A Look at the 2019 Patriots

  
 Looking forward to the 2019-20 season, the reigning Super Bowl Champions have some major holes to fill. Most importantly, the massive loss of TE Rob Gronkowski and DE Trey Flowers. The All-World TE decided to hang em' up and go out as a champion. Trey Flowers, New Englands best pass rusher and monster of a man Trent Brown departed via free agency. Flowers join ex-defensive coordinator Matt Patricia in Detroit and Brown headed west to sign a massive contract with the Raiders. Other departures include, Wide Receivers Chris Hogan and Cordarrelle Patterson, Tackle LaAdrian Waddle, Defensive Tackle Malcolm Brown and Cornerback Eric Rowe. 

    Patriot fans as well as NFL analyst thought for sure that Bill Belichick would have addressed the loos of Gronk during the NFL draft. The picks and rounds came and went without a TE being selceted. So for now, the void will have to be filled by former Patriot Benjamin Watson and unknown Matt LaCosse. Obviously it's impossible to replace a player like Gronk and his production in the passing game and his blocking ability. I fully expect a decline from the TE position with and aging Watson and the unknown LaCosse. Patriot fans are still holding hope that Gronk will decide to come out of retirement either before the season starts or shortly after.

     
    The next position that causes for concern in wide receiver. Brady has done some amazing things without "star" receivers but going in to this season the talent is spread thin and the repor just won't be there. As of now, Brady only has 2 receivers he's familiar with to throw to. There could be a third option but that option is Josh Gordon and it's not clear if or when he'll rejoin the team. Julian Edelman recently signed a 2 year extension, but other than him, many questions loom around this receiving core. With an uncharacteristic move, Belichick drafted WR N'Keal Harry, Wide Receiver from Arizona State with the #32 pick. Early reports say he's showing promise already but hopefully the rookie is ready to come in and make an instant impact. The team decided to place an original round Restricted Free Agent tender on WR Josh Gordon. However, Gordon's return to the team will be determined on his suspension, which the length is currently unknown. Phillip Dorsett resigned, and they added former Bronco and Texan Demaryius Thomas who is coming off injury. With Gronk gone, Brady is going to have to put a lot of trust in some very unfamiliar guys. A big plus is Josh McDaniels stayed as offensive coordinator.

    
  Other than the loss of Trey Flowers, the defensive side of the ball remains relatively the same. The did lose defensive play caller Brian Flores to Miami but the defense in largely Bill's defense anyways. Most of the big name guys are back including, Gilmore and the McCourty twins. They traded for Michael Bennett in the of-season and he should give the pass rush a boost. Bill also decided to take another chance on former linebacker Jamie Collins. I'm sure Bill is hoping Jamie can "Stick to the script" and not freelance on plays which is why he was shipped off to Cleveland. Some holes left by departing players were filled during the draft. Cornerback JoeJuan Williams was drafted early in the 2nd round. It appears that the Patriots have certain situations for Williams with his 6'3" 2018lb frame. Perhaps match-ups against players like Travis Kelce are in the future. Quite possibly the sexiest pick is DL/LB Chace Winovich out of Michigan. Winovich is the player I think will have the most immediate impact on the team as a rookie. His presence is needed in the positions that were opened up by losses. Going into the season, the defense looks better than it has in the past couple of seasons. 

    Obviously there isn't much to worry about when #12 is still behind center and Bill is at the helms. The does have quality on the offensive line and Dante Scharnechia works wonders with new players. James White will still be there to help in the passing game and Sony Michele will man the running game. Even though Sony had a great rookie season, the team opted to draft RB Damien Harris out of Alabama to lighten the load on Michele. I do believe Harris was a great addition at the position in the draft they got him. Alabama running backs always seem to come into the league NFL ready. The Patriots should still win their division even with the improvements of the other divisional teams. They can quite possibly make it to their 10th straight AFC Championship game but as far as making it to the Super Bowl and taking #7 back to New England, we'll just have to wait and see if this team has what it takes. We all know it's extremely hard to just make it to one Super Bowl, never mind the opportunity to make it to four straight and winning their 4th title in 6 years.

The Laser Show Has Come to an End

      With a nagging left knee injury, it appears Dustin "Laser Show" Pedroia may have played his last game for the Boston Red Sox. The highly popular and hugely productive second baseman has been dealing with an knee injury for a couple of seasons now. After and excellent 2016 season for Dustin, the Red Sox endured a quick 3 game sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Indians. Following the early playoff exit, Pedroia had surgery on the left knee in mid-October. At the time, Dustin and the organization had no idea about the troubles yet to come.

     Dustin was available to start the 2017 season but soon found himself on the 10-Day DL as of May 30th with a wrist sprain. Pedroia soon returned to the lineup which only lasted 2 months. On August 1st, he hit the 10-Day DL once again. This time it was soreness in the left knee which had surgery in the off season. Eleven days later, the Red Sox would announce Dustin would finish the season on the DL due to continued soreness in the knee. On October 25th, it was revealed that Dustin underwent surgery for a complete cartilage restoration and would miss the start of the 2018 season.

Photo Courtesy of bosoxinjection.com

     Pedroia started rehab with Triple A affiliate Pawtucket on May 14th and then was added to Boston's active roster on May 26th. After just 3 games, Dustin was back on the DL with inflammation to the left knee. After not much improvement, it was announced on August 4th, that Dustin would be put on the 60-Day DL. Shortly after in early September, news came across that Pedroia would in fact be out for the remainder of the season. As we know, later that season the Red Sox went on to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. Because Dustin was not part of the active roster, he does not receive an credit for the title. To begin the 2019 season, Dustin made his way up from Class A Greenville team to being active for the teams home opener on April 9th. He appeared in 6 games and unfortunately returned to the IL with left knee irritation. Once again, rehabbing with Double A team in Portland and then Triple A Pawtucket, Pedroia announced that he will be taking some time to evaluate his health and his future in baseball. That same day, he was moved to the 60-Day IL.

   If this has been the last we've seen of the 4 time all-star and 4 time Gold Glove winner, I'd have to say it's been an absolutely wonderful career. The 5'9" second baseman played the game with so much heart, hustle and grit that he'll be remembered for decades to come. Drafted in 2004 with the 65th overall pick out of Arizona State as a shortstop, Dustin has numerous accolades and awards. Making his debut in August 2006, Pedroia was named Rookie of the Year in 2007. The following 2008 season, Dustin took home AL MVP honors as well as the Silver Slugger award. At the time, he became on 1 of 3 players to have been named Rookie of the Year and followed it up with an MVP award. The 2 time World Series Champion will finish with some impressive stats in his 14 year career. 

     So if this is it for Dustin, as a fan, I thank you for leaving it all out on the field every game and playing the game of baseball the way it's supposed to be played. Although he may be done as a player, Pedroia has the knowledge and turn his playing career into a coaching career. Don't be surprised to see Dustin "Laser Show" "Peddy" Pedroia in a uniform, but this time hopefully managing a team to victories and titles. Thank You Dustin and good luck you in your future endeavors.

Career Stats
.299 Batting Average                 4x All-Star (08,08,10,13)
1,805 Hits                                    4x Gold Glove (08,11,13,14)
140 Home Runs                          Heart and Hustle Award 2013
725 Runs Batted In                    AL Rookie of the Year 2007
130 Stolen Bases                         AL MVP 2008
625 Walks                                    2x World Series Champion (07,13)
.805 OPS                                      Defensive Player of the Year (13,16)
Only 58 errors in 1498 games   6,031 AB with only 654 Strikeouts
Never struck out more than 85 times in a season.