Belichick pulled the trigger to trade up for ILB, Hightower. Photo by: Tom Croke/Icon SMI
The Patriots traded up from picking 31st overall in order to pick 25th so that they could select the fourth Alabama player selected in the draft, Dont’a Hightower. Hightower is the second linebacker selected and seems like a perfect fit for the Patriots 3-4 scheme. Hightower is a all around player at the ILB position, he has the natural ability to rush the passer, shed blockers, and rush the QB. Additionally, Hightower is no slouch when it comes to coverage. We don’t want to say he should have been a top pick this draft, but there is a reason that Belichick traded up for him, he saw Hightower falling and he had to pull the trigger to get him.
The Patriots have struggled on defense in recent years, so this is a very comforting pick for Patriots fans who are still trying to get over the Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants. The Patriots offense has not been a problem in recent years, so the selection of Dont’a Hightower gets our approval.
Coming off a second straight Super Bowl loss to the Giants, the New England Patriots will have to take the off season to step up their play on both sides of the ball. First order of business will be to re-sign Tom Brady’s favorite target Wes Welker who is coming off another amazing season. New England may look to shore up their deep play threats. The free agent pool at wide receiver is deep with lots of speed. The defense was a weakness last season with injuries forcing even wide receiver Julian Edelman into defensive back duties. The Patriots have had much success with the draft in later rounds getting fantastic defensive back play, see Asante Samuel. With the Patriots possibly losing Andre Carter and his 11 sacks, look for the Patriots to make a run at Mario Williams, the top free agent defensive lineman. Otherwise, there will be plenty of options late in the first round with Dontari Poe looking like a rising star.
The New England Patriots are headed to the Super Bowl after a thrilling victory at home over the Baltimore Ravens. Tom Brady struggled for most of the day, but the defense stepped up in a big way and lead the team to victory. Protecting a 23-20 lead with less than a minute left in the 4th quarter the Patriots defense came up big, just as much as the Ravens defense came up sour. A dropped touch down in the endzone by Lee Evans and a missed field goal by Billy Cundiff cost the Ravens a chance to play in the Super Bowl and gave the New England Patriots their golden ticket to the big game. Hats off to the New England Patriots of a hard fought home victory in a tough game against the Baltimore Ravens.
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The Patriots ended their 3 game playoff losing streak with a 45-10 victory against the Denver Broncos. Tom Brady played like a man possessed throwing for 363 yards and an NFL playoff record tying 6-TD passes, 3 to Rob Gronkowski who had 10 receptions for 145 yards. The New England Defense had there best game of the entire season allowing only 252 total yards and getting after Tim Tebow for 5 sacks. Tebow was unable to go toe-to-toe with the high powered Patriot offense, playing from behind from the start of the game. Outstanding all around team victory for the Patriots, who earned the right to play for a chance to represent the AFC in the Superbowl.
For the second straight week the Patriots fell behind early against a divisional rival, but were able to come away with the victory in the end. In a game in which a victory meant nothing more for the Patriots meant the number 1 seed in AFC playoffs, the Patriots proved that they were hungry for the number 1 seed and would not take this game sitting down.
The Bills offered the most daunting early obstacle to overcome as of late by posting 21 unanswered points in the first half. But this game turned out to be a microcosm of the Bills season as a whole, early signs of greatness only to implode. The Patriots seem to have fallen into a trend as of late of starting games off slow, but really picking it up as the game progresses. The suspect defense was torn apart early, but made the necessary adjustments to make stops. Signs of life were also shown in the secondary with the unit making 4 interceptions on the day. New comer Sterling Moore intercepted 2 passes, his second interception was returned for a touchdown.
Tom Brady had another solid game, passing for 338 yards and 2 touchdowns. Facing the 21-0 1st quarter deficit Tom Brady and the Patriots took command scoring 49 unanswered points. As usually the big plays on the offense came from the two young stud TE’s, Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski, who had 138 yards and 108 yards receiving respectively. Gronkowski added to his record setting tight-end TD mark with 2 more touchdown catches, leading to a grand total of 17 TDs on the season.
With this victory in the final game of the regular season, the Patriots (13-3) finished off the season with an NFL high 8 game winning streak. While much of the 8 game win streak came against sub-par opponents, the Patriots put together solid team victories without being caught with their collect pants down for any game. More importantly the Patriots have much needed momentum heading into the playoffs. The Patriots firmly deserve the crown as the AFC’s top team with a outstanding regular season, let’s just hope this success translates to the playoffs.
With the discomforting news that Tom Brady is dealing with a banged up shoulder on his non-throwing arm, the question must be asked, will Brady play Sunday against the Bills? In a game with potential playoff implications, a chance to secure the AFC’s top seed, the risk seems to be a complicated one. Tom Brady and the Patriots have been close to dominant at home over the past few seasons, so home field throughout the playoffs would certainly be a huge boost for the Patriots. Yet, is it worth it at the cost of further damaging Tom Brady?
To answer this question let us take a look back at last year. With a 14-2 record the Patriots secured the AFC’s top seed, but were tossed out of the playoffs in their first game in the divisionally round by their AFC East revivals the NY Jets. This game was lost not by poor play by the Patriots suspect defense, but by Brady himself. Brady looked lost and frustrated, unable to find his favorite targets. Therefore this result in last year’s playoffs with a Patriots team this season not much different fundamentally from last year’s team should act as a crystal ball for the ultimate key to the Patriots success in the playoffs, Brady.
Potentially risking what should be the goal for the Patriots team this season, playoff success, for a chance to beat up on the hapless Bills in the last game of the season is not a risk worth taking. For the Patriots to make a successful run in the playoffs a healthy Brady is the key. Take a seat Brady for the good of New England.
Patriots News | Craig | 
April 27, 2012 2:36 am | 
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