The Class of the League
November 3rd 2010 17:34
The Patriots were the best team of the 2000's, hands down, with their super bowl championships in 2001, 2003, and 2004, building a dynasty with un-matched team unity and drive. It looks like even with the Tedy Bruschi's and the Rodney Harrison's and the Troy Brown's gone in retirement, that same unity and focus continues to be implemented in the squad of this season.
We all know this is like a "system" Bill Belichick has had ever since he started winning super bowls in New England. This team isn't one where you look around and see superstars all over the field. The only long-time stay on the defense right now is really Vince Wilfork. They've drafted plenty of talent on the defensive side in recent years, from Jerod Mayo (who leads the league in tackles), Brandon Spikes, and Jermaine Cunningham. One thing that has stayed constant in Belichick's system though, is his franchise quarterback. But even Tom Brady has never had great wide receivers. Brown wasn't ever an exceptional player, neither was Troy Patton, and Deion Branch wasn't much of a star either. But they fit what the Pats were doing, and Brady obviously can work with less than amazing talent. Randy Moss is the only star receiver Brady has ever had, and you saw what they did their first year together. Once the NFL finally figured them out, Randy wasn't racking up quite the same stats, and he still wanted the ball more than New England could get it to them. So while Moss was traded, a "system wideout"(yes I just said that) like Wes Welker has been perfect for them.
The line has also mostly stayed the same, and has been huge for the Pats in their 21st century dominance, with Matt Light and Dan Koppen being stalwarts on the line ever since the early 2000's. Another thing is, even with never having a good running game, they've had this much success. Kevin Faulk, Corey Dillon, and Laurence Maroney are some of the starting RB's they've had in the past. Not much of a murderer's row there.
So far this season, the Patriots are 6-1, tops in the NFL. Should we be surprised? The Pats look like they have serious competition in their division from the Jets, who they lost their only game to in a 28-14 defeat. New York is more of a truely talented and star-studed team with Derrelle Revis, Mark Sanchez, Braylon Edwards, Jason Taylor, LaDanian Tomlinson, and Antonio Cromartie among the well-known players to a casual NFL fan. But besides Brady, it's BenJarvis Green-Ellis? Brandon Tate? Devin McCourty? They might not be big names, but at times they've made big impacts. It's just the Patriots' way. Seems like it's worked so far.
We all know this is like a "system" Bill Belichick has had ever since he started winning super bowls in New England. This team isn't one where you look around and see superstars all over the field. The only long-time stay on the defense right now is really Vince Wilfork. They've drafted plenty of talent on the defensive side in recent years, from Jerod Mayo (who leads the league in tackles), Brandon Spikes, and Jermaine Cunningham. One thing that has stayed constant in Belichick's system though, is his franchise quarterback. But even Tom Brady has never had great wide receivers. Brown wasn't ever an exceptional player, neither was Troy Patton, and Deion Branch wasn't much of a star either. But they fit what the Pats were doing, and Brady obviously can work with less than amazing talent. Randy Moss is the only star receiver Brady has ever had, and you saw what they did their first year together. Once the NFL finally figured them out, Randy wasn't racking up quite the same stats, and he still wanted the ball more than New England could get it to them. So while Moss was traded, a "system wideout"(yes I just said that) like Wes Welker has been perfect for them.
The line has also mostly stayed the same, and has been huge for the Pats in their 21st century dominance, with Matt Light and Dan Koppen being stalwarts on the line ever since the early 2000's. Another thing is, even with never having a good running game, they've had this much success. Kevin Faulk, Corey Dillon, and Laurence Maroney are some of the starting RB's they've had in the past. Not much of a murderer's row there.
So far this season, the Patriots are 6-1, tops in the NFL. Should we be surprised? The Pats look like they have serious competition in their division from the Jets, who they lost their only game to in a 28-14 defeat. New York is more of a truely talented and star-studed team with Derrelle Revis, Mark Sanchez, Braylon Edwards, Jason Taylor, LaDanian Tomlinson, and Antonio Cromartie among the well-known players to a casual NFL fan. But besides Brady, it's BenJarvis Green-Ellis? Brandon Tate? Devin McCourty? They might not be big names, but at times they've made big impacts. It's just the Patriots' way. Seems like it's worked so far.
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