True to his word, Bill Belichick used all three ways of adding players to improve the Patriots this offseason; draft, trades, and free agency. In the draft he took a number of talented young players to solidify the team’s core for the future. Via trades he brought in two undeniably skilled, high-profile personalities with tumultuous pasts to add some spice and shake things up. Through free agency he acquired or re-signed numerous veterans to lend experience and versatility to what was a relatively young squad, particularly on defense. How these new players will blend with the team and how it all shakes out on the field is yet to be seen, but on paper it looks like a talented, hungry group that should be very competitive and a lot of fun to watch.

Defensively in 2010 the Patriots were good a keeping teams from scoring, but too often allowed drives to be extended by failing to get a crucial third down stop. In an effort to change things up and generate more pressure, Belichick brought in defensive line players Albert Haynesworth, Shaun Elllis, Mark Anderson and Andre Carter, and also re-signed Gerard Warren. Ty Warren, 3-4 defensive end extraordinaire was released, as was top outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain. In training camp, New England has been using mainly four-man fronts, and it appears they intend to make the 4-3 formation a staple of their approach. The veterans signed seem to be well suited to that strategy, but also have the versatility to revert to a 3-4 formation if needed.

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Sign Randy Moss

I am a big fan of Moss as a player and loved watching him catch bombs from Tom Brady. Unfortunately he is no longer the same guy who could snare any ball no matter how many defenders he had to out jump or outrun. He kept his head down and put the team first for a few years, but eventually his, shall we say "quirkiness," returned and he started becoming an unnecessary distraction. Bill Belichick promptly shipped him out, netting an impressive return of a 2011 third round pick which was used to select quarterback Ryan Mallett. No need to revisit those decisions. The Randy Moss of 2007 would be welcome on the Patriots 2011 roster, but that man no longer exists.

Sign LaMarr Woodley

Woodley has already signed his franchise tender, so assuming such a thing exists in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement he would cost the Patriots two first round picks, plus a huge contract. He has the skills to be a star in the Patriots system, but is simply not worth the price. Taking him away from Pittsburgh would hurt a conference rival and be an excellent addition. New England has the Saints 2012 first round pick as well as their own, so the team would still be in decent shape even without the two first rounders. However, Woodley would likely command a salary in the area of $10m per season. That tidy sum combined with the two picks is too much for an outside linebacker not named DeMarcus Ware. In addition, Woodley showed little hesitation before accepting the franchise tag which shows he wants to be on the Steelers and would probably stay if Pittsburgh matched New England’s contract offer.

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If the NFL Draft is like Christmas for football fans, the Patriots fan’s experience is much like waking up Christmas morning only to find that your gifts have been delayed in transit. The excitement and anticipation is replaced by confusion, followed by frustration, vague detachment and jealousy. Instead of unwrapping the shiny new toys you’ve seen advertised, inside is a picture of the gift and a promise that you’ll love it eventually.

The Patriots strategy this draft was clearly one aimed at maintaining the team’s competitiveness well into the future. They stuck firmly to their principals of selecting for value and stockpiling future picks. They also continued their recent tradition of taking players who are highly talented, but slipped due to off-field or injury concerns. The Patriots scout specifically for their own schemes, which is why they often have prospects higher or lower on their draft board than other teams. This can give the impression that they reached for a player, or did not take a highly rated player when they had the opportunity. New England is a stable franchise with an established culture, and can afford to develop players more slowly than other teams, or allow them time to recover from injury. Rookie receiver Taylor Price and defensive back Josh Barrett, who was acquired off of waivers were two such examples last year.

What is especially important to the Patriots is that their players have a genuine dedication to the game. They want players who make football their life and are constantly trying to improve. Maturity and leadership are also highly valued. Six of their nine picks were team captains, and every player spent at least four years in college.

When you finish first in your conference it usually means you have a strong nucleus of players, and unless many of them are scheduled for free agency or retirement there are not a lot of holes to fill. Unlike Atlanta, who took the "one player away" approach, trading away a slew of picks to move up and select wide receiver Julio Jones, the Patriots added players with high upside who will not necessarily be expected to start right away.

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1. Carolina: Blaine Gabbert, QB

In a previous year the selection of a quarterback at this spot would be almost guaranteed. The Panthers are looking for help in a number of areas, and likely will consider Cam Newton, Marcell Dareus and Patrick Peterson. Ron Rivera has taken over, and like any new regime he’ll want a quarterback he can trust. Newton has more risk (and potential reward) associated with him than Gabbert, and when selecting first you have to make sure you don’t waste the pick.

2. Denver: Marcell Dareus, DT

The Broncos need to improve their run defense as well as their pass rush. There is good depth along the defensive line in this draft, and the Broncos can take the cream of the crop. I think they go with Dareus, since the return of Elvis Dumervil should make the pass rush less of a significant issue.

3. Buffalo: Patrick Peterson, CB

The Bills were better than their record last year, but have a long way to go before they can compete for a playoff spot. Getting a star quarterback to build around is the first step, but would they gamble on Cam Newton here? Quite possibly, but they could also wait and see who is available in the second round. Ryan Fitzpatrick is good enough to start for another season, so they could take a less-polished QB and wait for him to develop. Peterson is considered by some to be the best player in the draft at any position, and the Bills need a good secondary if they ever plan to beat Tom Brady and the Patriots.

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I have struggled with this question, and ultimately decided I am not in favor of expanding the NFL regular season from 16 games to 18. Part of me loves the idea of having more football per season. A Sunday of football is a beautiful thing, and the promise of two more per year is very enticing. So what's not to like?

Part of the question is what type of games would these be? Would the league add two more of the contests where each team in one division plays the team that finished in the same position in another division? This would lead to more premium matchups like the Patriots/Colts and Patriots/Chargers which were two of the better New England games this year. However, it would also make it more difficult for a team to retain its division crown since they would be playing six division winners per season. The other option is to simply play each member of your division twice, and each team in three other divisions. This possibility would eliminate some of those top tier matchups.

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Part two of a three-part series detailing the attitude necessary for the Patriots franchise to return to its championship-winning ways. In Part 1, we defined this attitude, and discussed defensive players already on the roster. In Part 2, we will discuss the offensive players on the roster, and examine what is missing on both sides of the ball. In Part 3, we will take a look at which draft prospects could possibly fill those gaps.

New England has replaced many of their departed veterans, but there are a few more pieces necessary for the rebuilding to be complete. Fortunately the Patriots are well armed for this year’s draft, and should be able to find the players they require.

