6 best New England Patriots that only spent one year in town
By Mike Luciano
No. 3: DE Mark Anderson
After recording 12 sacks as a rookie with the Chicago Bears, Anderson appeared to have arrived at the end of his proverbial football line after totaling just 13.5 sacks in the next four seasons. Belichick threw Anderson a lifeline, and he rewarded him with some dominant play as a situational pass rusher.
Anderson was rejuvenated in Belichick’s defensive scheme, as he totaled 10 sacks on the season. Belichick helped him become a designated pass rusher with the express goal of getting to the quarterback. Anderson flourished in that role, and he saved his best ball for the postseason.
Anderson was a sack artist for the Patriots
If the Patriots had finished the job and taken down the Giants, Anderson might’ve gotten some Super Bowl MVP talk, as he totaled 1.5 sacks in that game and was frequently in Eli Manning’s grill. Anderson parlayed his success in New England into a four-year contract with the Buffalo Bills.
Injuries limited him to just five games with the Bills, and he wouldn’t play a down of NFL football after 2012. Despite his brief career in New England, Anderson was a vital contributor on one of the league’s best defenses, and he would’ve been remembered more fondly if he was able to slip a ring onto his finger.