Deadspin: How Rex Ryan created the new look Patriots

Interesting article here from Chris Brown who runs the great site SmartFootball.com. I get what he’s trying to say however I don’t think BB drafted Gronk and Hernando because of the Jets. BB has always had a healthy obsession with tight end drafting, and the fact that both players fell to where the Pats could pounce was a coincidence of need and availability.

The real way that Rex helped shaped the current Pats offense is more reflected in the move to trade Randy Moss in the middle of last year and bring back Deion Branch. To beat the Jets defense you need guys like Branch who are smart, can get open quickly and have the total trust of Tom Brady.

A player who’s only real skill is getting deep can easily be eliminated by a good cover corner like Revis or even Cromartie.

The Pats were 1-2 vs. the Rex Ryan Jets with Moss, they’re now 3-1 without him.