There is not as much improvement needed from the Patriots offense compared to the defense, but making sure that the same attitude is present on both sides of the ball is important. Just as defenders need to band together to make stops on third down or in the red zone, offenses need to have the confidence, willpower, and single-mindedness to know that on this play, there is no way they are going to be stopped. There have been situations over the past few years where a game came down to one critical snap, and New England’s offense was not able to gain the necessary yards to secure victory. These failures must be put in the past. An offense cannot doubt itself.

This is why revamping the offensive line is a top priority. In short-yardage situations where your opponent knows what you are going to do, having offensive linemen willing to get their hands dirty and sacrifice their bodies for the team is imperative. Logan Mankins brings the same kind of attitude to the offense as Vince Wilfork does to the defense, and re-signing him is a must. After watching the way he re-invigorated the offensive line when he joined the team mid-season, I have come to agree that he deserves his payday. Mankins is still in his prime, and can show the young linemen New England will undoubtedly draft in the next couple years how to punish defenders and impose your will while still protecting the team’s prized asset, Tom Brady. It is crucial that whichever linemen are drafted are not only strong, athletic and hard-working, but also possess a fiery attitude that allows them to go toe to toe with top defenders and not back down. Having to face Wilfork and company on the practice field should help them be prepared.

The Patriots offense has some tough players, and they are not always the ones you would expect, for example Wes Welker and Danny Woodhead. Despite their size, they are surprisingly resilient, and can pop right back up after what initially appear to be devastating hits. This can't-keep-me-down attitude is precisely what the team needs, and the more Patriots who adopt this perspective the better.

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Part one of a three-part series detailing the attitude necessary for the Patriots franchise to return to its championship-winning ways. In Part 1, we will define this attitude, and discuss defensive players already on the roster. In Part 2, we will discuss the offensive players on the roster, and examine what is missing on both sides of the ball. In Part 3, we will take a look at which draft prospects could possibly fill those gaps.

When most people speak of the elusive ‘Patriot Way,’ they generally refer to the calm professionalism the team is known for. Coming to work prepared, doing your job to the best of your abilities, letting your play speak for itself, and trusting your teammates and coaches are frequently cited, as well as the creative-yet-cold decision-making that Bill Belichick is known for. The right to play for the Patriots has to be earned, and whichever player on the roster can do the best job will be given the responsibilities, regardless of where they were taken in the draft or how much money they make. If a player can’t get in line with the message, or when their contract has outgrown their abilities, they will be quickly shipped out of town. This is the strategy that has kept New England a genuine Super Bowl contender every season for the past decade - an exceptional feat in the NFL.

Two years ago we were talking about replacing the great departed veterans of the franchise, players like Tedy Bruschi who defined the Patriots and their workman-like attitude. The team needed to develop a new identity and it did not materialize immediately. The 2008 and 2009 seasons ended in disappointment, and while this year also saw the Patriots exit the playoffs early, they have begun to rediscover that identity. The re-signing Vince Wilfork, Leigh Bodden and Tom Brady, combined with a strong draft class means New England has reloaded in a major way - and they’re not done yet. Not with the reloading, and not with the cultivation of a new attitude.

What is sometimes forgotten about the teams that won three Super Bowls in four years is on top of the professionalism and teamwork was a hit-us-and-we-hit-you-back-harder threat. The players knew they were privileged to be part of such a successful franchise, and they let their opponents know it on the field. You might stop them on third down, or drive all the way to the goal line, but New England would have the final say. An individual, put in a position to succeed by the rest of the organization, would raise his game that extra little bit and make a play when it counted. If the momentum was swinging away from them, a player would step up and make a statement. Be it a bone-crunching tackle, a hard-fought run up the middle for a first down, or a clutch field goal with time expiring, you knew there would be a response. New England needs to foster that intimidating, never-say-die attitude again.

The Patriots are the most hated and respected team in the league. The media loves to butter them up when they’re winning, and relishes their downfall even more. The 31 other franchises have jealously tried to tear New England from its perch, and they’ve come very close to succeeding. Had Pittsburgh beaten Green Bay in the Super Bowl, we would be talking about the Steelers as the reigning dynasty. They failed to make it three championships in six years, and that has left The Patriots still wobbling on top of the NFL heap. It is time for New England to pull a new sword from the stone and make it clear to the rest of the league that their reign is not over.

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The Patriots have all their top receivers and tight ends still under contract for next season. This is the same unit (along with Randy Moss) that helped New England score the most points in the league, and caught the passes that propelled Tom Brady to a league MVP award.

As a group, the Patriots receivers are very talented and clearly can put up points. Wes Welker is one of the best slot receivers in the game, and Deion Branch is a reliable veteran who excels at short and medium routes. Brandon Tate is very fast and can occasionally get open deep, but needs to eliminate the crucial drops that marred his season. He is 6'-1" but somewhat slight, and not overly physical. Julian Edelman is a similar player to Welker, and provided a spark at times, but was further down the depth chart and did not see a lot of game action. Tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez showed tremendous promise. They are very young, and should continue to improve. Taylor Price was drafted in the third round last year and did not see the field in 2010 until the season finale. He is one to watch, but has not yet been given the opportunity to show what he can do.

I feel New England could use a larger receiver opposite Branch who can outmuscle defenders and beat quality conerbacks. New England likes to exploit match-ups they see as advantageous such as a slower linebacker on a speedy running back, or a smaller corner covering a big tight end. This is a sound strategy, but as we saw in the playoff loss to the Jets, it is not foolproof. A big player who can fight off attempts to jam him at the line, and can shield defenders with his body to make catches while covered would be a nice compliment. Randy Moss was this player for a time. When Moss was at his best, defenses were forced to double-team him and play further from the line of scrimmage, making it easier to complete the quick underneath passes on which the New England offense thrives. On deep routes, Moss was able to get up and pluck the ball out of the air even with defenders around him. There are few who compare to Moss circa 2007, but a similar player would give the Patriots attack a fearsome bite, and make them very difficult to stop.

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Re-signing BenJarvus Green-Ellis is an easy decision for the Patriots. His tough downhill running style and excellent ball security adds a welcome change of pace to New England’s pass-oriented attack. At the beginning of the year he was seemingly buried on the depth chart behind Fred Taylor and Kevin Faulk, but has emerged as a reliable option, especially in short yardage situations. Green-Ellis had 13 touchdowns in the regular season, placing him in a tie with Rashard Mendenhall for the second-most in the league behind Arian Foster. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry, despite his longest gain being only 33 yards. I expect him to reach a long-term extension with the Patriots at a moderate (3-4m per year) price.

