Feel the Burn: High Impact Players for the '09 Patriots

Impact is not usually a synonym used to describe a wideout with a salt and pepper shadow on his face. Seriously. Look at that face. It looks like Grandparents Day in Foxboro.

But in Joey Galloway’s case, he could very well be the player holding the key to the offense’s return to record-setting form.

In year’s past, the Patriots have trotted out receiving options like Jabar Gaffney and Donte Stallworth. Nice third options, but not exactly game changers. While Galloway is long in the tooth, he does have the unmistakable pedigree of a top receiver with sprinter speed to boot. When healthy, that is.

His ascension to the starting lineup had some encouraging moments last year, but he lacked the ball-hawking exuberance seen in his days at the U.

Maybe the game is a little faster than he suspected or maybe he was respecting his elders. Either way, if he can rediscover the mean streak most remember from his days spent stomping FIU student-athletes, the Patriots may have the enforcer they need to inherit Rodney Harrison’s throne.

Patrick Chung should push him for playing time, but the spot will undoubtedly go to the player who demonstrates an ability to stomp out big plays. Pun intended.

He won’t be unseating Ben Watson as Tom Brady’s main receiving option but he will have a chance to contribute mightily to the Patriots’ running attack.

Sexy may not be an apt term to describe Baker, but blue collar is and that's precisely what the Patriots' offense needs. Run routes? Check. Pass protect? Check. Smother lighter, more aerodynamic ends? Check.

I’m sure David Thomas is a fantastic person, but his inconsistency wasn’t doing anyone involved in the running attack any favors. Baker will look to solidify the hole left by Daniel Graham that Kyle Brady and Thomas have been unable to fill.

Perhaps one of the most under-celebrated acquisitions of the Patriots’ offseason was Leigh Bodden. As an underrated cover corner, Bodden gives the Patriots instant credibility at one of the starting CB positions.

He provides size that the Patriots have historically lacked and he has a nose for the ball that evokes shades of Asante Samuel. Bodden should be the elixir to alleviate the team’s woes after enduring the 2nd lowest interception output since 2000.

No, silly. Not as a running back. Those days are long gone as Maroney has seen Sammy Morris and Fred Taylor leapfrog him on the depth chart.

But Maroney’s impact could be felt as a kick returner. In handling return duty during the ’06 campaign, Maroney averaged a hefty 28 yards per return. To provide some perspective, kick-return savant Josh Cribbs has topped 28 yards per return only once in 4 years.

Maroney may find some competition from Matthew Slater, but he should be able to hold them off. After all, it's not like he'll be busy getting playing time or anything.