New England Patriots

What do you know, the Patriots were a very good team in 2006. There seems to be a theme here. Every single year, the Patriots are there to be reckoned with, and while ruling their own division the Patriots were at it again in '06. Tom Brady didn't have his best statistical season, but surely he did a lot with a little. In a receiving corps that featured Reche Caldwell and Doug Gabriel at times, Tom Brady still finished the season as one of the best in the game. Free Agent signings should have Brady smiling when he drops back to pass next season. Laurence Maroney looked to be the real deal in his rookie season, rushing for 745 yards and 6 touchdowns while looking dominant at times sharing time with Corey Dillon. With Dillon moving on, Maroney will get his chance to become an All Pro back in his second season. New England's defense, which lacked key playmakers for much of the season, played pretty well for Coach Belichick. Asante Samuel had a huge season, probably to huge in fact, as he was worth franchising in the minds of Patriot Brass. The offensive line started to gel as the season wore on, setting up a pretty solid group coming back in '07. Overall, the Patriots played very well, losing to the Super Bowl Champion Colts in the divisional semifinals. Surely, the Patriots will be even more of a force next season, as their free agent additions have made their team much better in so many areas.

Recent Records:

2004: 14-2 2005: 10-6 2006: 12-4

Off-Season Plans:

The Patriots have been the biggest players in free agency this season, and honestly I don't think they've overpaid for who they've added. First, and probably not most, the Patriots went out and got a younger, faster, and more athletic version of Troy Brown; the player that has exemplified everything good about New England. Wes Welker is the new guy's name, and if he's close to what the Patriots think he's going to be, the little guy will make life much easier on Tom Brady. Another key player added was Adalius Thomas, and he probably is the MOST important of the bunch. Thomas can play ever position on defense, and probably will be put in somewhere on crazy linebacker touchdown catching plays some time during the year. Thomas is huge, fast, strong, and athletic. Plus, he knows football. The Ravens will miss him dearly. For Belichick, Thomas is the perfect fit, as the Patriots love guys who can do it all. AT was the best free agent on the market, and he took a few million less to sign with New England. To quell their wide receiver woes, the Pats also signed former Eagle and Saint, Daunte Stallworth - to a pretty big 6 year deal. However, it could just last a season because the Pats can cut Daunte before a big bonus kicks in, which I imagine they will do, but who knows. The bottom line is, they always give themselves options. Some other great additions thus far; back up rusher Sammy Morris, WR Kelly Washington, blocking TE Kyle Brady, not to mention resigning full back Heath Evans and LB Larry Izzo. The draft will most likely bring in a couple players we can't believe the Patriots picked, but will turn out to be integral parts of their team. Before free agency, everyone had the Patriots reaching on a receiver with one of their first rounder, however, that dream is dead, not that they would have wasted a first rounder on a receiver any way. That's why New England is so good, they don't do things like that. With their two first-rounders, look for the Patriots to find future replacements for guys they will most likely lose next year. An old line-backing crew means a backer could be selected early, and the same goes for Asante Samuel at CB. I have Marcus McCauley and Patrick Willis being chosen by the Pats. I really like both those players, and New England picks good players. We'll see.

See the PATRIOTS draft situation at Lucky's Mock Draft!