The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

rwells@tribunemedia.net

THERE is just no better way to say this, the New England Patriots have drawn a line in the sand and adopted the premise, no retreat no surrender, placing the entire league on notice that they are all in for the 2017, 2018 and perhaps the 2019 National Football League regular seasons – the remainder of Tom Brady’s mythical career.

Up to this point, the team that secured its fifth Lombardi in epic comeback fashion last month has retooled - adding the off-season’s most coveted defensive free agent, former Bills standout Stephon Gilmore; virtually stealing one of the league’s best deep threats from the New Orleans Saints, Brandin Cooks and showing Martellus Bennett that they don’t get emotional, they get better, with the acquisition of red zone threat Dwayne Allen.

All of this done while keeping Jimmy Garoppolo, Malcolm Butler, Duron Harmon, Alan Branch and remaining in the hunt for Super Bowl LI unsung hero, linebacker Donta Hightower.

There goes the “resting on their laurels” theory.

In my opinion, the plan moving forward is to give Tom Brady everything he needs to get it done a couple more times. The fact that it took more heart and experience than skill and athleticism to propel Patriots past the Falcons.

That Patriots now know for sure that what they faced in the Falcons will become the way of the league very shortly.

Fast, strong and turnover happy defences – the Seahawk model, and offences built to put up points fast and from any location on the field.

Bill Belichick knows that in order to survive this impending wave, one has to reinvent themselves and this, the work we have seen thus far this offseason, is just that.

The Patriots are now taking aim on what the NFL has now become.

RED ZONE -

Points a plenty

The New England Patriots finished last season ranked 10th in red zone scoring percentage, right around 64 per cent. Now while this is a commendable stat, the number one rule in football is to outscore your opponent, and the best way to do just that is by leaving absolutely no opportunity on the table.

With acquisition of primarily Allen, along with the expected return of Rob Gronkowski next season, the Patriots are now expected to wreak havoc within the 20-yard line.

Additionally, with the pressure once again off of Danny Amendola, Chris Hogan and Julian Edelman, the ‘flash core,’ as I like to call them, will have a platform to display the spoils of a well-orchestrated route running scheme in the red zone.

Deep Threats

There is no secret that the Patriots have struggled to get the ball deep down the field since the departure of Randy Moss some time ago. In fact, the team has often attempted to recast the mold with the likes of Khembriel Thompkins, Brandon LaFell and now, Malcolm Mitchell – tall, lanky, quick receivers built with the capability to literally take the top off of a defence.

Well guess, last Friday Bill Belichick, by all intents and purposes, admitted that he is done searching and will concede that it is better to find them than it is to build them with the acquisition of Brandin Cooks.

Please, take a minute and log on to YouTube right now and search for Brandin Cooks’ trophies highlight mix. Good.

A 23-year-old with two 1,000 yard seasons under his belt while in an often one-trick offence.

Cooks, in his new role in New England, will act as a Julio Jones of sorts - a quick route to the open field, get him the ball and watch him go off to the races.

Yes, that is who the great Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr will be throwing lobs to this year. Need we discuss this any further? I thought not.

Defence – coverage first,

pressure while they wait

If the Patriots find a way to appease Malcolm Butler with a good enough pay raise as a means to keep him in town over the next two to three seasons, the team would have constructed what can only be defined as the best secondary in the league.

Not just with the presence of Butler and newcomer Gilmore, but these two alongside the likes of Devin McCourtey, Duron Harmon, Patrick Chung and a host of other serviceable pass defenders, the Pats are now capable of filling in those long standing gap issues we have seen so often from the team over the last three seasons.

This, in combination with a fiery pass rush built on the premise of stopping the run on the way to the quarterback.

Along with all their other moves over the last week, the Patriots also announced that they had shipped their second-round pick south in exchange for pass-rusher Kony Ealy and Carolina’s third-round selection, and signed defensive tackle Lawrence Guy to a four-year deal that can max out at $20 million.

Both men, while little in name, have played vital roles in the former schemes for much of the last two seasons.

In conclusion, by now, you all know my love for New England, so my enthusiasm in this case need not be stated.

To all Dolphins, Steelers, Cowboys, Giants, Jets, 49ers, and the one or two of you Colt loyalists out there, my Pats are primed and ready to tack on to Brady and Belichick’s legacies and en route, secure the title of greatest football dynasty of all time.

The ‘Blitz for Six’ is on.