No respect?

As we all know, the Pats rely heavily on the “no respect” card. What in the world are they going to do this year? USA Today has reported that every publication under the sun has picked the Pats to win it all, except for Lindy’s. They’ve been praised by most in the media for their off-season acquisition of Thomas, Welker, Stallworth, and Moss. Everyone points out how they barely missed the Super Bowl last year with a bunch of no name receivers – what is Brady capable of with the current set?

While the no respect card might look like an impossible play, I assure you: Rodney Harrison will find a way. Tedy Bruschi already has his personal card to play. Pete Prisco at CBS Sportsline has said that “He has slowed down, and that showed up in a big way in the playoff loss to the Colts. He doesn’t have it anymore, and is living on his reputation.” I’m sure someone is going to get that snippet to Tedy in a hurry.

In the end, we all know that Jedi Master Belichick is going to find some way to motivate his guys. He’s been doing it for years.

You know what people seem to forget?

With all of this hype surrounding Moss, Stallworth, Welker, and Thomas, people seem to forget what was once the source of most conversations: the Patriots Tight End situation.

Let’s think about what all of the current moves mean to the production of Ben Watson and David Thomas. These two pass catching machines are going to have GREAT opportunities in the new offense. If you line up Moss and Stallworth outside, put Welker in the slot, and have either Faulk or Maroney in the backfield, SOMEONE is going to be open. The most likely scenario? A safety is going to have to come over to help cover Moss. The other safety is going to have to make a decision: help out against Stallworth or Watson/Thomas. We all know that if Watson is left in man to man with a linebacker, it’s all over. This is going to be Watson’s breakout year. Thomas could see some great numbers, too.

On paper, this looks like the best Pats offense we’ve seen in a long, long time. Brady could put up Manning like numbers, Maroney could rush for 1200+, and Randy could see 12 TDs.

It’s the most brutal time of the year

I hate this. HATE it. The stretch from the close of mini camp to the opening of training camp is the most boring time of the year. The players are off relaxing, and no news comes across the wire unless it involves criminal activity. I’m so tired of hearing about Pacman Jones and Tank Williams I could vomit. As far as our beloved Pats go, you won’t hear anything until camp kicks off. That’s what happens when you have a solid group of individuals on the team: you don’t hear about them in the off season.

In the meantime, I’d like to give Commissioner Goodell a standing ovation. The man is handling the NFL’s problems as he should: he treats it like any other workplace. If you screw up, you’re going to pay the price. No special treatment. Yes, that includes a certain QB out of Atlanta. Once his involvement becomes clear, he too will sit some games. I’m not saying guys need to act like choir boys in their time off, because that’s unrealistic. When you take someone who probably grew up with a middle to low family income, and you hand them a few million dollars a year, they’re going to go out and screw up. However, there’s got to be a line – and I think Goodell has made it clear where that line sits. Good for him.

Asante Samuel – Does he stay, and do we care?

As the saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Once again, Patriots Nation is faced with losing an extremely productive member of the team in order to save money. Lawyer Milloy, Ty Law, David Givens, Deion Branch – all were solid contributors (if not stars) for the organization before their departures. It seems that every season, we’re faced with personnel changes that are destined to have a negative affect on the following season. It also seems that every season, our fears prove to be unfounded.

I suppose we all should have seen this coming. A breakout year, out of control spending by every team with a dollar to spare, and A TATTOO ON THE MAN’S ARM THAT READS “GET PAID.” This shouldn’t surprise anyone in the least. If anything, it should surprise us that negotiations stayed pleasant as long as they did. The question is, should we be worried? History and common sense tells us we have nothing to worry about.

First off I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that, like Branch and Givens, Samuel is a product of the system. I’m convinced you could place anyone with some intelligence into a Bill Belichick system and that person would fill the role. I mean c’mon – Earthwind Moreland, anyone? The only true bust we’ve seen in the Pats secondary in the Belichick era is Duane “Please make me look slow and foolish” Starks. The guy was HORRIBLE.

Secondly, the current depth at the position with Hobbs, Scott, Gay, and possibly Wilson is solid. If Meriweather heals and shows he can play, Wilson could definitely make the move back to corner.

So let’s all hope that some weak NFC team with a sure thing top 10 pick next year comes calling, and let’s get Asante the hell out of Dodge. He’ll have a short trip back to mediocrity.