Like Fans Everywhere, Pats Ready for Upcoming Season

It would be a repetitive action to say that the New England Patriots enter the 2012 NFL Season with the highest of aspirations, considering that that has been the case in Foxboro for the past decade. Anyone with a pair of eye balls could have spotted that the defense was the main weakness of the team, more specifically a secondary that gave up huge chunks of yards at a continued rate.

With the dynamic duo of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick back again for year No.13, and new addition Brandon Lloyd in the mix, New England expects to be amongst the leaders in offensive efficiency yet again.

With Friday August 31 the final deadline for teams around the NFL to make the annual brain hemorrhaging decision of trimming rosters down from 80 to 53, general managers around the league will have to decide what is best for their squads going forward.

The Patriots have already made a number of significant cuts, including two free agents – Jonathan Fanene and Jabar Gaffney – who were thought to be contributors this season.

Here are three players making their way up the depth chart:

QB Ryan Mallett: A first round talent with late round baggage, Mallett was nabbed by the Patriots in last year’s draft as a value pick, and as someone who could potentially become a starter down the road. Mallett has looked increasingly better this preseason than previous, and is capable of making cannon sized throws on par with other starting quarterbacks in the league. Mallett looked good against Tampa Bay August 24, firing two touchdowns on seven completions. More importantly for the former Razorback, it appears Mallett may have unseated incumbent Brady backup, Brian Hoyer, as the team’s new No.2 signal caller.

OL Dan Connolly: With injuries (Mankins, Vollmer), inconsistent play (Koppen, Solder), and one looming absence (Waters), Connolly has stepped in as one of the Patriots most important offensive lineman. His ability to play both center and guard allows for some flexibility once Brian Waters hopefully returns from his hiatus. Additionally, Dan Koppen has struggled to regain his form as a pro bowl caliber center after being sidelined nearly all of last season. Koppen lacks the flexibility to switch from his natural center position to guard.

DE Chandler Jones: To say that Jones has given the defense a jolt would be a mass understatement. The pass rushing freak out of Syracuse has immediately affirmed his position as the top defensive end, alongside Rob Ninkovich, in the Patriots new 4-3 base scheme. Already drawing unfair comparisons to the Giants Jason Pierre-Paul, Jones has looked impressive this preseason harassing opposing quarterbacks. Jones is certainly far from a finished product (this season and in his career), but his strength and tenacity will help usher in a new era and aid the loss of last year’s sack leader, Andre Carter.  

Here are three players trending down the depth chart:

Brandon Lloyd: OK, Lloyd isn’t exactly sliding down officially from his No.2 position at receiver, but his play with Brady also hasn’t left us in awe the way Randy Moss did back in 2007. The new No.85 has unfortunately played a bit like last year’s No.85, not in his ability to understand the playbook, but rather with his lack of rapport with Brady. Lloyd has only produced one catch in two preseason games, and appears a step or two off with Brady. Lloyd’s position on this team as someone who can stretch the field and make difficult plays in traffic is ultra-important for the Patriots success. With Rob Gronkowski hurt in last season’s super bowl the Giants decided to give supposed deep threat, Chad Ocho Cinco, single coverage. Brady didn’t even glance in Ocho’s direction. That trust between Lloyd and Brady has to be present this year.    

2^nd Cornerback: It’s hard to decipher preseason statistics in any sort of manner, but it has become clear that the second cornerback spot alongside the underrated Kyle Arrington, may yet again become a sore spot for this team. Ras-I Dowling, a second round pick last year with high potential and an injury case waiting to happen, missed most of last season and is struggling somewhat to stay on the field thus far. In contrast,  Devin McCourty is still trying to regain the form he had two seasons ago, in which he distinguished himself as one of the premier young corners. Last season, however, McCourty gladly escorted opposing receivers down the field, letting up huge play after huge play. Belichick hopes McCourty will take the reins beside Arrington (the team briefly flirted with the idea of McCourty at safety last season) and show Patriots fans what they saw during his rookie campaign.

OL Marcus Cannon: A bit of a surprise last season dressing in seven games, the TCU product was inserted into the preseason lineup at right tackle, as a replacement for the injured Sebastian Vollmer. Cannon’s lack of athleticism has been exposed at tackle, going up against more quick and agile defensive ends, as opposed to the beefier defensive tackles. Cannon has also been overpowered at times, a surprising occurrence considering that was supposed to be one of his strengths coming out of college. New England has to hope that Vollmer and his tender back come back to full strength and solidify the right tackle position. Cannon’s spot on the 53 man roster should be safe, providing some depth on the offensive line.   

