2008 Team Preview by RotoExperts.com Staff Writer Jon Williams. OVERVIEW
You either love the New England Patriots or you hate them. The Patriots began 2008 with a bang that you might know as the Spygate scandal. The Patriots were accused of illegally videotaping the defensive signals of the New York Jets in game one. Although nipped in the bud almost immediately, the story just wouldn’t go away, as speculation that the Pats had cheated in their previous playoff runs grew. Lesser teams may have allowed such a controversy to ruin their year, instead the Patriots became the first NFL team to have a 16-0 regular season. This broke the record for most wins in the regular season that the Miami Dolphins had long held. Unfortunately, the Patriots were unable to turn their record breaking (some might say rule-breaking) season into an NFL Championship. |
PROJECTED DEPTH CHART Players listed in order of fantasy relevance. Recommended round to draft in standard 10 to 12-team leagues with 16 rounds in parentheses. Quarterback: Tom Brady (1), Matt Cassel Running Back: Laurence Maroney (2), Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris Wide Receiver: Randy Moss (1), Wesley Welker (4), Jabar Gaffney (11), Chad Jackson (13) Tight End: Ben Watson (10), Marcus Pollard Kicker: Stephen Gostkowski (16)  | ENGEL EYE ON: THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Laurence Maroney is on the verge of a breakthrough season, and that is only going to help Tom Brady more overall. Yes, Brady may have to throw less and his numbers might drop slightly. On the other hand, opposing defenses will be kept more off balance than before, and defensive coordinators won't be able to follow the Giants' Super Bowl model of focusing on going after the quarterback. Maroney's success will ensure that Brady stays healthy, upright, and highly productive. |
NOTABLE PLAYER MOVES Additions: CB Fernando Bryant, CB Lewis Sanders, CB Jason Webster, LB Victor Hobson, WR Sam Aiken, TE Marcus Pollard, S Tank Williams Subtractions: LB Rosevelt Colvin, WR Donte’ Stallworth, CB Asante Samuel 2008 ROOKIES TO WATCH Round One: LB Jerod Mayo
Round Two: CB Terrence Wheatley TOP POSITION BATTLE Third wide receiver: Jabar Gaffney vs. Chad Jackson  | | In a few months, there will be American football again in Foxborough, with capacity crowds. Photo Credit: UCinternational |
2008 SCHEDULE Top fantasy matchups in bold Sept. 7: Kansas City Chiefs
Sept. 14: at New York Jets
Sept. 21: Miami Dolphins
Sept. 28: BYE
Oct. 5: at San Francisco 49ers
Oct. 12: at San Diego Chargers
Oct. 19: Denver Broncos
Oct 26: St. Louis Rams
Nov. 2: at Indianapolis Colts
Nov. 9: Buffalo Bills
Nov. 16: New York Jets
Nov. 23: at Miami Dolphins
Nov. 27: Pittsburgh Steelers FANTASY PLAYOFF MATCHUPS
Dec. 7: at Seattle Seahawks
Dec. 14: at Oakland Raiders
Dec. 21: Arizona Cardinals
Dec 28: at Buffalo Bills 2008 FANTASY POSITIONAL OUTLOOKS Quarterback:
For years, Patriots fans complained that Head Coach Bill Belichick wasn’t providing quarterback Tom Brady with the quality of wide receivers he deserved. In 2008 it wasn’t a problem, as the Patriots loaded up with names like Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Donte' Stallworth. This led to New England fielding one of the best offensive teams of all time. Brady had the best season of his career: nearly 400 completions; nearly 5,000 passing yards; and an NFL-record 50 Passing TDs. If you owned Brady last season, you likely did very well in your league. Don’t look for a repeat. The Patriots will still field a great team, but the chances of Brady matching those numbers are extremely slim. Make no mistake, Brady will still be a top fantasy QB, but look for a more realistic season of 30-35 TDs and around 4,000 passing yards. Brady has been very durable in his career, but if anything were to happen him, Matt Cassel would take the reins. The Patriots have faith that he could step in and do an adequate job, but if you’re a Brady owner and he gets hurt, you’re probably going to be in bad shape. Running Back:
