The Rich get Richer...

With three of the first 33 overall picks in the 2011 Draft, the Patriots are in line to select several dominant college players to play alongside second-year safety Patrick Chung. 

Despite the epic blizzard that paralyzed much of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island during the past 24 hours and the harsh reality that most of us are still shoveling our way out of it, today is a great day to be from New England.

At 13-2, our hometown Patriots have officially clinched the AFC East title yet again and, more importantly, secured homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. However, these accomplishments are not the sole reason to jump for joy, build snowmen and then warm up inside with a cup of hot chocolate next to the fireplace. 

Instead, Patriot fans have the pathetically inept Carolina Panthers to thank for their most recent stroke of good luck. With the Broncos (4-11) and Bengals (4-11) both winning yesterday, the Panthers (2-13) officially clinched the league's worst record, meaning that they will pick first overall in April's NFL Draft. 

In addition to earning the first overall pick, which many draft experts think the Panthers will use to select Stanford junior QB Andrew Luck, Carolina will also pick first overall in the second round. However, because of an idiotic draft day trade last year, it is New England, not Carolina, who will picking 33rd overall. Bill Belichick, a draft day genius, had enough foresight to trade the Patriots third round pick in 2010 (which Carolina used to take Appalachian St. quarterback turned wide receiver Armanti Edwards) in exchange for the Panthers 2011 second round pick. 

Translation: The Patriots now own three of the first 33 picks in the 2011 Draft; their own, the Oakland Raiders (acquired in the Richard Seymour deal) and now Carolina's. As it stands now, the Raiders pick will have the Patriots selecting 15th overall. Toss in another second rounder and two third rounders (one of which comes via Minnesota, acquired in the early season trade for Randy Moss), and the New England dynasty looks primed to carry on well into the next decade. 

Of course, the Patriots surely won't hold on to every selection, as Belichick has become famous for trading away picks for future, more valuable ones. But make no mistake, the Patriots won't be going anywhere for a long, long time. Congrats, New England fans. Now go outside and finish shoveling your sidewalk.