New England Patriots 2004-05 Playoff Profileby James Alder
Regular Season: 14-2
All-Time Playoff Record: 14-10
Previous Playoff Results: Click Here
Strengths
The New England Patriots biggest strength is great coaching, which is enhanced by an astute decision maker at at the quarterback position in Tom Brady. But running back Corey Dillon has been a difference-maker this season for an offense that suffered through injuries at wide receiver and tight end. Expect the Patriots to try to control the clock by giving Dillon 20-25 carries per contest. Although New England lacks a true No. 1 receiver, they have good depth at receiver, which allows Brady to spread the ball around. They also like to spread the field with multiple-receiver sets to help open running lanes for Dillon.
The Patriots possess a very solid front seven on defense. They have a ton of experience at linebacker and the lineman do a great job of plugging the gaps and keeping the blockers off the linebackers. Belichick also does a tremendous job of disguising his defenses.
They also have one of the best clutch kickers in the league in Adam Vinatieri. Weaknesses:
This is a team without a lot of glaring weaknesses. When one player goes down, they seem to plug the hole with another player and move on with business as usual. However, injuries in the secondary are a huge concern. With Ty Law and Tyrone Poole on injured reserve, and most of the other defensive backs battling some sort of injury, Belichick will be hard pressed to slow a potent passing attack. Overview:
The New England Patriots are the defending champs and I wouldn't expect them to go down without a fight, but covering for the current condition of their secondary could be too much to ask. Belichick may have to do his best work yet to get the Patriots out of the AFC Playoffs and into Super Bowl XXXIX. Playoff Roster:
Offense
12 Tom Brady QB
6 Rohan Davey QB
13 Jim Miller QB
27 Rabih Abdullah RB
34 Cedric Cobbs RB
28 Corey Dillon RB
33 Kevin Faulk RB
35 Patrick Pass RB
83 Deion Branch WR
87 David Givens WR
81 Bethel Johnson WR
10 Kevin Kasper WR
86 David Patten WR
88 Christian Fauria TE
82 Daniel Graham TE
85 Jed Weaver TE
67 Daniel Koppen C
66 Lonie Paxton C
76 Brandon Gorin OT
72 Matt Light OT
63 Joe Andruzzi OG
71 Russ Hochstein OG
64 Gene Mruczkowski OG
61 Stephen Neal OG
Defense
97 Jarvis Green DE
91 Marquise Hill DE
99 Ethan Kelley DT
93 Richard Seymour DT
98 Keith Traylor DT
94 Ty Warren DT
75 Vince Wilfork DT
49 Eric Alexander LB
48 Tully Banta-Cain LB
54 Tedy Bruschi LB
58 Matt Chatham LB
59 Rosevelt Colvin LB
51 Don Davis LB
53 Larry Izzo LB
52 Ted Johnson LB
55 Willie McGinest LB
95 Roman Phifer LB
50 Mike Vrabel LB
80 Troy Brown CB
21 Randall Gay CB
24 Ty Law CB
29 Earthwind Moreland CB
22 Asante Samuel CB
26 Eugene Wilson CB
30 Je'Rod Cherry S
37 Rodney Harrison S
42 Dexter Reid S
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