After a solid draft by the New England Patriots, they seem to be ready to go for the 2011 season.
One of the biggest needs for the Patriots entering the draft was a quality pass-rusher, and many were surprised that they did not invest one of their 3 early picks in one. While many fans are still distraught about this, other positions on the field were addressed in the best way possible.
Nate Solder, the first pick by the team at No. 17 overall, was by far the best lineman for the Patriots in the entire draft, and as long as Marcus Cannon (the other lineman drafted by the Pats in the fifth round) makes a full recovery from his cancer, the Patriots could very well have the best line in the league for years to come.
Another pick that looks like a good one is Ras-I Dowling. Dowling was one of the best corners in the entire draft, but his value slipped a little bit after being sideline part of his senior season with a foot injury. If he plays up to his potential, the Patriots may have the best Cornerback- trio in the entire NFL.
Perhaps the pick that is being talked about the most by the whole NFL is the Patriots selection of Ryan Mallett, one of the most talented quarterbacks in the draft. Fans have been confused. Tom Brady, the Pats current QB, still has 4 years on his contract and is arguably the best QB of all-time. So why did the Patriots draft another one with such high potential? Simple- to groom him as Brady’s eventual successor. It’s a genius pick. While other quarterbacks get thrust into the game way too early in their careers, Mallett will have time to learn from Brady for years to come. Best case scenario- everything works out, and in 5 years or so when Brady retires, Mallet steps into his shoes and proves himself as the perfect replacement. Worst case scenario- things don’t go as planned and the Patriots trade him for a high draft pick. Either way, it works (though I think all fans would prefer option 1).
On a side note, the Patriots also drafted 2 running backs to compliment Green-Elis and Woodhead, so it seems like bill Belichick is looking for another offense like 2007.
So now that the draft is over, and the 2011 schedule has been released, it’s time to make a few fun predictions about the Patriots upcoming season.
Week 1: Patriots at Dolphins
Prediction: Patriots win, 31-17. Now that the Patriots have even more weapons on offense, there is no way they do not continue their regular season streak of at least 30 points a game, especially during Monday Night Football.
Week 2: Patriots vs. Chargers
Prediction: Patriots win, 27-24. Games vs. the Chargers are always close, but somehow the Patriots always seem to get the win. I don’t see that changing this year.
Week 3: Patriots at Bills
Prediction: Patriots win, 35-14. The Patriots have had the Bills number for years, and the Bills have done nothing this offseason to “wow” me yet.
Week 4: Patriots at Raiders
Prediction: Patriots win, 34-20. As long as the Patriots can stop Darren Mcfadden and Jacoby Ford, this should be a pretty easy victory. But that’s easier said than done.
Week 5: Patriots vs. Jets
Prediction: Patriots win, 41-24. This is a big home-game for the Pats. They will avenge their loss and they will take control early.
Week 6: Patriots vs. Cowboys
Prediction: Cowboys win, 31-28. This is the upset of the week. The Patriots are too young of a team to start a season 5-0 without getting over-confident. The Cowboys have Tony Romo back, so this could be a shocker in Foxboro.
Week 8 (Week 7 is a bye week): Patriots at Steelers
Prediction: Patriots win, 37- 27. Brady and the Patriots have made the Steelers look silly as of late, especially at Heinz field.
Week 9: Patriots vs. Giants
Prediction: Patriots win, 38-35. I’m calling a repeat of the last time the Pats and Giants played in the regular season- the game that by the end the Pats were the first team to ever go 16-0. This time they avenge their Super Bowl loss, and get a morale-boosting win.
Week 10: Patriots at Jets
Prediction: Jets win, 28-24. It’s hard to beat New York 2 weeks in a row, and even harder to sweep the Jets for the entire year. No matter how you look at it, odds are that the Patriots will split their series for the third year in a row.
Week 11: Patriots vs. Chiefs
Prediction: Patriots win, 34-24. This is the big game where Cassel comes home, but sorry Chiefs, Brady is the master while Cassel is still the apprentice.
Week 12: Patriots at Eagles
Prediction: Eagles win, 28-21. In a potential Super Bowl matchup, Vick gets the best of the Pats while The Patriots offense struggles for the first time all season.
Week 13: Patriots vs. Colts
Prediction: Patriots win, 38-34. In the most anticipated game of each season, the Patriots bounce back from losing 2 out of their last 3 games in a big way against their out-of-division rivals.
Week 14: Patriots at Redskins
Prediction: Patriots win, 35-7. This will be a blowout. The Redskins still have a lot of questions surrounding their team, and this game doesn’t help their chances at a playoff run.
Week 15: Patriots at Broncos
Prediction: Patriots win, 27-13. For some reason, the Broncos always seem to get the best of the Pats, but not this time. This time, the better team wins.
Week 16: Patriots vs. Dolphins
Prediction: Patriots win, 31-27. This game will be closer than the first matchup between the 2, but the Pats win the game at the end of the day and clinch the division yet again.
Week 17: Patriots vs. Bills
Prediction: Patriots win, 38-17. The Patriots end their season with a blowout win against the Bills and prepare for another trip to the playoffs with a record of 13-3 and a first round bye.
Of course, these are only petty predictions, and in the end nothing can be predicted perfectly, but no one can deny the fact that on paper the Pats look extremely good for the 2011 season. Hopefully, they can live up to the hype and all of the expectations.
Source: ESPN.com