Another year and it is another AFC Eastern Division Title for The New
England Patriots. Since Bill Belichick took over as head coach of The
Patriots in 2000, New England has only had one losing season which was
Belichick’s first season in Foxboro with Drew Bledsoe as his
quarterback. We all know the story of how Tom Brady stepped in for an
injured Bledsoe in 2001 and the legend was born. Brady and Belichick
have more wins than any other quarterback/head coach combination (122)
in National Football League history. New England has a record of 11-3
this season and they are once again poised for a playoff run in January.
The Patriots don’t have the household names defensively such as Tedy
Bruschi and Rodney Harrison who were around for The Super Bowl years,
but they have found a way to win with players such as defensive end Mark
Anderson and safety James Ihedigbo who were afterthoughts. Anderson was
released by The Chicago Bears and Houston Texans, but now he appears to
have found a home in Foxboro. Anderson has nine sacks on the season
including two in Sunday’s win over The Denver Broncos. Ihedigbo came
into the league as undrafted player and after a four-year stint with the
rival New York Jets, he is becoming a contributor for Belichick.
The Patriot defense ranks last in football for yards allowed, but
they know how to make the big plays when the game is on the line. In
last week’s victory over The Washington Redskins, it was linebacker
Jerod Mayo’s fourth quarter interception that sealed the 34-27 victory.
This week the unit forced two fumbles in the second quarter by The
Broncos that changed the momentum of the game and The Pats never looked
back for a 41-23 victory.
It is tough for a defense to stop one All-Pro caliber tight end, but
The Patriots have the luxury of having two in Aaron Hernandez and Rob
Gronkowski. Gronkowski has already set a single-season record for
touchdowns by a tight end with (15). A few seasons ago it was the deep
ball to former Patriot wide receiver Randy Moss that defenses feared and
now it is the combination of Hernandez and Gronkowski. At 6’8″
Gronkowski’s services will be needed once The Patriots season is over as
a power forward for The Boston Celtics. In the meantime, there isn’t a
linebacker or safety in pro football that can cover “The Gronker” and
Brady has no problem finding him. Defensively The Broncos decided to
concentrate on Gronkowski which left Hernandez all alone without a dance
partner. Hernandez racked up 9 catches for 129 yards and one touchdown.
The second year tight end from The University of Florida showed
everyone that he is more than capable of producing when Brady throws the
ball in his direction.
Wide receiver Chad Ochocinco and his 14 receptions warrant the term
“practice squad player”, but I just have the feeling that he will
breakout of his season long funk. Defenses have concentrated on
Gronkowski and wide receiver Wes Welker all season. In the right
formation Ochocinco can be a threat as long as he is prepared for the
opportunity when Brady throws the ball in his direction.
The Patriots have not won a playoff game since The 2007 AFC
Championship, but as always they are in the championship discussion. The Patriots thought that they had the right formula last season as they finished the regular season with a record of 14-2. Unfortunately for them The New York Jets had other plans as they upset New England in The Divisional Round 28-21 and the playoff drought continued.
Brady is well on his way to passing for 5,000 yards this season. Brady’s
golden arm and Belichick’s decisiveness has been able to cover up flaws
on The Patriot defense. This will be put to the test in the playoffs
against the likes of The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. Only
time will tell if Brady and Belichick can guide The Patriots to Super
Bowl glory one more time.
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