The amazing Patriots

Sometimes one is left to wonder just how they keep pulling it off. That being the New England Patriots and their continued success over the years.

Sure, they're the reigning Super Bowl champs, but even in years where they don't take home the Lombardi Trophy, few would doubt the Pats maintain a standard of excellence. They're always in the hunt.

This would seem to defy logic, given some of the moves they've made over the years. Unlike most other NFL teams, the Pats under head coach Bill Belichick do a few things a bit differently.

First, they've never had any qualms about cutting loose All-Pro-ish players if they didn't conform to the Patriot mold. Be it attitude, off-field issues, or upsetting the salary cap apple cart -- the Pats have seen a whole lot of talented players either walk out the door, or get booted out. With the exception of QB Tom Brady, this applies to most every other position. Running backs, receivers, linemen both ways, linebackers, the defensive backfield, you name it.

But the amazing thing about the Patriots is they continue to find replacements, plug them in, and the beat goes on.

Recently, they struck again with another unorthodox move. Whoever heard of a team putting the franchise tag on a place kicker? Though they often make the difference in whether a team wins or loses, historically place kickers have been amongst the lowest paid and least appreciated members of any NFL team. After all, they're just these little dudes that can't do anything else but trot out and kick the football every once in a while, and they need somebody else to hold it for them -- right?

But that's exactly what the Patriots did. They slapped the franchise tag on kicker Steve Gostkowski. And somewhere the ghosts of players past -- "real men" who shed blood, sweat and tears on the field -- for a lot less money -- are likely not happy.

Yet given their track record since the turning of the millennium, who dares doubt the shrouded wisdom of what the Mad Genius and the Foxborough front office are up to this time? Six trips to the Super Bowl with four championships speaks for itself.

Not so curiously, the Patriots declined a a $20 million option on Darrelle Revis, arguably the best cornerback in the game. $20M is a lot of money for a star QB, let alone a defensive back. They've also decided to let the anchor of their defensive line -- Vince Wilfolk -- a huge brute who could clog up the middle with the best of them -- have his own go at free agency. Tight end Rob Gronkowski has been celebrated for his talents. But can you imagine if former tight end Aaron Hernandez, currently on trial for murder, was still there as well? How formidable would that duo be?

One would think such players are irreplaceable, but the Patriots have always found a way, sometimes bringing in guys that nobody else ever heard of before. Next thing you know, the no-names have become stand out players. It might well be that the Patriots system is the ONLY one they could thrive under. And if they get out of line, they'll be gone too.

But the beat will go on indeed, at least as long as Brady is around, and perhaps beyond. Love em or hate em, it could be argued Belichick, Brady, and the Pats annually accomplish more with less than any other sports team in history.

It's all about the system. How it works is anybody's guess. It just does.