Sterling Moore had an eventful 2011, going from undrafted free agent in Oakland to starting defensive back with the Patriots. (AP)

Unlike some of his teammates, Patriots defensive back Sterling Moore has gone back and watched Super Bowl XLVI. Well, most of the game, anyway.

“I’ve watched the first three quarters of the game — I refuse to watch the last quarter,” Moore said Thursday when asked about February’s loss to the Giants. “That’s just me — that’s just my opinion. Of course, people want to talk about the game all the time and what happened on that last drive.

“It’s tough, but I have no problem talking about it. I can watch the first three quarters, but I can’t watch the last quarter, especially that final drive. Of course, I know my view is a little different than some of my teammates, but to each his own.”

The 22-year-old defensive back had a whirlwind 2011, going from Oakland’s practice squad to playing a major role in New England’s secondary. Even after he joined the Patriots, he remained a relatively anonymous face for several weeks: There was the famous story of him shopping at Best Buy and being mistaken for an employee, and in his first start against the Jets in a nationally televised game in November, NBC didn’t have footage of him for their intros, and so they had to use a headshot.

But he finished the year with three starts, seven tackles, two passes defensed and two interceptions in the regular season. And he found himself in the thick of things in the postseason — he broke up what would have been a sure touchdown pass in the waning moments of the AFC championship game when he knocked the ball away from Ravens’ receiver Lee Evans. And he had a pair of passes defensed and three tackles in the Super Bowl loss to the Giants.

Now, with the season three months in the rearview, he’s allowed himself a little time to look back on a memorable year, both for himself and the Patriots’ secondary.

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Vince Wilfork is our highest-rated defensive player. (AP)

With the 2011 season in the rear-view mirror — and the Patriots facing a number of key personnel decisions — it seems like a good time to break down the current 53-man roster, taking a look at who might be the most valuable members of the franchise.

We arrived at this list by considering a combination of factors, including overall ability, positional versatility, expectations, contract situation and place on the depth chart. We also looked at what might be best described as intangibles — loosely defined as a mixture of clubhouse character and willingness to work. In all, it helped us determine the overall value of each player within the Patriots system.

A quick note: The 53 players were taken straight from New England’s postseason media guide, the most up-to-date listing available. That means injured players such as Andre Carter, Mike Wright, Jermaine Cunningham, Dan Koppen and Ras-I Dowling, as well as practice squadders, are not included for purposes of this exercise.

We started with No. 53 through No. 26. Here’s No. 25 through No. 1:

25. Punter Zoltan Mesko: A borderline Pro Bowler, Mesko had an excellent year and was singled out earlier this season by an NFL scout we spoke with who acknowledged his work when it came to helping the Patriots win the battle of field position, especially early in games when New England was struggling to score points. Should be one of the best in the league for years to come.

24. Defensive back Sterling Moore: Released by the Raiders in September, he ended up playing significant minutes down the stretch and into the postseason. He made what was likely the defensive play of the year when he knocked the ball out of the hands of Baltimore’s Lee Evans in the AFC championship game. Regardless of what the Patriots do in free agency or the draft, he has played his way into the regular rotation of defensive backs going forward.

23. Tackle Sebastian Vollmer: It was a lost season for the big German, who struggled with back and foot issues for much of the season. Presuming that left tackle Matt Light will return as the starting left tackle in 2012, Vollmer will face a fight for his starting job next year at the right tackle spot with Nate Solder.

22. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski: A very good year for Gostkowski, who remains one of the more steady and consistent kickers in the league.

21. Defensive lineman Kyle Love: Love is likely the best and most consistent young defensive lineman on the roster. He played roughly half the snaps for the Patriots this season at the defensive tackle spot, and gained a wealth of knowledge playing much of the season alongside Vince Wilfork. It will be interesting to watch his progression into 2012, especially with a lockout-free offseason.

20. Wide receiver Deion Branch: He’s not the receiver he once was, but he maximizes the tools that are still at his disposal, including his smarts, his knowledge of the game and his relationship with Tom Brady. Prior to a couple of ill-timed drops in the Super Bowl, he still showed a knack for coming up big in big moments. A free agent, he’s one of the really intriguing decisions the Patriots face this offseason.

19. Running back Stevan Ridley: An interesting rookie year — he showed genuine flashes of greatness at times, running the ball for 5.1 yards per carry with real explosiveness. But there were a couple of fumbles late in the season, which ultimately meant that an occasionally promising year ended on something of a sour note. With a good offseason (lockout-free), he could push BenJarvus Green-Ellis for the role of lead back in 2012.

18. Defensive end Mark Anderson: One of the pleasant free agent surprises of 2012 (along with Andre Carter and Brian Waters), Anderson saw his role expand over the course of the season from that of a pure third-down pass rusher to a more complete defender. He’s not quite a complete three-down player yet in the New England system, but certainly progressed over the course of the season. Like Carter, his better-than-expected performance on a one-year deal will leave the Patriots with a decision to make at the start of free agency.

