Football Diner Review / Preview
New England Patriots
by Paul Hopkins
21/4/2009
 
Overview
 
The story of the 2008 New England Patriots is the story of two Quarterbacks. After the untouchable march to the Super Bowl the season before, Tom Brady's knee injury in week one meant the favourites had to make do without their most valuable player for the rest of the year. In his place, perennial back-up Matt Cassel came from obscurity and managed to play well enough to make him the hottest QB free agent of 2009. His eventual trading to Kansas City reaffirms to everyone that this remains Brady's team but everyone will be looking at him to see if he has fully recovered from the devastating knee injury he suffered. Around him, the Patriots remain at the forefront of people's mind when picking those most likely to get to the Super Bowl in 2010, such is the ability of Head Coach Bill Belichick.
 
The other big question hanging over the franchise comes from the departure of Josh McDaniel to Denver and Scott Pioli to the Kansas City Chiefs. Can Belichick continue to flourish without his offensive coordinator and without the man he was closest to in the organisation?
It's going to be an interesting 2009 in Boston.
 
Quarterbacks
 
Tom Brady didn't last a game before Matt Cassel, whom many had picked to be cut in training camp was thrust into the role as starting quarterback for the Patriots. Whilst many will look at the failure to reach the playoffs as a failure, the fact that Cassel played a part in nearly steering this team to the playoffs is testament to his ability. However, with the likes of Moss, Welker and one of the best running games in the NFL, there has to be questions about whether it was Cassel's ability or those around him who were the deciding factor. However, it goes he showed enough flashes to get his move to Kansas City. Left in his wake, Tom Brady has to prove he is over his injury otherwise the Patriots will look to the supporting cast once more to carry the team.
Grade: B
 
Running Backs
 
The Patriots very much operated a running back by committee system in 2008 with no less than five players (including Matt Cassel) attempted a rush over 70 times. Sammy Morris led the way with nearly 800 yards rushing on the bulk of the spread out carries. Kevin Faulk was as ever an important contributor and even Lamont Jordan (another player Belichick took off the scraphead to breathe new life into them) made a contribution. In short, the Patriots were able to run the ball regardless of who they plugged in there, which makes their main backfield acquisition of free agency even more ominous for the league.
 
The addition this off-season of Fred Taylor looks like another Belichick masterstroke. His rugged tough style will fit right in with the Pats and the running back by committee approach will allow Taylor to remain fresh throughout the year.
Grade: A-
 
Receivers and Tight Ends
 
There is probably not a tandem of top receivers in the NFL more diverse than Randy Moss and Wes Welker. Yet it is their diversity that makes them so dangerous. Moss the deep threat. Welker the buzzsaw who pops up all over the place, usually with the ball in his arms. Both posted 1,000 yard seasons, Moss' coming off far fewer passes indicating his deep threat compared to Welker's dink and dunk approach. It took a while for Cassel to get Moss involved but when he did, he put up tremendous numbers (albeit not as good as the previous year). Welker and Kevin Faulk served Cassel well, as did (the now departed) Jabar Gaffney. The Patriots certainly weren't as explosive as they were in 2007 but they were still mightily effective.
Grade: A
 
Offensive Line
 
Whenever you have a strong running game like the Patriots do, it always starts with the offensive line. Anchoring the left hand side of the line Matt Light is as consistent as they come. Inside of him, Logan Mankins performs as one of the best left guards in football. Centre Dan Koppen was arguably the weak link of the line, looking inconsistent in both pass and rush situations. The right hand side of the line has provided the slightest bit more of a headache with Stephen Neal's injuries and Nick Kazcur's weaknesses against the run.
This line has been together a long time now, and it wouldn't be surprising if in the upcoming draft the Patriots look to get some young depth to their line.
Grade: B
 
Defensive Line
 
The Patriots front three remains as good as they come. Richard Seymour and Vince Wilfork continued to be amongst the best in their positions in the league. When he was on the field Ty Warren also excelled.
Grade: A
 
Linebackers
 
The linebacker position is where the Patriots again, have to be looking to inject some youth into. First round rookie Jerod Mayo slid right into the starting line up from day one and wound up being the defensive rookie of the year. He amassed an impressive number of tackles and impressed his Head Coach enormously, despite other observers having reservations about his stoutness against the run. Alongside him Tedy Bruschi continued to defy the years with solid performances although surely the Patriots have to be looking to draft an eventual replacement early in this year's draft.
 
Adalius Thomas proved a shrewd acquisition chipping in with five sacks, although he wasn't quite the impact player he made his name for in Baltimore. On the other edge, Mike Vrabel, another of the golden oldies performed well to before being traded to Kansas City as part of the deal that took Cassel to the Chiefs. It was expected this would prepare the way for the addition of Julius Peppers but this rumour has died down. One thing is for sure though, New England simply must add some youth to their linebacking unit.
Grade: B
 
Secondary
 
Brandon Meriweather really began to show some promise in this campaign, nabbing a team leading four interceptions. James Sanders was also a positive contributor.
At the cornerback position, only really Ellis Hobbs showed the consistency needed to play the position on a regular basis. Deltha O'Neil failed to impress hence the two veteran additions in the form of Shaun Springs and Leigh Bodden demonstrating that they need to improve and that rookie Terrence Wheatley may not be ready just yet.
Grade: B-
 
Special Teams
 
Stephen Gostkowski has established himself as consistent a kicker as you would want, and Chris Hanson is equally as solid. Ellis Hobbs remains a good return guy for the team.
Grade: B
 
Coaching
 
That this article has been written without mentioning once that the Patriots failed to make the post-season demonstrates just what an eventful season it was in Foxboro. It can be considered nothing more than a minor blip to Belichick that the Patriots did not play into January, and a return in January 2010 has to be expected. Failure to do so would be almost unthinkable. But to lose his MVP and replace him with a virtual unknown is again testimony to the skill and ability of Belichick, who remains amongst the very best there is.
Grade: B (hard to give more when they didn't make the post-season)