New England Patriots: The 10 Most Influential Players of the Bill Belichick Era

When Bill Belichick walked out on the New York Jets after one day and into his new office in Foxborough, Massachusetts, not many predicted the glorious chapter that would follow in the previously uneventful history of the New England Patriots.

But the now-legendary coach would be the first to admit that the majority of the credit for the Pats rapid rise to become one of the NFL's elite franchises has to go to the players who have served him so well since that fateful day at the start of the century.

With his charges once again tipped to go deep into the playoffs, here is a look at the 10 most influential Patriots of the Bill Belichick era.

Drew Bledsoe

Before Tom Brady set the world on fire, Drew Bledsoe was the man whom Belichick entrusted with directing his team.

Bledsoe's injury early in the 2001 season opened the door for his successor and the rest is history—but it would be wrong to play down the importance of the role No. 11 played in the Patriots' AFC Championship Game victory in Pittsburgh on their way to their first Super Bowl.

Replacing a hobbling Brady, Bledsoe's cool head saw him complete 10 of 21 passes, including one to David Patten that secured an unlikely 24-17 victory and made what followed possible.

Randy Moss

If anything captures what Belichick is about, it has to be the parable of Randy Moss.

Written off as a prima donna in Oakland—who went as far as contacting other teams to offload their wayward star—the talented, rangy wide receiver appeared to be going nowhere.

Astute as always, Belichick pounced. Buying into the Patriot Way, Moss went on to break records, missing out on a Super Bowl ring in the heartbreaking loss to the Giants.

But as Belichick has shown time and time again, no one player is bigger than the organization. When Moss was cut loose, sections of the Boston press were in uproar. The Pats went on to end the season with a 14-2 record, and Moss left the Vikings after just four weeks before a final, unsuccessful stint in Tennessee signalled the end of his road.

Rodney Harrison

When Rodney Harrison arrived in New England, it signalled the end of much-loved Lawyer Milloy's time in a Patriots jersey.

Again, questions were raised over the wisdom of the move but the aggressive former San Diego Charger rapidly became one of the key figures of the Belichick era.

In his first season a vital interception allowed his new teammates to hang on for a divisional playoff win over Tennessee before he struck again to down old foes Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game.

With his brutal hitting and football intelligence, Harrison brought a new dimension to the Pats defense before injury cut short his career in 2009.  "One of the greatest players I ever coached," said his grateful coach.

Wes Welker

Quite what the Miami Dolphins were thinking when they offered Wes Welker a pitiful second-round tender in 2007 is unknown.

But their disastrous loss was Belichick's gain. Welker, often a thorn in the Patriots side, adopted to his new surroundings like a (former) fish to water.

With safe hands, quick feet and the ability to make plays in the most uncompromising situations, the dynamic Texas Tech product soon became Tom Brady's favourite target.

He remains, to many, the most important part of Brady's arsenal, and this weekend's record-equalling 99-yard reception against the Dolphins was another reminder, as if they needed one, of what the 'Fins let slip through their fingers.

Mike Vrabel

A key attribute of a Belichick soldier is versatility. He knows that if his team is to consistently compete in a league that promotes equality, certain players need to be able to perform more than one role.

Mike Vrabel did just that. Primarily an outside linebacker his ability to switch inside saw him become integral to the Pats' 3-4 scheme. And who can forget his two Super Bowl catches as a tight end?

Tedy Bruschi

As he ran the rule over his new team back in 2000, Belichick could not have failed to have been impressed with "Bru."

With a huge heart, Tedy Bruschi epitomised the new New England Patriots. Recovering from a stroke to perform with distinction again, this one-franchise linebacker will go down as one of the greats of the NFL.

After his retirement Belichick paid Bruschi the ultimate compliment, labelling him "the perfect player."

Adam Vinatieri

Some moments in NFL history are often defined by one single play.

For the Patriots and Belichick, two of those moments were secured by the trusty right boot of Adam Vinatieri.

The role of the kicker is often underplayed, but after clinching two Super Bowl victories and contributing to a third reliable, Vinatieri must take his place on this list. 

Deion Branch

They say you should never go back, but try telling that to Deion Branch.

The Super Bowl XXXIX MVP, the 65th pick in the 2002 draft, became a victim of Belichick's ruthless rotation system when he was traded to the Seahawks in 2006 after a row over money.

Despite his acrimonious departure, the door remained open for the prodigal son and he returned last year shortly after the release of Randy Moss.

Branch was quick to settle in and remains one of Tom Brady's favourite targets.

Troy Brown

Wide receiver/cornerback/punt returner Troy Brown starred in all three of the Patriots' Super Bowl victories and is perhaps the No. 1 versatile star to have played in the Bill Belichick era.

In 2001 he was one of the few threats on the Pats offense, and his willingness to perform on both sides of the ball saw him become Mr. New England Patriots.

Tom Brady

Saving the best until last—where do you start with Tom Brady?

Everybody knows the story. Drafted in Round 6 the same year Bill Belichick took over the reins, one of the game's all-time greats continues to make records tumble. But it is not just his impact on the field that makes him the most important player of the Belichick era. Brady's honesty, intelligence and loyalty has resulted in a father-son relationship with his head coach.

At 34, if he can keep his knee healthy, the golden boy of the NFL can lead the Patriots and Belichick to even more glory.