New England Patriots: Why Tom Brady and Co. Will Return to the Super Bowl

Has there ever been a more scrutinized three-time Super Bowl winner than Tom Brady?

No, because there has only three other guys who have even won that many. The confetti has been cleared, the New York Giants’ parade floats have passed, Eli Manning has booked his trip to Disney World, and now is the time that New England Patriots fans will decide who to give the…excuse me…point the finger toward. 

Here are a few potential suspects: 

• Tom Brady – After all he can’t catch AND throw the ball
• Wes Welker – Why can’t he be 5’11?
• Bill Belichick – Why didn’t you march over to Tom Coughlin and demand that it was their turn to let you score?
• Gisele Bundchen – Came into the picture in 2007, didn’t something else happen that year?

As much as it is a part of human nature for someone to be blamed when something goes awry, this was, in the complete essence of the phrase, a team loss. It was a close game that came down to a few key plays. 

The Giants made them, the Patriots didn’t. 

The question now is: “What’s next?” Can the Patriots make it back to the Super Bowl and can Tom Brady win that elusive fourth title? In short, he most certainly can. The window may be closing, but it’s not shut yet.

Tom Brady will turn 35 around the start of training camp next season. History tells us that at that age, we should start seeing some decline in Brady’s abilities. Brady has shown no signs of slowing down and, aside from the devastating knee injury he suffered in 2008, has remained pretty healthy during his career. 

Discounting the 2008 season, his rookie year in 2000 (played in one game), and 2001 in which he started 14 games; Brady has started all 16 games every season. 

At 34, he just completed one of his most statistically successful seasons. He posted career highs in completions (401), attempts (611), passing yards (5,235), and yards per attempt (8.6). 

As the team’s leader, there is no evidence of him being unable to continue this level of performance for at least a few more seasons.

While the 12-year veteran approaches the final years of his illustrious career, he will be surrounded by a youth movement at the skill positions that will only get better with more experience. 

Tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez combined for more than 2,200 receiving yards and scored 24 touchdowns. Both are 22-years-old and just finished their second NFL season. 

Running backs Benjarvus Green-Ellis, Steven Ridley and Danny Woodhead have all been in the league for four years or less, with Woodhead being the oldest at 28. Although, given the production of the running backs this season, a solid upgrade may be necessary.  

Wide Receiver Wes Welker turns 31 in May and has been amazing in recent years. However, the Patriots will need to address this position as the Chad Ochocinco experiment has been a complete failure. No one aside from Welker even remotely impresses me at the receiver position. 

The offensive line will have the veteran presence of Logan Mankins for the next few years, while Matt Light is approaching the final year of his current deal. He turns 34 this year and could be reaching the end of the road in the NFL. 

Rookies Nate Solder and Marcus Cannon could usher in the next wave of protection on offense for Brady and his successor.

The defense has no doubt been the weakest link on this team. Cornerback Devin McCourty made the Pro Bowl in his 2010 rookie season, but struggled a bit in his sophomore campaign. 

Safety Patrick Chung will also need to step up his game after following up a decent 2010 campaign—96 tackles and three interceptions—with a less than stellar 2011 performance.  Hopefully both of their levels of play will return upward going into next season. 

Some upgrades will certainly be needed, but the Patriots’ secondary is still very young with an average age of 25.1. In addition, linebackers Jerod Mayo and Brandon Spikes are both in their mid-twenties. Depth and getting pressure on the quarterback will be the key focuses this offseason.

As a whole, the Patriots have a lot of key pieces in place to usher in a new era of winning in Foxborough. We will see the return of Josh McDaniels to the Patriots’ sideline, which could prove vital with all of the young players on offense.

McDaniels could also help bolster the lack of running game. The Patriots finished with 1,764 rushing yards this season, the lowest since he left the team after the 2008 season.

With the Jets in a state of turmoil and the Bills and Dolphins still at least a few seasons away from serious contention, the Patriots should go into 2012 as the hands-down favorite to win the division. 

In addition to the Steelers and Ravens showing signs of age, and the Colts dynasty appearing all but over, there are very few teams that could pose a legitimate threat to Bill Belichick and company contending for the AFC crown. 

The question would then become: “Will the Patriots have enough to contend for the NFL crown?”

Follow Walt J. as he gives his no-holds-barred opinions on the NFL and other sports topics on his blog, "Live From AREA 49." You can also follow him on Twitter @area49sports.