There’s no questioning the impact of the Patriots’ 2007 season on the rest of the NFL.
From Week One, New England caught the attention of the rest of the league and made pending opponents take notice andspend extra time in the weight room, film room, etc.
It was to no avail, of course, as the Patriots steamrolled through the first half of the season and maintained cruise control to finish the regular season 16-0. The playoffs didn’t end as they wished, but there was no denying the powerful effect on the NFL in general and the AFC in particular.
Following that storybook season was the Tom Brady-less 2008 campaign. Matt Cassel did an admirable job, leading the team to an 11-5 record despite not starting at quarterback since 1999.
The Patriots still managed to finish in the top 10 in points for the fifth-straight year, but despite tying the Dolphins’ record, they were left out of the playoffs due to the tiebreaker.
The big question now is, what do these two seasons combined portend for the upcoming 2009 season?
Defense
2007 was a great season for the defense. Playing with a lead for nearly the entire season, they could pin their ears back and get after the opposing quarterback with reckless abandon.
The secondary only needed to hold for 3-4 seconds while the defensive line and linebackers rushed. This led to a total of 47 sacks and 19 interceptions. They had the fourth-ranked defense, and many believed that it was one of the best defenses the Patriots had put on the field.
After 2007, they lost Asante Samuel. Yet, somehow, the 2008 defense (with Deltha O’Neal replacing) still managed to snare a respectable 14 interceptions on their way to the eighth-ranked defense. That ranking seems high in retrospect.
The Patriots only picked up 30 sacks and allowed opponents to convert over 44 percent of third downs. In addition, they did not manage to get a touchdown on defense, compared to six in 2007.
Despite the high ranking, the defense looked tired, out of sorts at times. They were almost entirely ineffectual against the pass.
They ranked fourth in rushing touchdowns allowed, but this is dismissed by their abysmal 31st ranking in passing touchdowns allowed. The weakness was noticed and exploited for much of the year.
In 2009, the secondary has been revamped heavily. Last year’s starters, Ellis Hobbs III and Deltha O’Neal, have been replaced by veteran free agents Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden.
The Patriots also drafted Connecticut cornerback Darius Butler this year, in addition to second-year players Jonathan Wilhite and Terrence Wheatley; Wheatley suffered a season-ending injury against the Colts last year.
For the safeties, Brandon Meriweather took over for Rodney Harrison following Harrison's season-ending quadriceps injury and did well. James Sanders remains unspectacular but serviceable. The safety position was also bolstered by the drafting of Patrick Chung from Oregon.
What the Patriots have, in effect, is a group of players that, many of whom, will be in either their first or second year in the system.
Central to the Patriots’ overall success is how quickly these new players can adapt to Belichick’s philosophies.
The defensive line remains unchanged. Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, and Richard Seymour start, followed by Jarvis Green as needed. This is a solid group and still fairly young, given their experience in the system.
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