Thank you Patriots for a Great Season - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

***DarrylS*** · 02-06-2012, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beecke

I have serious doubts about times like these ever coming again, where a SB loss is viewed as a failure. It just shows the level of excellence that has been standard at this franchise for more than a decade. I think we should have won that today, but I can still appreciate what this team achieved and I am confident that they will make another run at it next season and a few more after that.

That sums it up about as well as anything written today.. nicely said.

It was a great season..

***reflexblue*** · 02-06-2012, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeSixPat

This was really the Super Bowl appearance that was never meant to be

1. Lockout - no offseason to prepare

2. Draft happened BEFORE free agency - not after. This flip flop makes for some major strategic team building problems. It can't be under-estimated.

3. The free agency period itself was brief and rushed

4. Limited offseason to bring together free agents, rookies, rehabbing veterans etc etc. and have them gel as a team.

All of this placed different teams at different disadvantages - but on the Patriots in particular you can see that players like Haynesworth and Ochocinco - key free agent pickups - just plain and simply didn't work.

Belichick was tinkering well into the season, cutting various players, reshuffling the deck - and frankly it's amazing he got as much out of that assembly of players that he did.

I knew the Patriots were underdogs going into this game even with a healthy Gronkowski - but no excuses - they were in the game into the final minute (and howabout that great strategic move by Belichick to let them score and get the ball back!)

So no complaints or excuses - but let's appreciate what a long shot they were to make it to 13-3 and the Super Bowl in the first place.

My only complaint is with BB firing of the Defensive backfield at the beginning of the season, then trying to replace them on the fly with cast offs from other teams....Big mistake. Also not drafting any young DL and OLB, hes been ignoring this area for a Long time.

***DarrylS*** · 02-06-2012, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reflexblue

My only complaint is with BB firing of the Defensive backfield at the beginning of the season, Big mistake. And not drafting any young DL and OLB, hes been ignoring this area for a Long time.

He started the season with Bodden, McCourty and Ras I Dowling at the corners with Barrett a possibility at a safety.

I thought that they were stocked in that area..

JoeSixPat · 02-06-2012, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reflexblue

My only complaint is with BB firing of the Defensive backfield at the beginning of the season, then trying to replace them on the fly with cast offs from other teams....Big mistake. Also not drafting any young DL and OLB, hes been ignoring this area for a Long time.

I know what you're saying - and yet... they made it to the Super Bowl!!!

And they won the Super Bowl with an montage of a backfield with Troy Brown playing DB in the past too!

I think Belichick would be the first to admit that he never INTENDED the season to go down like that - but it is really amazing to behold how he makes decisions so often that makes us scratch our heads - but ultimately gets lesser players pulling together so the whole is more than the sum of the parts.

If he can bring guys like these together, getting them playing together as a team and getting them to the Super Bowl, just imagine what he can do with a "real" offseason!

bob85ne · 02-06-2012, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beecke

It´s a tough pill to swallow again, but once BB and TB ride off into the sunset I have serious doubts about times like these ever coming again, where a SB loss is viewed as a failure. It just shows the level of excellence that has been standard at this franchise for more than a decade. I think we should have won that today, but I can still appreciate what this team achieved and I am confident that they will make another run at it next season and a few more after that.

...because we know as long as BB and TB are here we have a shot, every season and every game. Enjoy the ride guys, who knows how long it will last and who knows what will come afterwards.

These bits I agree with.

Thank you for the season, you were fighting right to the final play.

thenepatsrule · 02-06-2012, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bertil

You're not from around here, are you?

my thoughts exactly

thenepatsrule · 02-06-2012, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beecke

It´s going to be difficult to be put this loss behind me, but in the end we have seen another exceptional season by the Patriots with yet another SB appearance and it´s a damn shame that many have grown so accustomed to that kind of success that they can´t appreciate it that much anymore.

It´s a tough pill to swallow again, but once BB and TB ride off into the sunset I have serious doubts about times like these ever coming again, where a SB loss is viewed as a failure. It just shows the level of excellence that has been standard at this franchise for more than a decade. I think we should have won that today, but I can still appreciate what this team achieved and I am confident that they will make another run at it next season and a few more after that.

I will take off a month or two of football and just when the Draft is around we´ll all be getting excited again because we know as long as BB and TB are here we have a shot, every season and every game. Enjoy the ride guys, who knows how long it will last and who knows what will come afterwards.

Also the NHL and NBA playoffs aren´t far away, Spring Training is starting, too. So a lot of distractions.

This is hands down the post of the day ON ANY FREAKIN FORUM..

Palm Beach Pats Fan · 02-06-2012, 05:47 PM

I expected to be devastated by a loss, if it happened.

Well, it happened.

Guess what, I feel nothing like I did 4 years ago.

I'm not happy or bubbly or anything, but I appreciate what this team did. There is a "house money" effect. On a talent level, they are not near the 2003, 2004, or even the 2007 team, and perhaps somewhat like 2001. Another coach would have been 6-10 with this roster, even if he were a good coach.

It hurts because the Giants were also beatable, we were playing for Myra, Brady is 34, we have some free agency concerns, and because we made costly mistakes. The opponent played better though. I can accept it and move on without pointing fingers, assigning blame, or getting too worked up about it. There is a clarity in my head that I did not expect, I can move on from this and actually, truly expect them to have a better team next year.

Does that mean a SB win?

No,

you win some maybe you shouldn't
you lose some that maybe you should
you fight for them all

That's just the way sports works.

So proud of this team, so sad to lose, but fully able, moreso than I expected, to move on, to hope and plan for the next shot, whenever it comes.

mr3putt · 02-06-2012, 06:06 PM

I feel grateful for the efforts this season
It was clear early on that the Defense was going to pose major challenges
BB made Lemonade out of lemons
Unfortunately he was the one who bought the lemons in the first place

He and Brady may have lost some MPH off their fastballs but I am still proud to call myself........

A Fan of the New England Patriots

Go Gettum Next Year Boys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NumenorBlader · 02-06-2012, 06:16 PM

Got to agree with a lot of what was posted.

Considering the lockout last year - it was brilliant to watch my team play and seeing them go from constantly dismissed - to getting to the SB and playing their guts out - this is why I love the Pats.

Invariably now I can't wait for Opening Day Week 1, and also for when the Pats come to London.

The fickle and fine nature of sports is both euphoric and heartbreaking. It's a shame I'm feeling the latter. But this is why we play, watch and love the game.

- NB.