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For as long as I can remember, I have been a New England Patriots fan. In the late 1990s, the Patriots — led by Drew Bledsoe — won games but never won a championship. Before the Tom Brady era, I supported the team, even though they failed to produce a Super Bowl ring. Now, a decade and three championships later, I find it’s more difficult to watch the Patriots now that their postseason magic has dimmed.
After the Patriots suffered a humiliating 33-14 loss at home to the Baltimore Ravens last week, Coach Bill Belichick, Brady and the team will no doubt return to the drawing board. It’s left many wondering if it’s too little too late.
The Patriots are a football team that said goodbye to Richard Seymour — traded to Oakland — Mike Vrabel — traded to Kansas City — and Tedy Bruschi (retired) among others. Belichick cannot be surprised that his team failed to stop an 83-yard touchdown run by Ray Rice or the passing attack when they went up against the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints.
This season, many rookies and young players like Brandon Meriweather and Jerod Mayo stepped up to make big plays, but one could argue that after letting both starting cornerbacks to the Philadelphia Eagles — Ellis Hobbs and Asante Samuel — the Patriots never had a chance. Releasing veterans and relying on newcomers like Jonathan Wilhite may save money, but it takes away not just on-field experience but locker room leadership.
Yes, players like Leigh Bodden stepped up and made plays throughout the season, but in an NFL season that holds 16 regular season games and the postseason, cutting veterans in exchange for first or second round picks will not win championships. Players out of college are not used to the rigorous training, the longer season or the physicality of the game.
The Patriots still have an offense that, with Brady back at the wheel, won 10 games on the season and showcased receivers like Wes Welker and Randy Moss. But, in the loss to Baltimore, the offense never found its rhythm. Laurence Maroney and the running game never took off, and as fans headed for the exits in Foxborough, many — myself included — began to wonder if the dynasty that was once the New England Patriots has finally drawn to a close.
As the Patriots move into a year of rebuilding, questions for Patriot Nation still loom large as fans wonder if Welker will return healthy or if the team will re-sign Vince Wilfork. If the Patriots want to be the Patriots of yore, they must get back to veteran play, leadership and strong defense.
Bangor Daily News