New Look Patriots, Old ways

When the New England Patriots acquired wide receiver Randy Moss in 2007 their entire offense changed for years to come. The Pats became a passing and finesse team that threw long bombs down field and scored an incredible 36.8 points per game. The offense had changed from a running, short passing, and clock eating attack to an instant strike high-octane unit. This style of offense did lead to an NFL record 50 touchdown passes for Tom Brady, 23 receiving touchdowns for Moss, and an undefeated season with a trip to the Super Bowl. However, in the end when the offense stalled the defense could not hold off a late drive, and the Patriots were defeated. The crushing 17-14 loss to the New York Giants left the Patriots standing at the alter for the perfect season, forever remembered as the 18-1 team.

For the next two seasons the offense became centered on throwing deep to Randy Moss and working the underneath routes to Wes Welker. No longer an offense that throws to the open receiver, runs the football, orchestrates long drives, and was no longer an unpredictable attack. Moss was incredible that first season and even became a surprise leader in his second season with the Pats. Randy Moss rose to the challenge of being an offensive leader in 2008 (along with Welker) by helping transform Matt Cassel into an NFL starter. 

2008 was Cassel's first year as a starter, and his first time starting a game since High School. Randy set the tone for Cassel early in the season, right after Brady left the first game injured. With 116 yards receiving and a touchdown the Patriots won without their Hall of Fame QB. Moss also caught a touchdown with 0:01 left on the clock to send a game into overtime against the Jets. This game did result in a loss, but Moss helped Cassel's development immensely by being there for him in the clutch. Randy Moss was elected an offensive team captain in 2008 and he truly filled the leadership role. His 1,008 yards receiving and eleven touchdowns that year earned him the role of "captian"again for 2009.

The 2009 production (in terms of statistics) from Moss was still at a high level with 1,264 yards and 13 touchdowns, however these numbers are misleading. Moss had eight games with zero touchdowns and the offense stalled at times trying too hard to feed the ball deep to Moss. With the return of Tom Brady the Patriots attempted to restore the magic from 2007. The problem with this became that it was no longer an effective strategy and the offense became too predictable. Brady is more suited for a ball control offense with short to intermediate routes, and one that features the open receiver. This is what we all saw in yesterday's victory over the Baltimore Ravens as The Patriots offensive had success by spreading the ball around and churning out first downs. The old Patriot way is back in town and the team is better off for it.

As for Randy Moss this deal works out best for him as well. He does very well with new starts in new places (particularly in a first season) and now he can be featured more in Minnesota. Now the greatest deep threat of all time is paired up with the greatest deep passer in NFL history. Moss will be thrown to more often as a Viking, will feel comfortable in a place where he came into the league, and for his sake hopefully get the money he is looking for.

Sources Used

www.espn.com
www.si.com
www.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/basketball/nba/
www.weei.com

Full Cirlce

Some say Michael Vick came full circle last season when he ran and threw for a touchdowns against his former team (in Atlanta). Where the fans chanted "we want Vick" despite their hometown team losing. This must have been some vindication for Vick after the organization's and city's falling out with him (in the wake of the notorious dog fighting scandal). Others tell you it was recently when he started his first game since 2006 and defeated the now 0-3 Detriot Lions. However, I say his true full circle unfolds this Sunday afternoon. Michael Vick is about to play in what is perhaps his biggest game since returning to the NFL.

Vick has returned from the rock bottom of his career (banned from the league) to again lead a team into a huge rivalry driven, in division NFC match up. This all important divisional showdown will be the first time in many years that a team has believed and trusted in Vick (as the starter) to lead them to victory. While diving into the stands (last season) and basking in the glory of re-acceptance by the Atlanta fan base was important to his NFL revival, Vick now has his true second chance to solidify himself as that franchise quarterback.

Vick became the face of the Atlanta Falcons franchise by leading them to the playoffs twice. including a trip NFC Championship. The Vick led Falcons were one game shy of facing the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 39, but lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10. Two years prior in the 2002 NFC Divisional Playoff game, Vick's team also lost to the Eagles by only managing 6 points, in a 20-6 defeat. The opposing quarterback in both of Vick's playoff defeats was none other than Donovan McNabb. McNabb was  the face of the Philadelphia Eagles from 2000-2009 with a 92-49 (in game's started) record and led the team to  a super bowl and five NFC Championship games. In 2009 McNabb lobbied for his team to acquire Vick who became the Eagles third string quarterback in 2009. Now as a member of the struggling Washington Redskins, McNabb must face his old city, old fans, old team, and their new leader Michael Vick.

This is only a week four match up, but there is drama thriving beneath the surface, despite McNabb's claim "it's just another game". There is much on the line for these two quarterbacks on Sunday. McNabb will want to defeat the man who has replaced him, and Vick will want to prove himself as a worthy replacement in the city of brotherly love. What makes this game so hard to predict is that it is difficult to see the McNabb/Mike Shannahan Redskins dropping to 1-3. It is also hard to see McNabb not playing well in such a big game. A game that has him returning to the place where he became great. On the other side it is hard to see the Eagles not playing well, as they have been such a revitalized offensive team under Vick. The  new Eagles  quarterback is back in his top form and is such a dynamic player that in the end it seems safest to say the Eagles take this game, 27-20. If the Eagles do indeed win; in steps Michael Vick and out steps Donovan McNabb as the face of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Sources Used

www.espn.com
www.si.com
www.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/basketball/nba/
www.weei.com