David Patten, Deion Branch, Willie McGinest, Ty Law, Roman Phifer, Joe Andruzzi, Adam Vinatieri, Romeo Crennel, Charlie Weis, Drew Bledsoe, and David Givens.
The New England Patriots have lost more cogs from their 3-time Super Bowl Champion machine than the Florida Marlins after both fire sales. Gone are the two coordinators from that era, Weis and Crennel. Gone are the two top defensive stalwarts, McGinest and Law. The list is endless in terms of key personnel which the Patriots have lost. Yet one thing remains constant: AFC East Division titles and Super Bowl aspirations.
The Patriots won three consecutive division titles (four out of the last five,) have made playoff appearances in eight out of the last twelve years and won three Super Bowl Championships in the past five years.
The Patriots are a living and breathing example of excellence in the National Football League. How do they do it?
The answer to this question is two-fold: Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.
In Monday's victory against the Minnesota Vikings, Belichick avoided the run-defense strength of the Vikings and had his captain Brady throw passes more than the Eagles. Brady threw 43 passes against the Vikings compared to the 27 and 29 attempts he had the previous two games. The result of this plan, a 31-7 domination of the Minnesota Vikings in which Tom Brady threw for four touchdowns.
Belichick is also able to plug personnel into roles in which they are able to flourish. NFL journeymen such as wide receivers Reche Caldwell and Doug Gabriel have been put into the Patriot system and have caught four touchdowns between them. A larger testament to the Patriot system is the fact that twelve different receivers have caught touchdown passes from Brady this year.
Through careful manipulation of the NFL Draft and free agency, the Patriots have been able to stay ahead of the NFL playing field by acquiring players who fill roles and buy into the Patriot system.
The centerpiece of this machine is Tom Brady, himself a testament to the Patriot plan. Brady was a 6th round draft pick and only got a chance to play after Drew Bledsoe went down with an injury. 'Tom Terrific' makes good decisions; this year he has thrown 14 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions in 7 games, and he spreads the wealth to incorporate a multitude of receivers, backs, and tight ends. His leading receiver is a tight end, Ben Watson.
The Patriots have been the subject of many copies, the highest form of flattery, but none have come close to the Patriot success. The Patriots are a one-of-a-kind franchise, sure to attract replicas, but replicas are never as good as the original.
Players will come and go but Bill Belichick and Tom Brady remain, armed with new weapons that will baffle opponents and lead the Patriots to more AFC Championships, and possibly Super Bowl titles. Chestertown, eat the sandwich!
300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, Maryland 21620 | 410-778-2800 | 800-422-1782