PatsPropaganda

Offense:

• Wendell/Connolly – For reasons stated this entire offseason. I hope they draft both a high-round center and guard to push them.
• Ridley – Depends on how the draft goes. Technically there is no “starter” at running back, but he could lose the lead running down snaps status to a rookie, especially if he fumbles.
• Dobson – I’m really not as sold on Dobson as some people are and his offseason foot surgery hasn’t made me feel any better about him. I could see LaFell taking the starting X spot if Dobson doesn’t take significant steps forward.

Defense:

• Harmon – Not even sure he can really be called the starter at this point, but I’m pencilling him in there, though I could see an open competition with a rookie in camp. Lot of quality “robber” types in this draft.
• Arrington – I consider the nickel corner a starter but I think Arrington will be pushed by Logan Ryan. I think it’s more likely Ryan starts at nickel than he does strong safety.

At defensive tackle I certainly hope Wilfork and Kelly don’t get their spots taken from them, because if they do they’ve really gone downhill fast. We’ll leave that alone until we see if they’re out there at OTAs.

This is something I’ve brought up a lot over the years. Great example was 2011 when the Pats were thoroughly pounded by the Steelers…and lost by eight points.

This has usually been the case with Belichick’s teams, except maybe 2009 when they got smoked by the Saints on the field and on the scoreboard.

I think it really comes down to them building their team with very competitive guys who don’t give up. I know that’s kind of a cliche, but on the Patriots it’s true and it starts with Brady.

How many games last year did it seem like it was almost assured they would lose and they somehow pulled it out?

It’s just a consistent element of the complexion of this team. If you’re going to beat them you have to play perfectly and you have to put them away. Now teams often do put their best game on the field against the Pats – thing the 2012 Cardinals, 2013 Browns. That comes with the turf when everyone gets amped just to play you.

But it just goes to show that when you have a highly competitive team that is extremely well-coached and ready for any situation, it almost always takes a flawless performance to take them down, even when they’re off their game.