The New England Patriots are in the midst of the most impressive run of success in NFL history. There are 32 teams, a salary cap, and rules aimed at parity that no other dynasty has ever had to face- and the Patriots continue to conquer the league.
The recipe is simple; the ingredients are what makes the Patriots unique.
Head coach Bill Belichick is unrivaled over the past twenty years with his ability to adapt to changing markets, taking advantage of underappreciated positions and capitalizing season after season. 3-4 defense? Sure, we'll take them. Slot receivers? They'll be the offensive centerpiece. Two tight ends? Why not? Teams overpaying for defensive backs? Jabaal Sheard, come on down.
Quarterback Tom Brady is unparalleled in the history of the NFL with regards to overall success. His numbers are as good as any quarterback in NFL history, when you adjust for statistical inflation for playing in domes, and his team success is the greatest of all time.
Tight end Rob Gronkowski is already breaking down records for tight ends and it's clear that he's going to go down in history as one of the most decorated at the position.
Wide receiver Randy Moss put forward one of the best receiving seasons of all time in 2007. Players like guard Logan Mankins, nose tackle Vince Wilfork, and Patriots great cornerback Darrelle Revis have walked through the halls.
It's easy to single out which members of the Patriots will be inducted to the Patriots Hall of Fame, and which ones stand out on a national scale. Brady, Belichick, and Moss are Hall of Fame locks. Two more seasons of Gronkowski and he'll be a lock, too. Mankins and Wilfork are on the outside looking in, but they're locks for the Patriots Hall of Fame, along with wide receiver Wes Welker and left tackle Matt Light.
The bigger question that I want to pose: which member of the Patriots, in their first three seasons with the team, is destined to be the next Patriots great?
Is it linebacker Jamie Collins? Cornerback Logan Ryan or safety Duron Harmon? Maybe defensive tackles Dominique Easley and Malcom Brown? Perhaps cornerback Malcolm Butler or psycho center Bryan Stork?
Who will be the next star of the Patriots franchise?
DC's Legends of Tomorrow, Series Premiere Thursday Jan. 21 at 8/7c on The CW. Check out the trailer here: https://youtu.be/