After the 2011 draft, it appeared the Patriots were loaded with too many running backs.

At this point, no one is even sure what the depth chart will look like.

Last year’s pair of BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead accounted for over 1,900 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns, so when the team added two high-round picks in Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley, the future looked bright.

However, the situation isn’t as clear after the end of the preseason Thursday night.

Vereen, the 56^th overall pick, missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury, and didn’t look particularly good in the Pats’ 18-17 loss to the Giants.

While he was running behind backups himself, Vereen only averaged 3.1 yards on 11 carries and only caught one pass for eight yards.

Ridley had been a preseason star through the first two games, but he wasn’t able to play in the final two games due to injury.

Veteran Kevin Faulk, who suffered a torn ACL last season, has been on PUP and should open the season on that same list and could be activated if one of the top backs gets injured or is ineffective.

There has been some speculation that Vereen could have been placed on IR or even cut because of his failure to get on the field, but with his speed and versatility, I think he should carve out a role.

The final veteran who could be cut, but should make the roster because of his special teams contributions and versatility is Sammy Morris. Although he’s not much of a threat as a ball carrier, he’s a solid coverage player on kickoffs and punts and has the capability to block and contribute as a short-yardage back.

Roster Prediction: Green-Ellis gets majority of carries, Woodhead is exclusive third-down back, Ridley and Vereen both on active roster, Sammy Morris is lone fullback, Faulk on PUP. Richard Medlin and Eric Kettani cut.

Tonight is the final preseason game that will take place before it all gets underway on Monday, September 12^th against the Miami Dolphins. The New York Giants come into Gillette Stadium in a game where we probably will only see the starters for both teams for about a series, if at all. New England fans still have a bad taste in their mouth from the Super Bowl loss a few years ago to the G-Men, but that score can probably be settled when the two teams meet up later in the season,

The bad taste in the 2011 season came last Saturday when the Lions beat up the Patriots in all facets of the game. New England did not show much, but that does not change the fact that they did not come prepared. Coach Belichick was not happy and there maybe some surprise cuts along the way. We saw that earlier this week when he cut veteran safety James Sanders, which surprised everybody. It makes you wonder who is next. The 4^th preseason game is not intriguing to most football fans, but this game is the last chance for a player to show that they can make the final cut.

We will look to see if Ryan Mallet takes another step in his quarterback progression, if the offensive line can get some protection and some battles at certain spots within the team.

In the keys for this game, we spotlight three guys who could be on the chopping block after tonight:

1. WR Brandon Tate – Just think that ten months ago we were talking about Brandon Tate being the deep threat that replaces Randy Moss. Now, he may be cut after this game. He was a non-factor in the kick return game when Jason Hanson was popping up kicks on Saturday. Plus, he’s been a non-factor offensively. You know how you can tell his job is on the line. Bill Belichick brought in Tiquan Underwood from the Jaguars as another receiver to compete with in camp. Taylor Price has seen more reps in games as well. This makes Tate look like the odd man out unless he shows flashes in this game.

2. CB Darius Butler – The second round pick from two seasons ago has not shown much confidence in the preseason in terms of his coverage skills. Belichick has shown he is not afraid to cut cornerbacks. He has cut three so far to get the total down to 80 players before this game, including Jonathan Wilhite who was a member of the 2008 draft class. Plus, on Wednesday, the Patriots signed Antwaun Molden off waivers who used to play cornerback for the Texans.. Keep an eye there.

3. S James Ihedigbo – This is a tough call for the Patriots because Belichick brought the former Jet in because he shined in the rare playing time he got in New York, particularly against the Pats. He is in competition with S Josh Barrett for the 4^th safety spot. Barrett is seen by the team as a guy who can come through on special teams and worked with ST coordinator Scott O’Brien in Denver. I like Ihedigbo and he can be a special teamer, but he struggled to tackle anybody on Saturday when he was on the field.

Once again, it's time for our weekly Q&A session.  Up this week is Bloguin's own Ultimate NYG.  Andrew Furman, the site's lead blogger, was kind enough to answer our questions despite having gone through Hurricane Irene this past weekend and having some rather short notice with the Giants preseason game vs. the Jets being moved back.  On the flip side, answering a few questions is the least he could do after Super Bowl XLII. 

Sorry, don't ask me why I brought that up.

I wanted to pick some other play as the #1 overall selection, simply because Dan Connoly's kickoff return was the "obvious" choice.  However, after much deliberation, I decided that this pick was the obvious choice for a reason.  No other play managed to nail the "triple threat" that this one did.  First, Connoly's kickoff return certainly had the "wow factor" that you want from any big play.  As it was happening, you simply couldn't believe what you were seeing.  Second, it happened to be flat-out hilarious. Third, and most importantly, this play was absolutely crucial in propelling the Patriots to victory over Green Bay.  Up until Connoly's big run, the Pats had looked fairly anemic.  The record-breaking play for a return by an offensive lineman proved to be just the spark New England needed.  It set up an easy touchdown and shifted momentum back towards the Patriots.  

