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The New England Patriots have won four Super Bowls in the past 14 seasons. The Patriots have been to six Super Bowls, won 12 AFC East titles and played in nine AFC title games in that same span. This unprecedented run of success has two constants: Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
We all know what Brady brings to the table as a fierce competitor whose determination and absolute hatred of losing drives him and his teammates to big games every year.
What Belichick brings is more difficult to measure. As a general manager he has had mixed results. His drafting has been decent, but not so good that it explains New England’s incredible success since 2001. He’s had plenty of misses in both the draft and free agency.
So, how do the Patriots continue to dominate the NFL at such a high level?
Adaptability.
The Patriots have won with a balanced offense. They’ve won with a pass-happy attack. They’ve won with a very good defensive front and average secondary. They’ve won with a top secondary and average front. They just find different ways of achieving the same goal.
After losing Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner from last season’s dominant secondary, the Patriots will – once again – have to adapt. Gone will be the in-your-face press coverage. It will be more of a mix of man and zone coverage that will have to complement each other.
Instead of focusing on how to replace Revis, who can’t be replaced, the Patriots will try to improve in other areas. They will attempt to strengthen their defensive line and pass rush, because their defensive backs won’t be able to stick with receivers for as long as Revis.
They will also try to improve offensively, because they will likely be in more shootouts. It’s not ideal, but you can only play the cards you’re dealt. One way to help with the losses in the secondary is to keep the defense off the field. The way to do that is to improve the interior offensive line, which was a major weakness in 2014. The other is to add a stud running back to the fold.
Why not be bold? With every team in the AFC East making numerous big splashes in free agency, the Patriots can reestablish dominance by pulling the trigger on just one move: trading for Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.
Belichick has never had a runner like Peterson. Brady has never shared the backfield with such a dominant force. Imagine the possibilities with Peterson leading the rushing attack and Brady pulling the trigger. Linebackers all over the league would be left with this dilemma: Do I attack downhill to stop Peterson? If I do, won’t Brady carve us up with play-action passes to Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman?
Add Peterson and some help at guard, and suddenly the Patriots have the most balanced offense in the NFL. There are several obstacles and risks for the Patriots in this scenario.
Peterson has some baggage that Belichick and team owner, Robert Kraft, would have to be comfortable supporting. Peterson, who turns 30 Saturday, is due over $47 million over the next three seasons. That contract wouldn’t work for the Patriots, but if Peterson is willing to restructure, I would guess the two sides could find common ground with a smaller base salary combined with heavy performance-based incentives.
Peterson also will be highly motivated in 2015. He wants to put all the negative press regarding his child abuse cases, that resulted in his suspension from the league in 2014, behind him. Despite his age, Peterson has at least a few prime seasons left in his legs, and you’d figure he’d love to enjoy the homestretch of his career playing for a perennial contender.
Peterson isn’t just a good back. He’s the best back in the last 20 years. He’s a dominant force who has thrived despite having defenses stacked to stop him.
The Patriots acquiring Peterson seems like a long shot to happen at this point. It just hasn’t been Belichick’s way to pay big for a dominant running back. However, a marriage between Peterson and the Patriots could not only reinvigorate the running back’s career, but also extend New England’s run of dominance for years to come.
Nick Sardina is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Nick on Twitter@nicksardina13, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
