PatsPropaganda

That’s a great question and a debate that will probably go on for a while. It’s easy to say Edelman right now because he did what Welker didn’t – came through in the clutch in the Super Bowl. Yes, it’s easy to remember the drop in Super Bowl 46, but it’s also easy to forget Welker would’ve been the MVP of Super Bowl 42 had the defense gotten a stop.

I think Welker proved it over a little longer time than Edelman has at this point, where Edelman has really only had two seasons of being an elite receiver. But athletically Edelman is the better player, especially with his explosiveness on punt returns.

I just don’t want to minimize what Welker meant to the Pats from 2007-2012, especially given what Welker did without great size or speed. But there is so much to love about Edelman as we’ve seen him develop from a 7th-round college QB into a guy making the Super Bowl-winning touchdown catch.

If Edelman continues at this level for a couple more seasons, he’ll probably be the clear choice. But right now I’d say it’s pretty neck-and-neck.

I think today’s new piece at Athlon sums is all up. In short, they just don’t value cornerbacks, especially not enough to give one of them a lucrative long-term deal. They’re fine working with guys on their rookie deals or veterans on league minimum deals. Every now and then they’ll splurge on a one-year deal for someone really good – see Revis 2013 or Samuel 2007. But rarely is anyone getting over $4 million-per-year.

On offense just start with LaFell, Edelman and Gronk. Those are the three who they’ll rely on the most. But the final two weapon spots are really fascinating. Of course, the running backs are very much up in the air, especially who will be the passing back.

Then you have the next line of Amendola, Wright and Chandler. Obviously a big power set is very much in the mix, especially if Amendola proves to be better than Tim Wright, who is now getting a full offseason to develop with the playbook.

On defense I think what we’ve seen the last two years is skewing expectations because of the loss of Mayo and the lack of depth at defensive end. That forced them into six man fronts almost 75 percent of the time with Hightower and Collins just serving as the nickel linebackers.

Now, with Mayo back and a legit third option at DE in Sheard, and a few more talented young guys who could work in, the Pats have some options. Let’s remember early last year they were pulling Ninkovich off for Arrington in nickel, so that shows they might prefer to move Hightower to the edge with Mayo available.

What would I like to see?

Easley in a Wilfork-esque role where he’ll be placed over the worst pass block offensive linemen every week. By the same token, I’d use a combo of Siliga/Branch/Brown as the run-deterrent version of that.

I want to see Hightower on the line in passing situations where he has more chance to rush the passer while Mayo is more in coverage. Collins should be the all-over-the-place linebacker depending on the matchups. 

Offensively I’d love to see the three tight end package with Gronk-Chandler-Wright, especially in the red zone. How many teams have the size to matchup with those three? Throw in LaFell (6′2″) and Cadet (6′1″) and that is a scary fivesome.

Nah, I think he’ll stay at safety unless things go horribly and they have no choice to move him back. Still, he’ll see some coverage time against tight ends like he did last year. I am very curious how things at the safety position come together, specifically if Chung’s snaps take a dip for Harmon’s coverage skills and how Jordan Richards fits in. Does it come at the price of Tavon Wilson and/or Nate Ebner?