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New England Patriots: Not enough improvements since end of season

By Michael DeVito

NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 17: Danny Shelton #71 of the New England Patriots walks off the field before a game against the Tennessee Titans during week two of the preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Patriots defeated the Titans 22-17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 17: Danny Shelton #71 of the New England Patriots walks off the field before a game against the Tennessee Titans during week two of the preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Patriots defeated the Titans 22-17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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The New England Patriots have regressed since last season.

Does anyone think that the New England Patriots have improved since the inglorious end of the 2019 season? Anyone? I didn’t think so.

They’ve regressed significantly. Only hopelessly star-struck fans and commentators think otherwise. Here’s why.

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First, (yes it’s a recurring theme), they cast away the best quarterback ever. That of itself is enough to tip the balance.

Unless you feel the current group could be better than the No. 12 who left? I didn’t think so. They’re not, and that’s an understatement of the highest order. But there’s more.

They also lost key contributors on defense in Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins, Duron Harmon, Danny Shelton (a very underrated nose tackle who had a terrific year in 2019), and Elandon Roberts.

So, on the surface, the defense lost several key players. Will the new additions: free agents and rookies make up the difference? Highly unlikely.

Well, maybe not. Both were reaches in the draft. Drafted too high. One, Devin Asiasi of UCLA had one good year at a PAC-10 school and the other was a relatively unknown entity at Virginia Tech, Dalton Keene.

Keene caught 21 passes in 2019. But still, whatever these two draftees do, it will likely be more than their predecessors did in 2019. Which was basically very little. They were, well, terrible. That’s a likely improvement.

So, I really can’t see any position in which the Patriots have improved for 2020 over 2019 except in the tight end position, maybe.

And in most of the other positions (offensive line excepted), they have probably regressed. So, where does that leave the team?

Well, despite rosy projections like the ESPN power rankings which have them at a “lofty” 13th in the NFL, it looks like the Patriots will be falling toward the floor, figuratively, in the AFL East this season.

While they will likely best the lowly Jets and contend vigorously with the mighty Dolphins, I see a New England team falling rapidly to mediocrity or worse in 2020.

Next. Rodney Harrison bullish on Cam Newton. dark

And looking up at the Buffalo Bills who seem to have a handle on how to build a good team after so many years.

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