definitions) but it was talked about as a a possibility as far back as the draft, and kept coming off and on. 

I think his season will be a success if he ends with 8 sacks, and I think he has a good shot at ending in the 6-10 range.

[Eja117]

I admit at the time this came out I probably would have said 16-0 or something like that.

It's an interesting thread to go back and take a look at.

A lot of 13-3.

A 14-2

[PosImpos]

I admit at the time this came out I probably would have said 16-0 or something like that.

It's an interesting thread to go back and take a look at.

A lot of 13-3.

A 14-2

Yeah.  Right now I'll be really happy with 11-5 and a home win in the first round of the playoffs...I won't be surprised if we end 9-7 and lose the first round. 

I think we'll probably make the playoffs, but we aren't going anywhere.

[Bahku]

As we've witnessed recently, it's not always the best record that ensures a championship ... but this defense is just so dispirited and full of holes, and it's affecting the whole team. Brady is also out of sorts and more injured than he lets on. It's not over 'til it's over, but I'd be surprised if we get very deep, (but I'll keep crossing my fingers ... I've seen miracles from Tom before).