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New England Patriots: 5 offseason needs in 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 03: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on prior to Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 03: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on prior to Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 25: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Trent Brown #77 of the New England Patriots in action against the New York Jets on November 25, 2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots defeated the Jets 27-13. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 25: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Trent Brown #77 of the New England Patriots in action against the New York Jets on November 25, 2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots defeated the Jets 27-13. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

3. Re-sign Trent Brown

Consider what the New England Patriots were able to do down the stretch and more significantly during the team’s three-game postseason run. Bill Belichick’s team was able to control the football in a big way in besting the Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams.

Yes, the newly-crowned Super Bowl LIII champions outplayed their three opponents in the trenches. New England’s offensive line deserves an awful lot of credit for this latest NFL title. Kudos to celebrated assistant coach Dante Scarnecchia for another job well done.

Against the Bolts, the Patriots totaled 34 running plays for 155 yards and control the clock for 38:20. One week later in the team’s 37-31 overtime win at Kansas City in the conference title game, there were 48 rushing attempts for 176 yards. And Bill Belichick’s club owned the football for 43:59.

Two weeks later in the lowest-scoring Super Bowl ever, New England once again won the time of possession battle, 33:10.  The pats finished with 32 running plays for 154 yards in the 113-3 victory. All told, Tom Brady and company ran a combined 240 offensive plays in the three contests. There were 126 pass plays as well and Scarnecchia’s blockers allowed only one sack.

Left tackle Trent Brown played a big role in the team’s upfront domination down the stretch. Obtained via trade from the San Francisco 49ers last offseason, the four-year pro is now eligible to test the free agent market if the Patriots choose to let him. Roughly a year ago at this time, the team saw starting tackles Nate Solder and Cameron Fleming leave for the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys, respectively. Look for the team to make a concerted effort to retain Brown.

Next: No. 2

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