We drafted well for the most part. Picked up an offensive sleeper in the 7th round (Julian Edelman) and a handful of pretty useful defensive weapons as well (Darius Butler, Patrick Chung). We had Tom Brady back, healthy, kinda. Defense seemed hopeful just no Bruschi, Harrison or Seymour.  Hell, who am I kidding. The team suffered a lot without these three players. Call it a rebuilding year or whatever, there was a spirit that was missing with the New England Patriots that newly acquired players just couldn’t put back.

:(

So what does this even leave up for discussion? With an uncapped season coming, there is no doubt that the Patriots are going to do what they’ve done before: keep everyone guessing.  I have a few ideas on who would be a great fit.

Idea #1: Brandon Marshall, WR Denver Broncos
Well this needs very little explaining.  Wes Welker is out for the next year or so and there is no guarantee that when he does return, he’ll be at 100%.  Brandon Marshall is a hell of a receiver, especially when he feels like doing his job.
Marshall finished the season with 1,120 yards and 10 touchdown catches. This is him at like 60%..40% of the time. Read that again, I promise it makes sense.  He’d be a great addition to the Patriots even if just for the fact of giving Randy Moss some breathing room.  I’m pretty sure that BB can get Marshall to play 100% without having to hug during a press conference to prove that they don’t hate each other.

Idea #2: Julius Peppers, DE Carolina Panthers
Before the season began last year, I had many discussions with people about the idea of picking up Julius Peppers.  I even threw some headline ideas with my little brother about it.
- Fresh Peppers? Yes, Please
- Peppers adds Spice to Defense
You know, all that fun stuff. Eventually the Patriots didn’t pick up Peppers and he signed a one-year contract with the Panthers where he was guaranteed $16.7 million in 2009.  Obviously the Patriots were not flirting with the idea of paying the 2nd overall pick of the 2002 Draft that kind of money.  Peppers, I think is the riskiest pick that the Patriots would make as it would be very uncharacteristic of them to invest that much a big name player.  42 tackles and five forced fumbles in 2009-2010.  Not exceptional numbers but his biggest contribution to the Patriots would be much more.  He’ll bring to the team what was left vacant after Rodney Harrison left.  The defensive leader. The one that rookies feared.  The one that made sure that mistakes, if they were EVER made, were addressed and disciplined right on the sidelines.  This wasn’t evident this season and I think Julius Peppers can definitely do the job.  Plus he would give Randy Moss’s burly beard some competition. That would be amazing.

Those are my ideas so far. Not original, I know but I think they would prove to add some moral and competitive depth to the struggling Patriots.  It’s not longer the Tom Brady show anymore and the 2010 season was the harsh proof.

Yeah, so what if I have UConn winning the whole thing? They’ve proven to be good overall throughout the season, unlike Oklahoma who struggled without Griffin and Pitt who randomly loses to random teams (Providence College?).  Other notable wins I think are Marquette over Memphis and Texas over Villanova.  I think it would be incredible if Texas won the whole thing (I really don’t think they can) but I will take them as far as beating Villanova.  I’m wicked excited about this tournament since this is actually the first time I’ve followed these teams for the entirety of the season prior to the tourny.  It’s almost as good as playoffs in the NFL, almost.

So I want to hear everyone’s Final Four.  Here are mine:
UCONN Vs. Wake Forest
Pitt vs. Oklahoma
Give me your best predictions.

JULIUS PEPPERS to be a PATRIOT?!

I have been asked this question at the very least, eight times within the last 3 hours.  First of all, this is merely rumor folks, my sources (who are quite dependable) have not confirmed anything about the Pats getting him just yet.  The Pats are PURSUING. Key word.  I know a lot of guys who pursue girls, doesn’t always mean they get them.   So until this is finalized, I, with the help of my little brother, have come up with some pretty hilarious sayings if the Patriots do get him.
Vote and let me know what you think is the best one.

Whooa, there cowboy: Jay Cutler wants out?

I don’t enjoy picking on Jay Cutler, I really don’t. First, its just too easy and secondly it makes my little brother really angry.  This whole McDaniels and Cutler fiasco is becoming to be a worst breakup than Miley Cyrus and Jonas kid. I just imagine McDaniels doing roll call for offense (which, I don’t even know if they do this) and he just keeps saying, “Cutler? Cutler?”  No response.  Who does this? Who just doesn’t show up? Who are you Manny Ramirez? No, you’re Jay Cutler. Now you’re asksing to be traded? Ok, Josh this is when you have to act like you’re more than just 7 years older than Jay.  This is when you need to be a coach and be more like Bill Belichick in a sense that you just don’t put up with people’s shenanigans.

Sporting News think the Broncos are blowing it.
Yahoo! Shutdown Corner think McDaniels is making a bad impression.

Am I the only person that doesn’t think that McDaniels is entirely at fault for making Jay Cutler cry like my sister during “A Walk to Remember”?  I feel like Jay Cutler is putting himself on a silver platter and expects to have the job of starting QB for the Broncos without any sort of consideration of the lack of success the past few seasons.  Albeit given that his only competition is Darrell Hackney who has only been in the NFL for three seasons. Denver actually has a pretty decent WR corp that will produce big numbers next season.  Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal (who did AWESOME last season), and Daniel Graham at tight end? Come on, Psh, I’ll take Cutler’s job.

McDaniels is trying to do something that the Broncos haven’t done in awhile, which actually last in the postseason.  Give this guy a chance, I won’t say that the 2010 Super Bowl champs are going to be the Denver Broncos, but I will tell you that they’ll be playing with a lot more to prove, and that always makes the season more interesting.

HOPE EVERYONE HAS FUN SAFE ST. PATTY’S DAY!
…have nice pint of Guinness for me <3