Patriots erase Super Bowl memories with start of training camp
The 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremonies may be tomorrow night, but for today, one group of sports fans is focused on just one thing: NFL training camp.
The Patriots kick off their camp Thursday afternoon, ready to start fresh after a disappointing finish to the 2012 Super Bowl. Over the next six weeks, the team will be prepping for a new season, and with that comes four exhibition games.
The start of camp comes quickly after Wednesday’s news that the team had released Joseph Addai before he ever got a chance to suit up, according to an NFL report. Addai, a Pro Bowl pick, had a bright start to his NFL career with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2006 and 2007. He was released by New England following the failure of a team physical, as the running back has had difficulty staying healthy in recent years.
Brandon Lloyd joins the team as a wide receiver and could stand to make an impact when it comes to the Patriots’ passing game. Regardless, New England stands to play the easiest schedule in all of the NFL, with their opponents’ 2011 winning average at .453.
The Patriots allowed 411.1 yards per game last season, the worst defensively in the AFC East. Luckily for them, and their fans, the surging offense made up for it, ranking second only to New Orleans among all NFL teams in total yards and passing yards.
While the beginning of camp marks the very first steps toward a new season, come September the Patriots, and their fans, will surely be ready for some football.
