There are a number of new faces playing for the Patriots this year, especially on defense. At about the halfway point in the season it is interesting to see how some of the young guys or new guys have worked out. You also have to look at the various roster moves and attempt to put their impact on the team in context.
Most people, including myself, had the Patriots going 6-1 at the bye week. So a 5-2 record is not bad. The worst part of the two losses is who they lost to. AFC and especially AFC East losses are hard to swallow. At the end of the season I fully expect the Patriots to be significantly better than the Jets or Broncos. As it is, those two losses could come back to haunt them.
OFFENSE OVERALL: B+
The numbers tell you this should be a higher grade. Fifth in points per game. Third in total offense. Second in passing yards per game. But what do your eyes tell you? My eyes tell me this a good offense but there is room for improvement.
QUARTERBACK: B
Despite being named Offensive Player of the Month for October, Tom Brady can play better. Those of us who have been spoiled by the best quarterback in football know this to be true. I have taken into account the comeback from the knee injury. Brady is now past the point where the injury is playing a part. He was off-target early in the season on the long ball and not nearly as precise as we are used to on the medium-range passes. He has still put up some very solid numbers and if he maintains this pace he should be in another Pro Bowl.
RECEIVERS: B+
Wes Welker makes Tom Brady a better quarterback. Welker is where he is supposed to be 98 percent of the time. And he gets open on the way there. Is there any wonder that Welker is on his way to another 100-plus-catch season? Welker has 46 receptions despite having played in only five games.
Randy Moss is having pretty good year statistically speaking. Moss could easily finish with 85 catches and 1,100 yards. Look for his yards-per-catch average to be better in the second half of the season. Brady missed Moss deep a few times early on. I expect that to change.
Joey Galloway was a complete bust. Dropping passes and missing reads were only his most obvious issues. I know it is hard to judge a guy's desire, but this was a complete whiff by Belichick and the personnel braintrust. The ability was still there but the desire was gone. He did not work hard enough or care enough.
The Julian Edelman experiment was paying dividends before he got hurt. Sam Aiken has shown more than just special teams ability.
Ben Watson and Chris Baker have been adequate at tight end. Watson still is capable of highlight reel catches.
OFFENSIVE LINE: B+
The O-line has played well, allowing only eight sacks in 284 passing attempts. Part of that low ratio is Tom Brady being as good as he is, but it is still a good number. Brady has been hit 29 times but even that is acceptable.
The run-blocking has been better than the rushing numbers would indicate.
Matt Light was playing well before he got hurt. Stephen Neal has played well enough but his mistakes seem to come in bunches. Logan Mankins has been solid, as has Dan Koppen. Nick Kaczur has been better than average on the right side. Sebastian Vollmer has filled in well for the injured Light.
I thought that their vast experience would have had them playing better against the Jets and that Rex Ryan defense.
RUNNING BACKS: B-
If this grade seems high, just remember it is not a grade for just Laurence Maroney. Fred Taylor was doing well before he went down. The same can be said for Sammy Morris. Kevin Faulk continues to be one of the most mentally tough and reliable players in the NFL. BenJarvus Green-Ellis seems to make the most of the chances he is given.
Why are we all angry with Laurence Maroney? He is averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He does not
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