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Top 11 New England Patriots Newcomers Of 2014 Season

Top 11 New England Patriots Newcomers Of 2014 Season

Malcolm Butler New England Patriots
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

This time last year, the New England Patriots were far from a sure bet to win Super Bowl XLIX. However, a masterful string of offseason and midseason additions would prove to be the difference between boom and boost for the Pats in Tom Brady’s 15th NFL season. Let’s rank these newcomers in terms of influence on the Pats’ super season.

11. Jonas Gray

Jonas Gray New England Patriots
Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

11. Jonas Gray

Jonas Gray New England Patriots
Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

His playing time dwindled after the Indianapolis Colts episode, but there is no doubt that Gray pretty much single-handedly won a game for a Super Bowl champ. Not many training camp floaters can say that. And hey, Gray did lead the Patriots’ studded stable of backs with 412 yards.

10. Tim Wright

Tim Wright New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

10. Tim Wright

Tim Wright New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Many arms were in the air after the Patriots dealt Logan Mankins for a draft pick and an essentially unknown tight end back in August. Six touchdown catches later, Wright has to be considered a more valuable contributor to the Pats than Mankins right now. The former Buc was instrumental in the Patriots' post-September resurgence, pulling in 19 passes and all of his touchdowns from the beginning of October up to turkey day.

9. Jonathan Casillas

Jonathan Casillas New England Patriots
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

9. Jonathan Casillas

Jonathan Casillas New England Patriots
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s another product of the Greg Schiano system that drew Bill Belichick’s attention. The trade for Casillas didn’t get much attention outside of New England, but the sixth-year pro proved to be a useful pickup. The AFC South veteran racked up 28 tackles and a forced fumble as a depth linebacker when he wasn’t hustling on special teams.

8. Akeem Ayers

Akeem Ayers New England Patriots
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

8. Akeem Ayers

Akeem Ayers New England Patriots
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

The news of Chandler Jones going down with a hip injury was not easy on the ears, but fans have Ayers to thank for picking up the slack. After three underwhelming seasons with the Titans, Ayers provided a much-need boost for the Pats’ defense at mid-season en route to four sacks and a crucial interception of Philip Rivers. Ayers' wrestling down of Marshawn Lynch when it mattered most will remain in the memories of Pats fans forever.

7. Malcolm Butler

Malcolm Butler New England Patriots
Brace Hammelgam-USA TODAY Sports

7. Malcolm Butler

Malcolm Butler New England Patriots
Brace Hammelgam-USA TODAY Sports

Although he wasn’t a central figure in the regular season, Butler made his coming-of-age play in the Super Bowl. Butler batted away four passes in a very limited role, indicating that the undrafted rookie free agent should be an efficient, disruptive cornerback given more playing time. Surely, he’s got plenty of confidence after the happenings on February 1.

6. Patrick Chung

Patrick Chung New England Patriots
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

6. Patrick Chung

Patrick Chung New England Patriots
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

A year ago, Chung’s future was shrouded in doubt. In a lone season with the Eagles, the Oregon product was one of the NFL’s worst pass defenders. However, a second stint in New England evidently injected his career with new life. He flew around the field, maintaining his physicality while improving his pass coverage. The Patriots will likely draft a strong safety, but the starting job is Chung’s to lose right now.

5. Brandon Browner

Brandon Browner New England Patriots
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

5. Brandon Browner

Brandon Browner New England Patriots
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

He drew his fair share of penalties, but there is no disputing the fact that Browner was an effective second fiddle to Darrelle Revis. Browner’s sheer size at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds was handy in matching up against opposing teams’ big men. Pats fans will always remember Browner’s jarring hit on LaDarius Green in the pivotal win over San Diego as one of the real barn-raising moments in the Pats’ journey.

4. LeGarrette Blount

LeGarrette Blount New England Patriots
Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

4. LeGarrette Blount

LeGarrette Blount New England Patriots
Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

Blount averaged 4.7 yards per carry in his five regular season games with the Patriots after getting the boot from Pittsburgh. In the AFC Championship, Blount pulled a Jonas Gray by tearing the Colts up for 148 yards and a hat trick of touchdowns. In case you didn’t notice, Blount is the third ex-Buccaneer on this list. Funny, huh?

3. Bryan Stork

Bryan Stork New England Patriots
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

3. Bryan Stork

Bryan Stork New England Patriots
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

What a wild two years it has been for Stork. After captaining Florida State to a national title in 2013, Stork took over center duties for the Super Bowl-winning Patriots. Stork is very good at what he does, but what makes him a surefire starting center for years to come is the fact that winning is simply ingrained in his being at this point.

2. Brandon LaFell

Brandon LaFell New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

2. Brandon LaFell

Brandon LaFell New England Patriots
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The Panthers’ loss was gain for the Patriots and Ravens last offseason, but it was LaFell, not his former mentor Steve Smith, who snagged the winning touchdown pass in the Divisional Round classic. It was also LaFell who caught the opening score in Super Bowl XLIX. Expect him to continue ascending in the NFL’s wide receiving ranks this year; he was only 47 yards away from his first 1,000-yard season in 2014.

1. Darrelle Revis

Darrelle Revis New England Patriots
Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

1. Darrelle Revis

Darrelle Revis New England Patriots
Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

Who else? Revis was worth every penny the Patriots forked over in 2014, totaling 14 passes defended while eliminating every opponent’s top receiving threat. It was easy to mistake Revis for beloved ex-Patriot Ty Law when he picked off Andrew Luck in the AFC Championship. As long as the Patriots have Revis on the roster, the Super Bowl will never be out of reach.

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