10 Pats Points of Interest...

Obviously the first thing we need to see is no injuries. Injuries in the preseason would really hurt my emotional well being.
If we accomplish the primary goal of no injuries, what next.
1. We don't need to see offensive firepower. If Brady throws four passes and two are picked off for touchdowns, we really don't care. If Maroney runs for less two yards a carry, it would be a minor concern, but the offense always seems to come around.
2. We do need to see if the back-ups on the defensive line can get the job done. No one can be Vince Wilfork but Vince Wilfork, and he's coming in faster and stronger than ever, if slightly thinner. Neither Seymour or Warren can stop the run from the middle, and if the linebackers have to stand up offensive lineman on running plays, there goes the defensive versatility we paid so much for. Can Wright develop into a run stopper who can stand in for Wilfork or are we going to have to find out how crazy Corey Simon is in the case of an injury?
3. Can Matt Cassel actually play football, what are his strength. In the couple of years we have had him, we haven't needed him (thank god). The only thing we know about him from six years of college and pro inexperience is he is still completely unproven.
4. Is Ellis Hobbs as good as he looks sometimes, or he just completely inconsistent. He's pretty nasty covering the deep pass despite the fact that he too short to ride anything but the Teacups at Six Flags. Maybe he's just like old nickleback Canty. A smooth dancing guy who's not ready for the NFL.
5. Will Randy Moss impress the crowd with professionalism. I could personally care less if he fakes moons the crowd or argues with the ref (strike that, I liked the fake moon). I don't want to hear all of New England repeat what those curmudgeons/ morons Lowblow Lobel and SHAUGHNESSY (Shaun@ssh*le) have to whine about all season. Don't give them any ammo, you can't win with them and a thousands of New Englanders parrot their whiny bile.
6. Let's see Kyle Brady block. Sice the day Daniel Graham left for the enemy, all everyone has talked about is Kyle's blocking ability. He had better prove he can block or I'm going to come away thinking we need another replacement TE.
7. I think we just signed a bad defensive back we just traded a late round pick to get. I think Hank Poteat is a bad back, but we keep signing him half way through each season when we have an injure, so Dante from Chicago doesn't have to show much, just don't get burned and don't get blocked by the Bucs wideouts. He's supposed to be a big strong man so it should be tough for him to make a couple of tackles.
8. Who is staying and who is going at wide out. One of our good wideouts is going to be playing for another team next month, and they will probably star on a team like San Diego. It's going to be determined in the preseason which one it is, so we will actually get to see who can perform under pressure. The only true drama of the preseason.
9. Can any of these young guys play their way unto the roster. We come back with pretty much the same team from last year, only with a couple of new established Pro Bowlers. Most of the kids playing the majority of the game will be auditioning for jobs on other teams. A couple will be able to play special teams for us. No matter what the coach says, their aren't many spots up for grabs, so who will blow us away.
10. How long will the starters play. With so many pro bowlers on the roster and the need to protect them all, we need to these guys off the field almost before we put them on the field to manage risk (see: Elton Brand). Coach Sweatshirt isn't predictable, but he's supposed to be smart. Will it be a series, 6-8 plays, or less before he yanks them. I'm kind of hoping they even suit up most of them and he gives the young QB and borderline receivers a chance to show what they have.