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Patriots discussion: Dion Lewis, x-factors and more

By Connor Fulton

Nov 8, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) is tackled by Washington Redskins outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (91) during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) is tackled by Washington Redskins outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (91) during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Martellus Bennett
Nov 22, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Martellus Bennett (83) catches a pass in front of Denver Broncos strong safety David Bruton (30) during the second half at Soldier Field. Denver won 17-15. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

"Kirk von Kreisler – Who, on both sides of the ball, are the “x-factors” for the Patriots in this upcoming season? I’m not talking about Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins, and so on. We all know of their vast importance to this team, but which teammates will step up on offense and defense to provide a spark and can be relied upon?"

Jaydeen Allen – Martellus Bennett would be the clear choice here, however, Dion Lewis has to be the biggest x-factor on offense. Last season, prior to his season ending injury, when Dion Lewis did happen to be out due to injury, it was clear the receiving back that replaced him (James White, Brandon Bolden) did not have the same impact on the offense that Lewis did. If he can stay healthy, he could easily be in conversation one of the best pass catching runningbacks in the league this season.

On defense, whomever is starting across from Jabaal Sheard. Whether it is Rob Ninokovich, Chris Long, or Shea McClellin. Trading away Chandler Jones, may sound like a horrible idea, however, the Patriots have done well in pass rush without him on the field, and could very well be even better this season with the position being well-stocked.

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Connor Fulton – Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer as a bundle. Look, Tom Brady can made do with just about anybody when he has time to throw the ball. We all know that Brady descends from superhuman to a mortal being when pressure is in his face; all Solder and Vollmer (and the offensive line collectivity) has to do is keep the legend protected. A resurgence in the trenches propelled the 2014 Patriots to Super Bowl glory… a soon-to-be 39-year-old Brady needs the security blanket of Solder protecting his blindside and Vollmer ensuring his safety on the right.

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On the other side of the ball, Logan Ryan stands out as the clear x-factor. As long as Ryan can continue to fight tooth-and-nail with opposing No. 1 wideouts with Devin McCourty providing safety help over the top, the Patriots’ secondary will be just fine. Malcolm Butler will quell any No. 2 wide receiver in the league, that much we know. It’s imperative that Ryan keeps up the good work in his fourth season.

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Hal Bent – On offense it is Martellus Bennett. Hands-down, he was the most important offseason acquisition. Bennett is capable of being everything that fans believed that Scott Chandler was going to be last season. Bennett is gigantic, runs smooth routes, and is a top-flite blocker. Bennett is probably the closest thing there is to Gronk out there in the NFL, and now the Patriots can line both up in the same offense.

With Gronk and Bennett on the field together the running game will take a substantial step forward with two extra blockers on the field. The passing game doubles the match-up issues for opposing defenses. Opposing defensive coordinators will be having nightmares trying to come up with a way to stop an offense with Bennett and Gronkowski barrelling over defenders.

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On defense the x-factor is Shea McClellin. Many questioned the move for McClellin in free agency with Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins already filling the two primary linebacker roles on defense. McClellin is going to be another multi-purpose tool in Bill Belichick’s swiss army knife.

Just as the offense has been able to throw multiple looks at opposing defenses, so should the Patriots be able to do the same on the other side of the ball.

Is McClellin a linebacker? Defensive end? How about Rob Ninkovich?  Or Geneo Grissom? Markus Kuhn at defensive tackle? Or is he an end? Where is Patrick Chung lining up? Is he at strong safety? Slot cornerback? Linebacker? Or Jordan Richards? Or Chris Long? Is Collins blitzing? How about Hightower? The defense can run out different looks and one big key is free agent Shea McClellin.

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