Who are the key players for your team this season?

I have to agree a lot rests on JC and Griffin and that D-line definetly need to step up

 

Offense - Laurence Maroney: Maroney needs to prove he can carry a full-time starting role. He certainly has the raw talent and the speed. If he stays healthy and be a consistent contributor he will get plenty of opportunities to show us his big play abilities, with defenses (presumably) needing to truly respect New England's receiving core and deep ball threats.

Defense - Ellis Hobbs: Hobbs needs to step up his game. Last year he was hampered by injury and out shined by Asante Samuel. But the year before he looked to be the better prospect of the two. This year he needs to prove it. He may have to be our #1 corner if something can't be worked out with Asante, and have a season like Asante did last year, or at least close to it.

Other - Brandon Meriweather: The Patriots offense has all the pieces it needs to be fantastic. Their defense is coming off a record setting year, and while the linebackers are getting old they certainly know how to do their jobs and should have enough gas left to keep doing it well,for another couple of year anyway. At least, as long as they can rely on their safeties.

While Rodney Harrison can still be be a great contributor physically, and is an extremely valuable leader on the field (as well as off), he is also getting older, and has had two straight bad years with injuries. And while Artrell Hawkins, Eugene Wilson and James Sanders are all solid contributors, I don't think any of those three give New England the high level of play I would like to see. Meriweather has a lot to learn, and isn't likely to be able to be a starter and play at the level he did in college his first year in the pro's, at least not to start the season. But if he improves rapidly through the year, he could have a huge impact later in the season, significantly improving the Patriot's defense.

 

Offense: Alexis Smith needs to play better...enough said
Defense: Alexis Smith needs to play better to give these guys a breather.
Special Teams: Are going to hate Smith for punting so damn much.

Summary the entire season is on the shoulders of one man.

 

Lol so no pressure on smith then

 

Damien Macintosh and Mike Solari. (Solari isn't a player, he's an offensive coordinator.) Macintosh plays left tackle. I think it is always key. Solari has to have the balls to keep the offense out of Herm Edwards' hands.

 

Offense - Alex Smith. I was debating whether or not to say Gore, our offense currently lives and dies on his shoulders, but if we are going to ever be a successful and balanced offense, it's all on Alex.

Defense - D-Line in general, Aubrayo Franklin specifically. We got some nice LB's and secondary, but if our Dline can't clog up blockers and create some pressure either by themselves or for the LB's, it's pointless. I'm hoping big fat Franklin can help in that regard. It all revolves around the line, and in a 34, the line could live and die with the NT.

Bonus - recieving corps, VD. Alex could be the best qb in the league, but if VD keeps dropping balls and Lelie and Jax keep getting hurt, we're hecked.