I’m going to try and work in a new weekly post each Sunday here that will feature some commentary about what went down around the rest of the NFL, especially with the Pats biggest rivals. These are always some of my favorite weekend reading, especially during the offseason, so here are mine.
LeSean McCoy Traded for Kiko Alonso – I was somewhat disappointed by this week’s big trade because I was curious to see how Rex used Alonso. As for having to see McCoy twice a season I’m not really all that concerned. The one time the Pats saw McCoy in the 2011 regular season he had just 31 yards on 10 carries, though he did have a 2-yard TD. There’s no question he’s a good weapon, but we’ve dealt with Jackson and Spiller for years and they were never a huge problem. Until the Bills get a QB I’m skeptical of them legitimately threatening the throne.
Speaking of which, the Bills also got Matt Cassell this week. Yawn. We saw him last year with Minnesota. Right or wrong, Brian Hoyer would’ve scared me a lot more. We’ve always known what Cassell can and can’t do. Sounds like he’ll just be mentoring EJ Manuel, who has performed well in spots vs. the Patriots the couple times he’s played us. Still, I think the Chiefs remain a good model on how to beat the Patriots – efficient QB, explosive running back, dominant front seven. Of course, that’s the formula, baking it into a “Beat the Pats” cake requires a 60-minute nearly mistake-free game while also catching the Pats on one of their off days.
Brandon Marshall is back in the AFC East and again, until the Jets find a quarterback who can at least be consistent, I’m not exactly sure how much we should be worried. Marshall had just 3 catches for 35 yards in 2014 vs. the Pats. So yeah, this is another point in why it’s so important to retain Revis.
Lot of rumors swirling that the Dolphins are the favorites to land Ndamukung Suh, which would obviously give make a very good front even better. Suh is just the kind of player that can cause the Pats problems, even moreso than their vaunted edge rusher Cameron Wake. If the Phins get Suh it will put even more emphasis for me on upgrading the guard spots, at least one of them. Clint Boling was a favorite of mine coming out and I think he’d make sense.
Some have asked me what happens if the Pats lose BOTH Revis and McCourty. I don’t really see that as an option. The corner market is already drying up. If the Pats don’t spend on them I don’t know where they spend and they HAVE to spend.
It will be a crazy week and I expect to be surprised by a Pats move at least once.
