New England Patriots 2014 Season Preview

Last season, the New England Patriots had reached the AFC championship for the third year straight, and it does not seem like that is going to change next season. With the wide receiving core, headed by Julian Edelman, comes only room to improve next season. Brandon LaFell was a free agent WR for the Carolina Panthers, and will bring good size and and another veteran leader to the team. Also, despite his injury, Rob Gronkowski is still the best Tight End in football, and is healing ahead of schedule. Last years rookie WR's Aaron Dobson, Kembrell Thompkins, and Josh Boyce will all compete for jobs with veterans: Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, and the newly acquired Brandon Lafell. Not to mention the Patriots got a steal in the 7th round of the draft when they selected Jeremy Gallons, a receiver from Michigan.

The Patriots also did a good job in bolstering the offensive line in the the 2014 NFL draft. Newly acquired Center, Bryan Stork will bring depth, and possibly compete to start day one. Tackle Cameron Fleming will also bring depth as veteran tackle Sebastian Vollmer recovers from his torn ACL. Jon Halapio was also picked up for depth at the guard spot. Also the Patriots have truly upgraded the defense, which now bolsters a top-5 secondary with new acquisitions: Darrelle Revis, and Brandon Browner. Browner (6'4, 235lbs) is one of the biggest and most physical corners in the game of football. With new rookies Dominique Easley and Zach Moore, and the return of Vince Wilfork (Achilles), and Jerod Mayo, the new Patriots defense is stacking up to be one of the best in the league. This is especially true when they coped well with the loss of key players last season. DE Chandler Jones is quickly turning into a premier defensive end, and second year player Jamie Collins is likely to step up big in the upcoming season. 

Finally, it would be blasphemous to not mention the best duo in NFL history: Bill Bellichick, and Tom Brady. People say that Brady is on a downhill turn, but that could not be further from the truth. Brady managed to get the Patriots to the AFC Championship game for the third year in a row, with a decimated offensive line, and very little help from his receiving core.The Pats receiving core was less than mediocre last season, but despite this, he had no problem scoring with the football. He also played the majority of the season without the assistance of the best Tight End in football. Gronkowski's value is often underestimated because of his setbacks, but he can cause match up problems getting other receivers open, as well as the fact that he is the best blocking TE in the league. Led by the best coach in football, the New England Patriots look like they will have their best season in years, and they are very likely to hoist the Lombardi trophy for the fourth time since 2001.