Bill Belichick hasn't had a lot to work with this offseason because of the
Patriots' dire salary cap standing, but that didn't leave him inactive.
Belichick signed some 11 free agents and drafted 10 more players in April,
almost sure to make his team, which was 5-11 last year, look a lot different
in 2001.
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CAMP AT A GLANCE
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| The Patriots were 5-11 in Belichick's first year. |
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Location: Bryant College, Smithfield, R.I.
Rookies report: July 23
Veterans report: July 26
Preseason schedule:
Aug. 10: N.Y. Giants
Aug. 18: at Carolina
Aug. 25: at Tampa Bay
Aug. 30: Washington
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The question is, with no big-name, marquee player among those signees, how
much better will New England be with its depth-improving bargain basement
pickups?
Man in the spotlight
Belichick. He came here under a cloud of controversy
upon leaving the Jets at the altar and hardly delivered much to be excited
about in 2000. Granted, his hands were somewhat tied by circumstances, but
the New England locals have a habit of losing their patience in a hurry. So
Belichick needs to deliver at least a competitive team in 2001.
Key position battle
Running back has been, since Robert Edwards suffered
his freak knee injury at that Pro Bowl beach game, a position of concern for
the Patriots. J.R. Redmond, a No. 1 draft pick in 2000,
Antowain Smith, a castoff from Buffalo, Kevin Faulk and even Edwards, who's trying to come back, are the candidates. New England desperately needs a quality running game to take the pressure off
quarterback Drew Bledsoe.
Biggest adjustment
Staying in the hunt early will be a huge task for the
entire team because of a brutal early-season schedule that includes six of
the first nine games on the road.
Rookie report
Belichick didn't draft any help for Bledsoe, instead going
for Georgia defensive tackle Richard Seymour, Purdue tackle Matt Light, Notre
Dame cornerback Brock Williams and South Florida tackle Kenyatta Jones with
their first four picks. None of these players is expected to be an immediate
impact -- something the Patriots desperately need.
New England's complete offseason moves
