Off the top of my head…
- 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.
- 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.
- Not convinced we can get the must-get yard on the ground yet.
- Spikes is staying on the field in nickel.
- 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.
- Gregory stabilizing the back end of the defense would be a huge plus.
- 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.
- Our kicking game could be DOMINANT this year between Gostkowski and Mesko.
- 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.
- 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.
- I think I’m going to dub this defense the “Double Nose”. More on that later this weekend.
