We’ve already seen Brady described as being in mid-season form. Gronk is on the practice field with no limitations. Jabar Gaffney is looking like he never left except he looks better than when he was here before. Hernandez is a super freak. Welker is still Welker. Brandon Lloyd is the one more thing. As tough as the Patriots offense was to defend in 2011 while scoring 31 points a game, now there’s one more thing. 2007. Everyone wants to know if this offense could match 2007’s record-setting offense.
Everyone is just as quick to dismiss such talk, touching wood, afraid they will jinx it.
On defense it looks more like 2001 than 2007, with the signings of solid, middle-tier free agents like Jonathan Fanene, Jake Scott, Bobby Carpenter and Steve Gregory. If these vets come through like 2001 free agents and the quartet of Chandler Jones, Dont’a Hightower, Tavon Wilson and Jake Bequette contribute, if – as early returns indicate – Ron Brace and Jermaine Cunningham dispel the whispers of “bust” and become the playmakers they were drafted to be then the Patriots will be a vastly improved defense in 2012. That’s a lot of if’s (and we could add Devin McCourty returning to his rookie form and Ras-I Dowling showing he’s not made of glass to the list) but if New England hits on just half these if’s they will be better.
As good as New England was in 2011, they are inarguably better in 2012. Better on offense. Better on defense.
Did I just say that out loud? Hey! It’s way too early to know what kind of team we’re going to have in 2012! Training camp has just started and we’ve had just one full pads practice. Everyone is 0-0-0 right now. I mean, come on! We still don’t have a lock on who will return kickoffs for this team, do we?
Besides, it looks like the Broncos will be playing the Jets in the Super Bowl this year. I know, both teams come from the AFC which makes that outcome seem unlikely but if it does happen, remember you read it here, first.
Hype Rankings
1. Denver Broncos – Peyton Manning has practiced three times and his head has not fallen off. Book your tickets to the Big Easy now and beat the rush Broncos’ fans!
2. Philadelphia Eagles – Michael Vick didn’t say the Eagles could be a dynasty; he said, “Now that ‘Dallas’ is back, why not bring ‘Dynasty’ back, too?” I for one could not agree more. I’d like to see Helena Bonham Carter as Alexis Carrington.
3. New York Jets – Mark Sanchez, now with more zip!
4. Dallas Cowboys – Tony Romo is actually an awesome quarterback – just check his advanced stats! He isn’t to blame for the Cowboys’ playoff failures; it’s been the lack of talent around him! The Cowboys have upgraded the talent around him, right?
5. New England Patriots – We’ve already had one Pigskin Pundit predict a second 16-0-0 regular season for the Brady Bunch. See above.
6. Green Bay Packers – That poop-in-the-pants performance in the 2011 playoffs was just a one off. Like the Patriots, the Packers have gotten better on paper on defense. Cheese me, baby!
7. San Francisco 49ers – If Alex Smith can throw the ball as far as Randy Moss can run, 49ers fans may have to live with hearing Smith’s and Joe Montana’s name in the same sentence.
8. Houston Texans – Matt Schaub is back, the defense is loaded and, well, who else you got in the AFC South?
9. Chicago Bears – With half of the Lions roster in jail, a playoff spot for Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall looks like a mortal lock.
10. Baltimore Ravens – Joe Flacco is elite, damn it!
Top 5
I didn't really like "We Are Young" and I'm really not sure about this concept video but I just can't resist this song...
Epilogue
I was thinking about writing about Global Climate Change in the wake of record heat, drought conditions and out of control wildfires but a friend of mine suggested that I would only cheapen the memories of those who died from the heat or being caught in the wildfires by politicizing it. So I guess the best way I can honor those who died is by saying and doing nothing. 
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