strngplyr

So, after 3 Super Bowls in 4 seasons and a 4th appearance, the media has dubbed our dynasty as over the past 3 or so seasons, and either the Jets or the Dolphins would take over the division.

Since we've been deemed the second best team one year and third best entering 2010 we've posted seasons of 14 and 13 wins and are now 4 days away from potentially earning the right to play in our 5th Super Bowl since Y2K.

Regardless of the outcome of this season, we head into 2012 with the best QB in the NFL, easily top 5 of all time, the best TE in the NFL and when paired with his buddy, the best tandem by a land slide, the best "slot" receiver in the league, a second year RB who has shown a lot of promise towards the end of this year, and one of the best, young, offensive lines in football with the injection of Vollmer, Connolly, Solder, and Canon, paired with the veterans Light, Waters, and Mankins.

Very promising offense for years to come.

Defense is another story, but a big advantage for this group is that they are young. Mayo will be entering his 5th season, Chung and Arrington their 4th, McCourty, Fletcher, and Spikes with their 3rd, Moore his 2nd. They also have their steadying veteran presence of guys like Wilfork and Ninkovich and hopeful returns of Carter and Anderson.

This unit could be called a disappointment in 2011, which wouldn't be wrong, but they generated 40 sacks, 34 takeaways, and held opponents to about 21 points when our offense scores an average of 32. Not a bad margin. They play complimentary football, obviously not an all-world unit.

I don't know about everyone else here, but I'm not ready to give up on this as a dynasty as easily as the media. The 49ers Super Bowl years took place from the early 80's into the 90's, New England has been competitive for 10 years now in an era of Salary caps and Free Agency.

I see greatness for this team extending beyond the BB and Brady era, this team has been undergoing a youth movement for the past 2 seasons and has won 27 of the 32 games in the process. I think we're in good shape.

AndyJohnson

If this team wins a SB this year, 'round 2' of the dynsaty starts with a more talented, younger and more experienced team than round 1 started with in 2001.
Knowing what happened from there on, and how incredible and hard to duplicate that is makes it hard to recongnize that this team, if it wins would be more likely to win more titles that the 2001 team was. A lot happened from 2001 to 2003 and 2004, but if (and a big IF) this team wins it all this year, there is no doubt it is in better shape for the future the next day than the 01 team was.

Fball

Brady is the guy that makes the whole thing run the way it does. Without Brady, the talent level the Pats have is in line w/ most average & just above-average teams in the NFL.

They'll be dynasty as long as he plays, unless he really starts to slip in a few years. After he retires, it will probably be a different story.

strngplyr

I agree 100%, especially about being in better shape for the future. The 01 team, while obviously successful, I don't believe was nearly as talented headed into 2002. That team won with heart and attitude, I feel like this team has all of that AND talent.

PatsFan24

The first Dynasty was 01-04 the second Dynasty is 2011 and beyond

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Patriots Dynasty!!!!

Super Bowl XXXVI XXXVIII XXXIX Champs

"Stats are for losers, the final score is for winners." - Bill Belichick

ausbacker

How about we start by beating the Ravens first before proclaiming a dynasty. I'm sure Green Bay thought they were about to start one prior to the Giants fiasco.

Either way, the Patriots are a model organization and we're lucky to be fans.

JJDChE

We haven't won a SB in 7 years. I'm pretty sure that dynasty is over. Now it's just 'prolonged success'.

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VJCPatriot

First dynasty is certainly over. The Pats have to win a Superbowl this year before we can start talking about a second one. As far as offense goes, I see us being just as strong in 2012, the only significant free agents we have are Welker and BJGE. If BJGE walks, then no big deal, Ridley will step up. Welker however is a MUST SIGN. On defense, we continue to look for more through the draft. Our free agent crop was AMAZING in 2011 when you think about it - Waters, Anderson, Carter. Hopefully Carter can come back 100% for 2012 because you know he must HATE sitting out this postseason even if he gets a ring out of it, he didn't get to play.

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JJDChE

Actually, we have to win a Super Bowl this year AND next year before we can start talking about another dynasty.

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PatsFan24

The Ravens game is in the bag.

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Patriots Dynasty!!!!

Super Bowl XXXVI XXXVIII XXXIX Champs

"Stats are for losers, the final score is for winners." - Bill Belichick