The Patriots couldn’t be in a better position right now
That’s right. The New England Patriots are in the best position right now, even with the Deflategate static still giving the team’s fan base headaches. Regardless of whether or not Tom Brady plays in the first four weeks of 2016, the Patriots are steered in the right direction and are primed for a run at Super Bowl 51.
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Even if Brady sits out the month of September, the Patriots will be just fine with Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm surround by a huge cast of supporters. We’re witnessing Garoppolo in his third round of OTAs, and we are seeing nothing but improvement. Most obvious is the quicker release Garoppolo has been flashing during OTAs; he’s going to need to get rid of the ball right away in Week 1 before the Arizona Cardinals’ pass rush reaches him (Chandler Jones, mainly).
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Now, let’s talk about that supporting cast. Regardless of who is playing quarterback, the Patriots will benefit from a bolstered offensive line: trade piece Jonathan Cooper and draft picks Joe Thuney and Ted Karras provide added competition on the interior of the offensive line, and the return of Nate Solder will re-cement blind side security.
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In the backfield, a group of LeGarrette Blount, Brandon Bolden, Dion Lewis and either James White or D.J. Foster is nothing to sneeze at, especially with bulldozer Joey Iosefa in the picture as well.
Receiving targets Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett are enough to give defensive coordinators plenty of worry. While there is still much to be determined in the receiving corps after Edelman and Amendola, the fact that those two will head the depth chart is perfectly fine.
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On the other side of the ball, the Patriots boast the best inside linebacker duo in football of Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower. On the defensive line, Malcom Brown, Alan Branch, Terrance Knighton and Vincent Valentine make for a beefy bunch; they are bracketed by trusty veterans Jabaal Sheard, Rob Ninkovich and Chris Long on the outside with sophomore pros Geneo Grissom and Trey Flowers knocking on the door.
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The cornerback group is about as deep as it gets. After roster locks Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan and Cyrus Jones there is stiff competition brewing between the likes of veteran addition E.J. Biggers, returners Justin Coleman and Darryl Roberts and the trio of undrafted rookies Cre’Von LeBlanc, V’Angelo Bentley and Jonathan Jones.
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No matter how it all shakes out at cornerback, safeties Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung provide a wide security blanket.
As you can see, the Patriots are benefitting from a healthy mix of experience and youth and starters and depth. Fueling the Patriots throughout the summer will be spirited and intense competition, as this roster of 90 players will have to get trimmed to 53 by Week 1.
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Keep your eyes peeled here on Musket Fire for further fresh points of analysis all summer long.