Mike Dussault

Off the top of my head…

1. I think there will be some growing pains at times with the line this year. But given the last decade and the talent on the front end I have to trust they’ll be generally solid at worst. And let’s not forget this could be a 60% different line by the time we take the field against the Titans. Game shape Mankins and  healthy Vollmer alone will do wonders.
2. I like what I see on defense. They are stopping the run and Ninkovich looks strong at left end. They will be able to send athletes after the quarterback on every down.
3. Not convinced we can get the must-get yard on the ground yet.
4. Spikes is staying on the field in nickel.
5. Wilfork is vital to everything the Pats are trying to do on defense this year, and I really hope they don’t have to run him into the ground, especially on clear passing downs.
6. Gregory stabilizing the back end of the defense would be a huge plus.
7. I don’t see any way Chung stays healthy the entire season unfortunately, this Tavon Wilson could be thrust into a major role this year.
8. Our kicking game could be DOMINANT this year between Gostkowski and Mesko.
9. The Patriots played straight up vanilla on defense, the Bucs we playing a little Rocky Road. It looked like a Jets defense walk about out over there.
10. I think this will be a fun Patriots team to watch. Though they started badly they got their junk together and showed mental toughness on the road, in some heat. That’s a good quality to have, and one that they had last year. They never got rattled. That’s a good sign.
11. I think I’m going to dub this defense the “Double Nose”. More on that later this weekend.