by Dean Geddes
The final piece of the Patriots Super Bowl puzzle is in place. Yesterday the club announced that Mr. Patriot, Troy Brown, will be returning for his 15th season in New England. Brown, more than anyone else during this championship run, has exemplified what the Patriots are all about. Team before individual.
Just ask Tom Brady. "When you look up the New England Patriots in the dictionary, there's a big picture of Troy Brown's face," Brady said. "He's everything we stand for."
Brown is a true class act. Drafted in 1993 in the 8th round, he earned himself a spot on the Patriots special teams squad. He worked hard, didn't complain, and finally became a starter in 1999. Last year, his 14th in a Patriots uniform, he broke the Patriots all-time record for receptions. With punt returns and punt return yardage already under his belt, that gives 'ole number 80 three franchise records. But there is oh so much more he has done.
In 2001, when Terry Glenn was benched for the remainder of the season, Brown stepped up as the team's go-to receiver and didn't disappoint. He finished that season with career highs in catches (101) and receiving yards (1199). But Brown's most memorable moments from that All-Pro year came in the playoffs.
Patriots fan can ever forget his "special" performance in the 2001 AFC Conference Championship game. His 55-yard punt return for a touchdown to put the Pats ahead 7-0 early against the Steelers. Then, at the start of the second half, Brown recovered a blocked field goal and took it 11 yards upfield before making a heads-up lateral to Antwan Harris, who took it the rest of the way to put the Patriots ahead 21-3. Those are just the kinds of plays Troy makes.
Like In the 2007 Divisional playoff game against the Chargers, Brown gave the Patriots a second life after it looked like Brady had thrown the game-ending interception to Marlon McCree. Instantly switching to a defender, Brown instinctively stripped the ball out of McCree's hands and the Patriots were able to recover possession and ultimately come back to win the game.
Brown was the Patriots leading receiver in Super Bowl XXXVI. But the catch I will always remember him for was the 23-yard catch over the middle that put Vinatieri in range for the last-second field goal. That was Troy, always there in the clutch.
Whether it was taking a paycut to ease the team's salary cap burden (something Brown did twice), or playing nickel corner, receiver and special teams during the Patriots remarkable injury-plagued 2004 Championship run, Brown does whatever is asked of him. And what makes him special, he does it with a smile on his face.
Brown hasn't made it onto the Patriots final roster just yet, he still has to compete with Kelley
Washington, Jabar Gaffney and Chad Jackson for the final two or three receiver spots. Something tells me, though, that with all the new additions at WR this year, the Patriots will want a character guy that brings veteran leadership into the locker room. Look no further than, 'ole number 80, Mr. Patriot.
Just ask Tom Brady. "When you look up the New England Patriots in the dictionary, there's a big picture of Troy Brown's face," Brady said. "He's everything we stand for."
Brown is a true class act. Drafted in 1993 in the 8th round, he earned himself a spot on the Patriots special teams squad. He worked hard, didn't complain, and finally became a starter in 1999. Last year, his 14th in a Patriots uniform, he broke the Patriots all-time record for receptions. With punt returns and punt return yardage already under his belt, that gives 'ole number 80 three franchise records. But there is oh so much more he has done.
In 2001, when Terry Glenn was benched for the remainder of the season, Brown stepped up as the team's go-to receiver and didn't disappoint. He finished that season with career highs in catches (101) and receiving yards (1199). But Brown's most memorable moments from that All-Pro year came in the playoffs.
Patriots fan can ever forget his "special" performance in the 2001 AFC Conference Championship game. His 55-yard punt return for a touchdown to put the Pats ahead 7-0 early against the Steelers. Then, at the start of the second half, Brown recovered a blocked field goal and took it 11 yards upfield before making a heads-up lateral to Antwan Harris, who took it the rest of the way to put the Patriots ahead 21-3. Those are just the kinds of plays Troy makes.
Like In the 2007 Divisional playoff game against the Chargers, Brown gave the Patriots a second life after it looked like Brady had thrown the game-ending interception to Marlon McCree. Instantly switching to a defender, Brown instinctively stripped the ball out of McCree's hands and the Patriots were able to recover possession and ultimately come back to win the game.
Brown was the Patriots leading receiver in Super Bowl XXXVI. But the catch I will always remember him for was the 23-yard catch over the middle that put Vinatieri in range for the last-second field goal. That was Troy, always there in the clutch.
Whether it was taking a paycut to ease the team's salary cap burden (something Brown did twice), or playing nickel corner, receiver and special teams during the Patriots remarkable injury-plagued 2004 Championship run, Brown does whatever is asked of him. And what makes him special, he does it with a smile on his face.
Brown hasn't made it onto the Patriots final roster just yet, he still has to compete with Kelley
Washington, Jabar Gaffney and Chad Jackson for the final two or three receiver spots. Something tells me, though, that with all the new additions at WR this year, the Patriots will want a character guy that brings veteran leadership into the locker room. Look no further than, 'ole number 80, Mr. Patriot.
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