The 4-Headed Monster

Yes, Tom Brady set the single season touchdown pass record with 50 in 2007.
Yes, Randy Moss set the single season touchdown reception record with 23 the same year.
Yes, Wes Welker is the slot machine with 223 total receptions in his two years with the Patriots.
Yes, Brady is AMAZING, the Pats passing attack is going to be a greater air show than the Blue Angels and their death-defying air acrobatics.

But...they're going to dominate you on the ground too, just because they can.

The Patriots drafted a high-potential running back with their first round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft; Laurence Maroney. This Minnesota product was part of a great running duo with the help of Marion Barber III, now with the Dallas Cowboys. Unfortunately, Barber has had a better NFL career thus far; but both average the same yards per carry average of 4.3. Here's a video of the Minnesota Duo. Maroney has been a disappointment so far, only because his potential seemed so high. Plagued by injuries, only played 3 games last season, and seems to have a huge problem hitting the holes. We know it's not the line because even BenJarvus Green-Ellis blasts through them. Is Maroney trying too hard? We know he's got it in him, we've seen plenty of great runs out of him. This year he needs to be more consistent, not afraid to hit those holes at full speed, and people will stop hating on him. This will be his fourth year in the system, and it's a primetime for him to once and for all be his best every single down, or his future may lie elsewhere.

Then we have old faithful, Kevin Faulk. This will be his 11th NFL season, all with the Patriots, and he has been nothing but reliable. Whether the Pats are at home or away, behind or ahead, rushing or receiving, Faulk will get it done. No, he's not super flashy and finesse, or a bulldozer, but he will make the tricky catches in clutch situations, and he will fight his heart out for that inch he needs for a first down. Plain and simple, Faulk gets it done and is also an excellent blocker who can pick up the fiercest linebackers in the NFL so they don't touch Brady.

Sammy Morris has spent his entire NFL career in the AFC East; 4 seasons with the Bills, 3 with Miami, and this will be his 3rd in Foxboro. It was a very big deal when he came to New England in 2007 because that's when the Patriots ground attack looked amazing. Morris is a beefy back at 6 feet 220 pounds. He has quick speed and the brute power needed to knock you off your feet. So you can imagine how having a beast, a finesse, and a clutch were going to make for a great tandem in 2007. Unfortunately, Morris only played 6 games in the Patriots record breaking 16-0 season. And then of course last year Brady went down so we have yet to see this 3 running back tandem go a full season with Brady and company. Another key reason that Morris is a great asset to the team: in 2008 he had 56 rush attempts in 1st quarters (more than any other quarters) for 275 total yards - he also gained 450 of his total season yardage when the Patriots were in the lead. So clearly, this power running back is used to tire the defense quick and early. A big reason why the Patriots tend to take a lead early and never give it up.

Sammy Morris BullDozer
Sammy Morris Speed

If that wasn't enough to get you a little excited, here's some more for you to chew on. The Patriots also acquire Fred Taylor. Taylor, 9th overall pick in the 1998 draft spent his first 11 seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and ran for over 11,000 yards in that time. He has the build of Sammy Morris, and has 7 1,000 yard seasons. For the past three seasons he has averaged more yards per carry when his team is behind. The Patriots have brought in a 230 pound beast that can beat you with footwork or strength. He has the impressive ability to change direction, bounce off defenders, and find separation very quickly. Taylor also brings 11 years of experience and leadership qualities that can only help the locker room.


Fred Taylor Highlights A must see.


I mean...seriously? Is this even legal? Not only do we get to see Brady back with more talent and experience at the receiver position than in 2007, but we also get this 4 headed monster to run the ball down the field? This isn't just about having depth at running back. While it is monumental to have 4 backs to share the load and give eachother rest, they all bring something different to the table. This gives unlimited options for the Patriots in how they run their offense every single down. They will have an answer for anything the defense throws at them. They will be giving the defenses an answer even when there isn't a question. So what, your team figured out how to cover Moss, Welker, and Galloway with minimal efficiency? Guarantee you can't do that while stopping the run. So what's it going to be NFL defenses - Let the Patriots run the ball down your throat, eat up the clock, and let your offense have the ball for 20 minutes? Or crowd the line, attempt to stuff the running attack and let Brady air out 5 touchdowns on you?

I shot Jerod Mayo

Multiple times actually. It's okay though, he shot me back. On the Friday of April 10th I was excited to see an ad on GameStop's window announcing that the Defensive Rookie of the Year Jerod Mayo would be making an appearance at GameStop's Tournament Store in Patriot Place to play games with fans. Excitement ensued.