So that wraps up our nearly three month journey of recapping the best plays of 2010 for the Patriots.  Click the links below to take a trip down memory lane.  It won't be long before the 2011 incarnation of this team is compiling their own highlight reel!

Past Top Plays

#2 - Sanders Picks Peyton

#3 - Zoltan's Game-Saving Punt

#4 - Chung's Miami Heroics

#5 - Moss Blows Up Revis Island

#6 - Branch's Turkey Day TD

#7 - McCourty's Heads Up Pick of Favre

#8 - Woodhead's Darting TD Against Indy

#9 - McCourty Forces Snow Fumble

#10 - Sanders TAINTs Roethlisberger

#11 - Gronk's Hopping TD

#12 - Branch's TD in the Snow

Saturday Night, the preseason game that everyone cares the most about will take place in Ford Field as the Patriots take on the Detroit Lions in a nationally televised game. Against Tampa, the first team offense looked to be playing a different game than the Bucs as they were speeding up the tempo, even Gerald McCoy could not get them to stop. Now, the starters will be playing this game into the 3^rd Quarter. However, I would not be surprised if coach Belichick plays his guys three full quarters to make sure they are ready for September 12^th against the Miami Dolphins.

This Lions team has the chance to be a playoff team if their quarterback, Matthew Stafford, is able to stay healthy for 16 straight games. They can get after the quarterback with their franchise defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh wreaking havoc on the defensive line. Jim Schwartz has built this team from 0-16 a couple of years ago to a team that can compete in the tough NFC North division. Plus, they will have a sell-out crowd, which is good for that city. They did give the Patriots a run for their money back on Thanksgiving in New England’s 45-24 win.

Here are some keys to think about while you are watching the game:

1. Look Out for Suh: Since the starters will be in for most of this game, the guy that worries me most on the Lions in Suh. I look back to the preseason of 2009 when Albert Haynesworth laid out Tom Brady, causing him to injure his shoulder. These are the kind of things that can happen in preseason and Detroit will be a team that can put pressure on the quarterback. Detroit added some depth to their defense in the linebacking corps as well as the secondary, but their strength is Suh, Kyle VandenBosch and Cliff Avril on the defensive line. Look for pressure and tons of it.

2. Battle for the CB spot: With 2^nd round pick Ras-I Dowling not doing much practice of late, the focus will be on two cornerbacks who could be vying for a roster spot. One of them is last year’s 2^nd round pick Darius Butler. Butler didn’t see much time in 2010 with the emergence of Kyle Arrington and he has not looked very confident in the preseason particularly in defending downfield passes. His job is safer than Jonathan Wilhite, but if no injury occurs, the acquisition of James Ihedigbo from the Jets could mean Butler might be out by final cuts.

3. The Return of James Sanders: There are reports out that safety James Sanders will be back in the lineup for Saturday night’s game. He had a hamstring injury, so he did not participate in many practices during training camp. However, his experience will help him return much more smoothly then let’s say an Albert Haynesworth or a Shaun Ellis. He has now practice fully this week, so the 7^th year safety will be key in forcing turnovers in the secondary (3 INT’s, 58 tackles in 2010)

It's Q&A time!  Up this week is Bloguin's own The Wayne Fontes Experience, a phenomenal blog covering the Lions.  With the Patriots heading to Detroit this weekend for a rematch of their 2010 Thanksgiving competition, we've decided to take a moment and get some insight into upcoming opponents.

Honestly, after the draft, I was thrilled. I would have given an A at the time. The Lions had a player drop in their laps at 13 who was thought to be a top five draft pick in DT Nick Fairly, then selected a pair of weapons for Matthew Staffiord. WR Titus Young was to be the number three receiver, and RB Mikel Leshoure was to partner with Jahvid Best in the backfield. Despite all the skill position players Matt Millen drafted over the years, WR and RB remained positions of need.

But injuries have taken down all three picks. Fairley is going to miss all of camp with a stress fracture in his foot. Young has barely practiced, thanks to a hamstring issue. Leshoure is out for the season, tearing his Achilles in the first week of practice.  The talent is there, but we won't see it flourish for some time.

I'll give free agency a B. The Lions desperately needed linebackers and corners, and that's just what they signed.

The Lions inked former Titan MLB Stephen Tulloch (who played under head coach Jim Schwartz when he was the defensive coordinator for the Titans) and ex-Jag OLB Stephen Tulloch (very talented, but is Stafford-like when it comes to injuries) to shore up the linebacker corps. They aren't All-Pros, but are young, proven NFL players. Both are expected to start, both signed reasonable contracts.

