32 in 31: New England Patriots

Another year of 32 for 31, Sports News on Tap takes the month of August to preview the National Football League. We spend every day of the month looking at a new team and how they will fare in 2013. 

It is hard to remember if the New England Patriots had a rougher offseason in their time of being a powerhouse in the NFL. Usually, they mind their business, maybe Tom Brady gets caught dancing like a fool, but that is about it.  This year, things were completely different. The Patriots first signed Tim Tebow which went together for the national media like peanut butter and jelly. Give New England credit, the Tebow stuff has died down at least for the start of training camp; who knows what happens when he breaks a 48 yard run in preseason probably back to threat level over-excitement.  

Things went from just frantic to terrifying. In the late June, former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was charged in the murder of Odin Lloyd. While the Patriots released Hernandez 90 minutes after his arrest, the black cloud hung over the team. They were the ones faced with a majority of the Hernandez questions, but as the Patriots usually do, they handled it like the utmost gentlemen. Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and Vince Wilfork all showed why they are leaders. Hernandez will probably be a discussion in correlation with this team for at least this year, but if anyone can handle a distraction in a orange jumpsuit, it's the Patriots. 

OFFENSE 

They have some real issues going on for the first time in a long while. The biggest problem is they will not have their top five receivers back from last season. Four of them are no longer on the team and the other will be battling injury to begin the year. They are definitely different quarterbacks by style, Brady and Brett Favre have some similarities in terms of personnel.  Favre never had many big name receivers and they all worked like a turnstile. Brady has had some notable names, but most have came and went. The one Brady does have going for him in the passing game is the offensive line should be pretty stacked. Nate Soldier is a beast along with Sebastian Vollmer plus their two mainstays at guard.  The running game will also be by committee to start as Steven Ridley still recovers from his injury suffered in the final game of the season.  

DEFENSE 

The Patriots are still looking for the days of Tedy Bruschi, Ty Law and others, but they will be improved this year.  I expect big years from Dont'a Hightower and Chandler Jones both entering their second season as professionals, to create some havoc in the front seven. Jared Mayo and Wilfork are the two more consistent players on this defense. They get a full year of Aqib Talib which will definitely help them in the secondary.  They also added Adrian Wilson from the Arizona Cardinals to help their secondary out which is probably their softest spot on defense.

SPECIAL TEAMS

One of the best in the business at both kicking and punting with Stephan Gostkowski who set a franchise record last year for his accuracy rate last season at 84.4.  Zoltan Mesko can boom punts with the best of them. They also got better in the return game adding Leon Washington who can break any kick or punt.  

KEY ADDITIONS 

WR Danny Amendola, RB LeGarrette Blount, WR Michael Jenkins DT Tommy Kelly, RB/KR Leon Washington, S Adrian Wilson - If the pressure was not enough for Amedola to replace Wes Welker, he will also try to make up for the Hernandez void as well. He must stay healthy and if he does, he will be a great addition to this team. 

KEY DEPARTURES 

WR Wes Welker, WR Deion Branch, S Patrick Chung, WR Brandon Lloyd, G Donald Thomas, RB Danny Woodhead, TE Aaron Hernandez 

PATRIOTS DRAFT PICKS 

DE/LB Jamie Collins, WR Aaron Dobson, CB Logan Ryan, S Duron Harmon, WR Josh Boyce, DE Michael Buchanan, LB Steve Beauharnais - Dobson is the one to watch in this group as he is a physical freak and will be asked to contribute right away.   

GAME TO WATCH

November 24th: vs. Denver 7:30 pm (NBC) - The annual Brady-Peyton Manning game will have a little more spice with Welker returning to Foxboro. Both teams will likely be healthy and trying to shape up for the postseason. It could also be a battle for gets homefield for the playoffs. 

PREDICTION 

10 to 12 wins - They have a tough schedule facing the AFC North and NFC South, two of the better divisions in football, but the Patriots are still the Patriots. I do not expect a significant drop-off especially in the weak AFC East.  

Charlie.