Image courtesy of life.com

I was privileged enough to attend this week’s Patriots/Jets game in Gillette Stadium, and I saw a number of things that made my heart alight despite the windy cold that permeated the coliseum. The offense was working at all cylinders. The defense played extremely well. The Patriots put Cryin’ Rex Ryan and Hollywood Mark Sanchez to shame by running all over them in a 31-14 victory.

However, there was one isolated moment that one could not have seen unless they were at the game that I found to be the most typical Patriots moment of the game. It was on the sidelines, before an offensive series. Tom Brady was throwing passes to Julian Edelman. He would lateral the ball to Brian Hoyer who would rifle it in to new Patriot addition Isaiah Stanback. He would give it to Brady, and the cycle would continue.

This brought a smile to my face, because of the symbolism it showed. On the Patriots, at that given day, there were four players that, I think, could have conceivably thrown the football better on Sunday than the other team’s starting quarterback.

That’s the kind of versatility that the Patriots love.

The Patriots have always been a team that likes players who can contribute at more than one position or, even more importantly, in more than one facet of the game. Wide receivers should know how to block or play on special teams. Linebackers should also be able to crash and cover on kicks and punts. Offensive lineman can be utilized on the goal-line to serve as fullbacks. Versatility is the name of the game.

If one was to take a look at the entirety of the Patriots roster, they would see just how much versatility is abundant on their roster. Wide receivers who are converted quarterbacks in Edelman and Stanback. Dan Connolly, a backup center, playing fullback and clearing the way for Laurence Maroney. Sam Aiken and Eric Alexander flying downfield to make special teams tackles. Matt Slater playing…well…everywhere.

It’s pretty amazing, and quite a sight to see.

This versatility is something that could carry the Patriots very far this season. That constant uncertainty and persistent nagging in the back of the minds of opposing coaches; how do we guard this? How do we neutralize that which is designed to be impossible to cover? This may be the thing that pushes an extremely talented team over the top this season.

My favorite play of yesterday’s Jets game was, actually, a play that utterly failed. It was third down and short, and Brady was in the shotgun. Edelman motioned as a wide receiver and started to run to the other side of the line. However, in mid-jog, he did a turnabout and ran right behind the center, hiking the ball. Even though Edelman fumbled the snap (luckily, we recovered) the idea was superb. That’s the kind of uncertainty that versatility can bring you, and if the Patriots win the Super Bowl this year, a versatile play like that may contribute to the eventual celebration and Disney World-antics.

Anyway, here are five other things I think we learned this week.

1. Sebastian Vollmer is our best option at LT

Not as if we didn’t already know this, but I think it really became solidified this week. Vollmer was taken out after the Patriots scored to make it 21-0. From then on, Mark LeVoir struggled to contain the Jets pressure, and Brady had notably less time in the pocket. When Vollmer returned, Brady settled down and the offensive line played better. He needs to stay in. Kaczur was a bit better this week, but I still think that when Light gets back then he should take Nick’s place on the right side. Then, the offensive line will be as impenetrable as it will ever be.

2. No matter how maligned Laurence Maroney is, he is critical to the Patriots’ success

Image courtesy of upi.com // Laurence Maroney is key to the Patriots success for the remainder of the season.

Laurence Maroney was showered with boos at the beginning of yesterday’s game. However, after he scored his second touchdown, all one could hear was cheers. Say what you want about Laurence Maroney; he’s a dancer, he’s a bust, etc. He has 4.3 career yards per carry. Getting four yards per carry for a career average, no matter when you were drafted, is pretty darn good. Maroney certainly has not, and is not, a gamebreaking, Chris Johnson type running back. However, for the Patriots to have any success in the passing game, they need to keep opponents honest with the run. So Maroney will be a major part of the end of season and playoff run.

3. With the Patriots first pick of the 2010 NFL Draft, they need to take a pass rusher

I know this is a prescient type thing, but it bears paying attention to. Tully Banta-Cain is our team’s best pass rusher right now. Is he OK? Sure. Is he elite? No. The interceptions that Mark Sanchez threw were less of a result of pressure and more due to bad decision-making. TBC, Adalius and company have been underwhelming this year in rushing the quarterback, and I feel that their inability to get in the backfield could be the team’s Achilles heel in the playoffs. Now, don’t get me wrong, I still think this team has every opportunity to be successful and win the Big Game in February. However, next off-season, if I had to pinpoint one spot where we needed help, it would be in the pass-rush department.

4. Sam Aiken getting healthy is huge

Sam Aiken did not play in the Jets game, and his impact was huge. Not in terms of the offensive side of the ball, but on special teams. Dwight Lowery, who is not a great kickoff returner, returned kicks really well this game. The Jets also consistently pressured punter Chris Hanson, blocking one kick for a touchdown and nearly getting to a couple of other ones. Aiken is the heart and soul of the Patriots special teams. He needs to get healthy for the sake of the unit.

5. The sooner someone takes Jonathan Wilhite’s place, the better

This doesn’t mean I don’t like Wilhite. I do. A lot. However, he needs to play nickel. As a boundary, outside cornerback, he’s simply a misfit. He’s too small to get very physical and a bit too slow to run with the fastest receivers. However, in the slot, he’s able to jostle and has less space to maneuver in, where his quickness can shine through. Hopefully Shawn Springs and Darius Butler step up a bit and take over that spot, bumping Wilhite to his ideal position.

All I know is that I don’t love our chances next Monday if Wilhite is consistently going to matchup against Marques Colston.

And before I forget, kudos to Leigh Bodden for his sensational game against the Jets. I think at least two of the interceptions were more bad throws than great plays, but they still go on the stat sheet all the same and were key to the Patriots win. Duquesne power!

- Ethan Hammerman