War Room Team Preview: Patriots
Posted: Monday August 17, 1998 05:51 PM
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Clouded future: Will Drew Bledsoe (right) and the Patriots be in a fog without Curtis Martin (left) in the backfield? Al Bello/Allsport |
Head coach Pete Carroll and his staff did a solid job in 1997 with a
talented Patriot team, after taking over from Bill Parcells and the
circus-like atmosphere that marked his departure to the New York Jets. This group of
players now has Carroll's stamp. If they are still healthy and focused,
they could be a playoff force in 1998.
Injuries held them back a year ago, but they had what appears to be a great
draft for a team that does not have a lot of glaring needs. They now have
arguably the best depth in the NFL and a lot of weapons on both sides of
the ball.
Parcells gave the Patriots a lot in his desire to get RB Curtis Martin, and if the
players selected by the Patriots become producers, this will go down as one
of the most interesting trades in recent NFL memory. Parcells is obviously
counting on the Patriots not to have the ability to select the right
players with these picks.
The key to New England's success in 1998 will be QB Drew Bledsoe. He will now
be under the tutelage of well-respected offensive coordinator Ernie
Zampese. That should result in more consistency from Bledsoe. Talented but
often-injured WR Terry
Glenn needs to return to his rookie form, as he gives the Pats a great
deep threat and adds to the vertical passing game. The chances of Glenn
staying healthy for an entire season are not likely, but the Pats have
other weapons that they can use.
New England will miss RB Martin, but the Patriots are very comfortable with
their rookie first-round pick, Robert Edwards. Edwards
certainly has enough talent if he can stay healthy, and he could be the key
to a solid run game. Whoever runs the football will do it behind a strong
and underrated OL that has developed into one of the best in the NFL.
Defensively, the Patriots are solid in all spots, although they could use a
little help in their front four and would probably like to have a better
pass rush up front. They have a lot of depth, athleticism and versatility.
They appear to be playing with a lot of confidence, with no major holes or
glaring needs. They could walk away with the AFC East and become a
legitimate Super Bowl contender. This is a team that nobody will want to
play late in the season and it is an organization that is going in the
right direction. Off-season acquisitions
Free agency
FB Tony Carter (UFA,
Chicago) -- Will be asked to replace Sam Gash and Keith Byars and will need to
block, catch and carry the ball. A big job, but he is an interesting guy.
WR Brian Stablein (UFA,
Indianapolis) -- A possession-type WR that is good over the middle and is
very steady, catching all types of passes. No deep speed, but solid back-up
guy and can even fill in as a punt returner.
The draft (with round, overall pick and school)
RB Robert Edwards (D1-18, Georgia) -- As of right now he is
the starter ... he has a lot of big-play capabilities and is a threat to go
the distance any time he touches the ball ... can he stay healthy though?
He is running behind a quality OL.
S Tebucky Jones (D1-22, Syracuse) -- Will likely contribute
in nickel and dime package as a rookie ... he only played one year in the
secondary at Syracuse, so is still a little bit raw ... big-play guy who
should excel in this defense ... will get first shot at cornerback.
WR Tony Simmons (D2-52, Wisconsin) -- Big WR with 4.3 speed
... didn't have a productive senior season ... has to become more physical
... Patriots hope he can step up and become a big play guy when Terry Glenn
goes down with one of his injuries in '98 ... great speed, but questionable
route runner ... had a good camp.
TE Rod Rutledge (D2-54, Alabama) -- Has good size and is a
better blocker than receiver at this time ... will be No. 3 TE behind
Coates and Purnell, who are better receivers than blockers ... will be used
in two TE sets on run downs.
RB Chris Floyd (D3-81, Michigan) -- Wasn't really featured
in the Wolverine offense, but can carry the ball from the HB spot ... he's
an excellent lead blocker and will clear the way for a young RB corps ...
better receiver than many realize and good on special teams.
DE Greg Spires (D3-83, Florida State) -- Undersized DE that
really flashes, but lack of height really makes him a risk ... he may even
convert to an OLB, although he's always been an upfield guy ... probably
fits best as a 34 OLB, but will step in as a backup situational pass rusher
for Pats ... they like his production and think he can be a good role
player.
