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.