Training camps have wrapped up, the NFL season is right around the corner, and it's still hot as sin outside. But instead of cooling you off with a warm island song, FanHouse break out ye old heat check for our 2009 NFL Season Previews. We'll rate each club in 5 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.Without the services of All-Pro quarterback Tom Brady, the New England Patriots still managed to win 11 games in 2008, becoming the first team since the 1985 Denver Broncos to finish with 11 wins and not qualify for the playoffs. Fear not, Patriots fans, because Brady's back in 2009, along with his usual supporting cast and a number of fresh faces that should have expectations sky high in New England.
Offense -- After throwing an NFL-record 50 touchdown passes in 2007, Tom Brady didn't have a chance to throw 50 passes in 2008 before his season came to an abrupt end early in Week 1. He's back under center in 2009, and the New England offense should once again give defensive coordinators across the league headaches every week with Brady, Randy Moss, Wes Welker and a stable of running backs. The additions of Fred Taylor and Joey Galloway would have been headline moves seven years ago, but if there's a team in the NFL that can squeeze some extra miles out of such veterans, it's the Patriots (see: Rodney Harrison, Corey Dillon and Junior Seau) Heat Index: 10
Defense -- New England spent much its offseason attempting to rectify a sore spot in 2008 - the secondary. The Patriots clearly missed Asante Samuel following his free agent signing in Philadelphia, and as a result the team's pass defense dropped from its No. 6 ranking in 2007 to No. 11 in 2008, giving up nearly one-more yard per completion (6.4 in '07 as compared to 7.3 in '08) in the process. Granted, that's not a huge drop, but it was a drop nonetheless. Enter free agents Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden, and second-round draft picks Darius Butler and Patrick Chung. Mike Vrabel, Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi are no longer members of the defense, but the reigning defensive rookie of the year, Jerod Mayo, fellow second-year linebacker Gary Guyton, and athletic safety Brandon Meriweather bring some much-needed youth to the unit. Mayo looks like he's poised to be one of the best linebackers in the NFL. New England also acquired pass-rushing defensive end Derrick Burgess from Oakland in early August. Heat Index: 8
Special Teams -- Stephen Gostkowski has developed into one of the better kickers in the NFL, hitting 36 of his 40 field goal attempts during the 2008 season, while punter Chris Hanson helped the Patriots finish in the top 10 in terms of net average with a mark of 40.8. The draft-day trade of Ellis Hobbs leaves an opening in the kick return department. Rookies Julian Edelman and Patrick Chung have been leaving their mark in the punt return game so far this preseason. Heat Index: 7
Coaching -- Bill Belichick may not be well liked outside of New England, but I must admit, I can relate to guy who spends his weekends in grungy hooded sweatshirts with messed up hair. His record in New England and the the Super Bowl rings on his fingers speak for themselves. Even though the season ended without a trip to the playoffs, 2008 may have been one of the best coaching jobs of his career -- perhaps coming in second only to the 2001 season -- given the number of injuries (including the big one to Brady) the Patriots encountered over the course of the season. Heat Index: 10
New England Patriots Photos
In this June 10, 2009 photo, New England Patriots' Tedy Bruschi is seen on the field during the first day of the team's NFL football minicamp in Foxborough, Mass. According to reports from The Associated Press, Bruschi will announce his retirement at a news conference Monday, Aug. 31, 2009. A person familiar with Bruschi's decision spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made. The team declined to comment Sunday night. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
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In this Feb. 1, 2004 photo, New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi hugs the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Patriots beat the Carolina Panthers 32-29 in Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston. According to reports from The Associated Press, Bruschi will announce his retirement at a news conference Monday, Aug. 31, 2009. A person familiar with Bruschi's decision spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made. The team declined to comment Sunday night. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
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In this Feb. 1, 2004 photo, New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi hugs the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Patriots beat the Carolina Panthers 32-29 in Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston. According to reports from The Associated Press, Bruschi will announce his retirement at a news conference Monday, Aug. 31, 2009. A person familiar with Bruschi's decision spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made. The team declined to comment Sunday night. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
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In this June 10, 2009 photo, New England Patriots' Tedy Bruschi is seen on the field during the first day of the team's NFL football minicamp in Foxborough, Mass. According to reports from The Associated Press, Bruschi will announce his retirement at a news conference Monday, Aug. 31, 2009. A person familiar with Bruschi's decision spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made. The team declined to comment Sunday night. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
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in this photo taken on Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, Washington Redskins' Mike Sellers (45) is greeted by teammates after he carried the American flag, lower left, onto the field during player introductions prior to the start of a preseason NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Landover, Md. Sellers apologized for throwing the American flag to the ground during the pregame lineup introductions on Friday. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
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In this photo taken on Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, Washington Redskins' Mike Sellers carries the American flag onto the field during player introductions prior to the start of a preseason NFL football game against the New England Patriots, in Landover, Md. Sellers apologized on Saturday, Aug. 29, for throwing the American flag to the ground during the pregame lineup introductions on Friday. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
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LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Randy Moss #81 of the New England Patriots laughs with teammates while on the sideline during a preseason game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on August 28, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Randy Moss
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LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Jason Campbell #17 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after a long completion during a preseason game against the New England Patriots at FedExField on August 28, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jason Campbell
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LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Fred Taylor #21 of the New England Patriots is tackled by DeAngelo Hall #23 of the Washington Redskins during a preseason game at FedExField on August 28, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Fred Taylor;DeAngelo Hall
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LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots watches the preseason game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on August 28, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bill Belichick
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Intangibles -- With Bruschi, Vrabel and Harrison leaving, the Patriots are losing some respected veterans, but New England always seems like a team that knows its business and has a strong locker room. Nothing to worry about here. Heat Index: 9
Total Heat Index: 44/50 -- The Patriots aren't going to go 16-0 like they did two years ago, but assuming Tom Brady avoids Bernard Pollard they should be considered the favorites in the AFC East and a legitimate contender as one of the top teams in the NFL.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
is anybody forgetting the reason brady got hurt last year his o line are dinosaurs
No, his O line are not dinosaurs. Brady got hurt because the K.C. head coach trained all his players on taking the cheap shot when going after the QB. The whole K.C. organization should have been fined for that play.