After Ted Johnson and Roman Phifer retired, the middle linebacker spot alongside Teddy Bruschi was a noticeable weakness in the Pats defense, on the run in particular. Monty Beisel and Chad Brown were both flops, and while Mike Vrabel’s transition to the middle helped a great deal, his talent as an edge rusher being removed from the equation had an adverse affect on the bottom line. During this period, Tully Banta-Cain was able to get a lot more reps and did indeed emerge as a starting NFL linebacker, though only for a little while, as he is now a 49er. The first piece that appeared to fit perfectly within the scheme was Junior Seau.
His ability to angle and time his attack was what allowed him such success in spite of his age, and in witnessing his ability to improve with every game, it was clear that Seau naturally embodied the the mix of toughness and intelligence needed to excel in Belichick’s defensive scheme. It seemed obvious to me that he had plenty left in the tank, and so today’s news confirming his return to New England for another year was more comforting than surprising. We have our 1st and 2nd down inside linebacker to play beside Bruschi once again, and with Rosevelt Colvin, Mike Vrabel and Adelius Thomas all healthy and in the mix, it’s looking to be a long year for opposing offenses…quarterbacks especially! Though what I’m mostly impressed by when it comes to Junior’s game, is his insatiable lust for disruption.
This influx of disruption is why I’m equally as excited about Seau coming back as I am about all ‘The New Patriots‘, and can hardly wait to see him right up on the line that first time, reading the snap count, blowing through the offensive line and smashing his first running back in the mouth for a loss. This play in particular probably equaled a killed drive per game last season. Combine that with the level of energy Seau brings on the field and on the sideline…it’s the kind of thing that makes my head gush serotonin. Which it is right now, just from thinking about it! (Source)
Key point to walk away with: Randy Moss will get most of the press coverage in terms of players brought in for the super bowl run this year, but the re-signing of Junior Seau may in fact prove to be more crucial to our success than the trade for Moss OR the signing of Thomas. At the end of the season we’ll see if I’m right.
The better reciever acqasition may be Stallworth, but just the idea that opponents will have to respect the Patriots receiving corp should do wonders for the offense.
As for the Broncos I think this year may be the curse of Jake, they were 7 and 3 when they benched him and they did not even make the playoffs, I am betting they go 9 and 7 with a quick platoff exit. Yeah I am bitter about the whole Jake thing
Jake the Snake was horrible last year. The only reason the Broncos were 7-3 with him under center was that their defense largely hadn’t been exposed at that point, plus the Broncos were just plain lucky in several of those games. Jake’s offense was almost as bad as the Raiders’ offense. Jay Cutler was a much better quarterback in both the preseason and regular season, and he’ll be better this year.
The Patriots should be the team to be beat this year, with a decent receiving corps and the best quarterback in football (no, folks; it ain’t Peyton Manning). I was bitterly disappointed when New England ran out of time against Indy last year; if Tom Brady had had good receivers, Peyton Manning never would’ve gotten the chance to come back in that game.
Don’t think the Bronco’s were going anywhere with Plummer.
Brady better than Manning? Not sure.
Patriots team better than Colts team? They look like it right now. Would not want to be defending Stallworth and Moss at the same time.
I don’t get how Cutler gets hoisted up like this so early on. How Denver loses to San Fran that last weekend of the season, I’ll never know.
It is downright frightening the way Denver’s front seven plays in the first half of the season, yet by the end something seems to break down…whether it’s injury or fatigue, I’m not sure. But I never really considered Plummer to be the type of QB that could be relied on…kind of like Favre, he’s always had a knack for throwing picks at the wrong time.
I’m wondering whether Indy is ready for what we’ve got for them this time. We’re staying on the field this year, and Peyton’d better enjoy that one ring, because it’s the last he’s getting!
Moss and Stallworth will get the most attention, but if there’s a better slot receiver in the league than Wes Welker, I didn’t see whoever it was playing in the NFL last year! You put 4 wide with Welker and Brown in the slots, Faulk in the backfield…that’s a hard thing to fathom with Brady making the throws!
How can you pay adequate attention to Donte and Randy when you’ve got Welker and Brown both making your zone coverage useless at the same time? And what about Ben Watson running up that seam with the safeties playing Brady’s eyes as he pump fakes to one side? I can see that offense we brought out vs. Minnesotta last year showing itself more often this year, and the draw play just sucking the soul out of every defense we face.
“I don’t get how Cutler gets hoisted up like this so early on. How Denver loses to San Fran that last weekend of the season, I’ll never know.”
I wasn’t too surprised the Broncos lost that game; they have a nasty habit of losing games they should win. Part of the reason the Broncos lost that game is that Shanahan kept running the ball with those two bums Mike and Tatum Bell (2 or 3 yds per carry) instead of having Cutler throw it. As for hoisting up Jay Cutler, I’m not comparing him to Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, or Carson Palmer at this point. After enduring Griese and Plummer, though, it’s nice to have a quarterback who can actually throw a football.
“It is downright frightening the way Denver’s front seven plays in the first half of the season, yet by the end something seems to break down…whether it’s injury or fatigue, I’m not sure.”
The problem, I think, is that teams eventually figured us out, and Larry Coyer always stuck to his gameplan whether it was working or not. It doesn’t matter how good you are if you’re too predictable.
“Peyton’d better enjoy that one ring, because it’s the last he’s getting!”
I sure hope so. I resent the claim that Peyton Manning is better than Tom Brady. Tom Brady has to win the Super Bowl every year to make people believe that he really is the NFL’s best quarterback, yet Peyton Manning can choke every year in the playoffs (when it actually matters) and still be considered the best. I don’t care if you throw for 80 TDs and 10,000 yds per season, it doesn’t matter unless you win when it counts. To date, Peyton Manning has ONE Super Bowl Ring in nine seasons, while Tom Brady has THREE Super Bowl Rings in six years as a starter.