Patriots' Moves Could Make Them Team to Beat in AFC
The New England Patriots seem to have inched ahead of the Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers as the favorite in the AFC entering next season.
The Patriots had a near-miss loss to the Colts in last season's AFC title game after upsetting the Chargers in San Diego in a conference semifinal. Since then, the Patriots have added versatile linebacker Adalius Thomas, cornerback Tory James, tight end Kyle Brady and wide receivers Donte Stallworth, Wes Welker and Kelley Washington.
It's been an offseason of subtractions for the Colts, who have lost tailback Dominic Rhodes, wide receiver Brandon Stokley, linebacker Cato June, cornerback Nick Harper, safety Mike Doss and defensive tackle Montae Reagor. The Chargers have done a better job keeping their roster intact but did make an abrupt coaching change, firing Marty Schottenheimer and bringing in Norv Turner.
All three clubs remain NFL heavyweights. But the Patriots have done more to improve themselves this offseason. And there's more to come, given that they have two first-round picks in the draft.
By Mark Maske |
April 18, 2007; 10:41 AM ET
| Category:
Patriots
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Posted by: PatsFan | April 18, 2007 12:36 PM
As a Colts fan, I still say Indy is the team to beat. Yes we say they lost alot but their rushing game was suppose to suffer last year after lossing James and they found a way with their rotating back field. On offense they will always be deadly and their defense could be a little better if the players they plugged in can step up and make plays like Rob Morris did they will be fine. Not disrespecting any other team, I think the Colts are still there.
Posted by: ColtsFan | April 18, 2007 2:44 PM
They are what we thought they were!
IF YOU WANT TO CROWN THEM JUST CROWN THEM !!!
Posted by: D. Green | April 18, 2007 2:59 PM
Big names don't make champions....See 2004,2005,2006 editions of the Redskins....
Posted by: NOLANDAVIS | April 19, 2007 8:51 AM
Indy is the team to beat because they're the incumbent champ. That's how it is, no matter how great free agency was for you, otherwise the Skins would be handed superbowl every year except this one.
The list of players that the Colts lost aren't exactly impressive names. A bunch of defensive players who will be backups elsewhere (except June, who is a good tampa-2 LB). They still have their OL, top two receivers, Peyton Manning, and a kid named Addai that turned out to be a good RB.
While the Pats had a good offseason on defense, on O they added a couple third rate receivers and an injury prone (but very good) Stallworth. You can say they're the team to beat, but the new roster hasn't even set foot on grass to prove itself yet.
Nevermind getting to December and seeing who's injured, who's slumping, and who's having a career year.
Posted by: EaglesFan | April 20, 2007 10:21 AM
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I'd put the Pats and Chargers at the top of the NFL heap right now, but as the Pats barss always says, no one wins Lombardi trophies in April.
The O-line and D-line are still in place from last season, the offensive backfield is status quo (Morris for Dillon), the receivers are much improved (until hammies start bursting in August), and we still have the free world's best quarterback.
Thomas was a huge addition at linebacker, but we're still old and slow in the defensive backfield. I still can see this defense giving up too many points to a clicking Colts offense. But I also see us scoring more points against the Colts or Bolts.
I have faith in the Pats brass to pick quality football players in a couple weeks who will have an impact right away, especially in the defensive backfield. After decades of misery, it's good to be a Pats fan. Thank you Bob Kraft.