New England Patriots: Top 5 NFL careers Bill Belichick resurrected

No. 3 Corey Dillon

Former New England Patriots running back Corey Dillon wasn’t really a resurrection project as he was still at the top of his game when Bill Belichick traded for him back in 2004 but move definitely helped salvage his reputation.

As a star running back in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals, Dillon was breaking records with his running style, one of which was Walter Payton’s single-game rushing record with a 278-yard performance in a game back in 2000.

Corey Dillon was perfect for the New England Patriots

That record was since broken in 2003, but adding a stud running back like Dillon still in his prime was a major reason why the Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl in 2004, cementing the first half of their dynasty.

During that season, Dillon rushed for 1,635 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns following a down season in Cincinnati which ushered his way out of a situation that was becoming toxic.  He certainly rejuvenated himself under Belichick by giving the Patriots a stout rushing attack to go along with a championship level defense.

It ended up being a match made in heaven and what that certainly salvaged the tail end of Dillon’s career as he went on to play two more seasons under Belichick before ultimately retiring following the 2006 NFL season in which he still rushed for 812 yards while sharing the load with first-round draft pick Lawrence Maroney.