With rookie camp right around the corner, I figured it’d be a good time to try and forecast what we can potentially expect from each player heading into the 2010 season (assuming the players are healthy). 

*PLEASE FEEL FREE TO AGREE OR DISAGREE*

22- CB Devin McCourty:

What the scouting reports say:  He has a ton of game experience is tough, physical, smart, fast and quick and has shut-down potential in both man and zone schemes.  He also profiles as a potential pro-bowl special team player.

2010 Projection:  I think he projects as atleast their #3 CB, potentially their #2 and should give them great production on most all special teams, especially as a potential return man and gunner.  45 TACK- 2 INT- 2 FF

42- TE Rob Gronkowski:

What the scouting reports say: Great size/speed combo, profiles as a good dual purpose TE with the ability to dominate as a blocker and stretch the seam and create match up problems in the red zone as a receiver.  He had great production in 2008 47-672-10.

2010 Projection:  While he didn’t play in 2009 due to a back injury, he’ll have the opportunity to come in and play right away due to the lack of NFL caliber TE’s on the NE roster.  Learning from a true pro like Alge Crumpler can only help to accelerate his acclimation.  Early on, I think he provides great value as a blocker and red zone target while the rest of his game catches up.  25 REC- 325 YDS- 4 TD

53- OLB/DE Jermaine Cunningham:

What the scouting reports say:  Athletic, tough and consistent defender that plays with a great motor, has a good burst off the edge and uses his hands well.  Decent production in the SEC with 33 TFL and 18.5 sacks.

62- ILB Brandon Spikes:

What the scouting reports say:  Great leadership ability and size for the position, tough and physical at the POA and great against the run.  Has good instincts and awareness and looks to have decent ability and ball skills in coverage (6 career INT’s, 4 returned for TD).  

What the scouting reports say: Fast, quick, strong and athletic TE prospect with great versatility and ability after the catch.

I think Mesko will prove his worth at their new #1 punter and both Deadrick and Weston could potentially see some time in the DE/DT rotation.

My assumed catch totals per player below, this nets out to 390 (last year TB completed 390 passes):

WR's
Randy Moss- 80
Julian Edelman- 60
Torry Holt- 50
Brandon Tate- 25
Taylor Price- 15
Sam Aiken- 10

TE's
Alge Crumpler- 20
Rob Gronkowski- 25
Aaron Hernandez- 40

RB's
Kevin Faulk- 35
Sammy Morris- 15
Laurence Maroney- 10
Fred Taylor- 5

McCourty: special teamer to start the year, maybe in the nickel mid-season.  Kick returner? 

Gronkowski:  I can buy the projection.

Spikes:  Starter by game 4.  I'll take the over on the # of tackles.
 
Cunningham:  I too think that there's a vet on the way to teach him the ropes, his conversion may take some time. 

Price:  While I think that's a reasonable expectation for catches, I'll say less.  

Hernandez:  Bit high, think he has less catches.  I'm not fully sure the Pats know how to utilize tight ends or if they care to.     

Less catches for Holt, more for Tate.  Crumpler will not break 20 catches.   

With rookie camp right around the corner, I figured it’d be a good time to try and forecast what we can potentially expect from each player heading into the 2010 season (assuming the players are healthy). 

*PLEASE FEEL FREE TO AGREE OR DISAGREE*

22- CB Devin McCourty:

What the scouting reports say:  He has a ton of game experience is tough, physical, smart, fast and quick and has shut-down potential in both man and zone schemes.  He also profiles as a potential pro-bowl special team player.

2010 Projection:  I think he projects as atleast their #3 CB, potentially their #2 and should give them great production on most all special teams, especially as a potential return man and gunner.  45 TACK- 2 INT- 2 FF

42- TE Rob Gronkowski:

What the scouting reports say: Great size/speed combo, profiles as a good dual purpose TE with the ability to dominate as a blocker and stretch the seam and create match up problems in the red zone as a receiver.  He had great production in 2008 47-672-10.

2010 Projection:  While he didn’t play in 2009 due to a back injury, he’ll have the opportunity to come in and play right away due to the lack of NFL caliber TE’s on the NE roster.  Learning from a true pro like Alge Crumpler can only help to accelerate his acclimation.  Early on, I think he provides great value as a blocker and red zone target while the rest of his game catches up.  30 REC- 375 YDS- 4 TD

53- OLB/DE Jermaine Cunningham:

What the scouting reports say:  Athletic, tough and consistent defender that plays with a great motor, has a good burst off the edge and uses his hands well.  Decent production in the SEC with 33 TFL and 18.5 sacks.

62- ILB Brandon Spikes:

What the scouting reports say:  Great leadership ability and size for the position, tough and physical at the POA and great against the run.  Has good instincts and awareness and looks to have decent ability and ball skills in coverage (6 career INT’s, 4 returned for TD).  

What the scouting reports say: Fast, quick, strong and athletic TE prospect with great versatility and ability after the catch.

I think Mesko will prove his worth at their new #1 punter (Agree) and both Deadrick and Weston could potentially see some time in the DE/DT rotation (Practice Squad this year).

My assumed catch totals per player below, this nets out to 390 (last year TB completed 390 passes):

WR's
Randy Moss- 80
Julian Edelman- 60
Torry Holt- 40
Brandon Tate- 30
Taylor Price- 20
Sam Aiken- 10

TE's
Alge Crumpler- 10
Rob Gronkowski- 30
Aaron Hernandez- 40

RB's
Kevin Faulk- 35
Sammy Morris- 10
Laurence Maroney- 5
Fred Taylor- 5

Very good read from you all.  I think the loss of Welker and given the new TE talent that we will see Brady utilize the TE much more next year than in the recent past.  We are already getting a glimpse of how Hernandez will be used, lined up in the slot, out wide, at the H at FB, etc.  BB will move him all around and use him the way Keller and Clark are used.  I think Edelman's numbers will be done from the 60 or so that most are projecting here. 

Don't count out Gronk either.  He is nearly as fast as Hernandez.  I see Gronk being used a ton in the red zone and 3rd and short.  He is so tall with such a huge wing span, it will be such an inviting target for Brady.  Just when the D thinks they've figured him out, he'll go deep and beat the safety cheating up.  Guys, I really think these two young TEs will do better than you all are predicting.  I think Moss's numbers will be down to around 60/900. 

Kyle is predicting a near repeat of 2007 from Brady and the passing game.  I think he's close but I'd bring it in a lower lower, like 4250 yards 38 TDs.  This should still be good for top 5 offense.  The running game will decline some.  The big improvement I see is on defense.  A lot of people have been critical of us not getting an elite pass rusher.  What they fail to realize is we really haven't had an elite pass rusher in a long time.  The sacks we've gotten this decade have come predominately from excellent coverage.  We've had some really solid secondaries allowing the McGinests and Vrabels of the world to over achieve.  I think McCourty solidifies the CB position and I expect more out of Chung coming on the blitz this year to get pressure. 

All in all, the Patriots are a better team and are now one of the youngest.  The team that worries me most in the division isn't the Jets, it is the Dolphins.  Their defense will be dramatically better with Odrick, Misi, Edds and Dansby.  Brandon Marshall gives them a huge vertical threat and their running game is always good.  I think 11-5 wins the division with everyone but BUF at least 9-7.