Recasting the Patriots

We've reached that point in the preseason where Pats Fans face those questions for which the answers could have a season-defining impact. Questions like, Should the Patriots keep 5 defensive tackles or 6?

Kidding.

Re-watching Tom Brady's first start on YouTube for maybe the 7th time, I once again found myself considering the Ur Patriots and how Belichick has returned to that blueprint. Stout defense, play-making special teams, and a deceptively good offense built around its running backs.

It's all wishful thinking at this point but then, it's still August after all.

So, who are we casting in the lead roles for the Patriots remake in 2021?

Cam Newton/Mac Jones as Drew Bledsoe/Tom Brady

I've mentioned before how much Jones has reminded me of the young Tom Brady. He's smart, confident, hard-working, and exceedingly accurate with the football. The Bledsoe/Newton comp is a bit of a stretch and I certainly am not hoping for an injury. The best case scenario for the Patriots over the short- and long-term would be a Top 10 season from Cam Newton in 2021, with Mac Jones taking over in 2022, but if history rhymes, as it is rumored to do, I also think the Pats would be fine with Jones under center.

Is J.J. Taylor too young to play Kevin Faulk?

The Patriots have had so many great 3rd down running backs over the last 20+ years - with James White currently playing the lead actor in that supporting role - that it's easy to forget just how good Kevin Faulk was. J.J. Taylor has looked pretty good in preseason and reminded me a little bit of Faulk. A 3rd down package with Taylor and White flanking Newton/Jones could offset what still looks like a less than vertical passing attack.

The 2021 offensive line of Wynn/Onwenu/Andrews/Mason/Brown, if anything, is much better than the 2001 edition and while running back Antowain Smith remains one of my personal favorites, Damian Harris looks like a clear upgrade there, too. And that's before we give Harris a few plays off to hammer defenses with Rhamondre Stevenson.

Jakobi Meyers was born to be the next Troy Brown

Do I need to say more? If I do, I don't think you've been paying attention. 

Okay.

All I'm saying is that if the Patriots make it to the Super Bowl and need a big completion on a potentially game-winning drive, it will be Meyers on a deep crosser. And yes, he'll get out of bounds to kill the clock.

As for the other wideouts, Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor look like much better options than Terry Glenn and David Patten. Having said that, I'll be more than happy if either of them matches Patton's numbers from 2001.

Christian Barmore as Richard Seymour?

Yes, please. Barmore has yet to look the part but he is a rookie defensive tackle, as Seymour was in 2001 and well, hey, work with me on this one, okay?

Defense Wins Championships

Stephon Gilmore (fingers crossed!) as Ty Law is easy. They both wear 24 and are WR1 cover corners. Recasting McGinest/Bruschi/Vrabel isn't quite so straightforward but I'll happily take some combination of Hightower/Uche/Van Noy/Judon. 

Lawrence Guy as veteran rock Anthony Pleasant, Devin McCourty as an upgrade over Tebucky Jones, and Kyle Duggar as the next Lawyer Milloy. 

A run-first offense to kill clock and provide respite with an all-pro punter to force opposing offenses to take the long way home sets the Patriots up to win on defense and well, you know what defense does. 

Some things never change (at least not yet)...

Imagine a Jaws remake directed by Steven Spielberg. One recasting decision we don't need to worry about is head coach, with Bill Belichick once again rocking the hoodie on the sideline.

Who wouldn't green light this?