Return of the Empire | New England Patriots

[GoldenJet]

Hey all.

Wanted to re-introduce myself. It's been a while since I've posted a franchise so I thought I would do a quick write-up of what you can expect from this. Since Madden franchise mode is overall hot garbage, I'll be doing my best attempt at 32-team control to ensure nothing ridiculous happens within the league. I'll be consulting a lot of external resources to make sure I GM the team's as best and as realistically as I can.

With that being said, I'll be running with my favorite team, the New England Patriots primarily. Bill Belichick will still be in charge, so I'll try and run the team as he would with a little bit of a twist. This dynasty will be writing-heavy, so bear with me as we get our feet wet.

Lastly, I need to thank Maize08 and trekfan for giving me the blueprint and the inspiration to throw my hat back in the ring. I've been writing these kinds of blueprints since I was a teenager and have gotten the itch to get back into it. This chise will look fairly similar to Maize's as we get underway, but I promise, it'll gain its own identity very soon.

Anyways, to the nitty-gritty.

Game Settings
Game: Madden 21
System: Xbox One
Start Time: End of NFL Regular Season
Difficulty: All-Pro*
Quarter Length: 10 Minutes*
Gameplay Sliders: To be determined
Draft Classes: TheFranchiseGuy's Draft Classes for 2021 & 2022

[GoldenJet]

New England Patriots Franchise Records

Retired Numbers
20 - Gino Cappelleti (1960-1970)
40 - Mike Haynes (1976-1982)
57 - Steve Nelson (1974-1987)
73 - John Hannah (1973-1985)
78 - Bruce Armstrong (1987-2000)
79 - Jim Lee Hunt (1960-1970)
89 - Bob Dee (1960-1967)

Overall Record: 519-404-9
NFL Championships: 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, 2018
AFC Championships: 1985, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018
AFC East Divisional Titles: 1978, 1986, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

Team Records
Passing
Passing Yards (Game): Tom Brady - 517 (09/12/2011)
Passing Yards (Season): Tom Brady - 5,435 (2011)
Passing Yards (Career): Tom Brady - 74,571 (2000-2019)
Passing Touchdowns (Game): Tom Brady - 6 (10/16/2009)
Passing Touchdowns (Season): Tom Brady - 50 (2007)
Passing Touchdowns (Career): Tom Brady - 541 (2000-2019)
Rushing
Rushing Yards (Game): Tony Collins - 212 (09/18/1983_
Rushing Yards (Season): Corey Dillon - 1,635 (2004)
Rushing Yards (Career): Sam Cunningham - 5,453 (1973-1982)
Rushing Touchdowns (Game): Jonas Gray - 4 (11/16/2014)
Rushing Touchdowns (Season): LeGarrette Blount - 18 (2016)
Rushing Touchdowns (Career): Jim Nance - 45 (1965-1971)
Receiving
Receptions (Game): Tied - 16 receptions (Last: Wes Welker - 9/25/2011)
Receptions (Season): Wes Welker - 123 (2009)
Receptions (Career): Wes Welker - 672 (2007-2012)
Receiving Yards (Game): Wes Welker - 217 (09/25/2011)
Receiving Yards (Season): Wes Welker - 1,569 (2011)
Receiving Yards (Career): Stanley Morgan - 10,352 (1977-1989)
Receiving Touchdowns (Game): Randy Moss - 4 (11/18/2007)
Receiving Touchdowns (Season): Randy Moss - 23 (2007)
Receiving Touchdowns (Career): Rob Gronkowski - 79 (2010-2018)
Defense
Tackles (Game): Jerod Mayo - 16 (11/13/2008)
Tackles (Season): Jerod Mayo - 173 (2010)
Tackles (Career): Vincent Brown - 737 (1988-1995)
Sacks (Game): Andre Carter - 4 (11/13/2011)
Sacks (Season): Andre Tippett - 18.5 (1984)
Sacks (Career): Andre Tippett - 100 (1982-1993)
Interceptions (Game): Tied - 3 (Last: Leigh Bodden - 11/22/2009)
Interceptions (Season): Asante Samuel - 10 (2006)
Interceptions (Career): Raymond Clayborn (1977-1989) & Ty Law (1995-2004) - 36

[GoldenJet]

Season in Review

2020
Overall Record: 8-8
Season Finish: Missed Playoffs
AFC Standings (Division): 9th in AFC (3rd in East)
Player Recognition: ST Matthew Slater (1st Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl), P Jake Bailey (Pro Bowl), PR Gunner Olszewski (Pro Bowl)
Offensive MVP: QB Cam Newton
Defensive MVP: CB JC Jackson
NFL MVP: GB Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback
Super Bowl Champion: Kansas City Chiefs