Technically, there is no question that Laurence Maroney will be the starting running back for the New England Patriots. Maroney is looking to come into training camp completely healthy. The Patriots babied Maroney in the first half of 2007, as he recovered from minor injuries and the passing attack proved unstoppable. In the second half, Maroney was amazing. He ran for just over 800 yards and eight TDs in just eight games. Look for Maroney to have a huge season, as the Pats are expected to sport a more balanced offense as compared to the pass-heavy version they utilized during the first half of 2007. Sammy Morris made excellent use of the playing time he received in the first half of last season. The Patriots were very careful with their use of the nicked-up Maroney in the first eight games, allowing Morris to collect 384 yards and three touchdowns in 85 carries before he suffered a season-ending sternum separation in the sixth game. Kevin Faulk continues to be a great third down back for the team. He caught 47 passes for 383 yards in 2007. Faulk appears to be an excellent pick for depth, especially in point-per reception leagues, but at 32 years old, he appears to be in decline.  | | You can expect more celebrations in the upcoming season for Moss and company. Photo Credit: Legoktm |
Wide Receiver:
Randy Moss had a great comeback season with the Patriots. Moss broke Jerry Rice’s receiving TD record by landing in the end zone 23 times. He missed the receiving yards record by just 17. Moss’s 1,493 yards and 98 receptions will just have to do. Expect another stellar performance in 2008, though probably not of quite the same record-breaking quality. Wes Welker must be very happy after being traded to the Pats from the Miami Dolphins a year ago. Welker tied for the league lead in receptions with 112 and collected eight touchdowns. Don’t expect opposing defenses to put any less coverage on Moss this season, which should guarantee a nice follow-up campaign for Welker. As with the rest of the Patriots offensive stars, expect a good season, but asking him to match his 2007 output may be a bit too much to ask. The Patriots lost Donte' Stallworth to the Cleveland Browns, which opens up a starting WR3 spot for either Jabar Gaffney or Chad Jackson. Jackson has lost some of his 2006 rookie luster, thanks to an ACL injury that lingered into the 2007 season. Now completely healthy, Jackson will be given every chance to win the job that is Gaffney’s to lose. Gaffney was excellent in spots for the Pats in 2007, and the Patriots really like what they see in him. Jackson is probably the more talented receiver when healthy, but the Patriots have had little opportunity to see it. Draft Jackson or Gaffney for late round receiver depth only. Tight End:
The Patriots have been so good at rehabbing the careers of guys like Moss that many New England fans have suggested the Patriots run out and acquire the controversial Jeremy Shockey. This isn’t going to happen. The Patriots don’t really need him. When healthy, Ben Watson is a very capable receiver. The problem is that he is rarely healthy. Watson began the 2007 season with five touchdowns in the first five games, but an ankle injury limited him the rest of the way. If he comes into the season healthy, Watson is a fine fantasy tight end. If Watson can't avoid injuries, Marcus Pollard will see a lot of action, but still probably won’t be worthy of fantasy consideration. Kicker:
Stephen Gostkowski has allowed Pats fans to forget about the departure of Adam Vinatieri. Gostkowski is a great kicker for distance and has dramatically improved his short-range accuracy. The Patriots’ amazing offensive season resulted in a great fantasy season for Gostkowski in 2007, and 2008 should not be much different. Defense/Special Teams:
The Patriots are annually near the top of the list of fantasy defenses. Belichick and defensive coordinator Dean Pees have become masters of filling the holes that free agency and age regularly create. This year the Patriots chose to address their problems at linebacker through the amateur draft, by taking Jerod Mayo in the first round, and through the signing of former New York Jet Victor Hobson. They added veteran depth in their defensive backfield by signing cornerbacks Fernando Bryant from the Detroit Lions and Jason Webster from the Buffalo Bills. On paper, the Patriots definitely look weaker, but the team has defied the odds on defense time and time again. They are still an excellent option for fantasy purposes. Offensive Line:
The Patriots offensive line is very good but not great. In 2007 they had an excellent season until they fell apart in the Super Bowl against the New York Giants. All five starters are returning and that consistency helps. The Patriots have excellent depth and fantasy owners should have nothing to worry about. Do you have any questions, comments or insults to toss Jon’s way? Email him at
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