Kevin Faulk is also a free agent, and will be returning from an ACL tear. He is 34, and unlikely to play more than another year or two – if that. With the emergence of Danny Woodhead, who has filled Faulk’s third-down back role admirably, it is unlikely that Faulk will return. There is a possibility that the Patriots bring him back in a mentor/depth capacity, but that seems like the type of sentimental decision that Bill Belichick is not known for. If Faulk returns it will most likely be because he has earned his spot, and the Patriots see him as a player who can make important contributions to the offense.

I do not expect Fred Taylor or Sammy Morris to be re-signed. If this is the case, New England will need to add some depth behind The Law Firm and Woodhead. They have Thomas Clayton, who saw a little playing time toward the end of the Week 17 game against Miami, but he has very limited NFL game experience. It is possible he could make a Green-Ellis-esque leap next season, but that is a best-case scenario. More likely the Patriots will add a veteran or draft a running back to round out the position.

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There is a strange sense of deja-vu surrounding the buildup to the third round of this season's Patriots-Jets rivalry. Before the Week 13 blowout the Jets were riding high, and talking like it was New York, not New England that would be sitting on top of the AFC for the playoffs. Rex Ryan called the contest "the marquee game of the year," and promised "a heck of a game." Once the whistle blew, the Jets looked rusty and quickly falling behind en route to a 45-3 embarrassment.

The Jets recovered, and went on to secure the sixth seed in the AFC. They beat Indianapolis last week on the road and are coming back to Foxboro, this time with even more at stake. One might think they would learn their lesson, keep their mouths shut, and focus on playing the game. Not this Jets team. It’s just not their style.

Here is Rex Ryan during a November 29^th press conference leading up to the Week 13 game, talking about matching wits with Bill Belichick: "You like to compete against the best and that’s why I like going against him. I know it’s a huge challenge, but it’s something (where) I try to give my best shot each time out and I know he gives us his best shot."

Immediately after the loss Ryan noted "there are a lot of things we would do differently." Clearly that does not apply to the pre-game talk.

During a press conference this week Ryan talked again about going up against Belichick: "I plan on being the best coach on Sunday. That’s what it is, I recognize that my level has to come up and he’s going to get my best shot. He’s going to get everything I have on Sunday. If he slips at all, we’re going to beat him."

So if I understand correctly, last time he was going to ‘try’ to give his best shot, but this time Bill is going to get Rex’s best shot and everything he has.

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Welcome to the first edition of Pats Pulpit Fan Questions. This series is similar to a mailbag, but with fewer questions and more in-depth answers. To pose a question, please submit it in the comments for the FanPost "Introducing Pats Pulpit Fan Questions," or in the comments for this article. I hope you enjoy this new feature....

Q: How do you see the Patriots acquiring their quarterback of the future, when Tom Brady is finally done? Will it be a slow process of a couple of years of suckage or will we be able to draft one right away? Also when do you think this will need to be done/When should the team start to focus on looking toward the future at quarterback? - Lakriots

A: The short answer is through the draft, but I'll start with the second part of the question. I think the search for Tom Brady's eventual replacement is currently ongoing, and will continue through the rest of his career. As we saw with Matt Cassel (2005 seventh round), and other recent draft selections like Kevin O'Connell (2008 third round) and Zac Robinson (2010 seventh round), New England is constantly on the lookout for QBs they can groom behind Brady. It would be impossible to find 'another' Brady since Tom is quite possibly the best quarterback of all time. Nonetheless, when he decides to call it quits the Patriots will need a new signal caller.

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Greetings Patriots Fans,

I have decided to start a series of articles where the topics are inspired by you, the Pats Pulpit readers. This will be similar to a mailbag-type article but with fewer questions and more in-depth answers. Instead of providing a brief response I plan to fully explore the topic. If a question is profound enough it may even be answered as its own article.

Want to know who will be the Patriots defensive starters in 2011? Just ask!

Want to know what New England's strategy will be against their next opponent? Ask it!

Dying to understand the role of your favorite Patriots player and what he brings to the team? Type it up and put a question mark on the end.

These questions can be research-based, opinion, analysis, or straight out of left field. Creativity is strongly encouraged and no question is to large or too small. General NFL queries are welcomed, as are questions about New England's opponents and rivals, but this is after all a Patriots website, so try to stay on topic.

To ask a question simply submit it as a comment on this FanPost. If your question is not answered immediately, that does not mean it is a bad question or will not be considered in the future. Feel free to ask again, pose the question differently, or 'second' other's questions.

Please refrain from starting separate discussions in the comments as this will make it more difficult to find the actual questions.

I hope you enjoy this new feature and that it helps generate some great articles.

Ready...Set...Ask away!

This article ranks the eight possible teams the Patriots could face in the playoffs in order of the most favorable matchup to the least.

1. Oakland Raiders

If Oakland were to make the playoffs it would not mean good things for the Patriots first round draft pick they got from the Raiders for Richard Seymour. The Raiders have been much better this season than in recent years, and the rise of running back Darren McFadden has had a lot to do with that. Speedy rookie wide receiver and return man Jacoby Ford has also made some big plays including two kickoff returns for touchdowns. The problem for the Raiders is their quarterback situation. Jason Campbell and Bruce Gradkowski have both been inconsistent. Campbell has had some good games, but he is not a quarterback that defenses fear. Oakland has lived and died by the sack this season, allowing 37 on offense (8th most in the league), and sacking opposing QBs 40 times (tied with Pittsburgh and Green Bay for the third most). I think the biggest advantage the Patriots would have in the unlikely event these two teams were to meet in the playoffs would be coaching. Bill Belichick is 15-4 in the postseason, while Tom Cable has yet to step into that arena.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

Maurice Jones-Drew is a terrific runner capable of putting up huge yards-from-scrimmage numbers. He plays hard and is very tough to bring down. He is the main threat for a Jacksonville team that seemed poised to knock the faltering Colts of their perch atop the AFC South before their loss in Indianapolis last week. Quarterback David Gerrard can pick up first downs and score by running. He is accurate, posting a 65.2% completion rate this season, but has not always taken care of the ball. He has 13 interceptions and 9 fumbles (4 lost). Jacksonville’s defense has given up a lot of big passing plays this season, including 12 completions of over 40 yards which is the second most in the NFL behind Houston. Opponents are averaging 255.6 passing yards per game, and have racked up 26 touchdowns through the air. Tom Brady would like the sound of that. The Jaguars are not causing many turnovers either, notching only 12 interceptions and forcing 8 fumbles (5 recovered). If the Patriots were to focus on the run and keep Jones-Drew from breaking out I think they would simply score too many points for Jacksonville to keep up.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

Matt Cassel has 25 touchdown passes and 5 interceptions this season. He also has only two fumbles (1 lost), so he has done a great job of protecting the football and making smart decisions. Jamal Charles is third in the league with1,303 rushing yards. Together with Thomas Jones, he has formed a ferocious tandem good for 2,131 yards and 10 touchdowns combined. This one-two punch is similar to the Jones/Leon Washington combination that worked so well for the Jets last year. Especially in a game where the elements are a factor, the Chiefs could dominate on the ground. Receiver Dwayne Bowe has hauled in 14 touchdown passes, and has 941 receiving yards. He seems to have developed a good understanding with Cassel, but there is not much depth behind him. Charles and tight end Tony Moeaki both have over 400 receiving yards, but the next best wide receiver is Chris Chambers with 17 catches for 174 yards. It is unlikely the Chiefs would be able to spread the field against New England, which would allow the Patriots to load the box and focus on stopping the run. Granted, this would not be an easy task, but the main reason Kansas City does not scare me as much as other possible opponents is that Matt Cassel learned the game under Bill Belichick. He has progressed since then, but that gives the Patriots a huge advantage when it comes to preparation.

