AP Pro32 comments about Patriots

NEW YORK (AP) Comments on the New England Patriots by the AP Pro32 panel (ranking in parentheses):

Ira Kaufman (Tampa Tribune, 1): Brady Bunch is back, hungrier than ever.

Alex Marvez (Foxsports.com, 1): An infusion of veteran and rookie talent, especially in front seven and at wide receiver, makes Super Bowl runner-up even more stout entering 2012.

Chris Berman (ESPN, 2): After all, Patriots are defending AFC champs.

Clifton Brown (Sporting News, 2): Hard to pick against consistency of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, and their defense should be improved.

Cris Collinsworth (NBC Sports, 2): Even Belichick needs talent. First six draft choices all on defense.

Rich Gannon (CBS Sports/SiriusXM NFL Radio, 2): If Patriots improve on D they'll be back in Super Bowl.

Bob Glauber (Newsday, 2): Bill Belichick loaded up on defense in the offseason to give Tom Brady some much needed help on other side of ball.

Rick Gosselin (Dallas Morning News, 3): Patriots still have Belichick and Brady so no matter what else changes, Pats remain Super Bowl contender.

Clark Judge (CBSSports.com, 3): Pats look better than team that won AFC in 2011.

Pat Kirwan (SiriusXM NFL Radio/CBSSports.com, 3): Got to the Super Bowl with bad defense and worked hard to improve that side of ball in offseason.

John Lynch (Fox Sports, 3): Patriots keep changing and evolving to compete for trophy every year. A long as they have Kraft, Belichick and Brady around, they will continue to do so.

Dan Pompei (Chicago Tribune, 3): Patriots probably were one play away from being Super Bowl champions.

Online: http://bigstory.ap.org/NFL-Pro32 and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL

Updated July 31, 2012