Fantasy Stars of 2012

Top Five Fantasy Players of 2012

Tom Brady: ‘The rich get richer’.  After throwing 39 touchdowns (17 to uber-stud/meathead Rob Gronkowski), Bill Belichick brought back offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.  McDaniels was the coordinator behind 2007’s record setting offense.  To go along with McDaniels, Brandon Lloyd enters the fray as someone who can stretch the field and provide another option to go with Wes Welker, Aaron Hernandez, and Gronkowski.  Jabar Gaffney and Donte’ Stallworth will compete with Brady favorite - Deion Branch - for the final wide receiver spots. 

New England should be fine going with a running back committee of Ridley/Vereen/Woodhead, throwing in Olympic sprinter/Florida Gator Jeff Demps to spice things up.  While some of Brady’s options – namely, Welker and Gronkowski – may see a dip in production, expect Brady to be the fantasy leader by season’s end.

Aaron Rodgers: 2011’s fantasy point’s leader, Rodgers returns to the Gold and Green healthy and with the same cast as last season.  For leagues that take away points for interceptions, Rodgers six picks to 45 touchdowns last season, was pure gravy.  Cedric Benson should be a healthy upgrade over Ryan Grant, but it’s the trio of Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings, and Jermichael Finley that continue to terrorize defensive coordinators in their sleep.

The Packers 35 points per game led the NFL, and with a relatively easy schedule (they match up with the NFC West and AFC South), expect Rodgers’ ascension into the hearts of Cheese Heads to continue.

Drew Brees: A testament to the level of play and the way the game has changed, Brees slides in as the No.3 ranked player, but could easily be chosen first.  Often overlooked after Brady and Rodgers, as well as the turmoil that has surrounded the Saints, Brees’ 5,476 passing yards last season was an NFL record.  New Orleans remains a balanced attack, however.

The Saints ranked sixth in rush yards per game (133), behind teams like the Broncos, Panthers, and Eagles, which sported running quarterbacks.  Robert Meachem’s departure allows Brees favorite, Lance Moore, to step into a more consistent role.  The diminutive thunder bug, Darren Sproles, returns as the all around threat that accumulated a league leading 2,696 all-purpose yards last season.  Athletic freak Jimmy Graham enters just his third season.

Arian Foster: When Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson both went down last season, Houston switched identities, going from a pass happy offense to a ground and pound defensive team.  Leading the way rushing, despite missing three games, were Foster and his 1,841 combined rushing and receiving yards.  Some may point to the emergence of Ben Tate as a red-flag. 

Keep in mind that outside of Johnson (who hasn’t played in a full season since 2009) the Texans lack skilled receivers.  Schaub also hasn’t been a staple of good health, and has consistently looked average as a starting quarterback.  Entering his fourth year in the league (third as a starter), Foster is in line for an elite-level year as the premier running back.

Matthew Stafford: Stafford somehow fell under the radar in 2011 despite throwing for 41 touchdowns and more than 5,000 yards.  Detroit failed to produce much of a running attack last year, and with Jahvid Best likely on the PUP list, and oft-injured Kevin Smith penciled in as the starter, expect Stafford to air the pigskin out a lot.  Stafford’s 663 pass attempts last season are third on the all-time single season record list.  With all of those attempts coming, someone has to catch them for Detroit to succeed.

Enter “Megatron”.  Finishing first among receivers and 11^th overall in fantasy points, Calvin Johnson’s 6’5 frame provides the ultimate security blanket.  Detroit also plays inside comfy confines of a dome. 

Sleeper

Matt Ryan: The 10^th ranked fantasy player from 2011 remains under the radar this season, and it’s somewhat easy to recognize why.  The Falcons, expected to take a step forward, went 10-6.  Ryan, anticipated to compete as a top tier quarterback, produced similar numbers to the previous season. 

With Roddy White and Julio Jones poised to become one of the top receiving tandem in the league, Tony Gonzalez still as one of the top tight ends in the league, and Harry Douglas and Jacquizz Rodgers expected to take on bigger roles this season, the Falcons may have one of the leagues sneaky best offenses.  Perhaps Ryan’s performance in Atlanta’s playoff game against the Giants has him ranked as the 11^th best fantasy quarterback.  Consider “Matty Ice” to be a great value pick.

Fearless Predictions for a Frightening Season

The 2012 Boston Red Sox season has been tumultuous to say the least, and according to numerous baseball sources, the clubhouse could erupt into disarray at any moment.  If we haven’t witnessed “disarray” yet during one of the most agonizing seasons in recent memory, one has to wonder how these next few months will play out. 