17. Tackle Nate Solder: The Patriots’ Rookie of the Year, he had a very good rookie season, working as a right and left tackle, a part-time tight end as well as getting reps on special teams. (According to Pro Football Focus, he was eighth on the offense in total snaps with 1,044, more than veterans like Dan Connolly, Deion Branch and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.) He struggled in the Super Bowl, but will almost certainly push Vollmer for the starter’s job at right tackle in 2012.

16. Running back Danny Woodhead: An up-and-down season for Woodhead, but when he was on, it was clear he’s emerged as a mostly positive heir to Kevin Faulk as the teams’ third-down/changeup back. (He’s not the blocker Faulk is, but has shown himself to be a statistical equal in several other areas.) Woodhead had a very good Super Bowl, and stands ready to be an integral part of the New England offense going forward.

15. Cornerback Devin McCourty: A mixed bag this season for McCourty, who struggled mightily in coverage over the first half of the season but did show some improvement over the second half, returning to his old physical self. He flashed some versatility late in the regular season and into the playoffs with a move to safety on third down and other passing situations, and he didn’t appear overwhelmed when he made the switch. Like Julian Edelman, he’ll bear watching in minicamps and other OTA’s when it comes to where he lines up. What the Patriots ultimately decide to do with him could have a sizable impact on the rest of the secondary.
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Sterling Moore gets his right hand in just in the nick of time to dislodge the ball from Lee Evans. (AP)

FOXBORO — From goat to hero in the swipe of a hand.

So sums up the NFL life of Sterling Moore on Sunday in the AFC championship.

A lot went through Moore’s head in the split-second that he saw Lee Evans receive the pass from Joe Flacco in the end zone before he got his right hand in to knock the ball loose and to the ground in just the nick of time on second-and-1 from the Patriots’ 14.

“I definitely thought it,” Moore said of being a possible goat, “especially, when he caught the ball, I thought it’s over. This game’s on me, this loss is on me. But I just kept fighting and get it out any way I could. If a ball is close, I’m fighting to get it out, scratching at the ball until the whistle blows. I’m just glad it turned out the way it did.

“It’s an instinct. You don’t have time to think at that moment with good receivers like that. I honestly didn’t know the ball was coming. He didn’t tip it away with his eyes or hands. I just saw him catch it and tried to get it out.”

Moore was also the player that Torrey Smith easily shoved aside on his way to a 29-yard touchdown in the third quarter as the Ravens took their first lead of the game. Moore and Devin McCourty missed tackles on the play.

But it was McCourty and other teammates who kept telling Moore to keep his head up and don’t get down.

“Everyone was telling me to put it behind me,” Moore said. “Quick turnaround.”

It’s advice Moore took to heart.

“Huge, huge, especially when you give up a touchdown earlier in the game, they’re there to tell you to forget about it, it’s happened to everybody, put it behind you and help you make a play and help the team later,” Moore said.

Moore would provide perspective hours later on his Twitter page: Please everyone save the thanks and what not. I didn’t do anything but my job and we have another game to play. #SeeYouInIndy

“He stepped up and made two big plays,” McCourty added. “That play to Lee; at first he caught the ball, so just to swing his hand and get the ball out was a huge play for us, and it kept them out of the end zone and gave our defense a chance.”

The oft-criticized Joe Flacco has the Ravens one game from the Super Bowl. (AP)

Using some of the same terms he used to describe Denver quarterback Tim Tebow last week, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said the best way to describe Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco is with a simple stat.

“They’ve won a lot of games, and I think that’s the big thing,” Belichick said on a conference call with reporters on Tuesday afternoon. “A quarterback has to do what his team needs him to do to win, and Joe has done that. I don’t know how improve much on 11-5 and 12-4 and they just keep doing it. He’s been a solid guy since his rookie year in terms of managing the game and using the clock and making good decisions and those types of things.

“He’s been able to throw the ball obviously to his backs, to his tight ends and down the field to whether it’s [Torrey] Smith or [Lee] Evans or [Anquan] Boldin or whoever it happens to be. I think he can make all the throws that you need a quarterback to make. He can run the team and manage it well. He can make checks and decisions that the offense needs to have a good flow and take advantage of defensive alignment. I think he’s certainly over four years improved in all those areas incrementally, but he did them at a pretty high level to begin with, and he continues to do that.”

Patriots defensive backs coach Josh Boyer praised Flacco, saying the Baltimore passing game “really starts with him.”

“Flacco is a very capable quarterback.  He is a guy that can throw the ball 65 yards down the field.  He can hit the intermediate routes.  He is very smart; he understands when to go to the check downs.  Even at times he takes some good sacks; he doesn’t put his team in bad situations,” Boyer said. “I would say it is a very good passing game.  They can hit them deep, intermediate or short.”

