| |  | New England Patriots
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OutlookThe Patriots remain an elite team. They have a super offense and the defense can be underrated at times. The defense doesn't have a ton of big names but seem to get the job done. If there is a weakness defensively, it is stopping the pass. Their pass defense was shredded at times last season. If they can improve that some, the team could take another step forward this season. Either way, expect New England to be a top team once again, making a run at another Super Bowl. The talent is certainly there. |
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Stevan Ridley, RB. You just aren't sure who will open the season as the starter for the Patriots at running back but Ridley makes the most sense to us. He started some down the stretch last year and produced well in that role. He should have the upper hand to land that starting job this season. Ridley is more in the BenJarvus Green-Ellis mode, running with power and doing well between the tackles, which makes him a good fit to take over the role Green-Ellis served last season. Ridley has some upside as a No. 3 back for fantasy teams in a very good Patriots' offense. |
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Deion Branch, WR. Branch seems the odd man out in New England at receiver. The Patriots have a host of new options at the position. And while Branch did well last season in a starting role, he has the least amount of upside for the Patriots in the role. He is an aging receiver nearing the end of his career, so look for the Patriots to get others involved this season at receiver. Branch is going to see a drop in targets. |
Team Notes| May 22, 11:11 AM |
New England Patriots WR Danny Amendola is working on getting on the same page with QB Tom Brady. The two worked out together earlier in the offseason in California and are now taking part in organized team activities. 'I said it today; he darted me in the chest with one ball, and inside my head I was like, 'Wow, this guy can really wing it,'' Amendola said after Tuesday's practice. 'That's why he's Tom Brady.' | | May 21, 02:03 PM |
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said that arm surgery for TE Rob Gronkowski (forearm, back) received 'as good a report as we could hope for.'
Fantasy Impact: Yeah, it seems Gronkowski is on track to be ready for the start of the year now. | | May 20, 06:53 PM |
New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (forearm, back) plans to meet with a doctor in California in about three to four weeks to decide whether he will need to undergo back surgery. | | May 20, 05:53 PM |
New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (forearm, back) underwent surgery Monday, May 20, to replace the plate in his forearm. The doctors believe the infection in his forearm has cleared.
Fantasy Impact: This is good news for Gronk. He should have a good chance to be ready for the start of the year now. It could have been much worse. | | May 20, 02:23 PM |
New England Patriots LB Brandon Spikes has not been participating in organized team activities but will be present for the team's minicamp. Spikes has been working out on his own and believes that is the best way for him to prepare for the season. His absence has nothing to do with his contract situation. | | May 20, 01:03 PM |
New England Patriots QB Tom Brady started working with former major league pitcher and quarterback tutor Tom House this offseason, and Brady feels his mechanics are better than ever. 'The same way Tom Martinez was always there to watch and give me corrections, Tom House has told me why certain corrections need to be made,' Brady said. 'Look at a baseball swing and a golf swing. It's all mechanics. Look at how Barry Bonds swings. Look at how Floyd Mayweather punches. Mechanics. When you've got to fit it into the tightest windows, mechanics are crucial.' | | May 20, 08:22 AM |
New England Patriots QB Tom Brady said he is more confident with his arm and throwing mechanics than ever before. | | May 19, 02:02 PM |
New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (forearm, back) is scheduled to undergo surgery Monday, May 20, on his injured forearm. The doctors are expected to take cultures from his forearm to see if the infection is still there. If there is no infection, the plate in his forearm will be replaced and Gronkowski would start a 10- to 11-week rehab process. The plate will not be replaced if there are still signs of an infection. | | May 19, 01:32 PM |
New England Patriots LB Brandon Spikes has not spent a lot of time with the team during their offseason program. It is not known if he will be present for organized team activities this week. | | May 18, 02:52 PM |
New England Patriots SS Tavon Wilson said he has been working with SS Adrian Wilson this offseason in order to learn from the veteran. 'He's been a great player in this league for a long time, and I'm glad we brought him over,' Wilson. 'I can learn a lot from Adrian, all the things he knows. I've been working closely with him so far and trying to soak up everything I can from him.' | | May 17, 06:32 PM |
New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski's (back) problem with a disc in his back is not related to the disc problem he had while in college in 2009. Gronkowski underwent a procedure to fix his back problem in college. It is not known when Gronkowski suffered his current injury. | | May 17, 06:02 PM |
New England Patriots DT Tommy Kelly is expected to receive a big role on defense this season. Kelly could play defensive tackle when the team uses a 4-3 defensive alignment and a defensive end in a 3-4 defensive alignment. | | May 17, 05:32 PM |
Updating previous reports, New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (back, forearm) probably will need to undergo back surgery but is waiting for a second option at this point. His back surgery likely would occur three to four weeks after his upcoming forearm surgery. His back surgery would be delayed if Gronkowski needs two surgeries on his forearm. | | May 17, 05:22 PM |
Updating an ongoing story, New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski's (back, forearm) 'chronic' back problem, even if it does require surgery, won't keep him from participating in training camp, unless his forearm needs several more surgeries. Gronkowski's disc problem is different from the disc problem he dealt with in 2009, when he had the disc shaved down. However, his new disc problem dates back to last season. The star tight end was surrounded by rumors in 2010 that he dealt with spinal stenosis, or the narrowing of the spinal column that can lead to degenerative discs and joint pain. However, those rumors were quickly dismissed. | | May 17, 03:52 PM |
Updating a previous report, New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski's (back, forearm) back issue is believed to be minor, and if he does need surgery, he is not expected to miss more time than it would take to recover from the forearm issue he is dealing with. | | May 17, 03:42 PM |
New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (forearm, back) could require surgery on his back for a disc issue he has been dealing with. Gronkowski recently underwent an MRI, and if he is forced to have the surgery, could be ready in the same amount of time it would take to recover from the arm issue. |
Offseason Keys|
QB Mike Kafka, RB Leon Washington, WR Danny Amendola, WR Lavelle Hawkins, WR Michael Jenkins, WR Donald Jones, OT Will Svitek, DL Marcus Benard, DL Tommy Kelly, SS Adrian Wilson.
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RB Danny Woodhead,
WR Brandon Lloyd,
WR Wes Welker,
DL Kyle Love,
CB Ross Ventrone,
SS Patrick Chung.
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2012 Schedule
| 1 | Sep 8 |
1:00PM |
at Buffalo |
| 2 | Sep 12 |
8:25PM |
New York Jets |
| 3 | Sep 22 |
1:00PM |
Tampa Bay |
| 4 | Sep 29 |
8:30PM |
at Atlanta |
| 5 | Oct 6 |
1:00PM |
at Cincinnati |
| 6 | Oct 13 |
4:25PM |
New Orleans |
| 7 | Oct 20 |
1:00PM |
at New York Jets |
| 8 | Oct 27 |
1:00PM |
Miami |
| 9 | Nov 3 |
4:25PM |
Pittsburgh |
| -- Week 10 Bye -- |
| 11 | Nov 18 |
8:40PM |
at Carolina |
| 12 | Nov 24 |
8:30PM |
Denver |
| 13 | Dec 1 |
4:25PM |
at Houston |
| 14 | Dec 8 |
1:00PM |
Cleveland |
| 15 | Dec 15 |
1:00PM |
at Miami |
| 16 | Dec 22 |
8:30PM |
at Baltimore |
| 17 | Dec 29 |
1:00PM |
Buffalo |
| -- Week 18 Bye -- |
| 19 | Jan 12 |
4:30PM |
Houston |
| 20 | Jan 19 |
6:30PM |
Baltimore |
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