I called the store that night to ask how it was all going to work and he said Mayo would be playing Midnight Club 3 and he couldn't guarantee that Mayo would sign anything. Well my brother had just given me an authentic Jerod Mayo jersey for Christmas so I had to go try and get it signed, for free!


A typical New England day, it downpoured and then snowed in the beginning of April. I got there early and there were only a few people there. I was about 45 minutes early anyways. After throwing my jersey on I decided to play some Guitar Hero: Metallica and show off my skills to the 10 year olds. Of course with my string of luck, a line had formed while I was jamming like a pro.

As it worked out, Jerod Mayo showed up with his buddy Gary Guyton, another Patriots linebacker. They were set up on the same TV and began to play Call of Duty 4. Eight people got to play for 10 minutes and most of them ended up running away from Jerod and Gary. When it was my group's turn to play I quickly picked my weapon of choice and ran out in search of Jerod while GameStop staff instructed older men how to play. It was far from my best performance, but I ended 2-2 against Mayo. The experience was made a lot better with the fact that I came up to him from behind and knocked him out with my pistol. Hah! I do wish however that someone else had gone with me because then I would have been comfortable talking trash, as Mayo was doing non-stop. Credit to the both of them, they played great. Mayo pistol-whipped a couple people, killed about 15 people in a row with a machine gun mounted to a jeep, but was later sniped in the head by his teammate Gary.

The best part was that after playing, we were allowed to ask them to sign, and I got my jersey signed! Gary did appear to feel somewhat left out as not everyone had something for him to sign, but hey, he didn't even know he was coming. I thought it was great that the both of them came out to play for a couple hours. It gives the fans a stronger connection to the players they watch every week during the season. I hope that sometime in the future a couple other players decide to do the same.

Number of the Beast

76. This number will be donned this year by the beast who also goes by the name of Sebastian Vollmer. This man of men stands 6'8" and weighs a solid 315 pounds. The Patriots selected him 58th overall in the 2nd round of the 2009 NFL draft, the Pats 4th pick. Vollmer didn't start the game of football until he was 14 and moved to the U.S. in 2004 from his homeland of Kaarst, Germany.

While he may not have as much experience as a majority of the offensive linemen coming out of the draft, he did start the last 25 games for the Houston Cougars. More importantly he was part of a prolific (No.1 nationally ranked) offense that averaged 5.2 yards per carry, 575.1 yards per game, 414.1 yards by air, and an honorable 41.2 points per game (Patriots.com). Meanwhile he was selected All-Conference USA football first team as a senior.

So why is he so special? He's all upside. This kid is continuously improving at an impressive rate.

"I think he's certainly a developing player...he has a lot of good tools to work with. He's a tough kid, very smart, well-conditioned athlete. He's a big man" said Head coach Bill Belichick.

"I think he's a kid who has a lot of upside. I couldn't say enough about him. He's a quality kid. He'll work his ass off for the Patriots" said Houston Cougar's offensive line coach Joe Gilbert.

While he is a tackle, he did start his career at tight end and as a blocking back. What he will be fighting for is a position at right tackle. The Patriots offensive line has been tops in the NFL, especially during their epic 2007 season. Due to his lack of experience I very much doubt he'll be replacing Matt Light on the left side, so Nick Kaczur will most likely be defending his right side position during camp. While Kaczur has been great since 2005, I do believe that Vollmer has far greater potential. Regardless of who starts, the depth of the Patriots offensive line is far better now.

For an offensive linemen he is very athletic. He runs the 40 in 5.13 seconds, 32 reps benching 225 lbs, and led the country in offensive linemen with a 37.5" vertical jump. You have to see this guy in action to really get excited about him. This mammoth of a man is incredibly nimble with his feet and a long arm reach. If he continues to work hard Vollmer is going to be a monster on the line. He can help give Brady that luxurious 5-9 second pocket time to let the receivers break free. He can help Maroney get back on track this year and open up a nice gaping hole for him to blow through. He can; he will.

Video Profile by DraftGuys.com

NFL Pro Timing Day OL Drills (Watch his feet!)

NFL Pro Timing Day 2 (Can you say BEAST?)

I didn't think my first official post on here would be about a rookie offensive linemen, but I'm just so damn excited for this guy. I cannot wait to see him next month at Training Camp!

Let It Begin

This will be the greatest sh*t you've ever read.