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Patriots fans have every reason to be happy today. They should enjoy New England's absolute slaughter of the Jets in Gillette Stadium on Monday night. Enjoy it all the way through Saturday because on Sunday they have another big game against the 9-3 Bears in Chicago. In fact, all the games are big from here on. The Patriots now hold a one-game lead on the Jets in the AFC East, but they can't afford to take their foot off the pedal. If the Jets win out, and the Patriots lose at Buffalo in Week 16 or at home against Miami in Week 17, the Jets would win the division and claim the top seed in the conference. That partially explains why the Patriots piled on the points and tried their hardest to keep the Jets out of the end zone. They need the Jets demoralized and vulnerable. If New York loses again, the division is likely secured, along with home field advantage for at least one game. Yes, the Ravens embarrassed the Patriots in New England during the playoffs last year, but Gillette remains one of the most difficult stadiums for visitors to earn victories. After watching Tom Brady's fire, accuracy and clinical decision-making these last few games you can bet the rest of the AFC is dreading facing him in the playoffs, especially with a home crowd cheering on.

The Patriots finally showed the rest of the NFL how they should have treated the Jets. Rex Ryan's team is an emotional group that welcomes the pressure, and loves to ride their momentum. The Patriots came out swinging, and the minute the Jets stumbled they put their foot on their throats and never let them back up. Bill Belichick understands that when you give these Jets an opening they take it and run.

By making this score as lopsided as possible, Bill sent a message to Ryan that he lets what happens on the football field speak for itself. I'm not sure the message was received. In his postgame press conference, Rex acknowledged that the Jets were "out-coached and out-played," but claimed that this drubbing was revenge for the Jets 28-14 win at the Meadowlands in Week 2: "I mean, let's face it, we kicked their butt at our place. So you know, they are trying to come back." I don't think you can really compare a two-touchdown win where the Jets trailed at halftime to a massacre by six-touchdowns. However I would expect nothing less from Ryan, who is already demanding a rematch: "I'll be ready to play ‘em. I'll play them right now if they'll go out and do it again." I understand that he has to say these things to maintain his image and team morale, but he had 11 days to prepare for this game. Why weren’t they ready then?

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The following are observations gleaned from re-watching Sunday's Patriots and Colts game, focusing solely on the New England defense. Going against Payton Manning is never an easy task, especially for a young group. Bill Belichick did a nice job of mixing up his defensive looks and not allowing Manning to get into a comfort zone. Not all of Bill's decisions paid off, but overall this was a good performance despite Manning's spectacular passing numbers (38/52 for 396 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs). I think the Colts missed Dallas Clark in this game, and were unfortunate to lose Austin Collie in the first half, although Jacob Tamme (7 catches for 60 yards) and Blair White (5 catches, 42 yards, 2 TDs) did a nice job of stepping up.

Vince Wilfork was on the field for more of the game than usual, and continued to line up in different spots along the defensive line. He held his ground well and collapsed the pocket to some degree, but was not able to get as much of an upfield push as he did against the Steelers. Colts center Jeff Saturday is a great player, and I think his skill along with the rest of the Indianapolis offensive line contributed to this, however they were not able to keep Wilfork from making numerous stops in the running game. The Colts gained very few yards on the ground aside from Donald Brown’s 36-yard run in the fourth quarter, and Wilfork played a large part in that. I was especially impressed with Vince’s willingness to follow plays down field. While he was usually too late to get in on the tackle, for him to play that many snaps and continue to give maximum effort every play is a tribute to his dedication and conditioning.

Gerard Warren and Mike Wright had important contributions. Wright was able to create pressure and force his way into the backfield on some plays, although Payton and the Colts line did an excellent job of preventing any sacks. Warren made some key run stops, and had a nice hit on Manning, but was not able to generate much pressure as a pass rusher.

Jermaine Cunningham and Tully Banta-Cain had good games as well. They started strong with some nice run stops on the Colts opening drive. Both were able to come off the edge and get close to Manning frequently, but usually Payton stepped up to avoid them, or they were pushed too far behind him to make the sack. Nonetheless, their pressure caused a number of hurried throws, including the final interception. Cunningham played his best game yet in my opinion, and seems to be equally good against the run and pass.

Banta-Cain had a critical unnecessary roughness penalty in the fourth quarter for some shoving after the whistle, which was an unfortunate blemish on his performance. It was not especially ‘rough,’ but came at a very inopportune time. It was interesting to see Darius Butler come over and presumably chastise TBC after that penalty. I could not tell what was said, but a second-year player encouraging a veteran to play smarter is a sign that there is a lot of respect between the Patriot defenders, and there is a shared belief in responsibility to the team.

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After re-watching the Patriots 39-26 victory over Pittsburgh in Week 10, there were a few points that caught my eye:

Patriots come out swinging: The Patriots played with a lot of intensity, and seemed determined not to repeat their lopsided loss to Cleveland the week before. New England gained momentum early when they deferred on the opening kickoff and forced the Steelers to go three-and-out on their first drive. Tom Brady then led the team into the end zone with a four-minute, eight play drive that included big plays to Rob Gronkowski who redeemed himself after some critical mistakes against the Browns. After another defensive stop, Brady came back down the field all the way to the Pittsburgh 12-yard line before a somewhat harsh chop-block penalty moved them back 15 yards, where New England eventually settled for a field goal. These drives killed most of the first quarter, quieted the crowd, and combined with the loss of Hines Ward on the next series put the Steelers in a difficult position early.

Officials allow physical play: I was impressed with Carl Cheffers and his officiating crew’s willingness to allow physical play in this game. There were a number of situations where a more trigger-happy referee might have thrown the flag for unnecessary roughness or a late hit. It is good to know that even as the NFL tries to crack down on illegal hits and promote player safety, there is still room within the rules for a sock-‘em-in-the-mouth style of game between these two AFC powerhouses.

