The New England Patriots dynasty ended last season in the NFL playoffs as Denver posted a 27-13 victory at Mile High. That loss ended a streak that may not be repeated in the free agency era.
The Beantown boys captured three Super Bowl championships in four years and snapped the Miami Dolphins’ winning streak in the process. Who would have thought that could happen in this day and age?
Last season, injuries, illnesses and a 338-point defense left the Patriots at 10-6, still good enough for the AFC East crown but not good enough for home field advantage. House. With a solid draft and some healthy returning veterans, Bill Belichick and the guys are looking to go back to their old ways and become Super Bowl contenders.
Offense: Begins and ends with Tom Brady. We all know the story by now. The sixth round pick does well and leads the team to three world titles. In 2005, Brady showed that he is not only a good leader, but also an excellent quarterback. The Michigan graduate led the NFL in passing yards (4,110), completing 63 percent of his passes along with 26 touchdowns.
Brady is the main cog in Belichick’s engine. He understands the system, he’s like a coach on the field: he dissects the defense and knows what each person on his team and opponents are supposed to do. The Patriots better pray he doesn’t get hurt or be out of season. Matt Cassel and Cody Bramlett are the alternates. Oh Lord!
Corey Dillon had an injury-prone 2005 season. He failed to reach 1,000 yards (733), but he did find the end zone (12 TDs). He’s back healthy and with some competition, so that should cheer him up. New England recruited Lawrence Maroney from Minnesota to be the future star of the franchise. Dillon is no spring chicken and Maroney runs with strength and power, just like old Cory Dillon. Don’t be surprised if Maroney becomes the standout running back this season. Kevin Faulk returns as the third running back.
The Patriots are lucky to have two solid fullbacks on the roster: starter Patrick Pass and backup Heath Evans. Both are seasoned veterans who can block, run and catch passes effectively.
New England lost the services of David Givens, but responded by signing San Diego’s Reche Caldwell and drafting standout Chad Jackson from Florida in the second round of the draft. Deion Branch (78-998-5) returns as Brady’s primary target, but he’s been a distraction, threatening to stay in training camp unless he renews his contract. Ageless wonder Troy Brown (39-466-2) returns to add depth and experience.
The tight end position is a strength for the Patriots and it only got stronger with the selection of Garrett Mills from Tulsa. Mills is an excellent receiver and solid blocker who was a fullback in college. He has excellent potential as an H-Back. Ben Watson (29-441-6) and Daniel Graham (16-225-3) are a solid 1-2 punch.
The line is a stable group with Tom Ashworth as the only member to leave. Dan Koppen returns to center with Stephen Neal and 2005 NFL All-Rookie Logan Mankins at guard; with Matt Light and Brandon Gorin holding down the left and right tackle slots. Russ Hochstein, Nick Kaczur and rookie road grader Ryan O’Callaghan provide depth.
Defense: The defense faltered a bit in 2005, but that was more due to injuries than lack of skill. Eric Mangini is gone and new coordinator Dean Pees hopes the defense will return to its Super Bowl level of the past.
The defensive line returns intact with Ty Warren and Richard Seymour at defensive end and Vince Wilfork at nose. Jarvis Green and Marquise Hill provide backup in the end slots. For some unknown reason, Belichick decided to trade with New Orleans to get the underperforming Johnathan Sullivan. He didn’t disappoint when he was recently arrested, which didn’t sit well with Patriot bosses.
The linebacking corps took a blow when Willie McGinest was fired for salary cap reasons. Big mistake! McGinest is a hard worker who rushes through every play. He is also a leader in the locker room who will be sorely missed. Still, all is not lost. Tedy Bruschi is back at 100 percent and along with Mike Vrabel (108 tackles, 4.5 sacks), they make a terrifying inside duo. Roosevelt Colvin (seven sacks) returns on the outside with Tully Banta-Cain replacing McGinest. Monty Beisel, free agent signing Barry Gardner and Don Davis provide depth.
The secondary was downright depressing at times last season. The unit managed just 10 interceptions in 2005, one of the worst outings in the league and needs to improve. The good news is that strong safety Rodney Harrison returns healthy after an injury-plagued season. He’s starting to show the age of him, but he’s still one of the best SS to ever play. Eugene Wilson fills the free safety position, while Tebucky Jones and Artrell Hawkins are capable backups.
Starting cornerbacks Asante Samuel and Ellis Hobbs led the team with three picks apiece, but they will be pressured by Chad Scott and free agent Eric Warfield, Kansas City’s longtime starter.
Special teams: The biggest offseason news for New England was with its special teams. Super Bowl hero Adam Vinatieri and returners Bethel Johnson and Tim Dwight were not retained. Bad news for Patriots fans. Vinatieri’s decision is a complete mystery to me. How can you get rid of arguably the greatest clutch kicker in NFL history and think that Martin Gramatica is an improvement? Incredible!
Josh Miller (45.1) returns as kicker. Hobbs will replace Johnson as kick returner and Brown will once again return punts. Rookie Stephen Gostkwoski was brought in to challenge Gramática.
Outlook: There have been big losses in New England (McGinest, Givens, Vinatieri) but players love Belichick’s system and respond well to it. He is exceptionally good at evaluating talent and how it fits into that system. The Patriots have declined since their Super Bowl run, but with Brady and a solid, experienced group, New England should hold off Miami and win another East title.
Prediction: The Patriots retain a promising Dolphins team to win another division crown. They will lose a game or two without Vinatieri and finish 10-6 or 11-5.
