Going for Records

With a win on Sunday, the Patriots will be 13-2 and secure home field throughout the playoffs.

And at the same time, CB Devin McCourty could get closer to tying the team interceptions by a rookie record.

There’s no room for selfishness on the Patriots. Head coach Bill Belichick drilled his team first approach into the players and they follow it. All the players willingly sacrifice personal numbers for the team’s benefit.

For that sacrifice, Belichick will reward players if the opportunity presents itself.

As unemotional Belichisk typically is, he does have a heart. More importantly, he is fully aware of history and accomplishments. If through hard work and consistent production a player is within reach of a milestone, Belichick will put that player in position to achieve those milestones.

Don’t be naïve about the 2007 Revenge Tour. There was a lot of meaning behind the assault on the record books. It wasn’t just about sending a message to the rest of the league after being accused of cheating when Spygate broke. They really wanted to knock the 1972 Miami Dolphins off of their pretentious perch.

Tom Brady’s 50 touchdown passes? It should once and for all settle the debate of greatest quarterback of the era after beating Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning’s three year old TD pass record. How many of Brady’s scores were when the game was well out of reach? And WR Randy Moss caught his 23^rd touchdown reception a play after he and Brady just missed on a scoring connection on the previous play.

WR Deion Branch can attest to Belichick’s opportunity knocks nature. In 2005 Branch was just 21 yards shy of his first ever 1,000-yard season. The starters were removed from the season finale after playing one quarter. Branch had two receptions for 19 yards. But with less than two minutes left in the game, Deion was back in the game and caught a six yard pass. Unfortunately a penalty negated the play, leaving Branch two yards short.

There are only two games left for a handful of players within reach of personal bests. Sure they say they don’t care about personal records, but they know they are close to doing something special. And Belichick will do what he can to help those players.

Depending upon how the games play out, players will be force-fed a little as a reward for productive seasons. McCourty needs two interceptions to tie Michael Haynes. Devin will get plenty of chances covering the primary receiver.

For the players on offense, expect their number to be called a little more often:

·         WR Wes Welker is 17 receptions short of 100 receptions. He would be just the second receiver with four consecutive 100-reception seasons.

·         RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis is 176 yards short of his first 1,000-yard rushing season. He would be the first 1,000-yard back since Corey Dillon in 2004.

·         TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez assaulted two rookie tight end records. Hernandez owned the receptions for a tight end record when he caught his 38th pass. Gronkowski beat the touchdown record with six. They are adding to those numbers - Hernandez is up to 45 receptions and Gronkowski has seven touchdowns.