New England Patriots Release Rosevelt Colvin—Begin Rebuilding Defense

In what was a surprising move to some, the Patriots released linebacker Rosevelt Colvin on Tuesday.

Colvin was a significant player in the Bill Belichick era because he marked the first time the Patriots signed a marquee free agent during his tenure in New England.

Colvin came to New England after registering 21 sacks in his previous two seasons.  He was arguably the best defensive playmaker on the market, and the Patriots needed an infusion of playmaking after a disappointing 2002 season.  He started off his Patriots’ career with sacks in both of his first two games.

Then his Patriots’ career was derailed by a devastating hip injury.  It was so bad that he wondered if he’d ever walk again, never mind play football.  We all knew he’d never be the same player he was before the injury.  He was destined to become another free agent bust.

But Colvin was anything but a bust.   He fought back and became one of the key components to the 2004 Super Bowl championship team.   He was an emotional leader off the field and a playmaker on it.  His last big play as a New England Patriot was the interception/fumble recovery that ended the Colts game.  

His 2007 season was cut short by a foot injury and he ended his Patriot tenure on injured reserve. 

Rosevelt Colvin was a key member of one of my favorite sports teams of all time, the 2004 New England Patriots.  For that, he will always hold a soft spot in my heart.  As a Patriots fan, I wish him nothing but luck wherever he may end up.

Rosevelt Colvin isn’t the only casualty of the Patriots’ 18-1 season. 

Asante Samuel is almost certainly not going to re-sign with the New England Patriots.  According to ProFootballTalk.com, Tedy Bruschi is contemplating retirement.  Junior Seau may retire as well.  Eugene Wilson will not be resigned.  All former or current key members of the New England Patriots’ defense.

In retrospect, the Patriots defense in 2007 just wasn’t good enough. 

Their deficiencies were masked by a prolific offense and exposed by the dominance of the Giants’ defense in the Super Bowl. 

There were signs throughout the season.  The Dolphins scored at will one week.  The Eagles and their backup quarterback tore them apart.  The Ravens’ offense put on a clinic against them. 

But in every case except one, the offense was good enough to overcome the defensive deficiencies.

The Patriots defense was at times too slow, at times too old, and at the most important time, unable to make the plays that mattered.

I’m not upset that they’re not re-signing Asante Samuel.  I’m not upset they released Rosevelt Colvin.  I will always have fond memories of both players, but the Patriots’ defense needed to get younger, faster, stronger, and healthier. 

Realistically, it was probably time to rebuild after the 2006 season and the crushing defeat to the other Manning brother.  But it was easy to forget about the defense when the offense was putting up 40 points a game.

Somehow our New England Patriots had become all of those Indianapolis Colts teams they defeated in past years.  Their defense put up hollow numbers against opposing offenses who were trying to outscore their historic offense.  When that offense finally bogged down in January, it was only a matter of time before someone was able to take advantage. 

Let’s be honest—based on what we saw, had the Chargers been healthy, the Patriots may not have even been in the Super Bowl. 

The 2007 Giants played the role of the 2001, 2003, and 2004 New England Patriots.   They knocked off the offensive juggernaut by playing better defense. 

Defense, as we were reminded, is what really wins championships.

Let’s hope the Patriots have learned their lesson.

SeanMC is a Columnist at Bleacher Report. His archive can be found here. You can find everything he writes, including articles for other publications, here.