Patriots Theories

Posted by Adam Hart January 4, 2010 at 1:14 am

Call it a crazy idea, but maybe Bill Belichick, phased by an injury-plagued 2008 season, took a different tact in 2009.

That tact leading toward a potential surge in the playoffs, starting with Baltimore in the opening round.  Take a closer look, please:

• Veteran cornerback Shawn Springs played near-lockdown defense in the final two weeks of the season. That comes after a string of weeks on the inactive list. Kept out of game action, the 34-year-old is fresh at season’s end. He’s proven over Weeks 16 and 17 that he is ready for the playoffs. Unlike the Colts, Belichick rested Springs early, potentially to prevent him from breaking down. The idea, to have him playing at his peak during the most important games of the year.
• Veteran running back Fred Taylor missed much of the season with an ankle injury. He scored two touchdowns in New England’s Week 17 34-27 loss. While Laurence Maroney rested in the final week of the regular season, Taylor proved he could be the back to pound it into the end zone — a remedy for any Red Zone woes. Maroney should no longer be a risk in that area, restricted to gaining yards between the 20s.
• Rookie cornerback Darius Butler was a healthy scratch in Week 16, but turned in a strong performance in the regular season finale. Maybe it was fresh legs, or the chance to watch from afar, but Butler appears poised to make an impact in the postseason.
• And in Week 17, it was the team co-leader in interceptions who rested — Leigh Bodden. He will be rejuvenated for the playoffs.
• Ditto for Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren, who will be instrumental in stopping Baltimore’s vaunted running attack.

Do these theories seem crazy? Maybe. But at least a few of them have to pan out, right?