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In 2007, both the offense and defense improved over the previous season. Now the team readies to make that a
trend under the leadership of returning Head Coach William Donahue.
Under center is Tony Bravata who is competing in a deep position battle with Alan Russ, Jonathon Watson, and
recently resigned Quarterback Dave Inman. Inman was the projected starter for 2007 but was deactivated before
the first game of the season. The winner of that quarterback battle will be throwing to a deep receiver pool that,
in terms of depth, may be the strongest the Patriots have fielded. Tight End could be a battle between Isaiah
Brown (6'4, 230) who was signed as a free agent to compete with returning veteran Brian Dinnan. To keep the
string of position battles going, returning running backs and rookies have all took snaps in practice and 7 or 8
different offensive lineman could each be counted on to start.
For over half a decade the Patriots defensive trench has been manned by former All Stars Roberto Bakos and
Brad Lyon. Bakos has been selected to back to back All Star games while Lyon has been named to four in five
years including one Minor League Football News All American birth in 2005. The defensive backfield may be the
only unit on the team that can compete with the receiving core for depth. The linebackers round out the defense
and may be a unit that could see all but one new starter for 2008.
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