Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Pats in trouble

I'm gonna say it. I don't think it's all over for the defending AFC champs, but I'm really worried. Today the Pats put Ryan O'Callaghan on inured reserve, placed Stephen Neal on the PUP list and released Jason Webster and Kyle Eckel.

The O'Callaghan and Neal moves are extremely troubling. The O-line, which is the main reason the Patriots are not defending Super Bowl champions, is suspect. Dan Koppen and Logan Mankins are rocks, but I'm not sold on the other three. 

Matt Light may be the most overrated player in the league - at any position. He plays well against mediocre competition, but gets taken to school whenever he's matched up with any of the top DEs in the game (see Aaron Schobel, Jason Taylor, Osi Umenyiora, etc.).

The right side is filled with question marks now. You have Nick Kaczur, who is coming back from offseason drug issues. Then you have your choice between Billy Yates and Wesley Britt, two guys with limited playing time in the NFL.

On top of all this, the defense has looked awful in the preseason. I rarely put any stock into preseason performances, but eventually a veteran team has to try to stop the other team from gaining 10 yards per play if only for personal pride. 

Webster was supposed to be a piece to replace Asante Samuel; now he has effectively replaced Duane Starks. 

It's not over by any means, but it's time for some rookies to step up. Britt and Yates have a chance on the O-line, and Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite must make plays at corner. Jerod Mayo is also being asked to step in right away and play linebacker in one of the toughest systems in the world. 

If those players step up the Pats will be fine, but it will not be an easy walk to the Super Bowl in 2008.

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