But who are the players that make up that team of the decade?
Everyone knows names like Tom Brady, Tedy Bruschi and Adam Vinatieri, but there have been loads of others who have played major roles in bringing the Patriots to this hallowed NFL status.
As the decade draws to a close, we look back on the top Patriots players at each position.
Offense
Tackle (2): Matt Light, Nick Kaczur
Guard (2): Logan Mankins, Joe Andruzzi
Honorable mention: Stephen Neal
Center: Dan Koppen
Honorable mention: Damien Woody
Tight end: Ben Watson
Honorable mention: Daniel Graham, Christian Fauria
Wide receiver (2): Randy Moss, Wes Welker
The current duo — Welker the slot receiver and Moss the home-run
threat — is as dangerous a receiving combination as the Patriots have
ever had. Through last weekend, in three record-setting seasons in New
England, they've combined for 590 catches, 7,366 yards and 62
touchdowns.
Honorable mention: Troy Brown, Deion Branch, David Patten, David Givens
Quarterback: Tom Brady
Really? You're questioning this one?
Honorable mention (but not even close): Drew Bledsoe, Matt Cassel
Running back (2): Corey Dillon, Kevin Faulk
Though he only spent three seasons in the red, white, gray and
blue, Dillon scored 39 touchdowns in those three years and set the
Patriots' single-season record by rushing for 1,635 yards in his Pro
Bowl (and the team's Super Bowl) season of 2004. Faulk, on the other
hand, gets the lifetime-achievement award, of sorts. He's been with the
team the entire decade, playing in 141 games, rushing for over 3,000
yards and catching 406 passes, all while doing whatever coach Bill
Belichick asks of him. And he's a NESN Insider.
Honorable mention: Laurence Maroney, Antowain Smith, Sammy Morris
Defense
Defensive end (2): Richard Seymour, Ty Warren
Defensive tackle: Vince Wilfork
Honorable mention: Ted Washington
Outside linebacker (2): Mike Vrabel, Willie McGinest
Honorable mention: Rosevelt Colvin, Adalius Thomas, Roman Phifer
Inside linebacker (2): Tedy Bruschi, Ted Johnson
Honorable mention: Jerod Mayo, Junior Seau
Cornerback (2): Ty Law, Asante Samuel
Honorable mention: Ellis Hobbs, Otis Smith
Safety (2): Rodney Harrison, Eugene Wilson
Honorable mention: Lawyer Milloy, James Sanders, Tebucky Jones, Brandon Meriweather
Special teams
Kicker: Adam Vinatieri
Mad props to Gostkowski, but this is a no-brainer. The kicks to win
Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII, the kick in the snow to beat the Raiders
in the tuck-rule game, and the list goes on. A two-time Pro Bowler and
the 15th leading all-time scorer in the NFL, Vinatieri might be the
best clutch kicker in league history.
Honorable mention: Stephen Gostkowski
Punter: Josh Miller
Honorable mention: Chris Hanson, Ken Walter
Kick returner: Ellis Hobbs
Honorable mention: Bethel Johnson
Punt returner: Troy Brown
Honorable mention: Wes Welker
***
For more Boston teams of the decade, check out:
Monday, Dec. 28: Boston Bruins
Tuesday, Dec. 29: Boston Celtics
Thursday, Dec. 31: Boston Red Sox
