It just feels like the [New England Patriots](https://nesn.com/new-england-patriots) haven't gotten enough respect this offseason.
For a team that made the Super Bowl a year ago, it's almost ridiculous that anybody isn't giving them the same respect that they deserve. The Patriots are a young team led by an elite young quarterback, have one of the best coaches in the NFL, and added some major pieces this offseason.
Everybody wants to talk about the schedule last year, but they beat who was in front of them, and nobody should be upset about that.
That's why it's great to get perspective on the Patriots from former players who understand what it takes to play in the NFL.
That was the case for a former player who played in New England and also for the Detroit Lions and New York Jets.
“I would be personally careful if I’m a lot of these analysts, picking against the Patriots," Damien Woody [said](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/longtime-nfl-analyst-sends-stern-173615756.html), per USA Today.
"I think the Patriots have done a really good job of really adding into what they already had last year. We know that Drake Maye is one of the best young quarterbacks that we have in the game. Mike Vrabel is one of the best coaches that we have in the game. Then you go out and you add AJ Brown, a true No. 1 receiver. You add other players along the offensive line."
Woody understands what it takes to play this game, so hearing him make these kinds of comments about the Patriots shows others need to feel the same way.
Obviously, there's no guarantee that New England is going to make the Super Bowl again next year or be a perfect team, as nobody can predict injuries and other factors, but on paper, this is a very good team, and unless something goes wrong, they should be right in the mix for a playoff spot and a chance to win it all.