What the Patriots need to do to repeat as Super Bowl champions next year

Ridley (340 yards, two TDs) is a valuable running back who was lost in the first half of the season and did not participate in the championship run. Ayers (20 tackles, 4.0 sacks, one interception) made a small but valuable contribution after the team signed him in midseason. The Patriots could probably remain at the top of the heap without them.

Gostkowski (156 points, made 35-of-37 FG attempts) is simply the best placekicker in the game. He is basically impervious to pressure, and probably deserves to be the highest paid player at his position. The Patriots may need him to take a hometown discount to stay. Connolly is simply a solid interior offensive lineman who is a fine run blocker and does an excellent job of protecting Tom Brady’s back. Vereen (340 rushing yards, 52 receptions) has to stay because he is such a brilliant pass catcher out of the backfield. McCourty (68 tackles, eight passes defensed, two interceptions) is a sharp leader in the secondary who understands what Belichick and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia want from him.

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