Who are the 5 most important key players to make this season a championship team?

[Joey007]

Let me just say that if Solder gets hurt our season could end up in shambles.

 

[goheels22002]

1. Wilfork
2. Mayo
3. Brady
4. Hernandez
5. Lloyd

 

[randomk1]

The OL - i don't think there is a team that can beat us if Brady has time.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Easy . . . the FIVE men in charge of keeping Brady on his feet.:rocker:

 

[BAM!]

I'm confident in the line because of Dante and I'm confident in Brady, Welker and Gronk. I believe that in order for the Pats to WIN the SB this year it is going to come down to these five (in no particular order):
1. Ridley... We need a legit running threat who doesn't put it on the ground. This will get d's to back off a bit and make them have to respect the run, not just the pass.
2. Mayo... Can he turn into the playmaker we are hoping to see? He's a great tackler but just doesn't make enough impact plays imo.
3. McCourty... Will someone in the secondary please stand up?
4. Chung... Staying healthy for an entire season would help, can he take the next step in his development?
5. Jones/Hightower... Someone has to replace all the sacks that were lost when Anderson departed (and Carter for the time being) Can either one or both repeat those numbers and provide a good pass rush day in day out?

 

[Kontradiction]

1. Brady - For obvious reasons.

2. Wilfork - The Brady of our defense. Run and pass defense takes a BIG hit without him.

3. McCourty/Dowling - If McCourty can rebound and/or Dowling can remain injury-free and make an impact, the second worst pass defense of all time that went to the Super Bowl in 2011 takes a nice leap in 2012.

4. Lloyd/Gaffney - Need them to make plays downfield to open things up for Welker and the Nightmare Squad that we have at TE.

5. Jones/Hightower/Bequette/Ninkovich/etc... - Who is going to take over for Carter and Anderson in the pass rush and disrupt the quarterback's timing in the backfield?

 

[italia44]

1. Brady - For obvious reasons.

2. Wilfork - The Brady of our defense. Run and pass defense takes a BIG hit without him.

3. McCourty/Dowling - If McCourty can rebound and/or Dowling can remain injury-free and make an impact, the second worst pass defense of all time that went to the Super Bowl in 2011 takes a nice leap in 2012.

4. Lloyd/Gaffney - Need them to make plays downfield to open things up for Welker and the Nightmare Squad that we have at TE.

5. Jones/Hightower/Bequette/Ninkovich/etc... - Who is going to take over for Carter and Anderson in the pass rush and disrupt the quarterback's timing in the backfield?

I'm pleased,Kontra,that you put big Vince at #2.I think we all are starting to take him for granted.Last year,I thought he was the pat's MVP(Brady aside).He was an absolute demon on the inside and there would be no talk about Carter and Anderson without Vince's prodigous work playing both 3-4 NT and 4-3 DT......and playing that many snaps was incredible.

I think Wilfork's big contract is turning out to be a steal...no one works harder or cares more about his teammates.....I'm gonna lift one,tonite,for big Vince:eat3:

 

[Ian]

I'm pleased,Kontra,that you put big Vince at #2.I think we all are starting to take him for granted.Last year,I thought he was the pat's MVP(Brady aside).He was an absolute demon on the inside and there would be no talk about Carter and Anderson without Vince's prodigous work playing both 3-4 NT and 4-3 DT......and playing that many snaps was incredible.

I think Wilfork's big contract is turning out to be a steal...no one works harder or cares more about his teammates.....I'm gonna lift one,tonite,for big Vince:eat3:

I agree, I wrote this a while ago and I really believe it's a huge key to the season:

The health of Vince Wilfork - If ever there was a guy who gets taken for granted because he's always on the field and ready to go, it's Wilfork. The 30 year old has missed just six games over the past seven seasons and*he's been the heart and soul of the defensive line. The interesting thing about Wilfork is the fact that you'd almost have to believe he's one of the big reasons they've been able to work with so many different players over the past several seasons. We've heard plenty of stories over the years of how much new players appreciate his insight as they try and pick up the defense, as well as how great he's been in moments of adversity in keeping everyone focused. We've seen plenty of other teams melt down in those situations, and that's one attribute that really can't be overlooked and it just emphasizes how important Wilfork is to this football team.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Ras-I Dowling, Chandler Jones, and Dont'a Hightower.

We have a SuperBowl team without them.... we might have a SuperBowl winning team with them.