2006 Outlook

[dre_clarke]

2006 Patriots Outlook

Coaching

With Belichick at the helm you know the coaching staff will be a strong point. Josh McDaniels was basically the offensive coordinator last year, so it's not a big jump for him. He did a good job last year and should only improve with his play calling. The only problem I have with the offensive coaching is the lack of a QB's coach. I know Brady is very smart, but it couldn't hurt to have someone there focusing solely on his position.

Dean Pees moves to defensive coordinator from linebackers coach. The LB's are the core of Bill's defense, so the transition should go smoothly. The secondary will be what to watch in 2006 though. Eric Mangini was the secondary coach then the DC, and now he's gone. We'll see how Joel Collier does in his first year w/out Mangini back there.

Quarterback

Tom Brady is an elite QB. It can't get any better at the #1 spot. Matt Cassell played extremely well in preseason and limited action as a rookie. I think he can step up and be a solid backup this year. I would prefer the team not add a veteran backup. I would like to keep Brady, Cassell, and maybe Bramlet/Mortenson or another young guy. If Brady goes down, we're in trouble no matter who's backing him up. I'd rather have young guys developing than an old one sitting there.

Running Back

Corey Dillon had a rough year in 2005. Whether it was injuries or age, the addition of Maroney should help. Maroney should be good enough to give Dillon relief while adding a home run threat to the running game for the first time since... a young Curtis Martin was here. Kevin Faulk is a solid 3rd down back and receiver out of the backfield. Patrick Pass and Heath Evans add depth, but hopefully aren't needed for anything more.

Wide Receivers

Deion Branch is a great WR when he's on the field. He needs to show he can stay healthy and he needs to improve against double and triple teams. Alot hinges on Chad Jackson here. If he can step up and be our #2, we're in good shape. If not, that means Reche Caldwell, Troy Brown, or Bethel Johnson. All three have areas where they excel, but none are the all-around threats that Givens was and we need to draw coverage away from Branch.

Tight Ends

Ben Watson is an incredible athlete that I think will break out this season. He has soft hands and can run w/ anyone (see Champ Baileys INT in the playoffs and the ensuing chase). He has improved his blocking as well. Daniel Graham is a solid blocker who can get extra yards after the catch similar to Watson. His flaw is the catch itself, which doesn't always happen. Dave Thomas and Garrett Mills come in as rookies. Both are undersized for true TE's, but can add to the passing game immediately while developing in blocking.

Offensive Line

This is the area where I'm the most concerned. Matt Light and Dan Koppen are coming back from injuries. They are our 2 best OL and play the 2 most important positions on the line (LT, C) If they come back healthy, I think our line will be solid with good depth. Of they don't it could be trouble. They could be replaced in the starting lineup, but he depth would suffer seriously. Logan Mankins, Nick Kaczur, Stephen Neal, and Brandon Gorin have all showed they can start. Russ Hochstein and Gene Mruzckowski should be backups only. Rookies O'Callaghan and Stevenson will be asked to provide depth.

Defensive Line

Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, and Ty Warren make up one of the best lines in the NFL. Jarvis Green could start for most teams. Hopefully, LeKevin Smith can step ahead of Mike Wright and backup Wilfork adequately. Marquise Hill is still a project, but could get more snaps at DE. Dan Klecko and Santonio Thomas round the group out. This is the strength of the defense.

Linebacker

Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, and Rosevelt Colvin are great starting LB's. Unfortunately, we play a 3-4, so we need one more. Monty Beisel will probably start at ILB unless there's a signing. Tully Banta-Cain, Ryan Claridge, Don Davis, Eric Alexander and rookie Jeremy Mincey provide depth. We cannot afford an injury to one of the big three here without suffering greatly.

Secondary

Asante Samuel, Eric Warfield and Ellis Hobbs are solid #2 and slot CB's. Randall Gay and Chad Scott are solid backups. We could really use Ty Law back. We have the depth here, but not the top tier talent.

Eugene Wilson is a very good FS. Rodney Harrison is the key though. If he comes back healthy, it will help Wilson and the CB's. I think he'll miss half the season then come back. Artrell Hawkins played well in relief last season, but limited what Wilson and the CB's could do. Gus Scott provides depth at FS, James Sanders & Mel Mitchell at SS and Tebucky Jones at both. If the SS spot can be filled adequately during the first half of the season, I think it can set us up nicely for a playoff run when Harrison comes back in November?

Kicker

Hopefully Stephen Gostkowski steps in and wins the K spot. If not Martin Gramatica is in. Either way, it's a downgrade from Vinatieri. The best we can ask for is a minor downgrade and not a nosedive.

Punter

Josh Miller is a solid veteran punter.

Returner

With Ellis Hobbs, Bethel Johnson, and Troy Brown, we're good here. Johnson and Hobbs provide big play threats while Brown provides consistency and sure hands. Not to mention Chad Jackson, Laurence Maroney, and others have return experience.