PonyExpress

The swirling rumors of the Pats demise are nothing more than wishful thinking planted in the minds of media hacks by disgruntled former players and agents. This chorus seems like conventional wisdom, because the cycles of football supremacy have been shrinking since Dallas imploded in the 90s and the salary cap era began. However, what the conventionally wise fail to realize is the "cold-hearted" acts for which they criticize the Pats, along with under-the-radar development of home grown talent, have ensured the future of a real dynasty, one with multiple incarnations. BB's "so-called" ruthlessness is really relentless innovation; he has seamlessly morphed an old warhorse into a young stallion.The old guard led by McGinest and others have been gradually replaced by Wilfork, Watson, Maroney, Hobbs, Warren, and the national pundits are not yet fully aware how powerful the new guard can be. My trust in this regime has never been as strong as the day they traded Branch, hacking a diseased limb off an otherwise healthy, growing tree...

Oswlek

You're preaching to the choir, my friend. When I hang out on more broad-NFL type boards, I try to help non-NE fans understand just this very thing. People always assume that, because some of the more visible guys are older (Harrison, Bruschi, Vrabel) that the team must be getting older. They couldn't be more wrong. With the exception of LB, every single position on NE's roster has either a starter or viable backup under 28.

In the trenches, where most knowledgable fans agree games are won, they have a ridiculous combo of youth and talent. For all the uproar about the WRs (and it is largely deserved, although I do think one of Gabriel of Jackson will calm it down) there is not one team in the league that can boast as many quality young players on the lines. An added bonus is that every single one of the major players is locked up for 3 more years, sans Koppen.

I may get crucified for saying this, but I agree with those anti-NE voices that say that NE is not a dynasty...yet. I don't think they have had the duration to qualify for that group yet, but they will. In my mind, the true Patriots dynasty began in 2003 and will run until 2010? 2013? Whatever. But when the book is closed (and sadly, it will some day) on the run this great team will have, there will be no doubt that they belong to be mentioned along with those teams.

NE's run is far from over. In reality it is going to peak over the next few years. And fans from other teams are just going to get even more pissed off. Oh well, I think I can handle the abuse.

QB12

Very well said Pony Express!

QB12

patsox23

good post. It'll be, Boston Museum of Science-like, "fun to find out."

Box_O_Rocks

Just to update your numbers...Tully Banta-Cain 8/28/1980

That BB is awfully sneaky wouldn't you say.

(I also have very high hope for Pierre Woods after watching him in preseason...)

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Oswlek

Yeah, I know. But that is one of 4 LB positions.

Box_O_Rocks

Huh? You may have to redraw your logic tree in this, were you addressing each position individually? or talking about each unit?

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qbert

what is your favorite kool-aid flavor?

Franchise12

thats exactly what ive been telling people. outside of new england,the patriots dont have as many household names, so when they lose guys like mcginest,branch, and vinatieri these "experts" think we have no good players left .what they fail to realize is the value we get from drafting. warren,maroney,wilfork,watson,hobbs, samuel,seymour,graham,wilson,koppen,light.while seymour is the only household name the others are great contributors in their own right with lesss exposure. we have guys on this team that are ready to emerge and become the new leaders and reknown players but more importantly,WINNERS. I've never lost faith in this team or organazation. it feels like 2001 all over again. Remember mcginest ,vinatieri,milloy, and brown were pretty much overall all unknowns going into that 2001 superbowl. I just get the feeling tha this new generation of BB drafted players will do the same, just wait.

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Oswlek

Why do you have to make me get into such detail?

It was meant as a generic "unition". Does that make it a little clearer?