New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has compared the current crop of players to his Super Bowl-winning side of 2001.
The Patriots enjoyed an unexpectedly successful season in 2001 as they won their first ever Super Bowl, beginning a fruitful era that has seen them reach the showpiece event four more times since.
During that campaign, the team were forced to overcome a number of injuries, including one to starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe, which paved the way for Tom Brady to make a name for himself in the league.
The Patriots have also suffered from injuries during the current campaign, with key players such as Vince Wilfork, Rob Gronkowski, Jerod Mayo and Tommy Kelly all seeing their seasons cut short, but Kraft was delighted with how other players had stepped up to the mark.
"This team we have now reminds me of our '01 team. It wasn't the biggest names or collection of stars. It was a team that had a certain mental toughness and truly played together as a team," Kraft told ESPN.
"I think this year the sense of team and putting team first is at the highest level. We've learned it's not the teams that have the best collection of talent, but it's the teams that really come together, especially in December and January."
The Patriots have the chance to reach yet another Super Bowl when they face the Denver Broncos in the AFC championship game on Sunday.
Barney Corkhill
