Why The Patriots Should Be Favorites For Super Bowl 47

     Last year, however great a year it was, with all the ups and downs it had, fell short of the goal of getting #4 for the Patriots. But that doesn't mean that we have to go into a slump next year like many teams do post-Super Bowl. We still have very real chances at the Super Bowl in 2013. Barring any major Brady injury like Peyton Manning just had, our offense should be just as good, if not better, than before. We still have Welker and it's probable that we grab a deep threat of a receiver like Brandon Lloyd or drafting Rueben Randle. Or both, since Randle could then learn from Welker and Lloyd. Maybe even throw in Vincent Jackson. And there is a vast number of Free Agent DEs and OLBs that we could go and grab, like Houston's Mario Williams. The defense was on fire though the playoffs (well, up until there was only a little bit of time left in the fourth quarter), and I think they could play like that all year if they needed. So unless Tom Brady severely injures himself or BB has a problem and has to resign, this team will be right back where they were last year, and may go to their 6th Super Bowl in 12 years, and 7th under Robert Kraft's time of owning the Franchise, hopefully winning it.

New England's Draft: Should They Trade Up To #2?

Should New England Trade Up In The Draft?

      Let me just come straight outta the gate and say no way. No. Rumor's went around on Wednesday that New England could be the mystery team who Mike Mayock describes as a team that "Nobody would expect" that wants to trade up to #2. That's just stupid. New England should not trade up to #2 in the Draft. That would require trading away our #27, #31, and probably both of our second round picks to get it. Why would we risk 4 players to get 1? I don't see the logic in trading up that far. Why would anybody ever throw all their chips in on one player instead of finding value in late-round gems? Classic example of late-round gems: Tom Brady at 199. What if New England, in that 2000 draft, had traded up to #18 and grabbed Chad Pennington, while trading away our 6th round pick and a handful of others to the Jets? Then the Jets would have Tom Brady. Does that sound like a situation that any New England fan likes? Nah it doesn't. Here's another more recent example: 2010 Draft. What if New England trades up and goes to get Ndomukong Suh, but trades away our second and fourth, let's say? Then the Lions could have Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, while New England would only have a DT who's known around the league as dirty and cheap, however talented. So why would NE give up the opportunity to get 4 great players to go all in on someone who may have a career ending injury in Week 1? It's better to have a table with 4 different parts holding it up than just one. Because that one leg may not hold the table up. That's why New England shouldn't trade up.

Will Green-Ellis Be A Patriot In 2012?

Will the Law Firm be back in 2012?

     With the lack of Green-Ellis being utilized in 2011, many suspect that since his contract is up and he'll be hitting Free agency, that he'll not return to the Patriots in 2012. Now, I for one think that Belichick would be completely stupid to do this. Of course, I also think he will. But Green-Ellis is a great back and deserves a 2012 contract. He has yet to fumble since he made it into the NFL, which is something Belichick loves in his players. He is also all but a guarantee to get a first down when you need him to. He made $1.875 million in 2011, which he has earned in my mind. I think releasing Green-Ellis and the probability that Faulk retires would make the Patriots backfield filled with Woodhead, Ridley, and Vareen. None are outstanding backs. Of course, there's always Aaron Hernandez at RB. But that's beside the point. When Faulk went down in 2010, Green-Ellis picked up the slack and rushed for over 1,000 yards. He's a key part to the offense. Especially on third downs. On third and short, who else in the NE backfield would be all but a guarantee to get it? I can't think of anyone. The Law Firm is our rushing workforce. That's why I think he should be back in 2012 with the Patriots.

Myra Kraft To Receive A Lifetime Achievement Award

     It has been announced that Myra Kraft will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Non-Profit Leadership from he New England Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors. The association will also be renaming the award the "Myra H. Kraft Award" after the late Ms. Kraft.

Do The Patriots Need WR Deion Branch? (With Branch Computer Background)

Do the Pats need WR Deion Branch? 

