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The 2008 football season ended in a similar fashion to how it started way back in September. With the officials failing to make the proper call. You probably remember the Chargers and Broncos incident and now, in the biggest game of the season, the refs did not even review the last play of the game where Kurt Warner was said to fumble the ball. Well, news flash, he didn’t fumble. Patriots fans know the tuck rule pretty well, and that was a forward pass. Still, it wouldn’t have mattered, but that’s not the point.
With the 2008 season in the books, there is one thing on a sports fans minds. That being the start of off-season activities. Sure, we could count down to spring training but I’m sorry, baseball doesn’t do it for me. For the Patriots, this off-season will be very, very intriguing. Hell, it already has been. When is the last time you saw a team lose this many coaches in one off-season? Josh McDaniels (Denver), Dom Capers (Packers), Brad Seely (Seattle), and Pete Manguarian (Bucaneers) are left from the coaching staff and we can’t forget about the biggest loss in the Belichick era here in New England, Scott Pioli, who took the Kansas City Chiefs job.
So, let’s highlight some players and some things to watch this off-season.
1.) The QB Situation: News broke a couple of days ago that the Patriots have placed the franchise tag on Matt Cassel, making him the highest paid Patriots player on the entire team. Due to make 14 million dollars next season, Cassel will most likely find himself wearing a different uniform come September as the Patriots simply can’t afford to keep both he and Brady this season. It’s bad enough that as of right now the Patriots really can’t sign any above serviceable free agents like a; Dunta Robinson, Jabari Greer, Devery Henderson, ect. Therefore it is imperative for the Patriots to shop Cassel and shop him quick. On the other end of the spectrum you have Tom Brady. All indications point to Brady being 100% come opening kickoff, however, it’s unclear whether or not he will be able to participate in training camp. Although there is a slight worry that Brady will not be his old self, knowing Brady, he will train that much harder and be that much more prepared, mentally and physically, so he doesn’t lose a step. It would be nice if Brady could claim the closest parking spot to Gillette Stadium this season, again. That spot is given to the player who works the hardest in off-season workouts; it was Brady’s for years before Logan Mankins took it over this past season. Either way, this should be fun to watch.
2.) Oldies: Rodney Harrison, Tedy Bruschi, Junior Seau, Mike Vrabel, to name a few have some decisions to make on whether or not they will be back with the Patriots next season. Harrison indicates he would like to play again and Bruschi did the same, but at what point do you have to cut your old ties? I’m sure Harrison could still be a solid player even though he is horrid in coverage, but then you have to look at a guy like Bruschi. His play has been declining ever since his stroke and to be honest it’s painful to watch him play. Moving on to the other aging linebacker, Seau, Patriots coach Bill Belichick will probably tell Seau to have his cell phone on just in case the Patriots LB corps is riddled with injuries again, so you never know, but it’s unlikely for him to return. Last but not least, Vrabel. You may be asking yourself why he’s even on this list. Well, even though I don’t see him retiring, there’s a question whether or not the Patriots even decide to retain him. Now, he's not a free agent, but it is not out of the question for the Patriots to release Vrabel. With that, I could see a similar case of what happened to Rosevelt Colvin last season play out here. Vrabel was terrible, for a lack of better words, last season and because of his inept ability to create a pass rush on the outside, the defense suffered. The incredible decline of Vrabel just hammers home the point of acquiring that speed, rush backer, that this team needs. And, if that’s the case, where does Vrabel fit in?
3.) The NFL Draft: No team in the league may be in better position to improve their team more than the Patriots. With a host of picks within the first 100, the Patriots are in prime position to add youth to their defense while looking to draft another dynamic offensive player. As of right now the Patriots have one first round pick, two second round picks, and a third. However, the Patriots will most likely receive another third round pick for Asante Samuel compensation, and with a Cassel trade you could be looking at two picks in each of the first three rounds. The Patriots don’t have many needs, but they can still use upgrades in a lot of positions.
CB: The Patriots would be better off addressing this position in free agency as they drafted Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite a year ago. But, if they decided to improve the position in the draft there is certainly a couple of guys that catch my eye. Two of them beings; D.J Moore (Vanderbilt), and Sean Smith (Utah).
OLB: Guys like Aaron Maybin (Penn State), Larry English (Northern Illinois), Clint Sintim (Virginia), Clay Matthews (USC), and Brian Cushing (USC) are all viable options for the Patriots at pick 23 in this draft. Adding a speed pass rusher is key in this draft.
ILB: Do the Patriots feel safe with Gary Guyton on the inside with Jerod Mayo? If so, then the position will not be addressed, if not, look for the Patriots to take an inside linebacker relatively high in April.
WR: Depth is needed here. Plus, Jabar Gaffney isn’t all that great anyways. In the third round there will be some solid receiver for the taking, but will the Patriots bite? Some players will included; Demetrius Byrd (LSU), Derrick Williams (Penn State), Kenny McKinley (South Carolina), Jarrett Dillard (Rice), and Mike Wallace (Ole Miss).
OT: Nick Kaczur is a solid starter but the Patriots could use an upgrade over him. Plus, being 30 years old next season, drafting a young player seems in the works.
We could also look at the whole coaching situation and talk about Nick Caserio and Floyd Reese, but we’ll keep it at this for now. Because, ladies and gentlemen, there is a lot of time from now until the start of the 2009 season.
Welcome to the off-season, folks.
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Saturday, 07 February 2009
The 2008 football season ended in a similar fashion to how it started way back in September. With the officials failing to...
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