Season Superlatives

With the 2008 football season officially over for the New England Patriots, several changes will ensue in the upcoming weeks and months with coaches, players and prospects. In the calm before the storm, the first 2009 edition of Patriots Today has taken the time to reflect upon the 2008 season for the Patriots, and the best moments and players of ’08 have been chosen in the form of season superlatives. The following illustrate the best and worst parts of the Patriots’ time on the football field this year:

•Best Offensive Play: Randy Moss’ touchdown reception against the New York Jets, coming back after being down by 7 in the last 7 seconds of the game to lead the Pats into overtime.

•Best Defensive Play: Adalius Thomas’ Week 2 play against the Jets, when Thomas sacked QB Brett Favre and running back Leon Washington both at the same time.

•Best Special Teams Play: Chris Hanson’s 46-yard punt into 30-40 mile per hour wind in the third quarter of a blustery game against the Buffalo Bills, coming after the Pats were looking at a fourth down on their own 18-yard line.

•Best Win: December’s come-from-behind win over the Seattle Seahawks when Sammy Morris scored a one-yard leap of a touchdown in the fourth quarter, quickly followed by a key defensive play by safety Brandon Meriweather, who knocked a pass out of Seneca Wallace’s hands while Richard Seymour recovered it, allowing the Patriots three straight kneel downs and a victory.

•Best Newcomer: Without a doubt, Jerod Mayo, who was also named the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.

•Most Surprising Player: (unsurprisingly) Matt Cassel, who stepped in as QB after Tom Brady went down in the first game of the season. Cassel proved doubters wrong by posting two consecutive 400-plus yard games, also leading the Patriots to 11 wins this season.

•Most Valuable Player: Wide receiver and Pro Bowler Wes Welker, whose consistency and performances have been invaluable to the Patriots this year.

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