In the early 2000's the Patriots won all of their SB's on dominant defenses led by Belichick. Teddy Bruschi Ty Law Richard Seymour Mike Vrabel Vince Wilfork It's lost on so many people because people love to talk about QB's and offense, but those early years and the true Patriot dynasty were led by the defense. Brady played just well enough to get to and win that first SB, and didn't develop into the all time great until later. Belichick has been smart enough to realize what he has in Brady and focus on the powerhouse offense he could build around him, but Brady makes that offense go, not BB. The same can be said for Roethlisberger's first SB. He was a good prospect but played just ok over his first 2 years, it was a dominant Lebeau defense that won him that first SB, and Roethlisberger developed into a top passer later in his career.
Bellichick put Gronk on a field goal and he broke his forearm. All teams have designated special teams formations and put star players in field goal formations often. At least be intelligent before you post.
Belichick got rid of most of those guys like Lawyer Milloy and Ty Law when their contracts expired. They rarely paid star players after they became established and wanted more money. This was the true "Patriots Way." They did pay Seymour but then got rid of him as fast as they could when they traded him to the Raiders. And they've been in contention with Woolfork about his contract because they won't give him market value or what he thinks he deserves.
The Patriots won the SB in the 2001, 2003 and 2004 seasons. -Ty Law (1995-2004) was there for every win -Teddy Bruschi (1996-2008) was there for every win plus the 2007 loss -Mike Vrabel (2001-2008) was there for every win plus the 2007 loss -Richard Seymour (2001-2008) was there for every win plus the 2007 loss -Vince Wilfork (2004-present) was only around for the last win Milloy was around for the first win only. The point is the true Patriots SB dynasty was driven by powerhouse defense, and they got totally lucky with Brady who managed the game at first, and eventually developed into the MVP caliber player. Brady's greatest asset in those days was the ice in his veins, but he didn't put up huge numbers back then.
To the best of my memory BB for the most part got rid of them before their big pay days. I don't think any of them with the exception of Seymour got the elite contract. I'm not sure about Bruschi he played his entire career with them but I don't think he ever got elite money. Brady signed a low ball contract a few years ago but with the entire deal guaranteed. Woolfork was injured last year but before that was threatening to hold out and making waves. He's back with them this year so I guess they worked it out. I tend to think he didn't get what he was asking for.
I'm not talking about their contracts at all really, do you feel like I'm disagreeing with you or something? I don't really know that much about Patriot players contracts from the early 2000's. I'm talking about the fact that the Patriots 3 SB wins were influenced by dominant defenses far more than elite QB play. Elite QB play is what has won the division all these years since, but it's not like that's Belichick's doing.
You're right about their D players but it was as much their schemes and competency as it was the talent. Even when Belichivk was here as s DC under Parcells there were plenty of stories about how confident Jets D players were playing in his system. How they felt him being their coach was an advantage. I was talking also about contracts and their philosophy about mostly not overpaying for a good player. They believe more in the system than they do in the talent. He thinks he can get by with average guys if they can fit in. He thinks they have enough talent to make plays in his system.
At some positions, yes. But Ty Law was a star before and during those SB years, Seymour was a 6th overall pick, Wilfork was a 1st rounder... Guys like Bruschi and Vrabel may have been average guys who were great because of Belichick, but Belichick also had top quality players at a number of positions. In recent years Belichick has subscribed to I can make any player work, but he also has the benefit of one of the greatest QB's ever to put up points with whatever weapons BB gives him, to not turn the ball over, and to score more points than the now inferior defenses give up. The positions where BB hasn't gone cheap was the O-line, they had top quality at those positions. As long as you give Brady time, he will make shit happen.
The strongest point was the defense but those were solid, well disciplined football teams in all three phases who didn't make many mistakes. They had a top 5 scoring offense two of those 3 championship years. The defenses were also better than any Rex led Jets defense outside of 2009.
The Patriots defenses in Belichick's first 6 years: 2000- 20th in total yards, 17th in points (allowed) per game 2001- 24th in total yards, 6th in points per game (SB win) 2002- 23rd in total yards, 17th in points per game 2003- 7th in total yards, 1st in points per game (SB win) 2004- 9th in total yards, 2nd in points per game (SB win) 2005- 26th in total yards, 17th in points per game. The Jets defenses in Rex's first 5 years: 2009- 1st in total yards, 1st in points per game 2010- 3rd in total yards, 6th in points per game 2011- 5th in total yards, 20th in points per game 2012- 8th in total yards, 20th in points per game 2013- 11th in total yards, 19th in points per game This year Rex's D is currently ranked 6th in yards per game, and 25th in points per game I think Rex has overall had the better defenses, even excluding 2009. Also, I don't think NFL.com properly sorts out points genuinely scored on a defense and points scored on turnover returns, safeties, and special teams returns, but I'm not really sure. The fact that Rex's defense is ranked 6th after going up against 5 of the top offenses in the league is something to take note of. I have to imagine it will only get better as we go up against the Tennessee, Bills, Miami, and Vikings offenses.
really? show me the players idzick had drafted and sign that would be on other nfl teams. I will start with 5 players two the jury is out on pryior sheldon ivory milner decker your turn
Well, he did just trade Logan Mankins a guy who can still play because he didn't want to pay him. I like this strategy but at times it has seemed in New England's case it's kept them back. He hasn't won a Super Bowl in about 10 years.
The big difference in my mind is that since 2010 Rex's defenses have done poorly in big spots. It seems they always give up the big drive, big score, big first down when the pressure is on and the D needs a big stop. Those championship Patriots defenses may have given up more yards but they tightened up when it mattered. I will qualify that with my memory is not as good as some others on here and it's possible my perception of what the Pats defenses were like back then is not as accurate as I'd like.