Vince Wilfork deserves recognition: Vince played his heart out in this game. While Tom Brady was screaming at the offense to improve and rallying them around him, Wilfork was quietly doing the same for the defense as he led by example. Virtually every snap he played, regardless of where he lined up, he generated a ferocious push forward, causing problems for Ben Roethlisberger and the running game. Vince was frequently able to force acclaimed rookie center Maurkice Pouncey backward and collapse the pocket. Once the Steelers resorted to double teaming him, he still held his ground, and drew attention away from his teammates so they could make the play. While it’s important to have a passionate general like Brady leading the way, Vince deserves tremendous credit for the game he played and the example he set. It is heartening to see Wilfork and Brady play with such passion after receiving monster paydays before the season started.

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Who have been the Patriots top performers thus far this year? What will the rest of the 2010 season hold? PatsPulpit scribes hand out awards for the first half of the season, and make predictions for the second half.

Best Rookie:

Richard Hill: Devin McCourty

Has played every snap possible. Has played well. While he may not rival Aaron Hernandez in terms of stats, I feel like McCourty's impact is greater.

Mike Dussault: Devin McCourty

Gotten better every week, starting to make plays.

Stephen Verman: Devin McCourty

Not many teams in the NFL can get by when their best cornerback is a rookie. I really like McCourty’s physical style. Even against the Browns when there were some important completions made against him, it was more because of great throws by Colt McCoy than poor coverage. Devin’s fearlessness, dedication and team-first attitude sets the example all Patriots rookies should follow.

Comeback Player:

Richard Hill: Jerod Mayo

Where did he go last year and where has he come from this year?

Mike Dussault: Wes Welker

How could he not be, he really shouldn't even be playing yet if he were a mere mortal recovering from ACL surgery.

Stephen Verman: Jerod Mayo

Mayo was not bad last year, but after eight games this season he is only seven tackles shy of his 2009 total. With all the tackles he’s in on you’d think he could rip the ball out once in a while, but that’s like asking why your winning lottery ticket didn’t come with a free soda.

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What have we learned from the first half of the NFL regular season? Wins are not easy to come by. More than half of the league has a .500 record or below. At 6-2 the Patriots are tied with five other franchises for the best record in football. Here PatsPulpit scribes hand out some grades for the various New England offensive, defensive and special teams units, as well as the coaching staff.

NOTE: These grades were calculated before the Patriots Week 9 loss to the Browns.

Bill Belichick

Richard Hill: B+

With all the preseason injuries, I'm surprised the team is (6-1) [written prior to the loss to Cleveland]. That said, I still disagree with how soft the defense plays coverage between the twenties and I think that's on Belichick.

Mike Dussault: A

Did anyone think the Patriots would be (6-1) [written prior to the loss to Cleveland] with this young defense? There's still a lot of work to be done, but winning while rebuilding is a rare feat and the mark of an excellent head coach. 

Stephen Verman: A

Bill has done an incredible job of coaching this team up. Replace him with any other coach in this league and they would struggle to get a winning record out of this squad. Bonus points go to his handling of the Randy Moss and Logan Mankins situations.

Tom Brady

Richard Hill: B+

Nothing spectacular, but he's still a player.

Mike Dussault: A-

Despite sometimes trying to force passes, especially to Randy Moss and later Deion Branch, Brady has been his usual solid self. He's spreading the ball around now and doing whatever it takes to win. 

Stephen Verman: B

In 2007, Brady’s touch on the deep ball was the best in the business. Now he’s just barely in the top five. Arm strength is not the problem, so I would lean toward blaming the knee injury. His decision-making was not the best against the Jets, but when the Patriots need a clutch drive that takes time off the clock and produces a score, he’s still the man.

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It feels like only yesterday that the 2010 season started, but here we recognize AFC East players who have stood out so far.

Quarterback: Tom Brady, Patriots (131 completions, 1,362 yards, 11 TDs, 4 interceptions)

Brady doesn’t have the most yards (Chad Henne) or the best QB rating (Ryan Fitzpatrick), but he owns the highest completion percentage at 66.2% and the most TDs with 11. The Patriots have the best points-per-game average in the league with 29.5, and are tied With San Diego for third in total points (177) despite having played one game less than the Chargers, Tennessee (199) and Oakland (179!?). Brady has not always made solid throws and his decision-making has not been up to his usual standard, particularly in the loss to the Jets. However, he led a fourth-quarter/overtime comeback against the highly-touted Ravens defense, and had a key touchdown drive to start the second half against a San Diego squad that had totally shut the Patriots down offensively up to that point. When the pressure is on, Brady is the quarterback I trust most to carry his team to victory.

Runner Up: Mark Sanchez, Jets (98 completions, 1,100 yards, 9 TDs, 2 interceptions)

Running Back: LaDainian Tomlinson, Jets (92 carries, 490 yards, 5 TDs)

LT has come on with a vengeance this season, proving he is still to be respected. He has over 150 more rushing yards than the next back in the division, who happens to be his teammate Shonn Greene. He also has the most touchdowns with five, and is averaging 5.3 yards per carry. While it remains to be seen if he can sustain his level of performance the entire season, he has already proved many of his doubters wrong.

Runner Up: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Patriots (68 carries, 259 yards, 4 TDs)

Fullback: Lousaka Polite, Dolphins

Polite is a solid blocker, and a very good short-yardage back. If you only need one yard, he is the guy get it. He has five first down conversions this season, four rushing and one receiving.

Runner Up: John Conner, Jets

Wide Receiver 1: Brandon Marshall, Dolphins (42 receptions, 524 yards, 1 TD)

While Marshall has struggled to find the end zone, he is an absolute beast catching the ball. "Covered" is a relative term for Brandon, who has the size and strength to out-fight any defender for the ball. He is tied for sixth in the NFL with 87.3 receiving yards per game.

Runner Up: Braylon Edwards, Jets (21 receptions, 343 yards, 4 TDs)

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What's that? Your best wide receiver is recovering from surgery and the quarterback you gambled your entire season on is struggling without him? You need a premium deep threat to stretch the field and allow your All-Pro running back more room to operate? Well we just so happen to have one in stock, and guess what? He's on sale.

Now that the dust has settled on the Randy Moss trade, it is time to consider how unique an opportunity his acquisition was for the Vikings. How often does a team get the chance to add the exact type of player they are missing after the season has already started?

Imagine if the Patriots had the same opportunity....

