The Third Phase: New England Patriots 2009 Special Teams Preview

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for NFLSportChannel.com

Published: July 30, 2009

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... offense, defense, and special teams.

As dramatic as the Patriots' makeover of their secondary has been this offseason, an even larger change has taken place on its special teams units.

Long time special teams coach Brad Seely is gone, replaced by Scott O'Brien (no apparent relation to quarterbacks coach Bill O'Brien), whose first coaching gig in the NFL was as Bill Belichick's special teams coach when Belichick coached the Cleveland Browns.

Ellis Hobbs, the NFL record holder for longest kickoff return, was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. Long-time special teams captain Larry Izzo was allowed to walk in the offseason, and is now a member of the New York Jets. Long snapper, and snow angel-maker-extraordinaire, Lonie Paxton was lured to Denver by new head coach Josh McDaniels.

So, what questions do the Patriots need to answer this offseason?

How will they adjust to the new rules?

The NFL quietly adopted a r...

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Article Source: BleacherReport.com


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