Can the Pats make it three in a row?

The Patriots have managed to win three out of the last four Super Bowls. As impressive as that feat is, it would be quite something unprecedented for the Pats to win three in a row. Many teams have managed to win two in a row starting with the Green Bay Packers who wonA list of all the previous Super Bowl winners. Super Bowls I and II and as recently as the Denver Broncos winning Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII.

The Pats have lost some well known players and coaches either to free agency or as salary cap hits. Most notably coaches Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel and players Joe Andruzzi, Ty Law, and David Patten are no longer with the team. This is, of course, just a glimpse at the stars that are now playing for different teams.

Coach Charlie Weis took up the head coaching position at Notre Dame and Coach Crennel took up the head coaching job at the Cleveland Browns. Crennel took Andruzzi with him, Law landed with the NY Jets at the latter part of free agency and Patten wound up with the Washington Redskins.

It is worthwhile to remember that during the latter part of last season, the Pats were without the services of their starting cornerbacks Ty Law and Tyrone Poole and managed well enough with rookies and 2nd year men. This time around they certainly don’t have the services of one Tedy Bruschi whose playmaking abilities and sheer enthusiasm for the game will be sorely missed by his teammates and fans alike.

But more important that who is no longer with the team are those players that are still around. Tom Brady has been given a new long term contract that should, hopefully, ensure that he completes his career with the Pats. Richard Seymour was resigned, and a few key additions in defensive positions should hopefully mend the missing holes. Once more I fail to mention that countless other key players that have remained with the Pats, but you get the idea.

The Pats, once again, will be the team to beat if not simply for the fact that they find ways of winning when the odds are stacked up against them. The days of these guys being the underdogs in a match are certainly over. With consecutive Super Bowl wins under their belt, every team in the NFL is gunning to dethrone them.

I am very curious to see how the offense is going to perform under Coach Bellichecks control and what sort of wizardry will be demonstrated without Weis’ brilliance.

The Pats had a decent preseason that showcased some of the players talents, but the season opener on Sep 8th should be exciting.

Here’s hoping for a hat trick.