New England Patriots: What Could Have Been

The New England Patriots were heavy front runners to win the super bowl heading into the season. Coming off of a record-breaking season the Patriots seemed poised for more history.

Tom Brady, looking as potent as ever, would start the season with the same offensive power with Randy Moss and Wes Welker. The Pats would go into the season with an easy win, a huge win against the lifeless Chiefs would surely shock the fan base.

But that did not happen. With 7:27 left in the first quarter Brady took a hit to his knee. Bernard Pollard make a grab at his knee. Brady made the completion, but after the play he was writhing in pain. Tom Brady's 2008 season stats: 11 attempts, 7 completions, 76 yards.

In week four the unthinkable happened. The Miami Dolphins, who were 1-15 a year ago demolished the Patriots on their own turf while unveiling the now popular Wildcat formation. Matt Cassell was the least popular person in the north east.

Thursday, November 13. Jets are playing in Foxborro. Matt Cassell explodes in a stunning overtime comeback. The fan base suddenly starts complaining for Brady to be traded. At this point in time the Patriots are 7-3 and are on top of the weak AFC East.

Week 17 comes around and the Patriots have still not distinguished themselves from the conservative Dolphins and the ice-cold Jets. The Patriots could make the playoffs if they beat the Bills and the Dolphins beat the Jets.

The Patriots and Bills played first. Cassell managed under 30 yards passing in only a couple attempts because of the huge Buffalo winds. But the Bills did not do much better. In the end the Pats won a cold hard win. But the Jets still had to lose. That never did happen, and Bill Belichick ended the season on a bad note for the second straight time. 

Changes have already been made in the Patriots staff. Longtime front office genius Scott Pioli left to be the Cheifs GM. Former Patriots WR coach Nick Caserio has replaced him. Josh McDaniels left to be the Broncos head coach, and receivers coach Bill O' Brien will be the quarterbacks coach while Belichick will call the plays.

Tight end coach Pete Mangurian left to be the offensive line coach in Tampa Bay. Defensive backs coach Dom Capers left to be the defensive coordinator in Green Bay. Special teams coordinator Brad Seely was dismissed and has not landed a new job.

This is the first stop of all thirty two teams, on my 2008 season review.