The Patriots are doing their best impression of the 2003-2004 Los Angeles Lakers by bringing in nearly-spent veterans Fred Taylor, Joey Galloway, and CB Shawn Springs for a little more octane on both sides of the ball.   Karl Malone, Gary Peyton, and Bryon Russell were able to get the Lake-show past the Spurs (and T-Wolves during Garnett’s career year) but ran out of steam in the finals losing to the Pistons.  We’re not sure how it will pan out for Belichick and Co. but from a fantasy perspective they were solid moves that should help both the aerial and ground assaults in Boston.

Air

Belichick’s decision to let Cassel go in a trade was equal parts trust in Brady’s knee recovery, money concerns, and the fact that he may know what we suspect – that Cassel just isn’t that special.  It doesn’t take a lot to be a successful passer with Randy Moss as a primary target.  


 
Enjoy, KC.  We love Dwayne Bowe, but a Randy Moss he is not.  Belichick took a 2000 6th round pick in Tom Brady and turned him into a legend.  This is not to take away from Tom Brady in any way, but we just aren’t worried about the Cassel loss.  If Brady goes down again, Kevin O’Connell will struggle at first like Cassel did, but with the excellence around him, will be just fine within three or four games.

The Pats like to throw the ball…no matter what.  Even with losing Brady, the team attempted 51% of their plays through the air (534 of 1,047 plays which ranked 12th overall).  These numbers were down significantly from the record-shattering ’07 season in which they attempted 586 passes but still prove that as long as Moss and Welker are around as meal tickets, they will throw with whoever is under center.    While teams like Atlanta and Baltimore scaled back significantly with the passing game with first year signal callers under center in ‘08, the Pats made adjustments to their aerial attack.  In 2008, 57% of New England’s passing yards were after the catch (vs. 42% in ’07) as they used screens or short check-offs vs. the vertical game with an inexperienced Cassel.  The vertical game should return intact this season with the addition of speedy Galloway and Brady’s health.

The Patriots enjoy spreading the field with three,four, and five WR sets and leverage Brady smarts, quick trigger,  and accuracy. They also love to run their offense out of the shotgun.  Brady has consistently involved everyone in the offense thoughout his career.  In 2007, despite the gaudy numbers Moss and Welker registered, the 3rd (Donte Stallworth) and 4th (Jabar Gaffney) combined for 1,146 yards and eight TDs.  Brady threw TDs to eight different guys as well.

Ground

RB

Fred Taylor – He averaged over 5.0 YPC in 2006 and 2007 and dropped to 3.9 YPC in ’08.  The Jags lost five offensive lineman including three starters in ’08 – MJD’s average slipped, too –Fred still has some carries left in him and is the best fantasy RB option on the Pats’ staff.   It will be a nice change for him that defenses have to keep their LBs and Safeties in check with the WRs spread out wide; this didn’t happen on the Jaguars.  He will be starting by week one but will split carries with Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk (on third downs), and Maroney.  As odd as this may sound, Freddie is a sleeper candidate starting his 12th year in the league.   Target him later in drafts, as his carries should stick at around 200 with another 18-20 receptions, and TDs in upper single digits. 
 
Sammy Morris – He is a good handcuff to Fred Taylor and should see about 100 or so touches as part of a three and potentially four-headed RBBC.  He posted career bests in all categories that matter in ’08 as Patriot RBs dropped like loads on a Naughty America set.

Laurence Maroney – He has gone from 1st round pick in the 2006 to a contender to replace Ellis Hobbs in kick-returning duties this season.  Whatever made him talented at the college level has not translated to the pros.  He is a dancer at the line of scrimmage and is as tough as generic dental floss.  His status atop depth charts this summer is purely diplomatic.  He won’t be by the time he sits out a few practices with injuries to his shoulder, knee, groin, and vagina.  He never carried a full load in college, why should we ever expect him to in the pros, much less on the Pats?  He is a late round flier guy at best.

Kevin Faulk – He is a third down back and has never been fantasy relevant. No need to plan for him.

WR

Randy Moss – We’ve heard people question Moss’s age over this past off-season.  Moss should be the first or second WR off of draft boards this summer.  Period.   He’s 32.  That is not old for a WR.  If he’s lost a step, he’s made up for it in work ethic since arriving to the Patriots and being surrounded by winners.  Moss is not a saint, but is the most prolific WR in the league (and among the most in history) and has the best QB in the league.    We don’t feel Fitz has the potential to blow it out like Moss did in ’07, and Moss probably doesn’t either.  You shouldn’t go wrong with either of them if you can land ‘em.   We have Andre Johnson, Larry Fitz, and this Moss character neck and neck and neck as the top three WRs.  

Wes Welker – It’s hard not to be a fan of this working-class WR.  He is impossible to defend and is the best complement to Randy Moss.  Welker is deserving of his two All-Pro honors and will continue to shine in a passing offense built for him.   He will rarely, if ever, give you that blowout week that a WR in the top 15 should occasionally give you, but won’t drop a set of dog-balls on you, either.   He is a solid #2 WR for your fantasy team.

Joey Galloway – He is officially old at 37, but is one season removed from a 1,000 yard six TD season…with the Buccaneers who are famous for anything but putting talented QBs under center.  As the third WR option, he won’t be starter-worthy even if the Pats are able to recapture some of their glory from ’07, but is instead a solid handcuff to either Moss or Welker.  Target him as a WR5 in the later rounds of your draft.

TE

Benjamin Watson – Took a nose-dive statistically as Cassel didn’t seem to be able to find him, but Brady spreads the wealth and will return Ben to fringe #1/#2 TE status.  We’d probably target Ben as a #2 TE this year, a.k.a. backup status, based on the fact that Brady is back from a missed season.  

Major Off-Season Moves

2009 Patriots Draft