A mishap between Manager Bobby Valentine and third baseman Will Middlebrooks recently surfaced to the media.  Valentine made a comment to Middlebrooks earlier in the season after the rookie committed a couple of errors; essentially teasing Middlebrooks in a playful manner.  Someone or someone’s went behind Valentine’s back to upper management, voicing their displeasure about the much maligned manager. 

To say that Valentine has zero control over the team is like saying ESPN Analyst Buster Olney and Valentine have a rocky relationship; it’s extremely evident.  From comments about Mike Aviles, to Kevin Youkilis, to Carl Crawford, Valentine has routinely set himself apart from his players this season.  No wonder the team is treading water at 53-53, and despite being just four games back from a wild card spot, the team’s collective malaise offers little hope for postseason play at Fenway this season.

Here are a few fearless predictions going forward:

- Bobby Valentine fails to last the rest of the season

This season reminds a bit of the disastrous 2001 season and a roster filled with overpaid stiffs (Jose Offerman, Mike Lansing, Bret Saberhagen), and a middling manager (Jimy Williams).  The difference being that the 2012 team is far and away more talented than that squad, and there is clear disdain between everyone and Valentine, whereas the main turmoil involving Williams was solely between him and ownership.

Valentine has done his best job of getting fired, showing an outright arrogance during press conferences, and recently shouting, “I’m not trying to get fired”, behind Boston Globe writer Dan Shaughnessy as he was doing pregame television work.  The comments uttered seemed to extract opposite feelings.  What manager of a major league baseball team says that to the national media (in Boston, nonetheless) without the thought, ‘Heck, I may be out the door soon; Might as well make this fun’.  There’s no chance Valentine makes it to next season, so what’s stopping Red Sox ownership from pulling the plug on the Bobby V. experiment?

- Josh Beckett and Carl Crawford get put on waivers; neither gets picked up

To say that Josh Beckett has turned into public enemy No.1 in Boston this season is highly remarkable considering who is manager is.  Beckett has accomplished this feat, distancing himself from the fans and media, all the while growing a third and fourth chin.  At 32, owed more than $30 million over the next two years, and showing awful durability issues, no other team is going to pick up his contract.

The Crawford case is one of the more frustrating one’s for the Red Sox.  He spent the previous decade terrorizing the Red Sox as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays.  Now, he’s doing the same as a member of the Red Sox.  Count me as one of the few remaining members of the Carl Crawford Fan Club.  I was ecstatic over the prospects that he could bring to this team and pairing his skills with Jacoby Ellsbury’s.  His speed, defense, and high contact rate with Tampa should have translated into success in Boston.  Instead, his speed has gone to little use, his defense has been above average at best (his elbow will probably need Tommy John Surgery), and his on-base percentage continues to hover below .300.  One team I could see making the plunge and obtaining Crawford’s services would be the Miami Marlins.  They already overpaid for a trio of free agents this offseason, and is a team continually looking to make a splash (no pun intended).  Their production out of left field has been minimal, and the new stadium caters more to Crawford’s gap-hitting game.

- Ryan Lavarnway steals starts at catcher

Whether Lavarnway takes time away from Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Kelly Shoppach remains to be seen, but it is clear that the Red Sox think something of the 24 year old prospect.  “Salty” is arbitration eligible for next season, and can become a free agent in 2014.  At 27, he should be hitting the peak of his catching career.  While twenty homeruns through 83 games thus far is a good sign, his strikeout to walk ratio is atrocious, as well as his on base percentage.  Shoppach remains an insurance policy, and a solid back up for any team.  One has to wonder why the Red Sox didn’t part with him at the trade deadline.  Lavarnway at least presents the team with some flexibility going forward as a catcher/DH.

- Adrian Gonzalez and Jon Lester make some fans forget about their disappointing seasons

Let me preface this by saying that Lester and Gonzalez are upper echelon players when healthy and right.  This season, however, they have not.  Lester, still just 28 and left-handed, has shown decreased velocity and less control this season than in years past.  He still has the ability to be an even better pitcher than he was before this season.  He’s only thrown more than 200 innings three times in his career, and while his velocity is down a bit, his game should not be predicated on how fast he throws.  Even when his fastball topped out at 95MPH, it was his location and willingness to use a full arsenal and both sides of the plate that helped him succeed.  Final Pitching Line Prediction: 11-11 4.50ERA.

If you look at Gonzalez’s numbers as a whole this season, they don’t look too bad: .302BA 10HR 62RBI through 104 games.  The alarming statistic – 10 homeruns – indicates that even though he’s playing in a ballpark catered to his swing, his power numbers are his worst since he became a full time player in 2006.  What’s even more astounding is that he used to do his work in cavernous Petco Park in San Diego.  Fearless prediction the rest of the way: .310BA 20HR 102RBI.