| |  | New England Patriots
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OutlookThe Patriots remain an elite team. They have a super offense and the defense can be underrated at times. The defense doesn't have a ton of big names but seem to get the job done. If there is a weakness defensively, it is stopping the pass. Their pass defense was shredded at times last season. If they can improve that some, the team could take another step forward this season. Either way, expect New England to be a top team once again, making a run at another Super Bowl. The talent is certainly there. |
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Stevan Ridley, RB. You just aren't sure who will open the season as the starter for the Patriots at running back but Ridley makes the most sense to us. He started some down the stretch last year and produced well in that role. He should have the upper hand to land that starting job this season. Ridley is more in the BenJarvus Green-Ellis mode, running with power and doing well between the tackles, which makes him a good fit to take over the role Green-Ellis served last season. Ridley has some upside as a No. 3 back for fantasy teams in a very good Patriots' offense. |
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Deion Branch, WR. Branch seems the odd man out in New England at receiver. The Patriots have a host of new options at the position. And while Branch did well last season in a starting role, he has the least amount of upside for the Patriots in the role. He is an aging receiver nearing the end of his career, so look for the Patriots to get others involved this season at receiver. Branch is going to see a drop in targets. |
Team Notes| May 16, 07:22 PM |
New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (forearm) is scheduled to undergo surgery Monday, May 20. He underwent X-rays on his forearm Wednesday, May 15, and had his forearm examined. Doctors will see if the infection is still in Gronkowski's forearm. The team expects Gronkowski to be ready for training camp.
Fantasy Impact: Not good. This really puts the start of his season in jeopardy. | | May 13, 10:23 AM |
The New England Patriots signed free-agent OL Tyronne Green (Chargers) to an undisclosed deal. | | May 10, 09:22 PM |
Updating a previous report, New England Patriots WR Lavelle Hawkins signed a two-year deal worth as much as $3.065 million. | | May 09, 12:12 PM |
The New England Patriots signed free-agent WR Lavelle Hawkins (Titans) to a two-year deal.
Fantasy Impact: He'll compete for a roster spot. We wouldn't expect much. | | May 08, 10:23 PM |
The New York Jets could express interest in free-agent WR Brandon Lloyd (Patriots) this offseason. | | May 08, 12:23 PM |
New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (forearm) will need a fourth surgery on his forearm to change the plate that is securing the forearm. It is still not known if the infection in his forearm has cleared, which is delaying the surgery to replace the plate. Gronkowski probably would need a fifth surgery if the infection has not cleared, and his status for the start of the regular season would be uncertain.
Fantasy Impact: This injury situation is a big concern for the coming season. It is uncertain if he'll be healthy enough for the start of the year. | | May 08, 09:53 AM |
Updating previous reports, New England Patriots WR Julian Edelman (foot) is in a walking boot after a clean-up procedure on his right foot. He's still expected to be ready for training camp, but he could miss OTAs. | | May 07, 02:53 PM |
New England Patriots WR Julian Edelman (foot) is back in a walking boot after re-injuring his right foot. It is the same injury that put him on Injured Reserve in 2012.
Fantasy Impact: Not good. We'll keep you posted. | | May 07, 02:43 PM |
New England Patriots WR Julian Edelman (foot) could be limited in the team's minicamp due to a foot issue. | | May 07, 08:53 AM |
Pittsburgh Steelers FS Ryan Clark said New England Patriots QB Tom Brady struggles when he does not have time to throw the football. 'When Tom Brady gets pressure and when you're man-to-man and bumping those guys and making it hard for him to throw, he sees ghosts,' Clark said. 'Even when guys aren't around him, even when he's not about to be sacked, when his clock goes off in his head that the ball should be out, we'll see him duck, we'll see him flinch. When you get Tom Brady doing that, the whole New England Patriots mystique goes away.' Clark added the Patriots have their fair share of fragile players, including offseason addition WR Danny Amendola. | | May 06, 12:02 PM |
New England Patriots QB Tom Brady will turn 36 this season, but he said he feels like he's 25. | | May 05, 11:33 AM |
New England Patriots RB LeGarrette Blount has agreed to reduce his salary to $630,000 this season. He was scheduled to make $1.2 million before restructuring his contract. | | May 05, 11:22 AM |
New England Patriots P Ryan Allen could make a serious push to win the punter job over P Zoltan Mesko during offseason workouts and training camp. Mesko is scheduled to make $1.3 million this season while Allen would make a little over $400,000 if he won the job, which could be a factor in the decision. Allen could be added to the practice squad if he does not win the job. | | May 05, 11:13 AM |
New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (forearm) will have to wait a few more weeks before finding out if he needs another surgery on his forearm. Gronkowski has been participating in the team's offseason workouts and has looked very good.
Fantasy Impact: This sounds pretty encouraging. He seems to be trending towards being ready for the start of the year but nothing is a sure thing right now. | | May 04, 01:42 PM |
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said he believes the team got good value when they acquired RB LeGarrette Blount. 'With LeGarrette, he's been a productive player. He didn't play as much last year with the emergence of [Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Doug Martin] down there, so I can certainly understand that Tampa was in. We felt like he was a talented guy that we wanted to have on our team,' Belichick said.
Fantasy Impact: We aren't sure how he fits in just yet but could have some sort of role with the team - maybe even short-yardage work. | | May 03, 04:32 PM |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano and his assistant coaches are scheduled to visit with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and his assistants next week to discuss coaching topics and techniques. |
Offseason Keys|
Will Allen, CB; Bobby Carpenter, LB; Marquice Cole, CB; Jonathan Fanene, DE; Daniel Fells, TE; Robert Gallery, OG; Steve Gregory, S; Brandon Lloyd, WR; Jamey Richard, OG; Trevor Scott, DE; Donte' Stallworth, WR.
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Mark Anderson, DE; Landon Cohen, NT; BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB; Gary Guyton, LB; Antwaun Molden, CB.
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2012 Schedule
| 1 | Sep 8 |
1:00PM |
at Buffalo |
| 2 | Sep 12 |
8:25PM |
New York Jets |
| 3 | Sep 22 |
1:00PM |
Tampa Bay |
| 4 | Sep 29 |
8:30PM |
at Atlanta |
| 5 | Oct 6 |
1:00PM |
at Cincinnati |
| 6 | Oct 13 |
4:25PM |
New Orleans |
| 7 | Oct 20 |
1:00PM |
at New York Jets |
| 8 | Oct 27 |
1:00PM |
Miami |
| 9 | Nov 3 |
4:25PM |
Pittsburgh |
| -- Week 10 Bye -- |
| 11 | Nov 18 |
8:40PM |
at Carolina |
| 12 | Nov 24 |
8:30PM |
Denver |
| 13 | Dec 1 |
4:25PM |
at Houston |
| 14 | Dec 8 |
1:00PM |
Cleveland |
| 15 | Dec 15 |
1:00PM |
at Miami |
| 16 | Dec 22 |
8:30PM |
at Baltimore |
| 17 | Dec 29 |
1:00PM |
Buffalo |
| -- Week 18 Bye -- |
| 19 | Jan 12 |
4:30PM |
Houston |
| 20 | Jan 19 |
6:30PM |
Baltimore |
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