We could use this section to tell you just how good the New England Patriots have been recently, but that would be futile. If you have been living in a cave, however, we're obliged to let you know that the Patriots are one of the most dominant teams of the last decade - possibly ever, in fact - and came within one game of joining the Miami Dolphins as the only teams to have registered an undefeated season since the NFL began.
Where do they rank alongside the 'great' dynasties? They are probably best compared with the 49ers of the mid-late 80's. Leading the team is a Quarterback who's most important assets are not physical, but mental. Although he can make every throw, Tom Brady is above all, a composed leader of men on the field. He inspires confidence in his players, and will join his 49ers counterpart Joe Montana in the Hall of Fame one day.
The Patriots, of course, will now be synonymous with the videotaping incident known to imbecile commentators everywhere as 'Spygate'. Coach Bill Belichick was found to have authorised the taping of opponents Defensive signals during several games during the 01-02 period, and the fact that they were caught during last year's game against the Jets in the Meadowlands, suggests that the practice was widespread during the Patriots' recent successes.
Spygate is an unfortunate footnote that will not escape the Patriots, though some redemption could come in the form of another championship ring, one known to be untainted by any allegations of malpractice.
The Coach
Bill Belichick. An enigma wrapped in a riddle during a murder mystery weekend. Both infuriating and engrossing, he fascinates the media in a way that few coaches are capable of maintaining without incurring almost continuous negative coverage. During his press conferences, he is knowingly reticent, preferring to indulge instead in a game of 'Football clichés', in an attempt to give the press absolutely no copy that opponents can pin to a locker.
Belichick is an intensely private and guarded individual. Perhaps this stems from his coaching education under Bill Parcells, another man famous for his stonewalling of reporters. Also of note is that he is the only head coach in the entire league not to be a member of the NFL Head Coaches Association (NFLHCA), despite not having any contractual obligations (a-la Parcells when he was Cowboys coach) that prohibit such a move. The message is clear: Bill Belichick wants to win, and he doesn't care about who he upsets along the line, because nobody will remember how many friends he made in 5o years time.
2007 Season
The Patriots 2007 season almost brought the immediate redemption that Belichick seeks following Spygate. Falling at the last hurdle will be what the season is remembered for, but by all accounts, watching New England destroy the regular season opponents with an almost Pagan-like joy in the kill was an awesome sight to behold. Of course, we all know that the Patriots polarise fans, but there is no good reason to not appreciate their 'shock and awe' tactics during the 2007 season.
The Patriots' three Superbowl winning teams were built upon a team ethos that stifled the talents of almost all of the offensive playmakers. The message was always clear, that nobody has a divine right to throw, catch, or carry the ball under Belichick. In fact, it is an indication of just how that formula worked, that prior to this season, there were still people who classified Brady as lacking the ability to make certain passes. Of course, he proved this season that it was simply the case that he had never been asked to make those throws. With a predominantly passing attack, Brady - with the help of receivers Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Donte Stallworth, and even Jabar Gaffney - systematically exploited the gaps in every defence the team faced over the course of the season.
What makes this more impressive, is the fact that the Patriots were the victims of injuries to Running Backs Laurence Maroney, and his backup Sammy Morris. Morris in particular showed flashes of why the Patriots signed him following his release from the rival Dolphins. Maroney returned, and eventually, as Defences adjusted to the passing attack, his contributions increased accordingly.
Draft class of 2008
1 - Jerod Mayo, Linebacker, Tennessee
2 - Terrence Wheatley, Cornerback, Colorado
3 - Shawn Crable, Linebacker, Michigan
3 - Kevin O'Connell, Quarterback, San Diego State
4 - Jonathan Wilhite, Cornerback, Auburn
5 - Matt Slater, Safety, UCLA
6 - Bo Ruud, Linebacker, Nebraska
New England had the luxury of not having many positions that actually require an influx of new blood, and thus have invested multiple picks in both the secondary and Linebacker units. Jerod Mayo was a surprise pick for many at number 10, but it would be unwise to make a snap judgement on a player that Bill Belichick was prepared to reach for. Linebacker was a huge need, and even if Bruschi and Seau are back for at least this year, it would be unwise not to get a great deal younger at the most important positions on your Defence.
The surprise pick was Kevin O'Connell, who will be pushing incumbent backup Matt Cassell all the way in Training Camp. Cassell has seen limited action due to the Pats' insistence on closing out games with their starters on the field, but will still need to prove a great deal in preseason to keep out O'Connell, who is one of the best, if less heralded, Quarterbacks of this rookie class.
Strong Side
Where to begin? This team is dominant, so dominant that every facet could be classed as strong. Even their special teams, with Pro-Bowler Larry Izzo, is amongst the top units in the league. It's rare that a team can build a dynasty in the modern era of Free Agency and player power, but the Pats have managed it by giving players the incentive of Championships rather than money. They've also got the most out of veteran players such as Tedy Bruschi, Junior Seau, and Troy Brown, who's impact has far outweighed the cap room that they take up.
