This image was making the rounds last week; showing just how dominant this near 20 year run has been. You forget that Gostkowski has been here since 2006, and Slater and Chung have been around since the end of Version 1.0 of this dynasty. While so many players have appeared in at least 3, if not more Super Bowls and won, there are a few cornerstone players that never won a ring during their time in New England.
Randy Moss is arguably the most dominant receiver of all time, and had his best statistical season, followed by two more productive seasons, while playing in New England. The 2007 Patriots revolutionized offensive game plans, and Randy Moss was a key component of that team. Only making one Super Bowl appearance, the injury to Tom robbed him of a possible second in 2008, until finally flaming out in the beginning of the 2010 season.
Moss’ counterpart on that 2007 team, Wes Welker, is another great that was never able to seal the deal during his time in New England. Randy was the more dominant receiver, but Welker essentially invented a position. Starting with Troy Brown, the slot receiver position gained esteem in NE, and Welker blew the doors open with his play not just in 2007, but during the entirety of his five year career here. The argument against Welker is the opposite of Edelman, putting up gaudy regular season numbers but not coming up when it mattered in the postseason. Everyone remembers his drop in 2011, but his numbers overall aren’t that bad. In 4 postseasons with the Patriots Welker had 69 catches, 686 yards, and 4 touchdowns in 7 games. That’s good for around 10 catches and 98 yards a game. With two Super Bowl appearances and no rings, Welker is one of the more unfortunate players to not win a ring in New England.
Logan Mankins the most upsetting player to not win a Super Bowl in New England. While Moss and Welker were outstanding, they came from the outside. Mankins was homegrown, being selected with the last pick in the first round in the 2005 NFL draft. Undoubtedly one of the most under appreciated offensive lineman of his time, Mankins consistently displayed his skill, toughness, and demeanor that made him a perfect Patriot. Before the 2014 season he was traded to Tampa due to salary demands, and finished his career in Florida. No player deserved a ring more than him. I’d like to think he is a team player and appreciates the trade because the team netted Trey Flowers as part of the deal with the 5th round draft pick that came back to them in the trade.
There are more deserving players to be mentioned, like Brian Waters, Andre Carter, and Chad Ochocinco to name a few, but they were all flash in the pan players. The three mentioned above made careers in NE and were unfortunately on the wrong side of the improbable Super Bowl reign that the Patritos have curated since 2001.
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