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New England Patriots: 3 major reasons for optimism in 2020

By Michael DeVito

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on as they play against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on as they play against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots
Matthew Slater of the New England Patriots (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Third, the New England Patriots have leadership, and above all else … heart.

Now, I’m not naive. I know that a ton of leadership without talent, well, may not go too well. I get that.

But the New England Patriots of 2020 have some things going for them. They have coaching. They have a defense. And they have some real assets on offense.

They have a top-3 offensive line if healthy. They have the best clutch wide receiver in the NFL, bar none, in Edelman. And they have a top 3 pass-catching running back on the offense in James White. That’s a good start on offense to complement a good and potentially great defense.

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So what might take the Patriots over the top? An intangible. The same intangible that made a skinny, unheralded 6th round draft pick, the 199th pick in the 2000 NFL draft the best ever. It’s leadership … and heart.

The Patriots have those traits, in abundance. So, with No. 12 away, who will be that certain guy who leads. That’s a tough question. Rather than cite one player, I’ll single out three. (How can you “single out” three? no idea. Call it artistic license.)

Edelman needn’t say a word to his teammates on the Patriots to be a leader. The man does what he does and words don’t matter.

He’s a lead sled dog. He’s the tone-setter.

Then there is Matthew Slater. He’s another one of those all-time Patriots who get less attention, and fewer accolades than they deserve. But Slate is a star. He calls the cadence after a victory. That’s respect.

Slate is also one of the all-time best NFL special teams players. He deserves to be in the Patriots Hall of Fame. He will be. That’s a no brainer. The fans will make it happen.

But, Matthew Slater also deserves to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (as a guy like Steve Tasker of the Bills). They are top all-time players. Take them in. They deserve it. Pro Football Hall of Fame, NFL, please, make it so!

I’ve written before that I feel the offensive line is the key, not only to the offense but to the success of any NFL team. Entirely. And David Andrews is the key to the New England offensive line.

The loss of Andrews prior to the 2019 season cast a pall over the season that was never overcome. That’s how important David was and is to that offense. That’s how magnificent a performer he is in the center of that line.

I admit I am an appreciator of offensive line play. I just respect these guys and what they contribute, mostly anonymously to an NFL team.

Andrews is a consummate Patriot. He was an undrafted free agent signing. No one wanted him enough to draft him.

But New England, which has a history of saying, if you can play better than the other guy, you’ll fit with us. No matter whom you’re up against. They signed and started him.

I admire that about BB. It shows character, and it has helped the Patriots sign undrafted free agents who have performed, big-time. Kudos to the head man.

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So, Andrews is a leader. He has fought through a tough physical situation. He has overcome that adversity. He helps everyone on the line, and on the offensive team be better. That’s a leader. That’s a Patriot.

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