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Most signs are pointing toward the Jets right now and I’m fine with that. Still, there are elements both for it and against it. 

The first game of the season is always weird and usually has little reflection on who these teams will be for the season. There’s also a lot of unknowns going against a team with a new coach. You can look back at old film and know they’re probably going to blitz a fair amount and they’ll probably use Revis/Cromartie in press man, but otherwise, especially on offense, there are some question marks.

But on the positive side, the new players and coaches are not battle-tested together yet, so there’s less chance of them playing together like a well-oiled machine. Plus, mistakes are always the deciding factors in September and you have to like you chances facing Geno Smith in the first game of the season.

Regardless of who the opponent is, the openers are always the same – clunky, usually mistake-filled, especially with missed tackles. But the Pats are at home and we know how tough to beat they are there. So whoever it is… BRING IT.

There is a bit of overlap between Chandler and Wright but not enough to really put them directly into competition. Chandler’s still closer to a “Y” tight end while Wright is more a fit for the “F” tight end spot, ala Hernandez. They can definitely co-exist and I certainly thing there’s a place for a Gronk/Chandler/Wright package in the red zone. Throw Blount and LaFell in there and, to quote Wooderson, “we’re talkin’ some f’n muscle”.

Had some Tyms vs. Dobson debate yesterday. First, Dobson showed real promise his rookie year and the injuries have been unfortunate. He deserves every chance to come in and compete for that 4th WR spot on the game day roster that Tyms had toward the end of last year.

But here’s the thing – we know Tyms has deep ball ability, it’s a standout skill. What’s Dobson’s standout skill? Good size, good speed, good hands… generally good, but what is it that’s going to set him apart? I am not sure. Is he the better all-around receiver? Probably. But is Tyms’ talent that is unlike any other receiver on the roster, enough to give him the edge.

They will be two to focus on. If you watch the Garoppolo preseason video I posted a couple weeks ago, you see plenty of Dobson and Tyms in it. I still come away thinking Tyms is the better player, at least in than sample set, where Dobson was still coming off an injury.

I’d be open to it for sure, but I think between Blount/Gray/Gaffney/White, Ridley might want to give it a whirl elsewhere. Not to say I couldn’t see him winning a role if he’s back to the back he was, but I think a fresh start for him might be in his best interest.

Free agency isn’t even a week old, but some major moves have already been made that could shift the power dynamics. The New England Patriots have won 13 of the last 15 AFC East titles with Tom Brady at quarterback, but will Brady continue his recent dominance and being the best quarterback in the league once again? Check out the odds for NFL MVP and those who might give him a challenge this season.

Here’s why Brady should once again be a favorite.

The Patriots’ passing attack is always lethal, and now, with Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Rob Gronkowski and Brandon LaFell all returning, there’s no reason to think they’ll regress now.

Third-year receiver Aaron Dobson, a second round pick in 2013, will look to make an impact after battling injuries the last two seasons. While Tim Wright, a tight end acquired in-season last year, could make a big jump with a full offseason of preparation.

The biggest impact could come from a new face in the backfield, where Shane Vereen’s departure leaves a void in the Patriots’ passing attack. Free agent Reggie Bush is one favorite who could join New England and put up some big numbers.

But perhaps most important will be solidifying the interior of the offensive line at the guard position. Veteran captain Dan Connolly is a free agent leaving a void at left guard, while Ryan Wendell, a center until 2014, performed unexpectedly well at right guard, he could also be a target for upgrade.

As Brady enters his fifteenth season with the Patriots one thing is for sure – the faces around him have all changed, but the results have not. As long as he is under center, the Patriots will be in the thick of the playoff hunt and a Super Bowl contender.

I’ve been thinking a lot about this this week and I went back and looked at some 2010/2011 film to get a sense of how they played with similar cornerbacks.

No one wants to hear about 2010, when the Pats gave up whopping amounts of yardage and were by far the worst defense on third down in the NFL. But when you start in the secondary, there are some parallels. 

The corners were Arrington, Darius Butler, Jonathan Wilhite and rookie Devin McCourty. They were backed up by a veteran safety crew of Meriweather/Sanders/McGowan and rookie Chung.

The corners currently on the roster are probably a wash, but I like the safeties much better now, with four guys all experienced in the system with good versatility. 

So as far as the secondary goes, as we sit here on March 13th, things are still probably better now than they were then. I know this is not reassuring because that pass defense was epically bad, but there are two big things to remember:

First, the biggest difference between these two teams is up front, where the talent and versatility, especially in the pass rush, is night and day than what was cobbled together in 2010. There was certainly no one even close to Chandler Jones or Jamie Collins anywhere on that team. Throw in the potential of Dominique Easley and Jabaal Sheard and there’s no comparison.

It’s been a popular point all week, that the front seven will have to be better to make up for the losses at cornerback, but at least this group looks, on paper, like they can do it.

Second, is that there are still additions to come. In 2010, they started rookie McCourty and he made the Pro Bowl. So it’s not out of the question that either a rookie or a free agent could still be added and make a big impact.

Ultimately, let’s remember that severely flawed defense went 14-2 and had the top seed in the AFC. Yes, they bowed out in an ugly loss to a Jets team that knew them very well, but they were still in good position to compete for the Super Bowl.

There’s no question that the 2015 team will be more talented on both sides of the ball, and that’s not even one week into free agency and before the draft. There’s no need to panic. They’ll make it work in the secondary and the front seven will play a big part in making sure of that.

When they first declined his option I thought he was gone, but as time goes by I’m starting to think there is a chance he comes back. Reports yesterday said he had offers from three AFC teams for about 2 years, $10 million. Not sure where the Pats fall in that range.

Obviously I’d love to see Wilfork back and they still need at least one big defensive tackle. If not him, guys like Red Bryant, Randy Starks, and Ahtyba Rubin would make sense.