{Numbers in braces are Approximate Value, other stats are labeled as appropriate.}
The Bulldogs slid into the playoffs, and lost in the first round. Still, a playoff appearance is a playoff appearance, and with the league’s best defense, the areas of improvement to make a postseason run are clear: a performance from Tom Brady that puts him into the All Pro conversation, another receiver to support Don Maynard, and a season where not all of the RBs get injured. If those 3 things happen–especially the last–Boston should find themselves towards the top of the Northish Division once again in Year II.
Key Additions: OL Jermon Bushrod {3} from BER; OL Kelechi Osemele {2} from IST.
Key Departures: OL Willie Colon {5}; DB Darrin Walls {3}.
#Year I Leaders
Passing: Tom Brady: 4047 yards, 29 TDs.
Rushing: Curtis Martin: 679 yards; Martin and Chris Ivory, 6 TDs.
Receiving: Don Maynard: 90 receptions, 1499 yards, 9 TDs.
Blocking: Logan Mankins: 23 big holes.
Pressuring: Andre Tippett: 15 sacks; Mark Gastineau: 18 hurries.
Tackling: Mike Haynes: 88 tackles; Gastineau: 13 stuffs.
Defending: Darrelle Revis: 5 interceptions; Devin McCourty: 16 deflections.
AV: M. Gastineau {18}, D. Revis {15}, R. Seymour {14}, D. Maynard {13}, T. Brady {12}, J. Babin {11}, A. Tippett {11}, J. Hannah {10}, L. Mankins {10}.
#Year I Award Winners
All-League: Mark Gastineau, Darrelle Revis, Richard Seymour, Tim Wright.
All-Pro’s: Jason Babin, John Hannah, Don Maynard, Andre Tippett.
Offensive Player of the Week: Don Maynard
Defensive Player of the Week: Mark Gastineau, David Harris
Special Teams Player of the Week: Ryan Allen, Nick Folk
#QB
Brady was quite good; the challenge is whether he can make the push to the elite level of WFL QB. Even if he cannot, as long as he stays healthy, he should be highly usable. Boston doesn’t have much of promise behind him, as neither Pat Ryan nor Brad Smith look ready to step into a leading role (indeed, Smith is getting more time at WR than QB in preseason).
#RB / WR / TE
The good news for Boston is that 3 RBs amassed over 100 carries and each surpassed 500 yards rushing. The bad news is that variety was a result of injuries, not coaching strategy. Curtis Martin {4}–who led the team with just under 700 yards rushing–returns as the starting back, with Bruce Harper {3} and Chris Ivory {2} behind him. Shane Vereen‘s {1} strong performance at the end of the season earned him a roster spot, and the surprising Tim Wright {7} is back in his H-back role.
Maynard had a great season, but especially after Rob Gronkowski {2} went down early in the season, the Bulldogs really lacked an alternative scoring threat through the air. Eric Decker {2} did well as a possession receiver, with 56 catches, but Boston left him off their Year II roster, turning instead to the more dangerous pairing of Irving Fryar and Wesley Walker {2} , and hoping that either Keyshawn Johnson or Jeremy Kerley {2} can emerge as the dependable short yardage wideout. Regardless, a healthy Gronk remains a game-changer.
#OL
John Hannah, Logan Mankins, and Nick Mangold {9} are a strong interior line, but T remains a concern for Boston, especially with how disappointing Sebastian Vollmer {1} was in Year I. Bruce Armstrong {3} and Jermon Bushrod will start the season on the outside of the line, but there isn’t much depth behind them (although the arrival of Kelechi Osemele helps here), and Armstrong struggled to remain healthy last season.
#DL
Mark Gastineau was the best defensive player in the division, and both Jason Babin and Richard Seymour were fantastic as well. With the move to a 4-3, man-mountain Vince Wilfork {1} steps into the starting lineup with Sheldon Richardson {5} shifting to DE. This is probably the strongest unit for Boston, and they’ll need to deliver once again.
#LB
Andre Tippett only did one thing very well in Year I, but it was an important thing: he led the WFL in sacks with 15. Jerod Mayo {4} and Nick Buoniconti {6} return as starters as well.
#DB
As in Year I, 3 of the 4 starting spots are locked down, with Darrelle Revis and Mike Haynes {7} at the corners and Devin McCourty {9} at one safety. Patrick Chung {8} will open the season at the other safety slot, but Calvin Pryor {6} will once again push him for playing time.
#ST
Nick Folk {2} is back at K and Ryan Quigley will take over as the primary P. Harper will again be the primary threat on returns.