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New England Patriot’s Mid-Season Awards: Tom Brady MVP

By Adam London

Oct 30, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass under pressure by Buffalo Bills defensive end Kyle Williams (95) and linebacker Lerentee McCray (56) during the second half at New Era Field. The Patriots beat the Bills 41-25. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass under pressure by Buffalo Bills defensive end Kyle Williams (95) and linebacker Lerentee McCray (56) during the second half at New Era Field. The Patriots beat the Bills 41-25. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 28, 2016; Foxboro, MA, USA; Offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia looks on during blocking drills at training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 28, 2016; Foxboro, MA, USA; Offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia looks on during blocking drills at training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Coach of the Year – Dante Scarnecchia

Scarnecchia has been with the Patriots going all the way back to 1991, first as a tight ends coach, then defensive assistant and most notably the offensive line coach. During the Brady/Belichick era, which has featured remarkable success, a lot of the credit can go Scarnecchia’s way.

During the course of his career, his offensive lines have subdued pass rushes and allowed Brady to be the player that he is. After parting ways with the team in 2013, his absence paid dividends; most notably in last year’s AFC Championship game in which the Broncos pass rush put Brady on his back on seemingly every player.

Scarnecchia returned to the team this season and has bolstered an offensive line that doesn’t feature any superstars. Despite losing Sebastian Vollmer for the season with injury, the Patriot’s offensive line has made life pretty easy for the Patriots quarterbacks this season, only allowing 17 sacks on the season.

Rookie of the Year – Joe Thuney

In return for trading Pro Bowl defensive end Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals, the Patriots received a couple draft picks. One of these picks was a mid third rounder, which turned into Joe Thuney out of North Carolina State.

As previously mentioned, there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Patriots offensive line going into the season, which included losing Vollmer to injury and parting ways with former starting center Bryan Stork.

While this season has featured a lot of mixing and matching on the line, one of the mainstays has been Thuney, who won the left guard spot pretty handily out of training camp. Expect Thuney to be a staple in the Patriot’s offensive line for years to come.

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