Patriots Ramblings

I know that it is only late May but the sight of a healthy Tom Brady lining up under center and directing the offense makes for good thoughts. With Brady back at the helm, the Pats offense could be a juggernaut. They have added Greg Lewis and Joey Galloway at receiver to complement Randy Moss and Wes Welker. Fred Taylor was also signed this offseason to give the team an additional playmaker in the backfield next to Sammy Morris, Laurence Maroney, and Kevin Faulk. If health problems can be avoided, this offense might rival the dominant 2007 unit that shredded the NFL to the tune of 36.8 points per game... I really like the signing of free agent linebacker Paris Lenon. Lenon has been a solid player and he provides quality depth at a position that the Patriots sorely need bodies. Lenon joins Jerod Mayo, Tedy Bruschi, and (my personal favorite) Gary Guyton. The one big issue for Lenon will be his ability to transition from playing middle 'backer in a 4-3 scheme to playing inside in Bill Belichick's 3-4 defense. With a veteran like Bruschi and a stud like Mayo to provide guidance, hopefully Lenon will adapt sooner than later... Vince Wilfork wants a new contract. He is an integral part of the Pats defense, eating up interior blockers from his nose tackle position with his 6-2, 345-pound frame. In the 3-4 defense employed by the Pats, the nose tackle might be the most important player on the field. Unfortunately for Wilfork, the Pats drafted a potential replacement for him a few weeks ago. Former Boston College nose tackle Ron Brace, a Wilfork-sized player (6-3, 330), will give Belichick and the Patriots leverage in their negotiations with Wilfork. If Wilfork will not accept a "home town" discount to remain a Patriot and if Brace proves he is a capable replacement at nose tackle, we could be seeing the last of Wilfork in New England in 2009... The Julius Peppers rumors have silenced and Jason Taylor returned to the Dolphins, leaving the Patriots without an answer to their pass rushing needs. A trade for Oakland's Derrick Burgess, who registered 3.5 sacks a year ago and has 47 total sacks in his career, would make sense. The Patriots have three second round picks in the 2010 draft and I will not be surprised if Belichick uses one of them to acquire Burgess. If not Burgess, the Pats will enter 2009 with no proven rushers from the edge, save for Adalius Thomas. That is a lot of pressure to put on the young and untested Shawn Crable, a 2008 third round selection, who will be counted upon to get after opposing quarterbacks...