At corner, the same applies. The Lions found capable corners who may not be Pro Bowlers, but signed acceptable deals and have solid track records. First, Eric Wright was singed away from the Browns. He's coming off a down season, but is a highly regarded 2nd round pick from the 2007 draft who played at a high level in his first three years. Browns fans were disappointed to see Wright leave, which said volumes.

The Lions also brought back CB Chris Houston to play across from Wright. Houston played quite well for the Lions last season, helping to stabilize a corner position which had been in total chaos in 2009.

Finally, FA WR Maurice Stovall has made a very good impression in camp, and should take over as the 4th wide out.

2. One of the problems for the Lions has been the torn Achilles tendon for Mikel LeShoure and the foot problem to Nick Fairley. How will the Lions make up for the loss of these two dynamic rookies, or in Fairley's case, a lack of training camp reps?

In Fairley' case, it's not disastrous. The defensive line is the deepest position on the team. The Lions were already set at DT with Ndamukong Suh (a once in a generation talent) and Corey Williams (a very effective run stopper) starting, with Sammie Hill and Andre Fluellen backing them up. Fairley wasn't going to start, he was going to get plenty of playing time as part of a deep rotation. He'll be eased in gradually. Don't expect much early on, but in the 2nd half of the season, a Suh/Fairley tag team should be punishing teams.

As for Leshoure, the Achilles injury is damn near catastrophic for the inside running game. The Lions were planning on Leshoure being Mr. Inside to Javid Best's Mr. Outside. Now...who the Hell knows? The RB position depth chart is Best (Good!), aging Maurice Morris (meh), then becomes a grab bag. The Lions did sign free agents Ian Johnson, Mike Bell and Jerome Harrison, and couple will likely make the team (I'm betting Bell and Harrison). But losing Leshoure was a tough blow to swallow.

3. Is Matthew Stafford's health the number one key to get Detroit to the playoffs? If so, do you think he can stay healthy for all 16 games?

Stafford's health is the number one key. It's also the second, third and fourth.  And so far, so good. Stafford looks great in the preseason, showing no ill effects of his numerous injuries.

The Lions are solid at QB, with Shaun Hill and Drew Stanton as backups. So I won't be crushed if Stafford doesn't play 16 games. Let's not forget, in the NFL, your starting QB playing (and finishing) all 16 games is the exception to the rule.

Yet I do believe Stafford can and will play the vast majority of the season, for a few reasons.

1. The injuries were flukey. I don't see them happening again. It will shut up the  idiots who think the Lions need to draft another QB because "That damn Stafford is a wuss, always gettin' his shoulder hurt."

2. Stafford will stay on the field because the Lions offensive line is built for pass protection. He should avoid the big hits.

3. He's also learned discretion is the better part of valor. Stafford has gotten hurt in the past trying to make a play when he would have been much better served unloading the ball. He's learned from those past mistakes.

4. Most importantly, the Lions need to get a full season from Stafford because, pure and simple, the kid is uber-talented. He has the potential to become a top five QB, something we haven't seen in Detroit since Bobby Layne was closing bars on Saturday, and winning games on Sunday, back in the 1950's.

With the third preseason game only days away, the constant battle to make the roster is winding down.

Unlike in years past where the Pats expected contributions from ineffective or injury-prone veterans (Fred Taylor, Joey Galloway, Sam Aiken), this year’s offense is loaded with skill position players.

With the addition of Chad Ochocinco (who admittedly hasn’t had a strong camp) to an already stacked receiving corps, the fight for the final spot comes down to two players: Brandon Tate and Taylor Price.

Both players were selected with third-round picks in 2009 and 2010, respectively, and have flashed the talent that made them second-day picks.

However, with Ochocinco, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman and Deion Branch as locks, there may not be enough room to keep both players on the final roster.

An elusive returner at North Carolina, Tate slipped in the ’09 draft due to a knee injury that knocked him out for most of his senior year. He has been a solid kick returner, scoring twice last season, but has been incredibly inconsistent as a receiver.

Despite being billed as a deep threat, Tate was only targeted 2.3 times per game, according to Pro Football Focus.

He did average 18 yards per catch, however he only recorded 24 receptions as the third receiver in this offense.

At this point, Tate would have to make significant strides as a route runner and pass catcher to earn a spot especially with the new kickoff rules negating his impact on special teams.

When it comes to Price, the rewards could be great.

The 6-foot, 200-pounder combines 4.4 speed with great hands, agility and balance. That potentially elite combination was on full display against the Jaguars when Price caught five passes for 105 yards and a touchdown.

