New England Patriots Player Analysis

Ahh, and now we come to the stuff I really know.

Tom Brady:
I need to start off by saying I despise Bernard Pollard. That said, you and I both know this largely depends on his health and how quickly he can shake off the rust, because theoretically it will have been about 15-16 months or so since he last took a snap in a real NFL game. I'm pretty confident he'll hold up fine, because he's one of the toughest, most resilient guys there is, and he's a warrior, etc. I can also tell you he won't put up 50 TDs again, and probably not even 40. This is because we (The Pats) now have some crazy 4-headed hydra monster running attack, and with Mcdaniels and his aerial attack ideas gone, I expect BB (Bill Belichick for all you fools) to run the ball alot more. I do think Brady will be the #1 or #2 fantasy QB when all is said and done; just get yourself an insurance policy on the off chance his leg isn't healed. But enjoy the ride when he absolutely destroys all your favorite teams en route to 19-0 ;P Oh, and if you're reading this, I love you Tom. But only in the mancrush sense. Send me some money. Or Gisele.


Randy Moss:
I have Moss as the #3 WR regardless of format behind AJ and Fitz. That said, I wouldn't be surprised at all if he ends up being the #1 WR with something like 1300-1500 yds and 12-16 TDs. 23 TDs is a thing of the past, but even with Cassel (who doesn't deserve such a monster contract), he still put up over 1,000 yards and 11 TDs. Draft him as a top 5 wideout, and be thankful if he somehow slips to you at pick 18 or later.


Wes Welker:
Obviously upgrade him if you're in a PPR league since he's a lock for 100+ catches. He won't have 8 TDs like in '07, but he won't have 3 like last year. I'd guess 5 since he's not a redzone threat at all, so TD leagues can find much better options. A serviceable WR2 in standard leagues, and one of the players I most admire on the Pats.


Joey Galloway:
As of now (July 19th), the 3rd WR spot is still a bit of a mystery to us Pats fans. It's most likely to go to Galloway, but if he's nicked up or whatever, Greg Lewis might take some snaps from him. Regardless, he's bench material in a deep league at best, as he'll see less targets than Welker, Moss, and probably even Faulk. Draft only as a flier for those deep TD tosses.


Sammy Morris:
And now we get to the enigma that is the Pats running back corps. As a fan, I love what's going on. As a fantasy player, you're going to hate it. Of all the backs, Sammy Morris MIGHT be most likely to get some goal line looks each game, but as of right now, who knows. Draft as a late round flier.


Fred Taylor:
I think Fred Taylor is most likely to get carries between the 20s, so he won't have much value unless another back goes down (ie, Maroney). I think he's being drafted WAY too high in a bunch of leagues, and you're drafting him again as a flier. Not much insight I can provide to the situation besides the fact that it's muddled.


Laurence Maroney:
The man with the most 'potential' of the RB group, but also the guy likely to go down with some stupid injury. If he stays healthy, he could conceivably get the majority of the carries (which might only be 40% or so). For where he's being drafted (something like 14th round in 12 teamers), he's worth a gamble.


Kevin Faulk:
PPR leagues only. Not worth a roster spot in anything 12 team or shallower, especially standard leagues. But he will probably net you 40-50 catches on the year, so a decent bye week plugin for those 16-20 team PPRs.


Ben Watson:
You'll see all this stuff saying Ben Watson has potential, that now he can focus on receiving because we brought in Alex Smith and Chris Baker, blah blah blah. Bull. Ask any Pats fan and we'll tell you he's a near bust. He definitely has potential, but if you're drafting him as your starting TE, you're probably in trouble. TE2 please.


Stephen Gostkowski makes for a great kicker in all leagues. He has a very good chance to be the #1 scoring kicker again because Brady is back, and beyond that, he's extremely solid and has a good leg. But I'm sure some idiot will draft him in the 10th round or something. Don't let that idiot be you. Kickers are kickers.


The New England D has a ton of potential to be a top notch D again. The secondary has been improved a ton with Bodden, Springs, Butler, Chung and a healthy Wheatley. And the subtraction of Deltha O'Neal...that guy was indescribably awful. Adalius is healthy again, Mayo has a year under his belt, and Shawn Crable, a guy who alot of NE fans view with a ton of potential, is healthy after being shut down all year last year. I've got them around the 8th or 9th best D this season, but again, never reach for a D.


Potential sleepers:
Not alot of 'sleeper' potential here. Greg Lewis if Galloway goes down, one of the RBs if another RB goes down. BenJarvus Green-Ellis isn't worth a pick right now barring 2-3 RB injuries, which better not happen.