Yeah pats

ASK THE NFL EXPERT

By Don Pierson

MSNBC contributor

Updated: 8:30 p.m. ET July 19, 2007

2. Can anybody beat the Patriots?
Yes, the Patriots. Not the Colts, the Chargers, the Bears or the Saints. No team is more compelling in 2007 than the Patriots, who refuse to take a breather just because they've already won three Super Bowls this decade. Not many 12-4 teams make so many dramatic offseason moves.

Not only did they add the most coveted defensive free agent in Baltimore linebacker Adalius Thomas, they lured the most controversial offensive player in receiver Randy Moss. And Moss could turn out to be nothing more than icing on Tom Brady's cake because they also added Miami's leading receiver, Wes Welker, and game-breaker Donte' Stallworth from Philadelphia.

The future of franchised cornerback Asante Samuel remains iffy, but the Patriots also drafted one of the best defensive backs in Brandon Meriweather.

Coach Bill Belichick has earned the right for skeptics to concede he knows what he's doing. This is a team that is loading up to win again in 2007.