Devin McCourty sends Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer flying in the season-opener. McCourty's physical tone has certainly made an impact. (AP)

FOXBORO — In his brief time with the Patriots, rookie Devin McCourty has set a physical tone. It’s something that’s been fairly unique — in recent years, undersized Patriots cornerbacks have either shied away from contact or been shoved around themselves by opposing wide receivers.

But the 5-foot-10, 193-pound McCourty will have none of that. We saw him get a little physical with Atlanta receiver Roddy White in the preseason, and he did the same on more than one occasion with Buffalo’s Lee Evans last weekend against the Bills. (For good measure, he also delivered a big hit on Bills’ running back Marshawn Lynch.)

And if he finds himself matched up against Miami wide receiver Brandon Marshall on Monday night, look for him to take the same approach against the 6-foot-4, 230-pounder out of Central Florida.

“He’s a guy that makes plays. Even last year when I’m just watching as a fan, you notice Brandon Marshall on the field,” McCourty said of Marshall, a two-time Pro Bowler who had eight catches for 64 yards and two touchdowns last season when the Patriots faced the Broncos in Denver.

“He’s physical. He’s a bigger guy,” added McCourty. “He’s bigger than most defensive backs, and he uses his physical abilities.”

In his first season with the Dolphins, Marshall has caught 22 passes (tied for third in the league) for 290 yards (fifth-best in the NFL) and a touchdown. In addition, he’s averaging 96.7 receiving yards per game.

“He’s a tough matchup guy. He’s big. He’s like a tight end. He’s huge for a receiver,” said Patriots coach Bill Belichick. “That’s a tough matchup. He can go up and get the ball. He’s a strong runner with the ball in his hands and good after the catch. He’s got good speed, good quickness, [and] good receiving skills. He’s a tough guy to match up against.”

On the other side of the ball, McCourty has started all three games as a rookie, and has 14 tackles.

“I just embrace [the challenge],” said McCourty. “I’m just going out there and play and I’m not really declaring that I’m going to line up on him at corner. Whoever lines up on [Marshall’s] side, they have to treat it the same way and challenge him.”

As is his style, and that of every NFL coach, Bill Belichick is already onto his next opponent, the Buffalo Bills this Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

This figures to be an intriguing match-up of a contender in the AFC (Patriots) against a team trying to prove they’re NOT a pretender in their own division (Bills).

“A short night here, scrambling around a little bit,” Belichick said. “Certainly disappointing to be that close, do a lot of things well in the game but in the end just not come out with the most points. Tough game, hard-fought game. It just came down to a lot of little things and in the end, they just had a little bit more than we did. We want to take the positives from the game and work hard at doing a few things better, red area offense, red area defense and third down defense and take advantage of our scoring opportunities. If we made any one of those plays, it probably would have made a difference in the game.”

Obviously, one of those plays Belichick referenced was the dropped pass by Jabar Gaffney down the left sideline that would have put the Pats up in the fourth quarter and likely meant victory for the visitors. Asked about the validity of another call, the personal foul on David Thomas after the whistle as the Patriots were driving late in the fourth quarter, trailing 18-15, Belichick said simply, “I could see why they called it.” Other tidbits…

On the performance of Matt Cassel under pressure and on the road: “I think Matt has continued to improve every week since week one. It doesn’t surprise me. He continues to work hard. I think that’s showing up in his performance on a consistent basis.”

On playing the Bills this Sunday and how the AFC East is shaping up with three teams at 5-3 and the Dolphins at 4-4: “Big division game coming up. We’ve played two of the teams, had a very competitive game with the Jets down there and got beat up by Miami pretty good and we’ve kept an eye on Buffalo. They’ve played a lot of teams we’ve played so we’ve seen them to some degree but now’s when we zero in on them. We certainly knew about the Jets and Miami, that’s no surprise.

“I think all three of those are certainly good football teams. We certainly knew about the Jets and Miami, that wasn’t any surprise. The way Buffalo has been built and the job Dick (Jauron) has done there, getting a lot of young, talented players into their team, and how explosive they are in the return game, special teams and offensively, with (Lee) Evans, and all the receivers, (RB Marshawn) Lynch and defensively, with their quickness and speed up front. It doesn’t surprise me that they’ve won five games, no.”

On the adjustments rookie cornerbacks Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite made during the game: “As they got more plays and experience in there, I’m sure they got a little more comfortable with the overall pace of the game, the communication, the tempo of it, disguising coverages, trying to play the game at the tempo that the Colts’ offense plays it at and the more you play them, the more comfortable you get doing that. There’s certainly an adjustment process.”

On linebackers Gary Guyton and Jerod Mayo showing their ability to drop into coverage: “Sometimes that involves your guys doing things a little bit differently than they would normally do them because you really don’t have the opportunity to substitute. The way it ended up, our linebackers ended up in quite a bit of coverage on the tight ends and the backs. I think any team that plays them is going to be in that situation a decent amount of the time, too. They kind of force you in that. I’m not saying that we’re uncomfortable with Jerod and Gary  doing that but it probably came up more in this game than it would normally come up.”