Franchises with sustained success have one. It is comprised of a few star players that the team is built around.
The 80’s San Francisco 49ers had QB Joe Montana, WR Jerry Rice, TE Brent Jones, RB Roger Craig, FB Tom Rathman, and S Ronnie Lott.
The 90’s Dallas Cowboys had QB Troy Aikman, RB Emmitt Smith, WR Michael Irvin, TE Jay Novacek, G Larry Allen, S Darren Woodson, LB Ken Norton Jr. and DE Charles Haley.
The players around them would change, but the core players would stay, and the team kept them together at almost all costs.
Which brings us to the Patriots of the 2K decade. QB Tom Brady instantly became a core player by leading the team to the first Championship in 2001. LBs Tedy Bruschi and Willie McGinest were long time Pats before and now own three rings. S Rodney Harrison was signed as a free agent in 2003 and was a part of two titles. CB Ty Law shined brightest on the biggest stage. And DT Richard Seymour started during his rookie year and established his importance to the team.
A lot has changed from the last title. Only Brady and remains as core player from the past Championships. Retirements and free agency has almost completely changed this team.
There are a few other players on the roster that have been with the team for all three titles, but to be a core player, he has to be A. a starter, and B. a league elite player. So that eliminates RB Kevin Faulk, G Stephen Neal, and LT Matt Light, even with his two Pro Bowl selections.
So with all the turnover on the roster, who becomes the new core of the team? Brady is a given. Offensively we’ve seen the skill players change through the Championships so I’m not including WRs Randy Moss and Wes Welker because the Pats won with Troy Brown and David Patten before. Running back didn’t matter either, as New England upgraded from Antowain Smith to Corey Dillon.
By looking at the roster, it looks like the defense up the middle will be where the new core sprouts from. The Seymour trade shifts the root of the core to the left.
NT Vince Wilfork – New England has no excuse. They must sign Wilfork to an extension. Otherwise trading Seymour would be in vain. Quality 3-4 nose tackles aren’t easy to find. Because Vince can play in either defensive front, he has added value.
ILB Jerod Mayo – The reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year has added responsibility as he will call the defense and has to make sure everyone is in the right place. With the exception of OLB Adalius Thomas, there isn’t a lot of game experience around Mayo at the linebacker position. He has to become a genuine leader.
S Brandon Merriweather – He’s already showing to be a play-maker in his young career. But can he take it up a notch and also become an intimidator as well? When CBs Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs go, Merriweather will have a lot of youth around him, which could include rookie safety Pat Chung if he surpasses FS James Sanders in a year or two.
The decade isn’t over, but the core has been refreshed. If the players perform to their expectations, they should be with the Patriots for a long time. And hopefully bring more Championships.
