By Cody Lachance
Vince Wilfork, Jerod Mayo, Danny Amendola, Aqib Talib, Rob Gronkowski, Shane Vereen; the list of key Patriots players dealing with injuries seems to grow weekly. With a defense that was just coming together, and an offense that is full of “what ifs,” this team is starting to be the team that could have been.
On defense, the Patriots have improved greatly this year compared to the past few seasons before the injuries began to pile up. Defensive captain Vince Wilfork — out for the season with a torn Achilles — and fellow defensive captain Jerod Mayo — out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle — were key cogs in head coach Bill Belichick’s defensive scheme, and their absences will undoubtedly have a negative impact.
On the offensive side of the ball, wide receiver Danny Amendola has had multiple injuries and no one is quite sure whether or not tight end Rob Gronkowski will ever be truly 100 percent.
The Patriots have held their own so far with these injuries, but can this continue? If any team can overcome this, it would have to be New England. Belichick’s “next man up” mantra truly applies to the Pats in 2013. The Patriots seem to always find a way to overcome key injuries and continue to be a competitive team.
Take, for instance, in 2008 when quarterback Tom Brady tore his ACL in the season opener. Backup quarterback Matt Cassel stepped into the starting role and lead the team to an 11-5 record. This team knows how to overcome adversity and find a way to win.
Defensive tackles Joe Vellano and Chris Jones have stepped in and done a serviceable job for the large hole — both literally and metaphorically — left by Wilfork. Recently-signed DT Andre Neblett also looks to add depth to this position.
Linebacker Dont’a Hightower will fill in as the defensive signal caller without Mayo in the lineup. The two-year captain at the University of Alabama has had experience leading a defense, and should be able to do a decent job filling in for Mayo.
Sliding into a starting role looks to be rookie linebacker Jamie Collins. The second round draft pick out of the University of Southern Mississippi was the team’s highest draft choice this past year and the team is hoping he can step up in a big way.
Recently-signed wide receiver Austin Collie looks to fill Amendola’s vacated spot. Collie looked to be turning into a very solid receiver in Indianapolis before knee injuries plagued his career. If he can stay healthy, look for Collie to become one of Brady’s favorite targets in the passing game.
And when it comes to Mr. Gronkowski, nobody really knows at this point. When he steps on the field it will be a mystery of whether or not he is truly ready to play, or if the Patriots and Team Gronkowski are even on the same page as far as his health goes.
One thing that is for certain is that the Patriots offense will improve even if he is only used as a decoy, which would allow the younger receivers to find more space to get open down field while also creating more space for Stevan Ridley and company in the running game.
Will we ever know how good this team could have been without such substantial injuries to key players? No. But, with strong leadership and a strong belief in one another, this team can still be very successful.
Injuries are something teams deal with in the NFL on a day-to-day, practice-to-practice basis. Now is the time for the New England Patriots to show us how great of an organization they truly are.