The problem with Price is his lack of playing time in the Patriots’ sophisticated offense. After spending four years in Ohio’s run-first attack, he rarely saw the field in 2010, and will again have a hard time seeing the field with the veterans entrenched ahead of him.

However, if I had to pick one receiver to keep for both this season and longterm, it would be Price.

Prediction: Tate gets cut. Price enters as fifth receiver and possibly starting kick returner.

The Patriots are 4.5-point favorites as they visit the Detroit Lions this Saturday.

I picked against the Pats last week. Feel free to leave your verbal abuse for that little faux pas in the comments section. If I don’t get any replies, I’m just going to assume that nobody else saw the wisdom in picking against the Pats even though Vegas was laying them points for the first time since the last major East Coast earthquake. What can I say? Much like geology, betting preseason games is an inexact science.

I’m not going to repeat that mistake this week. This one seems like a slam dunk (famous last words?). The Lions have looked strong in the preseason, but I don’t expect their starters to play more than a series or two into the second quarter. Their three most important players on offense are held together by duct tape, paper clips and rubber bands. Matt Stafford is immensely talented and has the potential to be a great quarterback, but he’s sustained enough injuries in his young career to kill nine Laurence Maroneys. Calvin Johnson has been on the injury report for nearly every part of his body during his first four seasons in the league. If Jahvid Best actually reads this article, he could easily sustain a turf toe injury while typing his reply. The Lions would have to be nuts to expose their best players to injury in a meaningless game against a hard-hitting Patriots defense. That’s the kind of franchise-killing mistake even Matt Millen would avoid.

Brady and Co. should give the Pats a nice early lead since Detroit’s secondary is still a work in progress, and Detroit’s second-stringers do not match up well against New England’s bench.

I expect the Patriots to jump all over the Lions early and hold on to cover the spread.

2010 record ATS: 25-17-1

2011 record ATS: 1-1

With the 2011 regular season fast-approaching, it's time to do a breakdown of the upcoming schedule for the Patriots.  Similar to last year, this will be a four-part series were each quarter of the season is analyzed and predictions are made. 

If there's one thing that jumps out about the 2011 schedule, it's the relative "easiness" compared to the grueling gauntlet the Pats faced in 2011.  Their 14-2 finish last year was truly remarkable when you consider the fact that New England played five games against last year's conference finalists, and had seven games in which they faced post-season teams.  While the balance of power in the NFL shifts quickly and you can never really say for sure which teams are going to be creampuffs or powerhouses, things look much more favorable for the Patriots this time around.  They get four games against the Bills and Phins, as well as games against the Broncos, Raiders, Cowboys, and Redskins.  If they win those games right there, you're talking a .500 season.  

But don't forget, the NFL is an unpredictable league.  You truly can never know what you're going to get on any given Sunday.  That being said, here are my predictions for the season

Week 1 - Away vs. Miami

It's well-documented that Miami can be a house of horrors for the Patriots.  Add to it the unpredictability of Week 1, where seemingly any team can throw an upset, and Patriots fans certainly can't take this first game for granted.  This is repeat Monday Night Football game from last season.  A year ago, Patrick Chung had a second half for the ages to propel the Pats to victory.  However, you don't have to look too far back to remember when New England nearly blew an opening Monday Night game to the lowly Bills in 2009.  This is going to be a much tougher game than many people anticipate.  Still, I like the preparation that the Patriots have shown in the pre-season.  If any team isn't feeling a lull from the lockout, it's the Pats.  I think they'll pounce early on the Phins and take control of the game from there.

Predicted Record: 1-0

Pats fans still have post-traumatic stress disorder following the Colts miraculous comeback in the 2006 AFC Championship Game.  The 4th and 2 game in 2009 was yet another punch to the gut.  So last year, with Peyton Manning and the Colts roaring back from a huge 2nd half deficit, Patriots Nation was all but prepared for yet another disaster. 

Then, the seemingly unthinkable happened.  Instead of throwing a game-winning touchdown pass to the end zone, Manning lobbed up a turkey that was subsequently hauled in by James Sanders.  Many people were pointing fingers at Manning after the game for throwing such a bad pass.  To be fair though, Jermaine Cunningham brought some solid pressure on the pass rush, and Sanders did make a pretty nice grab, falling backwards to ice the game. 

No single play in 2010 made me happier than this one, which is why it's ranked solidly at #2.

Past Top Plays

#3 - Zoltan's Game-Saving Punt

#4 - Chung's Miami Heroics

#5 - Moss Blows Up Revis Island

#6 - Branch's Turkey Day TD

#7 - McCourty's Heads Up Pick of Favre

#8 - Woodhead's Darting TD Against Indy

#9 - McCourty Forces Snow Fumble

#10 - Sanders TAINTs Roethlisberger

#11 - Gronk's Hopping TD

#12 - Branch's TD in the Snow