The Need:

The Patriots biggest needs are currently on defense. Scoring points has not been a problem. Only the Chargers, Colts, Jets and Titans have put up more total points than the Patriots so far, and all of them have played an additional game. New England however has allowed an average of 24 points per game, and ranks near the bottom of the NFL in most defensive categories, including yards per game (29th), yards per play (30th), first downs per game (29th), third down percentage (32nd), and opponents TD percentage in the red zone (tied for 28th).

The run defense could use improvement as they are allowing an average of 112.2 rushing yards per game, with a 4.4 average per carry. This places them in the lower half of the NFL, but there are bright spots as well. New England's defense has only given up one rushing touchdown (Cedric Benson in Week 1), and allowed only one ground gain of over 20 yards (LaDainian Tomlinson for 31 yards in Week 2). Through the air the Patriots have given up 9 TDs, and are allowing an average of more than 272 passing yards per game. Opponents have completed 12 passes of 20 yards or more, with a long of 51 going to Jordan Shipley in Week 1.

This would suggest the problem is in the secondary, but the secondary and pass rush have to work together to prevent completions, and both are culpable. The Patriots have only 7 sacks thus far, with Gerard Warren's two sacks leading the way. The team has often called blitzes to help pressure the quarterback, and this has brought some success, but a more consistent pass rush using four players would be a huge boost. A top notch defensive end or outside linebacker could have this effect, but that pressure would be wasted without a secondary that can hold up too. Patrick Chung and Devin McCourty have seen a lot of playing time and performed well, especially considering their lack of experience. Brandon Meriweather and James Sanders have had their ups and downs, but the main problem has been at the right cornerback position where Darius Butler and Kyle Arrington have struggled. This leaves us with three possible positions to upgrade:

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Week 4 Games:

Jets defeat Bills 38-14

LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene each rushed for over 100 yards and Tomlinson scored two touchdowns to help the Jets demolish the Bills. Tight end Dustin Keller added two TD receptions to bring his total for the season to five, and Braylon Edwards pulled in four catches for 86 yards and a score. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie filled in well for Darrelle Revis, holding the Bills' best receiver Lee Evans to a single catch for 6 yards.

New York got out to an early lead with a Tomlinson touchdown on their opening drive. On the ensuing kickoff the Jets went with a short kick that was never secured by Bills linebacker Chris Ellis. Lance Laury was able to recover the ball for the Jets at the Buffalo 41, which led to a field goal attempt that was missed. New York’s defense stifled the Bills attack the rest of the way, holding Ryan Fitzpatrick to just 12 completions for 128 yards. The Jets swept their three consecutive division games putting them on top of the AFC East with a head-to-head advantage over the Patriots.

Patriots defeat Dolphins 41-14

After trailing 7-6 at halftime, New England scored five touchdowns in the second half to rout Miami. Receiver Brandon Tate returned the second half kickoff for a touchdown to give the Patriots some momentum, and they never looked back. Safety Patrick "Mini-Missle" Chung had a night to remember, blocking a punt and a field goal as well as returning an interception 51 yards for a TD. The Dolphins looked dangerous in the first half as they repeatedly drove into Patriots territory, however they were only able to come away with one touchdown. Outside linebacker Rob Ninkovich ended two of those drives with crucial interceptions to keep the Patriots in the game.

Despite poor tackling on defense in the first half and a lackluster passing game (Tom Brady threw for only 153 yards, and Randy Moss was held without a catch), the Patriots were able to win big thanks to a committed team effort, and some strong special teams play. They go into their bye week on a high note as they prepare for a tough home game against the Ravens on October 17th.

Awards and more after the jump.

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Week 3 Games:

Patriots defeat Bills 38-30

New England got a late interception from Brandon Meriweather to seal the win in this high-scoring game. Tom Brady was back to his usual self, completing 21 of 27 passes for 252 yards and three TDs. Randy Moss caught two TDs and rookie Aaron Hernandez had a big game, leading the team with 6 receptions for 65 yards. C.J. Spiller helped the Bills stick around with a 95-yard kickoff return for a TD in the third quarter. Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick also played well, frequently completing passes against a Patriots secondary that featured Kyle Arrington starting at cornerback in place of Darius Butler. Fitzpatrick finished 20 of 28 for 247 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions at critical moments in the game. The Patriots played well in the second half for the first time this year, and recorded a nice bounce-back victory. They have a long week to prepare to face the Dolphins in Miami on Monday night.

Jets defeat Dolphins 31-23

New York was able to move into first place in the AFC East with their second straight win over a division rival. Mark Sanchez had another good game, tossing three TDs and no interceptions. Dustin Keller was instrumental again as he tallied 98 yards to go with two touchdown receptions. Braylon Edwards was benched for the first quarter as punishment for a mid-week DUI arrest, but ended up making a big play, taking a Sanchez pass 67 yards for the score after Dolphins cornerback Jason Allen fell trying to prevent the completion. The Jets put up 31 points on a Miami defense that had held each of its previous opponents to 10. Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne threw 44 passes, completing 26 of them for 363 yards and two TDs, but also had an interception in the end zone on his last pass – a 4^th down throw from the Jets’ 5-yard line to possibly tie the game. A win would have put Miami at 3-0 and in the AFC East drivers seat, but instead they join the Patriots and Jets at 2-1.

Awards and more after the jump....

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Week 2 Games:

Jets defeat Patriots 28-14

The Jets rebounded from a dismal offensive showing last week with a superb second half as they rallied in front of a home crowd to beat New England. New York intercepted Tom Brady twice and recovered a sack-fumble. They outscored the Patriots 18-0 in the second half as Mark Sanchez completed passes at will against the Patriots secondary. Darius Butler had a day to forget as he was frequently targeted and unable to prevent key completions. Even with the Jets star cornerback Darrelle Revis sidelined, Brady struggled in the second half, often trying to force the ball to a covered Randy Moss. The Jets outplayed and outcoached New England, backing up some of their preseason talk with an important victory in the division.

Dolphins defeat Vikings 14-10

Miami forced four turnovers out of Brett Favre, including a fumble recovery in the end zone by rookie Koa Misi, as their defense overpowered Minnesota. Vontae Davis and Jason Allen each had interceptions in the red zone, and Allen finished with two picks on the night. Adrian Peterson was his usual self, totaling 145 yards and a TD on 22 carries, but Miami stopped him when it mattered most on a crucial fourth-and-goal run late in the fourth quarter. The Vikings defense played well, recovering fumbles from both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, while holding Chad Henne to just 9 of 15 for 114 yards and a touchdown. The Dolphins had only two accepted penalties for 15 yards. They won a physical contest on the road, and proved themselves to be serious contenders in the AFC East.

