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Originally Posted by GBBob
I am as far from a fan of their's as possible, but I think people are writing off the Patriots a little too easily
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Im not. But the days of walking into the season and having the Pats pencilled in as the easy favorites in the division are over. The aura is gone. When receivers use to go over the middle, they had to worry about guys like Bruschi underneath and Harrison over the top. Dirty or not, those guys brought fear. They made plays. They sold out for the team. What do you have now? Overpriced system guys like Adalius thomas that just don't fit. You have no edge rushers and you have no real run stoppers beside wilfork.
On offense, there is no one left in the backfield that can hurt you. Taylor is done. Maroney just isnt very good. Morris is a complete mediocrity at best. Which brings us to the line. They are old and getting older. I saw some pretty serious protection issues on sunday and you cant scheme your way out of being physically overmatched.
Brady is still brady. Belichick is still belichick and Kraft still has money that he will spend. At the same time, they need a really good draft and a couple of really solid signings and/or trades to contend. And even that may not be enough in a division that is only going to be tougher next year.