Vollmer has been a surprise talent in the OL and has been taking over for the injured Matt Light. Overall, I’m happy with the OL, but I’d like to see some better run blocking so we can open up a ground game.

Freeney and Mathis are always a problem for us. I suspect Freeney will be double teamed a lot at the line OR we’ll keep a back around during some longer pass plays. Welker is an obvious target for the quick underneath stuff.

…I’m expecting a 6 OL set, with the additional 6th OL checking in at TE. Mark Levoir will step in and help whichever lineman needs the help on the play. Anything to keep Brady standing in the backfield and keep the pocket to let plays develop. Our O-Line thrives on giving Brady time to let the receivers get open. If there is enough protection in the backfield, expect receivers to go on deep routes and for a lot of big plays to happen.

That being said, he hasn’t really been touched much this year. I don’t expect as much success as he’s had, but I am expecting a maximum of 3 sacks and limited backfield disruption.

Taylor had ankle surgery and will be out for most of the season with a glimmer of hope he returns in December. Sammy Morris has reportedly been seen “in the weight room” by the media, but that could mean anything; the Pats are notoriously bad at sharing injury data.

I believe Belichick has been beating up on the OL to create more holes for Maroney. Laurence had a 20 carry 82 yard game which is promising. BenJarvus Green-Ellis will definitely be in the mix as well as third down specialist, Kevin Faulk.

Julian Edelman was making a play for the third receiver spot when he broke his forearm a few games back. Sam Aiken is doing ok, but I’d say Brady has been spreading the ball around and using TE Benjamin Watson very well.

He’s smart. He may not throw up the stats, but he catches what’s thrown at him and forces the secondary to respect his skills as a receiver. Also, against the young Phins secondary, he drew a couple pass interference calls because he out-experienced them. I can see him doing that once or twice this game as well.

he will get picked on.

when it was a line backer. I see Collie and Garcon coming up big.

can someone please cut through Belichick’s crap for us?

I don’t really pay too much attention to the Patriots injury report until Friday-ish. It’s something Belichick plays with on a regular basis.

Brandon Meriweather: He’s our best player in the secondary. He has a nose for making the play. He’s not yet at Ed Reed/Darren Sharper/Troy Palamalu level, but he’s getting better every game. He stops plays and rarely gets fooled.
Brandon McGowan: He’s gets the TEs. He steps up to stop the run and could be considered a S/LB (but moreso a Safety). He gets his job done. He won’t gain any accolades like any of the better Safeties, but he’ll get the job done.
Leigh Bodden: He can cover players and can knock down passes. He’s doing as well as we could have hoped, but he can still do better. He’s a definite upgrade from Ellis Hobbes because he doesn’t give up the big play. He’ll probably be covering Reggie Wayne, with Meriweather close behind.
Darius Butler: He’s the athletic one with a TON of promise. He’s been getting a lot of play time lately on the #2 receiver so expect him on Garcon or Collie. He is still learning, but he’s shown advancement every week. He can keep up with anyone he covers, it’s just a matter of if he can get to the ball, which he’s been getting better at every week.
Pat Chung: He’s more of a “change of pace” safety. He’s utilized more on blitzes and getting the big hits. He’s still a rookie so his place is still being defined.
Shawn Springs: He’s the Nickel Corner and will cover the #3 some of the time. He’ll split time with Wilhite. He gets the job done without being flashy.
Jonathan Wilhite: He’ll do the same as Springs, but he has more trouble of finishing tackles.
Terrence Wheatley: Basically demoted to return man only and depth.

I think those interceptions were the result of Brady forcing it to Moss. In the Bucs game, I could accept it because it was a blowout and he was just tossing it up there to see what happens. In the Dolphins game, I think Moss was covered very well be rookie Vontae Davis.

I think blitzing Manning can be dangerous; he has one of the quickest releases in the game and can easily get it to Dallas Clark in a hurry. I think it will ultimately be “bend but don’t break” zone coverage schemes.

The easy answer is Manning. No, I don’t hate the man. I’d be stupid to not recognize his talent. However, I’m going to go with Dallas Clark. Love the guy. Fast, big, great hands. He’s a heck of a weapon.

…Dwight Freeney. He’s the player we would most be able to use on our team. There are numerous players (Manning, Clark, Wayne, Saturday, Mathis, Sanders) who would be great on our team, but there isn’t as pressing need for any of those. Brady is just as good as Manning (he’s still getting his groove on), Watson has the potential to be just as productive as Clark (we just use Welker more and we send our RBs out to the sidelines on some plays to create mismatches and make plays), Wayne would be a #2 and underutilized, our O-Line is solid and our secondary is promising and Sanders is too often injured. Mathis is good, but Freeney is incredible.

I’ve seen Randy Moss grow this year. His 70 something yard TD against Miami (the awesome stiff arm to Vontae Davis) was on a crossing route which, a few years ago, may not have been the best part of his repertoire. He was a downfield, sideline guy for so long that it’s cool to see him turn inside. Without the new “Welker” rule (think Steelers’ Ryan Clarke hammering the little guy), I’d be anxious, but there’s more protection, for better or for worse, for lanky guys like Randy to go inside.

Has been used more inside this year instead of just going down field every play. In ‘07, we only used him to play the deep route every single time. Now that he’s going inside, outside and everywhere, he’s a much more dangerous weapon. Of course, that means more damage to Randy, but he does a good job of making the catch and getting to the ground.

…is how your D-Line disrupts the pocket. Mathis and Freeney vs Vollmer and Kazcur (and I’m assuming Levoir will be helping out often). If you can get pressure in the backfield consistently, our plays can’t develop and our offense will consistently stall.

I’m also pretty sure that McGowan will be covering Clark. That leaves Meriweather and Bodden on Wayne, Bulter on Collie and Springs/Wilhite on Garcon. I’m confident in all of those match-ups. My main worry isn’t in our covering, but in how much pressure we can apply on Manning. With all those players devoted to our secondary, we will have limited players on pass rush duty. I’d expect Warren, Wilfork on the Ends (yes, Wilfork on the end in pass rush situations) and Wright in the middle, with Tully Banta-Cain on the rush, Mayo in the middle watching for Addai and the possible QB run, and the re-emerged AD on the other side. Hopefully, that will work!

I’m going to assume you meant defense. Meriweather has exceeded expectations, but Mayo is our stud and most important defensive player, without a doubt. I think we’ll address our OLB to give us LB depth and strength our 3-4 defense in the draft, as well as pick up a strong pass rush DE in the first round. I have no idea who they’ll pick because I really haven’t had my eyes on college ball.

That being said, I reeeeeaaaaally hope the Patriots get CJ Spiller for the offensive side of the ball. That kid can play and I think he’d be perfect for a RB stable of CJ/LoMo/BJGE/Faulk. I see Taylor and Morris not being around in the near future.