Packers defeat Bills 34-7

The Packers stomped Buffalo, sacking Trent Edwards four times (three by linebacker Clay Matthews) and intercepting him twice. Edwards finished with just 102 yards passing and an average of 2.8 yards per pass play (including sacks). Aaron Rodgers threw for two touchdowns and ran for a third. Tight end Jermichael Finley had four receptions for 103 yards in a game that Green Bay never trailed. Buffalo had two forced fumbles and played well against the run, but failed to record a single sack.

Awards and more after the jump....

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Week 1 Games:

Dolphins defeat Bills, 15-10

The Dolphins pulled off a less than convincing victory over the team many predict will be the worst in the league this year. The Bills were largely ineffective on offense, especially on the ground. The new-look Dolphins defense had a positive debut, recording three sacks including one each from newcomer Karlos Dansby and rookie Koa Misi. At the end of the game the Bills took an intentional safety and, after a defensive stop, got the ball back with over 30 seconds remaining but they were unable to capitalize.

Patriots defeat Bengals, 38-24

The Patriots opened up a 24-3 halftime lead on the defending AFC North Champion Bengals. Cincinnati fought back in the second half but the game was already out of hand. The Patriots dominated in all three phases of the game, scoring on an interception return by Gary Guyton and a kickoff return by Brandon Tate. The Patriots young defense performed well and frustrated Carson Palmer by mixing up their formations and disguising their coverage. Wes Welker had a terrific return from injury, making quick cuts, absorbing hits and finishing the day with two TDs.

Ravens defeat Jets, 10-9

Mark Sanchez had an abysmal day passing the ball, and running back Shonn Greene lost two fumbles as the Baltimore defense suffocated New York in their opening game at New Meadowlands Stadium. The Jets defense for the most part played well, stuffing the vaunted Ravens running game, but were unable to get off the field on third down. They had two sacks and caused three turnovers, including an interception by Antonio Cromartie, but Cromartie and rookie cornerback Kyle Wilson were flagged for numerous penalties which extended Baltimore drives. Mark Sanchez had an opportunity to lead a game-winning drive, but Dustin Keller inexplicably ran out of bounds short of the marker after catching a 4^th down pass.

(awards and more after the jump)

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The Patriots and Logan Mankins are not close to reaching an agreement that would bring the left guard into the fold for this season. Mankins feels promises were broken, and the Patriots owe him a better contract than they have offered. Neither side has been willing to blink first. New England often takes a hard line in these negotiations, allowing talented players (Adam Vinatieri, Asante Samuel, Deion Branch) to leave the team rather than pay what they demand. The Patriots have also given generous contracts to players who they felt were worth it (Richard Seymour, Randy Moss, Vince Wilfork). There is no question Logan Mankins is one of the best guards in the game, and to some teams he would be worth $8m per year or more. However a salary cap makes it impossible to have the highest-paid player at every position. If the Patriots feel that is too much to pay for a guard, then where else do they see that money going? Here we examine players scheduled to become free agents after the 2010 season and determine who may be worth the investment.

Tom Brady, Quarterback, age 33
Brady is the first priority. He is going to get a new contract, likely during the regular season. Robert Kraft may announce it just before the start of the season to excite the fans, or he may wait until after a tough Patriots loss to bring morale back up. This deal is extremely important for the future of the franchise, and will probably be in the $100m over 6 years range. That's a lot of money, but it will be well spent. Brady plays the most important position in the game, and is the face of the franchise. He has recovered from the knee injury, and seems determined to bring a winning mentality to the team. I don't buy any of the nonsense about him "going Hollywood ," or becoming soft. The fact is Brady gives the Patriots a better chance of winning the Super Bowl than any other player they could trade for or draft. He has taken reduced contracts and restructured deals to help the Patriots in the past, and he deserves his payday (as much as any person deserves to make upwards of $15m per year).
Verdict: Pay him.

Stephen Gostkowski, Kicker, age 26
When Vinatieri, hero of numerous playoff games including two Super Bowls, was demanding to be the highest-paid kicker in the game the Patriots let him go - to the Colts no less. This controversial move proved to be a wise one as Adam's replacement, Stephen Gostkowski, has quickly matured into a top NFL kicker. Now Gostkowski is coming to a similar crossroads. This season he is being paid approximately $1.7m as a restricted free agent, and can hit the open market in 2011. Back in February the Raiders agreed to pay Sebastian Janikowski $4m per year for the next four years. That's a better salary than Chris Johnson will receive from the Titans this season. Gostkowski probably will not demand quite that much, but he should expect somewhere in the vicinity of $3m annually. That represents a huge jump from his rookie contract, and the Patriots will have to decide whether he is worth it, or if they should try for success again in the draft. In my view, the Patriots got lucky with Gostkowski. I think they will go for the known quantity and reach an agreement on a long-term deal.
Verdict: Pay him.

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The 2010 NFL season is nearly upon us. The excitement is building. The Patriots are out on the practice field getting back in shape, and I have been doing some preparation of my own: Fantasy preparation. As was previously announced on this site, PatsPulpit has teamed up with CBSSports.com to offer a generous 50% discount on their Fantasy Football Commissioner Product. This article will serve as a cheat sheet to help you draft a strong squad capable of dominating your opponents. I've also provided aNew England angle on each position, in case, like me, your team doesn't feel complete without a Patriot. I hope this article will help you select a championship team, but if you eventually come up short, feel free to put all the blame on me.

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Cincinnati Bengals

2009 record: 10-6

2009 record vs. Patriots: n/a

Offense:

The Bengals 2009 offense did not score a ton of points but they got the job done. Carson Palmer had a productive season with 3,094 passing yards, 21 TDs, and 13 interceptions. He was not the dazzling passer he has been in the past, and his mobility looked somewhat limited. Fortunately the Bengals offense was able to share the load. Cedric Benson led the running game, totaling 1,251 rushing yards and 6 TDs. He averaged 4.2 yards per carry, and did not lose a single fumble (his only fumble was recovered). Chad Ochocinco also had a good season, finishing with 1,047 receiving yards and 9 TDs.

In the offseason Cincinnati signed Antonio Bryant, who had a breakout year with Tampa Bay in 2008, but took a step backward last season. He has struggled with inconsistency, but has good size and speed and will stretch the field opposite Ochocinco. The Bengals also added to their offense through the draft, selecting TE Jermaine Gresham in the first round. Gresham is a complete tight end who can block and catch. He excels as a receiving threat, with speed to get down the field and excellent hands. He sat out all his senior year at Oklahoma with an ACL injury, but should be ready for the 2010 season. The Bengals do not often incorporate their tight ends into the passing game, but with Gresham as an option that will change. His blocking skills will help in the running game as well. WR Jordan Shipley was also drafted from Texas in the third round, and should contribute as a slot receiver.

