NFL team previews — AFC East
By Glen Farley
As published in print Aug. 21, 2000
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Patriots QB
Drew Bledsoe
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So which New England Patriots team do you suppose will show up this year?
The one that went 6-2 over the first half of the season with dramatic victories over
AFC East rivals Indianapolis and the New York Jets and a thoroughly convincing 27-3 romp
at Arizona in Week Eight?
Or the one that went 2-6 over the second half of the season with an 0-5 mark within the
division and a thoroughly embarrassing 24-9 loss at Philadelphia in December?
This much is certain: This isn’t Pete Carroll’s team anymore.
Team owner Bob Kraft waited less than 24 hours after last season’s second-half
collapse had come to a merciful end to fire Carroll, whose teams had consistently declined
from the 11-5 AFC championship team he had inherited from Bill Parcells in the winter of
1997.
It took Kraft another 24 days to pry Bill Belichick away from the Jets, but in the end,
the owner got his man.
Soon after that, the wholesale changes began.
Vice president of player personnel Bobby Grier, whose drafts had been openly
questioned, was evicted from the front office. Five-time Pro Bowl TE Ben Coates, No. 2 WR
Shawn Jefferson and fellow starters Terry Allen (running back), Zefross Moss (right
tackle) and Steve Israel (right cornerback) are no longer with the team. In a move
reminiscent of the Parcells years, one veteran player, OT Ed Ellis, was cut on the spot
after reporting to training camp out of shape.
Yes, on the field and off it, this is Belichick’s team and if you don’t like
it, well, don’t let the door hit you in the fanny on the way out.
Carroll’s light-handed style has been replaced by Belichick’s
my-way-or-the-highway tack.
"A message was sent right away,’’ WR-RS Troy Brown said. "This
isn’t a game. It’s a job now. You’d better take it seriously.’’
Top of page
| Quarterbacks |
Grade B+ |
| Which Patriots team will show up this year? How about which
Drew Bledsoe will show up? The one who threw for 13 touchdowns and was intercepted only
four times in an MVP first half of the season? Or the one who threw for six TDs and was
intercepted 17 times in an absolutely disastrous second half? Much of that is in the hands
of an offensive line that surrendered 56 sacks last season, but more on them later.
Veteran backup John Friesz and second-year man Michael Bishop, whose athleticism provides
change-of-pace possibilities, are behind Bledsoe. Top of page |
| Running backs |
Grade D+ |
| Once again this year, the Patriots head into a season with no
clear-cut starter and the distinct possibility they’ll take the RB-by-committee
approach. By now, you know the story. Robert Edwards succeeded Curtis Martin, who took the
New York shuttle out of Boston. Edwards turned in a 1,000-yard rookie season, then blew
out his knee playing flag football on a beach in Hawaii. Allen was summoned late last
preseason, ran for 896 yards and was banished by Belichick. In his place are the
oft-injured Raymont Harris, who didn’t even play in the league last year, third-round
draft pick J.R. Redmond, who underwent groin surgery in June, and second-year man Kevin
Faulk, who may fill the role of third-down back. Tony Carter and Chris Floyd are the
fullbacks. Top of page |
| Receivers |
Grade C |
| No. 1 WR Terry Glenn caught 69 passes for 1,147 yards (16.6
yards per reception) last season and made it to the Pro Bowl. All this after he finished
the season on the Patriots’ suspended list following a controversial case of the flu.
That is the essence of Glenn: explosive on the field, enigmatic off it. Brown will
continue in his role as "Third Down’’ Brown, moving the stakes. This is a
make-or-break season for third-year speed burner Tony Simmons, a disappointment to date.
Simmons probably will start opposite Glenn after Belichick surprisingly cut Vincent
Brisby, who had been a first-teamer early in camp. Chris Calloway takes Brisby’s spot
on the roster. At tight end, the post-Coates era begins with the less-than-dynamic duo of
Eric Bjornson and Rod Rutledge. Top of page |
| Offensive linemen |
Grade D |
| It used to be the Patriots’ offensive line didn’t
run-block particularly well but gave Bledsoe protection worthy of a franchise quarterback.
Last year’s crew did neither. Damien Woody, a first-round pick last year, is the man
in the middle. Who opens the season around him will in large part be determined by trainer
Ron O’Neil. Bruce Armstrong, top draft choice Adrian Klemm, Todd Rucci, Lance Scott
and Grant Williams have all spent their summers rehabilitating knee injuries. For most of
the summer, the only true starters in the front line have been Woody and veteran OG Max
Lane. Fourth-round draft pick Greg Robinson-Randall has opened some eyes at right tackle
this summer. Top of page |
| Defensive linemen |
Grade C |
| With the team implementing aspects of both the 4-3 and 3-4
schemes, the line will be a changin’, but the key will be veteran Willie McGinest,
who will play the "elephant" role, at times in a down position, at other times
lined up like a linebacker. Former media darling Chad Eaton has stopped speaking, sending
a message that after a drop in his performance last season, he’ll let his play do the
talking this year. Belichick brought Bobby Hamilton in from the Jets to man one DE
position. Veterans Brandon Mitchell, Greg Spires, Henry Thomas and rookie free agent
Reggie Grimes all could figure into the rotation. Top of page |
| Linebackers |
Grade B+ |
| This unit revolves around the scheme and Ted Johnson’s
health. After missing time the past two seasons with biceps tears, Johnson suffered a
hamstring injury early in training camp and limped to the sideline. Either he, second-year
man Andy Katzenmoyer or both will be inside. They’re flanked by veterans Chris Slade
and Tedy Bruschi on the outside, where Katzenmoyer can also play. Depth is questionable,
but if healthy — and that’s a big "if" here — this group is a
team strength. Top of
page |
| Defensive backs |
Grade B |
| Lawyer Milloy and Ty Law give the secondary Pro Bowl-level
players at safety and cornerback, respectively. After two years as a bust at cornerback,
could Tebucky Jones be a boon at free safety? Antonio Langham, who played for Belichick in
Cleveland, and Kato Serwanga, who’s looking to expand his part-time role, are
battling on the corner opposite Law. Top of page |
| Special teams |
Grade B |
| For the first time in his four-year career, PK Adam Vinatieri
failed twice with the game on the line last season, but he is still viewed as a
trustworthy kicker from 40 yards and in. Thirty-eight-year-old Lee Johnson has been
punting the ball like a 28-year-old this summer. Faulk is a threat as the kickoff-return
man. While he may not be a home-run hitter, Brown remains steady on punt returns. Top of page |
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