DT Leonta Rheams (D4-115, Houston) -- Somewhat unknown
player that wasn't real high on many draft boards ... he has good overall
athletic ability and movement, but he's not very big and physical at the
point of attack ... will need to improve one-gap pass rush skills or will
get eaten up as a two gap guy, with his lack of size ... Patriot coaches
like this guy, but he may be somewhat of a long shot unless he flashes as a
pass rusher.
MLB Ron Merkerson (D5-145, Colorado) -- Great physical
specimen that could be a gem if he plays up to his potential ... can play
inside or outside, but has missed a lot of time with injuries ... has
skills to dominate and will get first look as backup MLB to Ted Johnson ... must stay
healthy and improve consistency.
RB Harold Shaw (D6-176, Southern Mississippi) -- Mixed
reviews on this guy ... some people loved him and others did not know
anything about him ... tough, hard-nosed guy that will battle for every
yard, but he's mostly a straight-liner with marginal moves and elusiveness
... he may actually fit more in a FB type role and could contribute on
special teams ... has shot to stick because of toughness.
C Jason Anderson (D7-211, BYU) -- Massive guy that has some
versatility ... can play T, G and C and even has some experience as a long
snapper ... not a finished product by any means and not a dominating
player, but versatility, size and snapping skills give him a chance to fit
in somewhere. Best off-season moves
Trading Curtis Martin to the New York Jets for several draft picks may reap
huge rewards for the Patriots. If rookie RB Robert Edwards can stay
healthy, he will make the Pats forget Martin, and if New England makes the
right selections with the picks they have obtained, it could become the
biggest one-sided trade since Dallas sent Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings for a
gaggle of future picks in 1989. Team needs
1. DT -- A lot of bodies in this group, including Henry Thomas and Mark Wheeler, but Pats
lack inside pass rusher ... mostly a run defender group that needs a
penetrator.
2. OLB -- Excellent starters in Chris Slade and Ferric Collons, but thin
in overall depth with the exception of pass rusher Tedy Bruschi ... need
young athletic bodies.
3. OT -- Solid starters in LOT Bruce Armstrong and ROT Zefross Moss, but young
backups are raw and unproven ... if the youngsters develop, this will not
be as critical a need.
4. DE -- Willie
McGinest is special, but it is not a great pass-rush group... Pats need
speedy edge-rusher to create more big plays.
5. RB -- Dave Meggett is gone and Pats need to replace him with good young
matchup guy that can double as return guy ... don't have solid third-down
back on roster.
6. CB -- Last year's starter, Jimmy Hitchcock, is gone.
If Steve Israel doesn't
step up, that could create a huge hole ... the other cornerback, Ty Law, is solid ...
rookie first-round pick Tebucky Jones will
actually get a strong look at corner, but he is more suited to be safety.
7. C -- Starter Dave
Wohlabaugh is steady and backup Heath Irwin could help in
pinch ... another inside versatile player would be a bonus.
8. QB -- The 1-2 punch of Drew Bledsoe and Scott Zolak is excellent,
but Pats need young QB to develop as a No. 3. 1998 keys to success
1. Terrific talent and depth needs to jell and play with consistency.
2. DL needs to put pressure on QB and create big plays to take pressure off
back seven.
3. OL must adjust to new offensive wrinkles and must increase intensity of
play.
4. WR Terry Glenn must stay healthy and focused to give Pats a big-play
offensive deep threat.
5. Pats must fill RB void left by departed Curtis Martin ... is rookie
Edwards the answer? War Room forecast
This team is quickly developing into an elite NFL franchise. They should
semi-dominate the improving AFC East. Although there are some question
marks in their run game, they are a talented group on both sides of the
ball, and there are a lot of big-play performers on this football team.
This should be a team that will be hitting on all cylinders by mid-season,
and it is likely that everybody else in the AFC East will be playing for a
wild card berth.
War Room prediction: 12-4. The War Room is offering up
daily team previews throughout the preseason. Check back on Tuesday for a
look at Bill Parcells and the New York Jets.
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