Problems in Patriot Town?

 By: Matthew Orso

         
   As much as I’d like to say the Patriots signing Tim Tebow (I better not type his name three times in this article or he might appear on the screen!) will cause the team to be cursed; I can’t.  No I believe the Jets will be the only team to suffer under the wrath of Tim Tebow-Mania. (That’s two times!) 

            However I do believe there is cause to be concerned in New England.  Many bad things have happened during this offseason in terms of the Patriots offense.  First off all how could the Patriots let Wes Welker go to the Broncos?  Yes I know Wes Welker had a perfect fit in New England and isn’t as great as his statistics show, but he was the key to the Patriots’ offense. 

            Wes Welker and Tom Brady are perfect QB-WR combination.  One of them always knows what the other is thinking on the football field.  He was Tom Brady’s go to guy in key situations over the last few season.  I know the Patriots policy on players (other than Tom Brady) is replace and reproduce.  However will anyone be able to put up the number Wes Welker had in his Patriots’ career.  (He had more than 7400 yards and exactly 30 touchdowns with the Patriots in six seasons.)

            Welker signed with the Broncos, who like the Patriots have a future Hall of Fame Quarterback leading the charge.  Peyton Manning will surely find Wes Welker and integrate him as a part of the offensive system.  I could see Welker putting up the same stats for the Broncos in 2013 that he put up with the Patriots in 2012.  Now instead of resigning Wes Welker the Patriots felt they could replace him with another receiver.  Wait, is that what Tim Tebow was brought in for?  (Darn three times!)

            And the offense loses even more with Rob Gronkowski undergoing his sixth surgery since February 2012.  He will be undergoing back surgery on Tuesday and should be out of action for 12 weeks.  There is the potential for Tom Brady to be without Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski week 1 against the Bills. 

            According to the New England Patriots website; the team’s top three WR are listed Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman and Michael Jenkins.  In 2013 they combined for 1350 yards and eight touchdowns.  Wes Welker had 1354 receiving yards and six touchdowns by himself last season!  The Patriots’ offense is in trouble for the 2013 season.  I mean they could go sign Terrell Owens or Chad Ochocinco after his prison sentence.  They couldn’t be any worse than Tim Tebow (fourth time) was for the Jets in 2012. 

            As of right now the Patriots have a depleted receiving core and a 36 year old QB.  No non-kicker has yet to defeat father time in the NFL.  This might be the year football fans see Tom Brady decline.  Do the Patriots have what it takes to win in 2013?  Offensively, I’m not too sure……..