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Cleveland Browns:

2009 record: 5-11

2009 record vs. Patriots: N/A

Offense:

It is a new era in Cleveland now that Mike Holmgren is the team President. This was made clear by the immediate turnover at quarterback. Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn are both gone, replaced by Jake Delhomme, Seneca Wallace and Colt McCoy. The Browns offense is a big question mark going into the 2010 season. Delhomme is the presumed starter, but coach Eric Mangini likes to wait to the last possible moment before declaring these decisions. In 11 starts last season, Delhomme had 8 TD passes and 18 interceptions, with 6 fumbles (3 lost). While he may benefit from a change of scenery, his new wide receiver corps is not especially impressive. Mohamed Massaquoi led the group with 34 receptions for 624 yards and three TDs in 2009. Aside from him, no receiver on the team had more than 200 receiving yards. Kick return specialist Josh Cribbs (3 return TDs in 2009) will be used more in the offense this season, and will be expected to provide a spark. Tight end Ben Watson was signed from New England, and will hope he can make a good impression and become a reliable contributor after a relatively uninspiring season for the Patriots.

Former backup running back Jerome Harrison was a nice surprise toward the end of the 2009 season. He had a string of big games, including a 286 yard, 3 TD effort against Kansas City. Harrison will likely share time with rookie Montario Hardesty who was drafted in the second round. Cleveland has a good young offensive line featuring LT Joe Thomas and center Alex Mack. The running game should be their strength in 2010, and if McCoy or another QB emerges, it could bode well for Cleveland down the road.

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Note: This story is a continuation of a series I wrote on Greg's former site, PatriotsBlog.net. I reviewed the other three AFC East teams and predicted their order of finish. (Links: Jets, Dolphins, Bills)

I thought I would continue over the next few weeks with the rest of the Patriots opponents in 2010.

Pittsburgh Steelers

2009 record: 9-7, Did not make playoffs.

2009 record vs. Patriots: N/A

Offense:

The Steelers offense took a huge hit in the offseason with Ben Roethlisberger’s suspension and the loss of Santonio Holmes to the Jets. In addition, receiver Limas Sweed is out for the season with an Achilles injury suffered in minicamp. This leaves receivers Hines Ward and Mike Wallace, tight end Heath Miller and running back Rashard Mendenhall to carry the load. Holmes production (79 catches, 1,248 yards, 5 TDs in 2009) will be missed on the field. Deep-threat Wallace will be asked to step up in his place. Miller and Ward remain steady sources of production, and Mendenhall (1,108 rushing yards, 7 TDs) has shown signs of being a reliable feature back. The Steelers have brought back a number of former players, including wide receiver Antwaan Randle El from Washington. Look for a few of those gadget plays they ran in the past with him throwing the ball deep. Former back-up quarterbacks Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch also return to compete for the starting job with Dennis Dixon while Roethlisberger serves his suspension.

I doubt Roethlisberger will be suspended for more than the minimum four games, and those will come against Atlanta, Tennessee, Tampa Bay and Baltimore. The Steelers need to take at least one of those games if they hope to remain competitive in the division. They will likely lean heavily on Mendenhall and use their trademark pound-the-ball style while taking a shot deep every so often to keep defenses honest. When Big Ben returns it will be interesting to see if he still has the same swagger. His presence will allow for a more balanced attack, but Pittsburgh took center Maurkice Pouncey, and a big running back in Jonathan Dwyer in the draft. Their offensive line is one of the largest in the NFL, and they will continue to be a run-first team.

Defense:

The Pittsburgh defense was not the same all-conquering unit last year. The missing link seemed to be feared safety Troy Polamolu, who missed much of the season after injuring his knee on opening day. He will be back, along with defensive end Aaron Smith who was sidelined 11 games with a shoulder injury. Cornerback Bryant McFadden and inside linebacker Larry Foote return after spending a year in Arizona and Detroit respectively. Nose tackle Casey Hampton and safety Ryan Clark were re-signed, and safety Will Allen was brought over from Tampa Bay.

Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is one of the best in the business. He has a deadly outside linebacker tandem in James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, and Pittsburgh added to their depth at the position with rookies Jason Worlids and Thaddeaus Gibson.

The Steelers will be hoping they can return their defense to the dominant force it was for their Super Bowl-winning campaigns of 2005 and 2008. Their division is one of the toughest in the NFL, but Pittsburgh loves to be underestimated. They have a very experienced group of players who know how to grind out tough wins, and the entire second half of their schedule should be cold weather games. There is a lot riding on those four games without Big Ben, but I see the Steelers defense keeping them in the playoff hunt. They are not a team you want to see on your schedule late in the season.

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A big theme for New England this offseason has been chemistry and leadership. Both Vince Wilfork and Tom Brady recently stressed the importance of the entire team being focused on winning, and trusting your teammates to do their part on the field. Wilfork went as far as saying he had no problem calling out players who weren’t giving their all. One player he will not have to keep his eye on is the guy directly to his left.

Ty Warren is entering his 8^th season as a defensive end for the Patriots, and is easily one of their most consistent performers. He averages 53 tackles and nearly 3 sacks per season, but had a breakout year in 2006 when he totaled 83 tackles and 7.5 sacks with a safety and a forced fumble.

Warren’s main responsibility is in the running game where he plays the two-gap technique in Belichick’s 3-4 ‘read-and-react’ system. It is not a position that brings individual recognition as he is rarely asked to blitz or drop into coverage. Ty’s role is to engage at least one blocker, hold his ground and read the play, before moving to stuff the ball carrier or collapse the pocket on the quarterback. The position takes an incredible amount of strength and finesse to deal with powerful NFL linemen, as well as excellent recognition skills to correctly diagnose the play. Warren is well suited to this difficult position. His reliability makes it easier for teammates to do their jobs. Without a player like him to eat up blocks and control the line of scrimmage it would be very difficult for the Patriots 3-4 defense to be successful. Ty is not the most outspoken Patriot, but one who knows his responsibilities and makes sure he fulfills them.

When Richard Seymour was traded to Oakland at the start of the 2009 season, Warren was surprised by the move. He said he would miss his teammate, but was determined not to let the absence of "Big Sey" affect his play. "What I do is pretty much in stone. They know what they're going to get out of me. I'm not really a rah-rah guy. I don't feel like I'm going to need any extra rah-rah. I'm just going to do what Ty Warren does and that is stick to the plan, work hard. That's kind of my motto."

The Patriots’ recent crop of draft picks would do well to adopt this motto.

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