So you can say it may be too early to predict about any about an NFL team but with mini camp or other NFL activities coming up, the season will start sooner than later. I love not only watching NFL games, but my favorite team in the New England Patriots. Following last years tough AFC championship loss to the Denver Broncos who eventually won last years Super Bowl, the pats team will look for a chance at another Super Bowl ring in the 2016-2017 season. There's a lot to recap before this year's season opener September 11th, at Arizona. We still don't know who will be the quarterback come the opener but it'll most likely be Jimmy Garoppolo with Tom Brady have a suspension for the first four games of the year. Although fans like me might be worried with Brady possibly missing the first four games of the year, you shouldn't need to panic due to two reasons. The patriots acquired more depth offensively in the offseason like tight end Martlleus Bennett and wide receiver Chris Hogan and Nate Washington. Don't also forget the three best weapons in Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, and Danny Amendola. The second reason is because three out of the first four games are at Gillette Stadium.
Even though the season is not close to starting yet, I'm thinking that the Patriots should be in for a fun year. In the offseason, they had a tough loss as they traded away defensive end Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for guard Jonathan Cooper. This will hurt, but edge rusher Jabal Sheard who had a very good year last year should start in his place along with the other defensive end Rob Ninkovich. The defense should look very good. They'll be strong at tackles with Alan Branch and Malcom Brown. Don't be shocked if the defensive tackle from Nebraska Vincent Valentine got some snaps also. There linebackers will all be returning with versatile Jamie Collins, Donta Hightower, and Jonathan Freeny. The secondary will have almost everyone back from last year. The starters will most likely be Malcom Butler and Logan Ryan at corners with Pro Bowler Devin Mccourty and Patrick Chung at safeties. In the draft they got Cyrus Jones from Alabama. They might use him at times depending on what type of packages they will use.
The Pats offense was good last year but I believe it'll be even better this year. They got Martellus Bennett who's a huge tight end who'll be along with Rob Gronkowski making it one of the best 1-2 tight-end duos in the league. I'll be excited when it comes to down to the goal line. Also they got Chris Hogan who might be one of the most underrated pickups for the Pats. He can run for the short and deep routes. He's projected to be the number three receiver behind Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola. They also got deep threat Nate Washington who still needs to find a spot on the roster as Aaron Dobson and draft pick Malcom Mitchell will also be competing for those spots. The pats brought Legarette Blount back on a one-year deal who will be their in between back and there other back is shifty Dion Lewis who will be a key weapon with running and catching the ball out of the backfield. Their offensive tackle might be the biggest question coming into the year. The projected starters at offensive tackle will be Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer. Marcus Cannon will most likely be the backup. Their guards will be switching in and out with Josh Kline, Shaq Mason, Tre Jackson, and newly acquired Jonathan Cooper. At center we won't know who will start as Bryan Stork and David Andrews are competing during mini camp. Under center will be a question mark to start the year as we still don't know the status of Brady for the first four games. Tom Brady will be the quarterback though for the majority of the season.
To wrap things up, I'll be looking forward to this Patriots team. They should be the favorites to win the AFC east but at this point it's too early to tell. Some home games outside of the division games ill be looking to is when the Pats play the Cincinnati Bengals and a primetime super bowl rematch against the Seattle Seahawks. The away games that will be exciting games are when the Pats play the Denver Broncos and the Pittsburgh Steelers. One more thing... GO PATS!
