So far - despite a few (we hope) minor injuries and the usual PUP listers, despite the rain and despite the people who don’t play a psychiatrist on TV examining every gesture by Tom Brady as revelatory of some greater insight into the human condition - it’s been hard not to feel optimistic about the Patriots chances to bring home one more Lombardi Trophy.
I know, I know. It’s early. It’s camp. Still, I’m feeling pretty good. Where to begin?
The Offensive Line
By all accounts, Joe Thuney is the real deal. A starting five of Nate Solder, Thuney, off-season workout winner David Andrews, Shaq Mason and Sebastian Vollmer is sounding pretty good. If Josh Kline doesn’t push Mason for a starting spot, he can back up both guards and the center position. And there’s plenty of depth options competing for spots on the Final 53 with Bryan Stork, Tre Jackson, Ted Karras, Cameron Fleming and LaAdrian Waddle. Aside from Vollmer, they are young, deep, talented and they’ve got Dante Scarnecchia, the best offensive line coach in the business. After being the reason why New England fell short of their championship goals last year, the offensive line could be one of the strengths of this year’s roster.
Caveat: Marcus Cannon running with the 1s is a bit troubling.
Wide Receiver Depth
Even without Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola on the field, Bill Belichick has declared the “competition at receiver is probably as good as it's been” in his tenure as HC of the NWE. Aaron Dobson (stop me if you’ve heard this one before) is having a good camp, looking like the poor man’s Randy Moss we all hope he would be. Before he dinged up his shoulder, Chris Hogan was looking like he might push Amendola for a starting spot. Malcolm Mitchell is doing what rookie wide receivers aren’t supposed to do in the Patriots offense. And then there’s Keshawn Martin, who seemed like a roster lock coming into camp has barely been mentioned, along with youngsters Chris Harper, DeAndre Carter and Devin Lucien. Given Edelman’s and Amendola’s injury history, quality depth is critical and it looks like the Patriots will have it.
Caveat: Apparently Nate Washington pulled a muscle when vomiting on the first day of practice.
Quick Aside: Not that there aren’t plenty of options in the WR position group already, but am I the only one wondering why the Patriots don’t move James White - who is great catching the football but apparently cannot rush the ball without falling down behind the line of scrimmage - from running back to wide receiver?
Gronk in His Prime
It’s easy to forget Rob Gronkowski is just 27 years old. Maybe it’s the fact there is no off-season with Gronk. Maybe it’s his larger than life persona; he seems like some eternal mythic demigod who has been high-fiving fans, spiking footballs and throwing mere mortals out of the club for a decade or more. Maybe it’s the incredible numbers he’s posted, already having put himself in the conversation for greatest TE of all time.
Maybe it’s the scrambled eggs.
Whatever the reason, whatever he’s already accomplished, the best may still be yet to come. Paired with Martellus Bennett, the Patriots offense could easily generate 1,600+ yards and 20+ TD from the TE position.
Caveat: The only thing that can stop Gronk and the Black Unicorn is the fact that there are so many other options on offense. Defenses can decide to double both Gronkowski and Bennett but that’s obviously going to give opportunities to wide receivers and running backs.
I’m Not Pumping the Brakes on Jimmy Garoppolo
Yes, 2-2-0 would be just fine but I’ll be disappointed by anything less than 3-1-0.
Jimmy G is good to go. No, he isn’t Tom Brady but I’d take him over any of the other starters in the AFC East and if you’re about to give me your reasons why Ryan Fitzpatrick or Ryan Tannehill or Tyrod Taylor are better options I want you to take a deep breath and think about what you’re doing.
We’ve been watching the Ryan Fitzpatrick movie for more than a decade and it always ends the same way; with a soul-crushing, back-breaking, nut-punch interception that leaves his team short of the playoffs. If 8-8-0 will get you into the playoffs, then Ryan Tannehill is your man. Tyrod Taylor seems like a very nice man who unfortunately plays for the Buffalo Bills. Sorry, Buffalo. Cleveland has a championship now.
Josh McDaniels will game plan for Garoppolo and Jimmy G will have a veritable arsenal of weapons to choose from. He’ll be fine.
Caveat: I feel pretty good about this but I’d feel a whole lot better if I didn’t think Dion Lewis might start the season at less than 100% if not on the PUP or IR/Return lists.
The Defense Won’t Miss Chandler Jones
They’re solid at all three levels. Deep and talented at defensive tackle, proven veterans and promising youngsters on the edge. Two of the best linebackers in the NFL. Young and talented at cornerback and stacked at safety with two of the best defensive minds in the League in Bill Belichick and Matt Patricia coaching ‘em up.
Giving Ninko reps at linebacker is a hedge against injury at the one position group that lacks quality depth. I’d actually prefer keeping an extra safety to play in the box to keeping Jonathan Freeny and/or Ramon Humber. Maybe one or both of the young hybrid safety/linebackers Kamu Grugier-Hill or Elandon Roberts.
If New England can put together a passably good rushing game and give this defense a chance to catch their breath they could be a Top 5 defense.
Caveat: Injury. I hate to mention it because (a) it’s a fact of life in the NFL and (b) it’s bad juju. Let’s never speak of it again.
Tom Brady
Maybe I should thank Roger Goodell. I didn’t think there was any way Tom Brady could be more competitive, could want to win more but thanks to Goodell, I don’t believe Tom Brady has wanted anything more than to win Super Bowl 51.
So, Roger. Thanks asshole.
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