Zeus

Some random thoughts on the eve of the preseason opener …

1. Has any other team brought in as many significant veteran free agents as the Patriots this year? Taylor, Galloway, Lewis, Baker, Smith, Springs, Bodden, and Burgess – are near locks to make the team. These guys not only address immediate needs, but also buy time for the younger players to develop and grow. In particular, I felt right along that one of the reasons Fred Taylor was brought in was to mentor 24 year-old Laurence Maroney.

2. This shapes up to be an unusually deep team. In training camp, depth means competition for roster spots and playing time. As the season wears on, depth has been a huge factor in the success of Belichick’s Patriots over the last nine years. The team that takes the field in September is not the same team that competes in December, January and (we hope) February. BB understands this better than anyone – it’s one of the reasons that his teams improve as the season progresses.

3. It’s been suggested that Chiefs fans should get ready for a steady stream of Patriots cuts to find their way into KC. But remember that Pioli is now looking for players to fit Todd Haley’s system. Denver may be the more likely landing spot for Patriot castoffs.

4. Did NE overpay for Burgess? Well, they paid more than I thought they would but not unreasonably so. With the influx of young players from the 2008 draft, 12 draftees from 2009 and four picks in rounds 1 and 2 in 2010, they could well afford to invest a couple of picks to fill a need. And it's reassuring that the other bidders were the Eagles, who have to know Mr. Burgess quite well.

5. Let’s see. Jet HC Rex Ryan has already said he can’t wait to shake hands with the President after the Jets win the Super Bowl. Kerry Rhodes has declared the Jet defense to be the best in the league. Mark Sanchez and Shonn Greene have been anointed co-rookies of the year and future Hall of Famers by the New York Sporting Press. Gee, will there be a parade if the Jets win their preseason opener against the Rams Friday night?

6. Sorry to even mention this, but I’ve enjoyed my vacation from the nonstop brettfavre lunacy. Hey, it’s gotta be tough on a guy in his late thirties to come to the realization that the most exciting part of his life is probably over. But, the person I feel most sorry for is Mrs. brettfavre who now has to deal with brettfavre himself, up close and personal, 24/7/365. That’s gonna chafe just a bit.

7. Fifty years from now, football fans will know more about the 2007 Patriots than the three Super Bowl winners because that’s the team that did what no one else had done before: 16-0. The haters make light of this – that’s to be expected. Sadly, too many diehard fans do not fully appreciate the enormity of the accomplishment.

8. Can’t wait to see TB play again. 9/14 is going to be an EVENT. The best time of the year is right around the corner. Let the good times roll …

PushnPencils

Rex Ryan has alread secured awards for most annoying coach to not accomplish anything significant as well as the 10th Annual Pete Carroll False Bravado Award.

When the Jets don't live up to expectations, that act will wear thin REALLY QUICK.

Here's my big fear. Ryan's old man was the idiot coach who was big on putting bounties on opposing players.

He seems like a big enough idiot and attention hog to re-start that trend.

signbabybrady

Myself and a few other posters were dicussing this in another thread just the other day. I asked if I was the only one who looks back on that season with found memories and a few guys agreed. It didn't get much discussion past that but I was happy to see I wasn't the only one. And I think the more time passes the more people will look back on it as special but there is still a sting to the loss at the end.

Kraft gets it....See the 16-0 Banner

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363839

You know, I've always said that every year there's a Superbowl champ.
In NFL history though, there's only been one 18-0 team.

letekro

I am most enthused about item (2). Outside of QB and possibly ILB, the bottom guys on the 53-man roster are going to be capable, talented players.

italia44

Who can forget a drunken Joe Namath exclaiming:"We did it,we really did it",after his beloved New Jersey Jets won the 2009 OTA award for the 25th straight season.
........"O.....the humanity!"

DarrylS

1 & 2 make me salivate, this along with a lot of pretty good looking rookies ... these factors coupled with BB having too much time on his hands and continually be reminded how poorly his team did in Red Zone Defense make it even more interesting...

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"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.

KontradictioN

If he even so much as tries that ****, I'd have to suspect that Mark Sanchez's year, maybe even career, would come to a quick end.

Great post, Zeus.

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CREDIT - Sicilian

Mr. Pollard

7. The pats 50 years from now will only be known for 1 thing and one thing only, spygate. Until Bill is gone, it'll be the case. They could 19-0 this year and people will still cast the doubts.

If Barry Bonds was still playing, people would only look at him as a cheater, that's just the way it goes.

Deus Irae

Yeah..... umm, no.


But thanks for playing.

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"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
- Marcus Aurelius