Patriots' roster comparison from Super Bowl XLVI to XLIX

It wasn’t the copy and paste job the Seahawks’ roster comparison was, but the New England Patriots are still bringing along a number of familiar faces from their last Super Bowl appearance, three years ago.

The most important piece is of course back in quarterback Tom Brady. Brady’s numbers are down this year from his 2011 campaign – more than 1,000 yards less passing and six less touchdown passes – but his unofficial MVP rating is about the same.

Another big offensive piece is back in tight end Rob Gronkowski, and this year he won’t be inhibited by an ankle injury, both during the game and at the post-game dance party. Gronk’s two best seasons have both now culminated in Super Bowl appearances. In 2011 the massive tight end had 1,327 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns, and this year he finished with 1,124 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.

Gronk’s running mate from three years ago however won’t be with the team, with Aaron Hernandez of course now behind bars and standing trial for murder.

Along with Brady and Gronkowski, offensive linemen Nate Solder and Dan Connolly are returning as offensive starters for the Patriots, although both in different positions. Solder, a rookie the last time New England made it to the Super Bowl, moves from right tackle to left tackle, while Connolly shifts from centre to guard.

Wes Welker is back in the form of Julian Edelman, who was actually with the team three years ago. Primarily a punt returner, Edelman played as much defensive back as he did wide receiver in 2011. That won’t be the case this time around as the (listed as) 5-foot-10 speedster has found a home as a pass catcher and could be Brady’s top target Sunday.

Brandon LaFell presents a bit of an upgrade at the veteran starting wide receiver spot.

The only position group with a much different look is the running backs. BenJarvus Green-Ellis led a ragtag committee approach in 2011 that was never considered much of a threat. The Patriots’ employed a similar approach for much of this year until LeGarrette Blount walked out on the Pittsburgh Steelers and fell into New England’s lap. After Blount’s 148-yard, three-touchdown performance in the AFC Championship Game, the Seahawks will surely be taking him more seriously than the New York Giants took the LawFirm.

Five other offensive players are making their second trip to the Super Bowl with the Patriots in RB Shane Vereen, WR Matthew Slater, and offensive linemen Sebastian Vollmer, Ryan Wendell, and Marcus Cannon.

On the defensive side of the ball, three starters haven’t moved on from 2011, highlighted by the immovable Vince Wilfork. Now 33-years-old, Wilfork is actually playing at a higher level this year than in 2011, his run defence numbers up more than 14 points according to Pro Football Focus, a good thing with a heavy dose of Marshawn Lynch expected to come his way Sunday.

Rob Ninkovich remains alongside Wilfork and the new cast, highlighted by impressive linebacker Dont’a Hightower, presents an upgrade over the front seven of three years ago. While there is some name recognition on the left column in the front seven, those veterans have mostly been replaced by younger, hungrier players.

Devin McCourty returns as a starter in the secondary and is joined by Kyle Arrington, who lost his starting spot along the way, and Patrick Chung. The addition of Darrelle Revis of course tips the scale in favour of this year’s squad.

Stephen Gostkowski leads a similar looking special teams unit as well, although while his long snapper Danny Aiken remains, punter Zoltan Mesko has been replaced by Ryan Allen. Mesko’s 46.5-yard average on punts in 2011 is almost identical to Allen’s 46.4-yard average this year.

See the full roster comparison from Super Bowl XLVI to XLIX below.