New England Patriots: Watch out Dolphins, Kyle Van Noy is on a mission

New England Patriots Linebacker Kyle Van Noy (KVN) is a man on a mission and the NFL better watch out because he’s going to provide the punch the Patriots need.

When KVN left New England for Miami it was not a great day for this long-time Patriots fan, not at all.

It was clear that since his trade from Detroit in 2016 to the Patriots, his career had taken a huge leap forward. Then, for whatever reason (probably the Benjamins) he left for Miami of all places.

He left to play for former Patriots’ “defensive coordinator” Brian Flores, the new Head Coach of the Miami Dolphins. Now, this was not good news here.

KVN had been a favorite of this person, then, this writer now. I liked his attitude and his swagger. He came to play as they used to say. And he played … well.

KVN came to the team in 2016 for seven games. But it was in 2017 that he started to come into his own. That year, he racked up 5.5 sacks and 73 tackles. He began to make his mark.

In 2018, the Super Bowl-winning season (the Patriots last), he was even better with 92 total tackles and a bit fewer sacks at 3.5. But still, Van Noy had a super season as the Patriots won the Super Bowl that year.

In 2019, his total tackles dropped some to 56 with a change of position, but the sack total rose to a career-high of 6.5. Still, a very nice season. But after that season, Van Noy left for Miami.