53 Questions About the Pats
The Globe has 53 questions about the Pats heading into the season. We'll tackle (see what I did there?) 10 at a time leading into the first day of camp. Off we go:
1. Should Pats fans start to worry about Tom Brady? Nah, not yet. If healthy, he is the least of their worries.
2. Can Brandon Spikes stay healthy? Good question. Hopefully he can as it's a different defense with him in the middle. But there is a bit more flexibility this year with the addition of Hightower.
3. Is Lloyd the deep threat the Pats have been hoping for? He's not Randy Moss, but he's as good as they're going to get, and a perfect fit for them. So good luck to opposing defenses.
4. Who is better, Ridley or Vereen? No clue, the early nod goes to Ridley with the exception of the fumbles. Vereen will likely have a role if he can stay on the field.
5. Has Ridley gotten over the fumbles? Again, hopefully otherwise the answer to #4 is Vereeen, or Kevin Faulk, or even Ben Vereen.
6. How much can Addai contribute? Really good question. If he makes the team he'll have a role but one has to think that a lot has to go wrong, or right in Addai's case, for him to make the team. Between Woodhead, Vereen and Ridley there seems to be enough there.
7. Who will be the 3rd down back? There is a lot of competition here. If everyone's healthy it likely comes down to the situation as to who sees the field on 3rd down.
8. How many receivers will the Pats keep? Let's say six, although no idea who the other three will be aside from Welker, Lloyd and Gaffney. All depends on if they consider Hernandez a WR, which for salary purposes they probably don't.
9. What does Stallworth have left? We'll see. The guess is that he and Branch are the same in terms of what is left. Branch likely gets the nod in that scenario.
10. Will Welker be happy? Not as happy as with a long-term deal, but fairly happy for a guy that is making $9 million.
Will review questions 11-20 tomorrow.
1. Should Pats fans start to worry about Tom Brady? Nah, not yet. If healthy, he is the least of their worries.
2. Can Brandon Spikes stay healthy? Good question. Hopefully he can as it's a different defense with him in the middle. But there is a bit more flexibility this year with the addition of Hightower.
3. Is Lloyd the deep threat the Pats have been hoping for? He's not Randy Moss, but he's as good as they're going to get, and a perfect fit for them. So good luck to opposing defenses.
4. Who is better, Ridley or Vereen? No clue, the early nod goes to Ridley with the exception of the fumbles. Vereen will likely have a role if he can stay on the field.
5. Has Ridley gotten over the fumbles? Again, hopefully otherwise the answer to #4 is Vereeen, or Kevin Faulk, or even Ben Vereen.
6. How much can Addai contribute? Really good question. If he makes the team he'll have a role but one has to think that a lot has to go wrong, or right in Addai's case, for him to make the team. Between Woodhead, Vereen and Ridley there seems to be enough there.
7. Who will be the 3rd down back? There is a lot of competition here. If everyone's healthy it likely comes down to the situation as to who sees the field on 3rd down.
8. How many receivers will the Pats keep? Let's say six, although no idea who the other three will be aside from Welker, Lloyd and Gaffney. All depends on if they consider Hernandez a WR, which for salary purposes they probably don't.
9. What does Stallworth have left? We'll see. The guess is that he and Branch are the same in terms of what is left. Branch likely gets the nod in that scenario.
10. Will Welker be happy? Not as happy as with a long-term deal, but fairly happy for a guy that is making $9 million.
Will review questions 11-20 tomorrow.