Quarterback: Tom Brady might be an even better QB now than he was in 2007. Sure he was Great in 2007 but if you ask me he seems to be getting even better as the years go on. He had 50 Touchdowns in 2007 but with 9 Interceptions. Last season he had 36 Touchdowns with only 4 Interceptions, a much better ratio. He is playing some of his Best Football of his career right now and I expect him to have another off the charts statistical year that could even surpass that of 2007. Running back: Is there any Doubt that the Patriots are way better at RB this season than they were in 2007? The featured back in 2007 was Laurence Maroney and Sammy Morris was strong contributor to that Team. This year Sammy might not even make the Roster and Maroney is long gone. With BenJarvus Green-Ellis now at the helm the Patriots have a Legit threat in the backfield. Benny is a 1,000 yard, double digit Touchdown RB. He along with Danny Woodhead as the 3rd down back make for one of the best duos in the NFL. Every Time Woody get his hands on the ball it seems to go for a Big Play. The 2011 RB's make Big Plays which couldn't be said for the 2007 RB's. Add in Rookies Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen and the potential they posses and this is a stellar Running back Group.
Wide Receiver: This is the one Group that may be a step down from the 2007 Team but it's not that far off. No one expects Chad Ochocinco to put up the numbers that Randy Moss did in 2007 but to be honest I don't think any receiver in the History of the Game will have a season like Moss did in 2007. What Ochocinco will bring will be another consistent weapon and he should put up good #1 Receiver numbers, say 80 catches for over 1,000 yards with 10 Touchdowns. After Ocho you got Wes Welker who says he feels better than he ever has in his career and if that's the case watch out this guy will be Tommy's go to guy and he will rack up the numbers. I think at the #3 Receiver they are actually upgraded right now. Deion Branch is better than Jabar Gaffney, and that's probably an understatement. Branch has an incredible rapport with Brady and is a proven Playoff commontity. I will say the Depth of the 2011 Group is probably a little better than 2007 with Tate, Price and Edelman but they are young and inexperienced while Troy Brown sat at the end of the WR Depth Chart in 2007. This year's Group might be a little worse than in 2007 but they are still really really good.
Tight End: This is the Position where it is night and day. In 2007 you had Ben Watson and an 85 year old Kyle Brady. Ben Watson can't touch Rob Gronkowski or Aaron Hernandez on his best day. The Patriots have two Legit Beasts at the TE spot right now. Both men can do it all. Gronk is a Monster Blocker and a Great Redzone threat and Hernandez is a Stud catching the Football in the middle of the field and making plays that some receivers in this league can't even do. I can't say enough about these guys, they put the 2007 TE Position to Shame.
Offensive Line: Matt Light, Logan Mankins, and Dan Koppen are still in Place from 2007. Granted Light and Koppen are older and probably a step worse but Mankins was only in his third season back in 2007 and is now in his Prime and playing at an Elite level. The Left side of the Line is as good overall as it was in 2007. The right side I actually think is much better now. Stephen Neal was good don't get me wrong but he just never really impressed me, he seemed like just another solid player. I think with Dan Connolly presently at the right Guard spot he adds some Athleticism and ability to the Position and has a higher ceiling. He's defiantly an upgrade. At Right Tackle you might have an Elite Left Tackle playing there currently. Sebastian Vollmer is a Stud. He would be the Best Offensive Lineman on half the teams in this league right now. Back in 2007 you had Nick Kazur. Good Player but had no where near the Talent Vollmer does. And don't forget about Rookie Nate Solder backing these guys up. He's gonna be a Great one too one day. Overall I think this O Line is absolutely an upgrade over 2007.
So as you can see, minus maybe the Wide Receiver Position, this Team is better in all aspects of the Offense compared to 2007. I think the Running Game might be the most significant difference. The Patriots can put on a more Balanced Attack and really throw Defenses for a loop. Tom Brady and the Passing game might not be as Prolific but as a whole the 2011 Offense can, and in my opinion will, put up more Points and be able to control games better and at the end of the day be better than 2007.
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