2000 season-in-review team reports —
AFC East
As published in print Jan. 31, 2001
|
| Overview |
| The Patriots could take some solace in the effort they put forth this
season, suffering nine of their 11 losses by eight points or fewer. But the team obviously
has a ways to go. Head coach Bill Belichick was expected to have no problems with the
defense. The concern was whether the offense could put points on the board. Unfortunately,
neither unit pushed the team over the top. The defense gave up leads, and the offense just
couldn’t keep up. The Patriots’ lack of playmakers factored into their
unraveling. |
| Turning point |
| A team never wants to start the way the Patriots did. New England began
the season with a four-game losing streak that put it way behind its AFC East rivals. But
the defining moment of that losing streak was the Week Two, Monday-night loss to the Jets,
when the Patriots let the game slip away. They had built a 12-point lead with less than
seven minutes left in the game before Jets QB Vinny Testaverde found WR Wayne Chrebet for
two TDs to rally New York to victory. |
| Offensive MVP |
| QB Drew Bledsoe is the Offensive MVP mostly by default. But Bledsoe
played better than expected behind an offensive line that was suspect at best and with a
running game that went nowhere fast. Bledsoe had reliable pass catchers in Troy Brown and
Terry Glenn to throw to, but even they couldn’t do much to alleviate the
Patriots’ offensive woes. When Bledsoe was able to carry the team, the Patriots won.
But Bledsoe got little help from his teammates. |
| Defensive MVP |
| SS Lawyer Milloy was about the only Pro Bowl candidate the Patriots had
this year. He led the team in tackles with 121 and had two interceptions. But it’s
what Milloy didn’t do all season that made him stand out from his teammates. Milloy
rarely was beaten in coverage, while other teammates were not playing up to his standard.
Milloy also played a leadership role through his actions and words on the field and in the
locker room. |
| Biggest surprise |
| The fact that the defense was one of the team’s weak areas despite
head coach Bill Belichick’s reputation as a defensive-minded coach was the biggest
surprise. With many questions about the offense and running game entering the season, it
was assumed the defense would carry the offense. But in the many close games the Patriots
had, the defense failed to come up with the stop that would have sealed a victory. |
| Biggest disappointments |
| Two free agents the Patriots re-signed for big money in 1998 still
haven’t come through for them. DE Willie McGinest and LB Ted Johnson battled injuries
again this season, and both were inconsistent at best. McGinest finished the year with six
sacks, tying for the team lead. Johnson had only a half-sack. |
| Rookie recap |
| OT Adrian Klemm (second-round pick) began the season injured, but he
remains in New England’s plans, along with OT Greg Robinson-Randall (fourth round).
Robinson-Randall was the story of training camp and appeared to be the steal of the draft.
But he spent several games on the inactive list prior to showing some spark in the final
month. RBs J.R. Redmond (third round) and Patrick Pass (seventh round) teased at times,
and it looked as though Redmond could become the featured back, though his health is
questionable. CB Antwan Harris (sixth round) showed some athleticism for a small corner,
but his contributions came on special teams. QB Tom Brady (sixth round) is a player the
Patriots want to develop, and they may send him to NFL Europe. DT David Nugent (sixth
round) was mostly a non-factor but is still in the Patriots’ plans. |
| Free-agent/trade review |
| The Patriots didn’t make any huge moves, but the players they did
sign barely made a peep. In fact, only CB Antonio Langham and OT Grant Williams made it
through the season. Langham was a bust, and Williams is now a backup. |
Top of page
|
Regular-season record: 5-11
|
| Team leaders |
|
Rushing — Kevin
Faulk, 570 yards on 164 carries, 3.5 avg., 4 TDs.
Passing — Drew
Bledsoe, 312-531 attempts for 3,291 yards, 17 TDs, 13 interceptions, 77.3 rating.
Receiving — Troy
Brown, 83 receptions for 944 yards, 11.4 avg., 4 TDs.
Scoring — Adam
Vinatieri, 106 points on 25 PATs and 27 FGs.
Kickoff returns — Kevin
Faulk, 38 for 816 yards, 21.5 avg., 0 TDs.
Punt returns — Troy
Brown, 39 for 504 yards, 12.9 avg., 1 TD.
Punting — Lee
Johnson, 89 for 42.7 avg., 36.8 net, 5 TB, 31 inside 20, 1 blk., 62L.
Interceptions — Ty
Law, Tebucky Jones, Lawyer Milloy, 2.
Sacks — Willie
McGinest, Greg Spires, 6. |
| Results |
|
| Pointspread Shown Refers to New England. |
| Date |
Opponent |
Spread |
Score |
| Sept. 3 |
Tampa Bay |
(+3) |
16-21 |
| Sept. 11 |
At New York Jets |
(+5) |
19-20 |
| Sept. 17 |
Minnesota |
(-2.5) |
13-21 |
| Sept. 24 |
At Miami |
(+3) |
3-10 |
| Oct. 1 |
At Denver |
(+8) |
28-19 |
| Oct. 8 |
Indianapolis |
(+3.5) |
24-16 |
| Oct. 15 |
New York Jets |
(-3) |
17-34 |
| Oct. 22 |
At Indianapolis |
(+8.5) |
23-30 |
| Oct. 29 |
BYE |
|
|
| Nov. 5 |
Buffalo |
(-1.5) |
13-16* |
| Nov. 12 |
At Cleveland |
(-7) |
11-19 |
| Nov. 19 |
Cincinnati |
(-7) |
16-13 |
| Nov. 23 |
At Detroit |
(+6) |
9-34 |
| Dec. 4 |
Kansas City |
(+1.5) |
30-24 |
| Dec. 10 |
At Chicago |
(+2) |
17-24 |
| Dec. 17 |
At Buffalo |
(+5.5) |
13-10* |
| Dec. 24 |
Miami |
(+4) |
24-27 |
| * Overtime |
|
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