Analysis: offenseIf coordinator Josh McDaniels is losing sleep over his unit, it's because he is occupied with two thoughts: Do
Tom Brady and
Danny Amendola have chemistry? And how can I make sure these guys stay healthy?
New England relies on short-to-intermediate passes with multiple guys as the option on any given play, and it has made the tight end a big part of the offense. The only problem is that the majority of Brady's potential pass catchers have an injury history.
Quarterbacks: Brady will turn 36 during training camp. His age is a concern for many, who speak of the metaphorical window closing on his career and of his desire to sneak in one more Lombardi Trophy before he retires.
By his own standards, Brady in 2012 was about where he usually is: His completion percentage dipped a couple of points, and his yards-per-attempt average was down a bit as well, but his touchdowns-to-interception ratio was nearly 4:1. And after an offseason extension that will potentially keep him around through 2017, New England doesn't appear to have concerns.
When Brady finally does retire, will his successor be
Ryan Mallett? The Patriots used a third-round pick on Mallett in 2011. In training camp last summer, he was still very much a work-in-progress, holding the ball too long and lacking touch on shorter passes, but word is he made strides in practice during the season. He is the only other quarterback on the roster, an indication the Patriots are at least comfortable with him as backup.
The Patriots added Tim Tebow this week, ostensibly as the No. 3. Reunited with McDaniels, who drafted him in Denver, Tebow will get the opportunity to develop his still-raw skills and learn under a future Hall of Famer. It's the best scenario for Tebow at this point in his career. However, Tebow isn't expected to be a contributor.
GRADE: A-
Running backs: Stevan Ridley established himself as the lead back last year when he rushed for 1,293 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and 12 touchdowns. His 82 carries for first downs ranked third in the league behind Adrian Peterson's 85 and Alfred Morris' 83.
Ridley enters camp as the No. 1 but could be pushed by
Brandon Bolden. An undrafted rookie in 2012, Bolden was challenging Ridley for carries when he was injured and then tagged with a four-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, and he never returned to form.
Danny Woodhead left for San Diego in free agency, and his presence will be missed. That New England let him go is a sign of confidence in 2011 second-rounder
Shane Vereen.
The Patriots added
Leon Washington in free agency. He isn't the back he once was, but one of Belichick's hallmarks is highlighting a player's strengths while minimizing his weaknesses.
GRADE: B
Receivers: At one point in the offseason, the Patriots had more tight ends on the roster than receivers. When healthy,
Rob Gronkowski and
Aaron Hernandez were the NFL's most dynamic pair of tight ends.
However, Gronkowski's June back surgery puts his availability for the start of the season in doubt and could open the door for
Jake Ballard or even undrafted rookie
Zach Sudfeld to see the field more.
Plus, Hernandez was the central figure in a Massachusetts investigation into
the shooting death of a man with ties to the tight end. The
team released Hernandez following
his arrest on June 26.
Amendola and
Julian Edelman, left, have the unenviable task of replacing Wes Welker, who averaged more than 100 catches a year in six seasons with the Patriots. Edelman knows the offense, and Amendola has some familiarity with it thanks to the year he and McDaniels spent together at St. Louis in 2011.
Fourth-year receiver
Donald Jones, who was signed as a free agent, is coming off the best season of his young career. Veteran
Michael Jenkins will also be a contributor.
In the draft, the Patriots might have hit on the vertical threat they've been missing since trading Randy Moss in 2010 — they took
Aaron Dobson (second round, Marshall) and
Josh Boyce (fourth, TCU), both of whom project as boundary receivers.
GRADE: B+
Offensive line: By re-signing right tackle
Sebastian Vollmer, the Patriots guaranteed that the starting five from last year will return. Vollmer is another player who dealt with injuries last season, but when healthy he is one of the two or three best players in the league at his position.
Nate Solder, a first-round pick in 2011, fared well in his first season as the full-time starter at left tackle. Left guard
Logan Mankins, whose nasty demeanor in the trenches rubs off on his linemates, missed significant time to injury last year but appears to be healthy.
Dan Connolly, who has moved between the two guard spots and center in his time with New England, might be the weak spot on the line, though he is still effective. He could, however, be pushed by third-year player
Marcus Cannon, who has been got work at tackle and guard in the spring.The real surprise last year was center
Ryan Wendell. Starting for the first time after being groomed for the position for a couple of years, Wendell is smart, tough and a standout run blocker.
GRADE: B+
