As the NFL season inches closer, fans get more and more exciting about the prospect of their team winning the Super Bowl. In places like Cleveland and Miami, fans have less to be enthusiastic about. In New England, however, it is a different story.
Ask anyone except Rex Ryan who the clear cut Super Bowl favorite is and they will undoubtedly tell you the Patriots. It seems like they are the favorite every year, but this year is different. The draft was slightly indicative of what is going on in New England. Coach Belichick actually traded up twice, tipping his hand that he was eager to win, and NOW.
If the Belichick and Tom Brady duo isn’t enough to make you scared, add Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. And Wes Welker. And Brandon Lloyd. The list goes on. There is a slight twist this year, though. Imagine Brady driving his team down the field, ending with a precision pass to Gronk in the end zone. The crowd cheers, high fives are exchanged, and they sit back down. Pretty standard business in New England so far. But then all of the sudden, seemingly out of nowhere, the Patriots defense causes a turnover. The crowd erupts! Hugs for everyone! The fans text their friends, telling stories of what seems to be a dream.
The Patriots seem to have what they have been missing for years: a reliable defense. It will not be dominant this early anyway, but it won’t give up 600 yards a game either. A defense that can keep putting Brady on the field is bad news for any opponent. And there weren’t too many teams that could hang with the Pats last year, even with that horrible defense.
Not convinced? What if I told you their offense would be better? Does that blow your mind? There has been a sale on tight ends lately, and the Patriots have been stocking up. When you add someone as capable as Visanthe Shiancoe, it is a huge problem for any defense. And when you have someone like Gronk already to worry about, you are going to get burnt. Yes, it is that simple. Belichick is the master at exploiting any edge he may have, and this presents him with a giant one. This addition frees up Hernandez, which puts him literally anywhere on the field. All of the sudden, you have another mismatch. It is almost frightening. I would not be surprised to see Hernandez as a full time wide out.
Who can compete with something like that? It's almost not fair. You will have your teams that try to keep up with the Patriots every year, but they will be overpowered once again. Like I said, a perfect season is brewing in New England.
By: Jared Bissonnette
Source:
http://www.thefootballjuice.com/2012/08/a-perfect-season-is-brewing-in-new.html