Accept no substitute! Support the real New England Patriots!
The media really likes the Denver Broncos, or in some circles, Patriots West. Praised is heaped upon Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels like he’s the second coming of Bill Belichick, down to the gray hoodie.
Just like Belichick assembled a team of discarded veterans, sold them on the value of teamwork, and led them to a Super Bowl Championship in 2001, the undefeated Broncos are being compared to that superlative team.
McDaniels approached the process of rebuilding the team much like Jedi Bill did. Josh virtually started from scratch, keeping a handful of players from the previous roster and turning over the rest. Denver was the busiest team in free agency, acquiring more than 20 players either via free agent or by trade.
How about a change in leadership? New England replaced the injured QB Drew Bledsoe with unknown second year player Tom Brady. And when Bledsoe was healthy, he remained on the bench because Brady executed so well.
As for Los Patriots, ego, not injury, led to the trade that sent former Pro Bowler Jay Cutler to Chicago for the pedestrian Kyle Orton and picks, including a first rounder in 2009. Everyone said the Bears got the better player, but the Broncos have the better record, thanks in large part to Orton.
And just like the ’01 Patriots leaned on a dominating, opportunistic defense, Denver’s unit leads the league in scoring, adapting very quickly to the 3-4 front installed during the off-season.
It wasn’t always smooth. McDaniels poorly handled the Cutler situation. And he had a brief tete-a-tete with prima donna wide out Brandon Marshall (a taller Terry Glenn). But hey, we can say the same thing about Belichick, right? And look at where that got Bill.
Heck, Denver is an original AFL team too. Both teams will be dressed in their original uniforms. It’s easy to understand why people are making the Broncos out to be Patriots clones.
But don’t be fooled! Trust only the genuine Patriots!
Like the ’01 Pats, the Broncos are benefiting from an easy schedule. But my goodness, it couldn’t be more of a cakewalk than if it was “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.” The combined record of Denver’s opponents is 6-10. It took a last-minute touchdown and a goal line stand to beat the Dallas Cowboys. And a miracle tipped ball fell in WR Brandon Stokley’s hands to steal the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Outside of the barely won games, Denver knocked off Cleveland and Oakland, a combined 1-7 and two of the three lowest scoring teams in the league. And among the division leaders, the Broncos are the second lowest-scoring team with 79 total points.
The skeptical tone will change if the Broncos keep on finding ways to win. That is the bottom line, after all. But right now it’s too early to say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
They said the same thing about Eric Mangini when he landed in the Big Apple. Thus far Mangini resembles a worm more than anything else.
A few things I’m looking for:
More Maroney and Cheese: With RB Fred Taylor out, Laurence gets more carries if he’s productive. If he continues to be ineffective, he’ll collect splinters again.
Mile High Rock: OLB Elvis Dumervil is tied for the league lead in sacks with eight. LT Matt Light had problems with speed rushers in the past. Will Light get help?
Star Search: If CB Champ Bailey plays WR Randy Moss all day, another receiver will have to step up. Outside of Wes Welker, who wants to steal the show?
Denver gave up just 26 points through four games. The Patriots will exceed that total in a commanding win.
Questions? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com.