In fact, the strongest area on this team is almost certainly the coaching staff and front office personnel department. They have always put chemistry at the top of their list when signing players, and have been rewarded with a team that is full of stars, but stars who's primary focus is the success of the team. Big names like Randy Moss, who's reputation was hardly exemplary during his previous time in Oakland, have come in and immediately gelled into the mix. That's not a coincidence. It's a reflection on the Patriots' locker room dynamic. They are one of the few teams in the league that can approach a player and know that they can be upfront and not pander to egos, yet still have the pulling power to attract big names.
Weak Side
If New England have a weakness, it's the secondary. The departures of Asante Samuel, Eugene Wilson, and Randall Gay through Free Agency have depleted what was considered a solid unit. DB Willie Andrews was released after being arrested, which will hurt the depth chart more than anything, while former Detroit CB Fernando Bryant comes in to resurrect what has been an average career. The Pats selected three Rookie DB's in the draft, but they are now all playing for a chance to start. It's likely that the Pats will have at least one Rookie in their opening day lineup.
Much was made of problems on the Offensive line after the Patriots were manhandled by a very strong set of Defensive Ends in the Superbowl loss to the Giants, but it would be harsh to judge the entire group on one game. Tom Brady's lack of mobility due to injury probably cost them a few sacks in the game, and the fact that Belichick opted against signing any rookie linemen probably speaks volumes about his confidence in the current group.
Major Transactions
In
Fernando Bryant, CB
Jason Webster, CB
Tank Williams, S
Sam Aiken, WR
Victor Hobson, LB
Out
Rosevelt Colvin, LB
Donte Stallworth, WR
Kyle Brady, TE
Asante Samuel, CB
Randall Gay, CB/S
Eugene Wilson, S
2008 Schedule
1 1:00 PM September 7, 2008 Kansas City Chiefs Gillette Stadium
2 4:15 PM September 14, 2008 New York Jets Giants Stadium
3 1:00 PM September 21, 2008 Miami Dolphins Gillette Stadium
4 Bye
5 4:15 PM October 5, 2008 San Francisco 49ers Candlestick Park
6 8:15 PM October 12, 2008 San Diego ChargersQualcomm Stadium
7 8:30 PM October 20, 2008 Denver Broncos Gillette Stadium
8 1:00 PM October 26, 2008 St. Louis Rams Gillette Stadium
9 8:15 PM November 2, 2008 Indianapolis Colts Lucas Oil Stadium
10 1:00 PM November 9, 2008 Buffalo Bills Gillette Stadium
11 8:15 PM November 13, 2008 New York Jets Gillette Stadium
12 1:00 PM November 23, 2008 Miami Dolphins Dolphin Stadium
13 4:15 PM November 30, 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers Gillette Stadium
14 8:15 PM December 7, 2008 Seattle Seahawks Qwest Field
15 4:15 PM December 14, 2008 Oakland Raiders McAfee Coliseum
16 1:00 PM December 21, 2008 Arizona Cardinals Gillette Stadium
17 1:00 PM December 28, 2008 Buffalo Bills Ralph Wilson Stadium
Wide-Right's view
It's hard to improve on a perfect regular season, but of course, the Patriots will not be remembered for that in 2007, they will be remembered for falling at the last hurdle. As such, Coach Bill Belicheck will most likely employ the 'scorched earth' policy again, demoralising some teams into capitulation before games even start. Of course, going undefeated again would be an unlikely event, and in all truth, we can't see it happening. The Giants showed that no team is completely unbeatable in the modern era, and some teams such as the Jets have a grievance with the Patriots that means any matchup between the two could go either way.
In more general terms, the key pieces of the jigsaw are still in place. The team could do with Jerod Mayo and Victor Hobson contributing early in the season, as it is more than likely that neither Junior Seau or Tedy Bruschi will be around after this year. It is imperative that at least one of those two becomes a leader on Defence, because with Rodney Harrison also advancing in years, the Pats could soon find themselves a very inexperienced team on the Defensive side of the ball.
The offence is still very much capable of laying waste to some defences, and establishing early momentum would - as we said earlier - give plenty of teams a psychological millstone when their turn comes round. You always got the impression that some teams were just out to avoid a complete hiding, whereas teams like the Giants and Eagles did a good job blocking out the media in the run-up to their meetings - consequently running them closer than any other teams.
This season will make or break the Patriots' dynasty. Another win this year, and the team can lay to rest the Spygate issue. Fail, and perhaps history will ask what that edge they had in previous seasons was...
Prediction for 2008
The Patriots are far from untouchable in the AFC. It would take an almighty cock-up to miss the playoffs in what has become a weak division, but once there, the team will need to up it's game considerably. Indianapolis, Jacksonville, and San Diego are - once again - the main contenders, and the urgency of the Jags in particular, who have been aggressive in putting the final pieces of their own puzzle together, should tell the Patriots that this will be no stroll to the Superbowl.
Useful links for Patriots fans
Official website
Depth chart
Patriotsplanet - fansite
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