2021
Overall Record: 12-4
Season Finish: Lost in AFC Divisional Round, Kansas City
AFC Standings (Division): 3rd in AFC (1st in East)
Player Recognition: HB Todd Gurley II (Pro Bowl), FB Danny Vitale (Pro Bowl), G Shaq Mason (1st Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl), C David Andrews (2nd Team All-Pro), MLB Lavonte David (1st Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl), CB Stephon Gilmore (1st Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl) P Jake Bailey (1st Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl)
Offensive MVP: HB Todd Gurley II
Defensive MVP: MLB Lavonte David
NFL MVP: KC Patrick Mahomes, Quarterback
Super Bowl Champion: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[GoldenJet]

Save II - League Reviews

[GoldenJet]

The Dynasty Era - Kansas City goes back to back
In a battle between upstart, MVP caliber quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Russell Wilson, the Kansas City Chiefs win the Super Bowl to remain supreme

Associated Press -- The dynasty has officially begun.

The Kansas City Chiefs have officially won back-to-back Super Bowls, defeating the Seattle Seahawks by a score of 34-18. Wide receiver Mecole Hardman was named Super Bowl MVP, leading the Chiefs with four receptions for 153 receiving yards and two touchdowns, including an 88-yard swing pass that blew the doors wide open for the team.

Despite an off night from quarterback Patrick Mahomes, in which he threw two interceptions (one of which was ran back for a touchdown), the Kansas City Chiefs were able to out-maneuver the Seattle Seahawks behind a strong effort from their defense. Mahomes would still manage to throw two touchdowns, completing 18 of 27 attempts for 289 passing yards.

The Chiefs’ defense put great pressure on the Seahawks’ offense, limiting quarterback Russell Wilson to finishing with a measly 59.8 QBR, throwing for 270 passing yards while completing 23 of his 44 attempts for a touchdown, while throwing two interceptions. Anthony Hitchens and Bashaud Breeland would cause the two turnovers.

There is high speculation on how the Chiefs will look next year. Head Coach Andy Reid has been included in retirement rumors for the better part of the season, while star offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy has been one of the highly coveted coaches to take over one of the many coaching vacancies around the league.

For now, Chiefs’ faithful can sit back and smell the roses. The Lombardi Trophy will remain with them for another year.

[GoldenJet]

MVP Aaron Rodgers headlines 1st team All-Pro list

Associated Press -- It seems as though the ongoing discussion around the top quarterbacks nowadays in the National Football League constantly revolving around Kansas City Chiefs' quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Houston Texans' quarterback Deshaun Watson has ruffled the feathers of one of the best that has ever done it.

Ladies and gentlemen, Aaron Rodgers would like his crown back. Shined and buffed preferably.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, 37 years young, has picked up a third MVP trophy (2011, 2014, and now, 2020) while picking up his third berth as a first-team All-Pro after backstopping the Packers to the top seed in the NFC. The Packers, despite a heroic effort from Rodgers, would be shut down in the NFC Championship Game by Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks.

New Orleans Saints' quarterback Drew Brees, who is spending the summer contemplating his career after a superb season that unfortunately saw the team beat by the same Seahawks in the Divisional Round, would beat out Buffalo Bills quarterback and Offensive Player of the Year Josh Allen for the 2nd-team All-Pro spot.

Other notable inclusions on the All-Pro teams include Denver Broncos' rookie wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and Washington Football Team's Rookie of the Year Chase Young.

The list can be found below:

All-Pro
QB: 1st - Aaron Rodgers (GB) | 2nd - Drew Brees (NO)
HB: 1st - Nick Chubb (CLE) | 2nd - Ezekiel Elliott (DAL)
WR: 1st - Jerry Jeudy (DEN), Allen Lazard (GB), Stefon Diggs (BUF) | 2nd - Julio Jones (ATL), Larry Fitzgerald (ARI), Keenan Allen (LAC)
TE: 1st - Trey Burton (IND) | 2nd - Jimmy Graham (CHI)
T: 1st - Terron Armstead (NO), Trent Brown (LV) | 2nd - Trent Williams (SF), Tristan Wirfs (TB)
G: 1st - Quenton Nelson (IND), David DeCastro (PIT) | 2nd - Ali Marpet (TB), Joel Bitonio (CLE)
C: 1st - Rodney Hudson (LV) | 2nd - Ryan Jensen (TB)
ED: 1st - Myles Garrett (CLE), Za’Darius Smith (GB) | 2nd - Frank Clark (KC), Chase Young (WSH)
IL: 1st - Aaron Donald (LAR), DeForest Buckner (IND) | 2nd - Fletcher Cox (PHI), J.J. Watt (HOU)
LB: 1st - Sean Lee (DAL), Fred Warner (SF), Vince Williams (PIT) | 2nd - Shaq Thompson (CAR), Jamie Collins (DET), Bobby Wagner (SEA)
CB: 1st - Marshon Lattimore (NO), Marlon Humphrey (BAL) | 2nd - Marcus Peters (BAL), Patrick Peterson (ARI)
S: 1st - Minkah Fitzpatrick (PIT), Tyrann Mathieu (KC) | 2nd - Jamal Adams (SEA), Karl Joseph (CLE)
K: 1st - Mason Crosby (GB) | Justin Tucker (BAL)
P: 1st - Riley Dixon (NYG) | Jack Fox (DET)
KR: 1st - CeeDee Lamb (DAL) | Danny Amendola (DET)
PR: 1st - Cordarrelle Patterson (CHI) | 2nd - Christian McCaffrey (CAR)
ST: 1st - Mathew Slater (NE) | George Odum (IND)