     I've heard a LOT of talk about how Deion Branch is likely to retire, and if he wants to come back another year, he'd only be paid just above minimum wage for NFL players. But does that seem stupid to anybody else? We can't afford to lose Branch right now. Look at the stats: Our other WRs were basically garbage last year except Wes Welker, who led the league in catches and yards by a long shot. Edelman only has 11 balls caught in his past 2 seasons with New England, even though he's been the #3 WR much of that time. Ochocinco didn't do much for New England last year with only 15 catches. Taylor Price couldn't stay healthy for anything so he was released. Matt Slater is only a Special Teams guy and nothing more. So New England has nobody even half decent at WR except their current starting duo of Welker and Branch. Now, maybe Ochocinco has a good year next year. Maybe he doesn't. Maybe he's not even here next year. There's a lot of if's with the guy. And sure New England might be able to go into Free Agency and snatch Vincent Jackson or Reggie Wayne, but in all actuality, they might be the same thing Ochocinco was last year. Branch is the Patriots insurance policy. Even if he doesn't start, he should be with the Pats next year. The front office should sit down and talk to Branch, and try to convince him not to hand up his cleats. What if New England gets Wayne, and he does really good? And then midseason, Wes Welker runs one of his great inside routes, let's say a slant route, and gets obliterated by a safety? And he gets a concussion? Or a re-injured neck? And the Pats next best option is a WR who plays more on defense because he doesn't make plays on offense? It seems whenever a team gets rid of their insurance policy player, they all of a sudden get injured and their entire season is moot. Example: The Chicago Bears last year without Forte or Cutler. We need Branch bad, and should be willing to pay the man to return and try to get another ring. What do you think? Comment below and tell me.

Should the Patriots Pursue Randy Moss? (Plus Computer Background)

Randy Moss has announced that he will be (or at least will try to be) coming back to the NFL in the 2012-2013 season, saying "Your boy be back for the upcoming season." He's 35, but from everything I'm told, he's still got it. I, for one, think that NE should try out every WR they can get their hands on, but especially Moss. Him and Brady have that connection. However, Moss is also known for giving up when he isn't happy, by not running routes and dropping passes, as well as skipping out on practice. However, the last time Moss was in New England, Moss was able to be kept from doing this for 3 years, before he started giving up and was released in the 2010-2011 season. From there he went to the Vikings, for a very short time, and then went to Tennessee for the rest of the season, before announcing his retirement. Many people think Moss is just looking for a paycheck, but when I look at him, I think I know why he's coming back. Look at his hands. See any rings? No? That's why I think he's coming back. Well, and to add to his legacy. But either way, I believe he wants to go out and ball for somebody, and I think he would prefer that somebody to be the New England Patriots. What do you think? Tell me below.

