BY SAM HOLLINGSWORTH
Heading into the 2011 season, it was not too uncommon to see Patriots defensive lineman Vince Wilfork listed as a preseason Pro Bowl pick. But how many of those preseason projections had defensive end Andre Carter on the bill?
Very few, if any. But Carter’s success this season, his first with the Patriots, is not debatable. And for his efforts, he earned his first Pro Bowl nod from his peers, coaches and fans. Unfortunately, his season was cut short after suffering a leg injury during New England’s Week 15 win against the Broncos in Denver, but it takes nothing away from the honor.
On his Twitter feed, responding to a message from the Boston Herald’s Ian Rappaport, Carter (@Mr_Carter93) said: “There's a reason for everything. Just blessed to earn the nod to go.”
And even though Carter and Wilfork were the only true defensive players selected to the Pro Bowl (receiver/defensive back Matt Slater was selected as a special teams player), other players on a Patriot defense that is often ridiculed have helped keep the team atop the AFC and prime for a playoff run.
Safety Patrick Chung, whose play deep in the in the defensive backfield makes a significant difference, missed eight games this year. Banged-up linebacker Jerod Mayo has only missed a couple games, but his more-than-solid replacement, Brandon Spikes, has also missed eight games due to injury.
Guys continue to come and go, and that’s something that the Patriots have not received enough credit for. Sure, defenses are riddled by injury all the time. But how often does a team earn a No. 1 seed in the AFC all while patching it up along the way?
We’ve seen more unexpected playmakers emerge, too. Kyle Love, an undrafted free agent added by the Pats last year, has continued to improve each game and seems poised for a breakout season next year if not sooner.
“(Love) had a good solid rookie year for us and has built on that, has improved in terms of his techniques and understanding the NFL game, pass rush moves, things like that,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick told the media Wednesday. “He's gotten a lot better. Solid player, works hard, great kid to be around. He's added a lot to us.”
Former Miami Dolphin and New Orleans Saint linebacker Rob Ninkovich, now in his third season with New England, has made strides as well. From zero starts in 2009 to starting every game this year, Ninkovich has showed up to play. He’s got 71 tackles, 6.5 sacks and two interceptions, one of which went for a touchdown against the rival Jets.
And in response to losing Carter, his replacement, Mark Anderson, has been anything but a let down. He finished off the job Carter started against the Broncos with his best game to date, including two sacks, one of which was a strip fumble that he recovered.
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