[GoldenJet]

Patriots' twin DBs Devin and Jason McCourty announce retirement

Associated Press -- For the first time in nearly 11 years, the New England Patriots will field a team without a player named McCourty on the roster.

In a joint statement, the McCourty Twins - defensive backs Devin and Jason - announced that they will be retiring after a disappointing season that saw the Patriots miss the playoffs and finally release their decade-long grip on the AFC East title crown.

Devin McCourty, one of the few Patriots’ defensive mainstays over the years, was drafted by the team in the 2010 NFL Draft 27th overall out of Rutgers University. Since then, including a transition from cornerback to free safety, the Patriots have been carefully guided by his All-star play, as he was named to the Pro Bowl twice in his career (2010 & 2016) and was a three-time member of the 2nd-team All-Pro list (2010, 2013, and 2016). He has also won three Super Bowls with the team.

Jason McCourty came out of Rutgers University a year before his twin, being drafted in the sixth round, 203rd overall by the Tennessee Titans, where he spent eight years before signing a free-agent contract with the Cleveland Browns. There, McCourty was one of the few good players on the Browns’ winless team before being traded to the Patriots. He would join his brother Devin, and together, the two would win Jason’s first and only Super Bowl. This would make the McCourty’s the only set of twins in NFL history to win a Super Bowl on the same team.

The Patriots, with rumors swirling that they will not be resigning cornerback JC Jackson and looking into possible trades for former Defensive Player of the Year cornerback Stephon Gilmore, will be looking to remodel their secondary that could virtually look much different next season.

[GoldenJet]

Changing of the Guard: AP & Fitzgerald headline retirement announcements

Associated Press -- The more we see things stay the same, as it seems like quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger out of Pittsburgh and Drew Brees out of New Orleans will be returning for the 2021 season, the more we see things change.

It was announced almost 45 minutes apart that Hall of Fame-caliber wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals and superstar runningback Adrian Peterson will both be hanging up the cleats and retiring.

Larry Fitzgerald enjoyed a season finally not being the number one receiver, sticking behind recently-acquired superstar DeAndre Hopkins, putting up an underwhelming 54 catches for 409 receiving yards and a touchdown. He is three years removed from a 1,000-yard season and though the Cardinals' fortunes are looking up, he has decided that enough is enough.

Fitzgerald is top five in all major receiver categories and has spent his entire career with Arizona since being drafted third overall in the 2004 NFL Draft out of the University of Pittsburgh.

Adrian Peterson entered the NFL after being the seventh overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings after a star-studded collegiate career at the University of Oklahoma.

Peterson is a four-time 1st-team All-Pro and was the MVP of the 2012 season after coming just a mere nine yards from breaking Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record.

Peterson enjoyed one-year stints with the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals before joining the Washington Redskins, where he had a short career renaissance with another 1,000-yard season before finishing his career with the Detroit Lions.

Other notable retirements including Philadelphia Eagles' tackle Jason Peters, Dallas Cowboys' linebacker, and recent All-Pro Sean Lee, and free-agent linebacker Terrell Suggs.

Other Notable Retirements:
TE Greg Olsen
HB LeSean McCoy
DE Calais Campbell
T Andrew Whitworth
TE Jason Witten
S Devin McCourty
CB Jason McCourty
LB Thomas Davis
HB Frank Gore
QB Joe Flacco
K Adam Vinatieri
WR Ted Ginn Jr.
S T.J. Ward
C Ryan Kalil
CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
T Donald Penn
S Antoine Bethea
LB Cameron Wake
DE Terrell Suggs