Gresh & Zo: Do The Patriots Need More Help On Offense Or Defense?
BOSTON (CBS) - The Denver Broncos exposed the Patriots on Sunday in nearly every aspect of the game, so Andy Gresh and Scott Zolak debated whether or not this New England team needs more help on the offensive or defensive side of the ball.
Zolak: Patriots Should Franchise Aqib Talib
After the 2014 season, the Patriots will have some big decisions in paying Devin McCourty, Nate Solder, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen and Stephen Gostkowski - so there's no doubt that Belichick, Nick Caserio and company will approach this offseason with that in mind.
However, in looking at the team's opponents for the upcoming season, it's clear that they'll need to build this next roster taking into account who they'll be matched up against.
Here is a list of the Patriots' 2014 opponents:
Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
"You look at the skill position people you're facing next year and those types of quarterbacks, you're going to need Aqib Talib. You want to see Alfonzo Dennard cover A.J. Green? Alshon Jeffery? Brandon Marshall? Megatron? You want to see Logan Ryan or Kyle Arrington try and cover them? You have to construct your defense based on who you will play," said Scott Zolak Wednesday afternoon.
Toucher & Rich: Big Offseason Decisions Looming For Patriots
After Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck combined to throw for 731 yards against the Patriots in their two postseason games, it's evident that this team needs secondary help, a pass rusher or both.
Andy Gresh isn't convinced the answer is currently a member of the Patriots - he believes they will look (again) to the draft and spend another high pick on a secondary player.
Both Gresh and Zolak fervently disagree with the Boston Globe's Dan Shaughnessy, who said yesterday on this station that the Patriots are in regression and won't be in line for a Super Bowl next year.
"This team is close. It's about tweaking it, and tweaking it to compete against the schedule you're facing. And then you re-tee that thing up the following year," said Zo.
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