Can the New England Patriots Be Super Bowl Champions Again?

Football season is again upon us - and it's probably a relief for many Patriots fans too who have had to deal with the off-field saga surrounding Aaron Hernandez since the Patriots lost to the Ravens in the AFC Championship game.

Hernandez - star no more

Hernandez has been in custody without bail and has since been dropped by the Patriots organization; and has now been indicted for the homicide of fellow footballer, Odin Lloyd earlier this year.

Hernandez looks set to be one of football's greatest tragedies - he was definitely one of the NFL's rising stars and an integral part of the Brady attacking rota at the Patriots; a capable backup to Rob Gronkowski. However, his career definitely looks over now with a life sentence in jail looming if found guilty by the courts.

No more of this - Welker and Brady

But back to football matters, Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels have lots of work to do with the offence with another key Brady target man, Wes Welker now a Denver Bronco. However, if there is any team that have shown time and time again that they can rebuild a team and still win, it is the New England Patriots.

The Patriots have signed in the off-season fairly well with Danny Amendola coming in from the St Louis Rams - he'll probably be Welker's replacement now and Patriots fans that he can continue the long run of success with Patriots wide receivers that includes Welker and Randy Moss as well.

Can Tebow work with Brady? It could very well be a game changer 

The most intriguing signing of the off-season has got to be Tim Tebow though. Now, the Pats obviously have Tom Brady as number 1 quarterback, but they do have a handy back up in former Arkansas quarterback, Ryan Mallett. It'll be interesting to see how Tebow is employed by the Patriots - he might very well end up as an option in a wildcat formation, or just a straight running back alongside rising star, Stevan Ridley.

Another Rams signing - as if beating the Rams in the 2002 Super Bowl wasn't enough - will also be relied on this season - Michael Hoomanawanui, who joined in the post-season will now have to step up and be the man with Hernandez and Gronkowski no longer available. Tight end could be an issue this season where it was a strength for the Patriots.

Another issue for the Patriots is continuing to improve a defence that is no longer one of the NFL's. Patriots fans are still waiting for the day the Pats return to the bruising sort of defence that saw them win 3 Super Bowl titles in the last decade and almost a 4th. The secondary has been a weak spot in the last couple of seasons and many teams have been able to exploit the space given by the secondary although the likes of Rob Ninkovich have been great with the intercepts.

Can Tom Brady win Super Bowl ring number 4?

So can the Patriots win another Super Bowl title while Brady's still healthy? Will it be this season? Pats fans go through the motions of another AFC East title, and then heartbreak somewhere in the AFC playoffs.

Then again, it's not all about reaching the Super Bowl. Let's just say it's glad to be able to say Yes! when Hank Williams asks "Are You Ready for Some Football?" - oh wait he doesn't even do that anymore!