JDP111

Depending upon the "incident"...If the Patriots were caught by the league security, doing the same thing, then yes.

PatsDeb

Are you saying the key component is Kraft, Pioli or Brady? The truth is, the success of this team has been established by the confluence of BB and his coaching methods, Pioli and his scouting methods, Kraft and his ownership methods and the incredible good luck of finding a diamond in the rough, Brady. If any of those things changes, the team will not be nearly as good. I don't think Pioli is more valuable than BB - they are equally valuable, and Brady may be more valuable than either of them. Have you seen what teams without a good QB look like? I don't like to think of the day we'll return to those ranks.

Please come down off the ledge and enjoy the rest of the season. What happened was embarrasing for the team and stupid of BB. Kraft & the players have forgiven him, why can't you?

mgteich

I agree with all your comments, especially regarding the importance of Brady. I do think we have substitutes for Belichick and none for pioli, but your comments are quite reasonable.

I will indeed forgive in the same manner as the Kraft and the players. But IMO, it would do the team a lot of good if Belichick understood why what he did is indeed embarrassing to the team and stupid (your words). I really don't think he does. If Belichick had ever said that, this issue would be behind us, as is Harrison's violation of the rules. We all forgive Belichick. And we all hope he doesn't get caught again anytime soon.

PatsDeb

Oh, I think he understands, but he will never, ever admit it publically. It is one of the limitations of the man, which most of the time is amusing. I also think he will never get caught again, as this has caused BB's most hated thing - a huge distraction taking away from his beloved football strategizing. (He'll still find ways to steal signals, but he'll go with more conventional methods )

PonyExpress

mg,
Your faith in Robert Kraft is admirable. I share your appreciation for him as an upstanding noble individual with rare insight into human nature. That rare insight prompted him to pay and exorbitant price to hire an introverted, insolent coach with plenty of baggage. It was a move that transformed his organization from a minor success story into a phenomenon. If you look at the history of the league, and I know you are a student of that history, you will find a number of great owners over the last 80 years, who hired coaches who led teams to multiple titles. My question to you is: How many owners hired more than one coach, back to back, capable of leading a franchise to a title? How many could have done so in a league as competitve as the one today, where a salary cap enforces a level playing field?

The only one I can think of is DeBartolo, who hired Seifert after Walsh. And Rooney, who hired Cowher after Noll (although the organization had to wait almost 30 years between titles).

My point is, you are seriously overvaluing the importance of Kraft, and undervaluing the importance of Belichick. If your goal as a fan is to see your team win SBs, a coach like BB comes along once in a LIFETIME to a fanbase. To think he is replaceable is folly. If you told me I could keep Mr. Kraft or BB, and not both, I would choose BB without hesitation. Fortunately, we are not faced with that decision. Mr. Kraft has it in his power to retain BB indefinitely. And if he feels BB is not worth the "embarrassment" to his brand, that BB is "too hot to handle", and decides to ease him out gracefully at year's end... then he will be making his biggest mistake yet as an NFL owner. The fact you are cheerleading in that direction is short-sighted and self-defeating. I know you are a true fan but I urge you to reevaluate your perspective on our coach, and put aside issues with his personality and personal life. Very few uniquely successful human beings meet all of our criteria for greatness.

mgteich

First, Kraft has indeed hired two great coaches, back-to-back. Perhaps I overestimate the greatness of the current team, and the need for a great coach at this point. I believe that any number of coaches could step in at this juncture.

But your point is well taken. As I have said on many occasions, Belichick is one of the three best coaches of all time. No current coach is close. We would not be better off with another coach, unless the diversions continue. And since we all trust Kraft to make sure that they won't continue, we should look forward to Belichick finishing out his decade of dynasty.

Maroney TD

I know this topic was created as sarcasm but I honestly don't care what anyone else in the league thinks about the Pats. I love this team and will continue to support them going foward. Everyone seems to be against the Pats right now and thats fine with me. I'm not going to feel bad because I am a fan of the Patriots. Let it be the Pats against the world and be the most hated team in the league. Everyone was starting to hate us anyways because we won so much.

I think the players are going to come out this weekend and absolutely blow SD out. All they've heard all week is how they only won because of the cameras and that their Super Bowl wins were BS. I hope they go 16-0 and piss off everyone in the leauge in the process. They have the talent to do it.