14 Free Agents That New England Should Go After

A lot of people don't care much about Free Agency, thinking their team will get what they need in the Draft alone. Where this logic comes from, I don't know. But it's most definitely not completely true. Sure, you can find some gems each draft, but the real assurance in choosing players comes from Free Agency. So here's a list of Free Agents NE should go ahead and take after (In no particular order):
     1) Mario Williams, DE/OLB, Houston
     We all know Mario is a monster. And he's a great edge rusher. What is one of NE's major priorities? Pass rush. So hey, why not chase one of the best in the biz? Mario Williams is a very proven pass rusher, and I think the Texans don't want him anymore when they have JJ Watt and several other good defensive lineman. So he could be very good for the Patriots if they went after him.
     2) Cortland Finnegan, CB, Tennessee
     Sure he's gotten in a few fights before, most famously the fight with Houston's Andre Johnson. But hey, New England has shown that they can tame wild beasts (Randy Moss, Chad Ochocinco). Finnegan is an underdog, no matter who he's lining up against, so he's always got that fire in him. He's aggressive. He hits guys. And most importantly, he's a pretty dang good cover CB. And he already said that if New England offered him a contract, he'd love to join the team. Sounds like a good plan to me.
     3) Calais Campbell, DE, Arizona
     In 2011, this Defensive End from the Cardinals had 72 tackles, and 8 sacks, as well as an interception and 2 forced fumbles. Not too shabby. And he's got some good size to him too, at 6 feet, 8 inches, and 300 pounds. He meets Belichick's requirements for D-Line, that's for sure. He's one guy that probably goes under a lot of people's radar, since he isn't a household name, but he can definitely be huge for the New England Patriots.
     4) Cliff Avril, DE, Detroit
     This guy is one of the great D-Lineman of the Detroit Lions, and at 6 feet, 3 inches tall, and 260 pounds, he's a quick guy that can get to the QB (11 sacks in 2011). He's also young, but has experience. Something New England could use on that defense. New England's defense is known for getting turnovers, and Avril got 6 forced fumbles in 2011, which is pretty good. He could definitely fit in in New England and get out there to start making plays early if NE signs him.
     5) Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego
     Here we have a household name. Vincent Jackson. He's a WR that Tom Brady would love to have, and that New England needs. Sure Ochocinco didn't have a great year, but I think Ochocinco should stay in NE at least for training camp and see how it goes. Restructure his contract for less money. Then put Ochocinco outside, Jackson outside, and everybody's favorite White Wes Welkah in the slot? With Hernandez and Gronkowski too? Oh man, would that be an offense for the ages or what? Jackson is a big bodied WR, that would be great in the Red Zone, and he can stretch the field vertically, allowing Welker to make his dough underneath. It would be like 2007 all over again!
     6) Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans
     This guy is a good WR with size and speed. 6 feet, 3 inches, 225 pounds. In 2011, he caught 80 balls for 1,143 yards and reeled in 8 touchdowns, while getting 55 first downs. He could also help stretch the field for the Patriots, and get defenses scared of our deep ball again. Spread those defenses out a bit more so Welker's job isn't so hard. NE has been lacking WRs since the start of the 2010 season when Randy Moss left the Patriots. Since then, everything has been on Welker's shoulders to carry the receivers corps. And he's done a good job at that, but a tall receiver is definitely a major priority in Foxboro, and Colston fits that.
     7) John Abraham, DE, Atlanta
     This guy is known pretty well throughout the NFL as a great pass rusher, with 9.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in 2011. And I'm sure he's tired of not getting anything in the postseason in Atlanta. He's nearing the end of his career at 34 years old, and he wants a ring on his hand. He doesn't have one yet. So I think he'd definitely take a little pay cut to come to the reigning AFC Champions and give that SB trip another go. He's got a much higher chance of getting some bling in New England than he does in Atlanta, despite Atlanta's good Offense and Defense. So I think he could be a nice addition for a season, but not more. He could be like Andre Carter was for New England in 2011. A man nearing retirement, who's a bit old, but still has what it takes for just a bit longer, and wants a ring more than anything.
     8) Brent Grimes, CB, Atlanta
     This guy may not seem too flashy out there, only hauling in 1 interception in 2011, but he can be good for New England, who's very short at Corner Back, and hasn't had a great SB since Asante Samuel. Grimes isn't too good on paper, but he's not too shabby when you watch him play. He could help out a lot in the young, inexperienced secondary of the Pats.
     9) DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadephia
     After being benched by his coach Andy Reid for a game during the 2011 season, it seems that the Eagles may not even negotiate with DeSean. He's known for showboating and being about as flashy and cocky as Primetime was, but he's got Wes Welker quickness and Randy Moss speed. He's a freak of nature. He does have attitude problems, but I'm sure Belichick could get him whipped into shape in no time. He's an incredibly skilled WR, Adding him to Brady's arsenal of weapons could be great, if he's willing to take a pay cut to come here. And I think, like most players, he would be.
     10) Steve Johnson, WR, Buffalo
     Bill Belichick is notorious for trading for players who he can't figure out how to beat (see Wes Welker), and Johnson is no exception. He's big, and not only would BB not have to deal with him anymore, he'd become a great asset. He's got size and speed, and he may not be a Randy Moss, he certainly has what it takes to play elite football. With a QB like Brady throwing to him, he could be huge for us.
     11) LaRon Landry, S, Washington
     Did anybody just have flashbacks of Rodney Harrison? Thought so. Landry is a great safety from Washington, who's notorious for hitting. Again, Rodney Harrison anybody? He's exactly what New England's defense needs in the secondary. Somebody who knows what's up (5 years experience), and he's tall. New England needs tall DBs, because it seems every single WR over 6 feet, 3 inches just eats this secondary for breakfast. New England wants teams to be afraid of playing us again. And I think Landry could be a big part of that.
     12) Jarret Johnson, LB, Baltimore
     This guy is kind of like the unknown man on the Ravens linebacking coprs. But coaches playing him always know who he is. He had 56 tackles in 2011, as well as 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. He bring experience to the table, as he's been in the NFL for 9 years. He knows what teams like to do, and he could be another key factor of this New England defense.
     13) Brandon Lloyd, WR, St Louis
     Lloyd is a very athletic WR who seems to very much enjoy working with New England's soon to be Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels. They were on the same team in Denver, when McDaniels took Lloyd as a free agent, and when McDaniels was fired and went on to be the OC of the St. Louis Rams, Lloyd soon followed in a trade. Lloyd says he would love to go to play up in Foxboro, and there's no reason not to believe him. He had 70 catches for 966 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2011, with Sam Bradford as the one tossing him the ball. Not shabby at all. Lloyd could definitely be a nice addition to the Patriots one-man-show WR corps.
     14) Tyvon Branch, S, Oakland
     Branch, a 6 feet, 0 inch safety from the Raiders, had a pretty nice 2011 season with 109 tackles, a sack, and an interception, as well as a fumble recovery. He has some height to him at six feet tall, and that is big for the Pats (no pun intended). Height and experience is necessary in New England's poor secondary. Branch brings both. That's why I think he could find himself with a Flying Elvis on his helmet pretty soon.