5. How Will The New England Patriots Respond To A Tumultuous Off Season?
Just a few short months ago, the New England Patriot were cruising quietly into another normal offseason, assuming another play off appearance and amazing statistical year for Golden boy Tom Brady were forthcoming. Not so fast. I'll get to the above gentleman shortly, but even prior to Aaron Hernandez's high profile case, the Patriots were off to a shaky start. First, beloved WR Wes Welker bolted for the Denver Broncos after a contract dispute. Welker was one the Patriots best and popular players and Brady's favorite target (762 catches, 7500 yards and 37 TDs in 6 years with Brady) as well as an impressive record holder with most seasons with with 100+ catches and games with 10 or more catches, both breaking records held by Jerry Rice at some point. And the just Patriots let him walk with just a shoulder shrug to a conference rival and gave one of Brady's fiercest rivals, Payton Manning another weapon. All for a about a $2 million dollar difference in contracts. As if to try an satiate Pats fans for losing Welker, the Patriots went out and and signed QB/FB/TE Tim Tebow, one of the most divisive players in recent NFL history. Whether it was the ultimate trolling of Rex Ryan and the Jets, a front office band aid or a legitimate attempt to give Tebow a shot in the Patriots admittedly Tebow-fitting system has yet to be decided. But all of a sudden the usually media leery Belichick has a huge media target on his hoodie and the circus and spotlight that comes with Tebow will be there all the way through training camp, with every throw and play Tebow makes being dissected ad nausem. Brady, being Brady has taken the move as you'd expect from the league's golden boy and a man who gets to insert his dangly bits inside a super model whenever he wants, hes been cool and calm. But what happens when Brady gets yanked and Tebow comes in for a 3rd and 1 play? Or Tebow scores a TD and the crowd goes wild. How will Brady handle the Tebow questions from the media every day? That is all to be seen, but at least they have Rob Gronkowski right? Again...Not so fast. Brady's other favorite party hard target Rob Gronkowski, seems to still be having infection trouble with the broken forearm that derailed his 2012 season as well as a back surgery in June. Let's not forget it was back issues that forced Gronkowski to miss his senior year at Arizona University in 2009. Throw in 'Gronk's' gregarious nature and party hard jock visage and you could see why Patriots fans might be a little nervous that the team could be missing its top 2 receivers (as well as releasing 1 year free agent pick up Brandon Lloyd during the offseason). But never mind Patriots fans, you can always really on the fact that you have another stud TE option in Aaron Hernandez..... oh wait a minute... For a team that supposedly has the "Patriot Way" and puts team above all else, someone on Patriots scouting department done goofed. There were questions about Hernandez and his character issues (failed drug tests, gang affiliations) while he attended the University of Florida, but somehow the league's 'model' team still drafted him, even after many other teams had him red flagged and removed from their draft boards. I believe in second chances and I believe that everyone makes mistakes, but in the days following Hernandez's arrest for a execution style murder, it's hard not to fault the Patriots front office for not hearing or heeding the warning signs. Now of course, the NFL is littered with bad character types and second chances (see Adam Pac-man Jones), but this one will be hard to swallow for the Patriots front office. I understand that Hernandez has to be proven guilty, but as someone who works in Law Enforcement for my day job- it looks bad for Hernandez and by proxy the Patriots. And even though the team severed ties with the player immediately, as the details come out and the trial gets underway, this story will undoubtedly affect the once untouchable Patriots training camp and season for as long as it lingers, guilty or innocent. Addendum: Oh and as if those issues were not enough, already troubled cornerback Alfonso Dennard was arrested for a DUI On July 11, 2013, possibly violating probation for a college incident where he assaulted a police office while attending Nebraska. Some one in the New England scouting department needs a character assessment course. But maybe they thought Tebow could offset all of the troubles with a single touch? The Saints 'Bountygate' issues of 2012 don't 't look nearly as bad now. And Speaking of the New Orleans Saints...