BradyManny

So, I've been gone for several weeks now. I have been paying attention to Pats news off and on, mostly off - but I have been cheating on my Pats holiday as it is.

But the news of the Saints and all that got me back into things a little - as twisted as that sounds, someone else taking some grief from the football world was a bit of a relief.

Yet, a month later, after what was another failed attempt to make the Patriots & football a much smaller part of my life, the sting of the loss hasn't lessened too much, nor has my interest in the game.

I am truly proud of what this team accomplished this past season - and grateful of being able to watch a team that competes at such a high level. However, I haven't shook that feeling of being THAT close - and really feeling genuinely bad for guys like Kraft, Belichick, Vince, Brady, Wes, etc. who really wanted & needed this. (Those young guys will get another shot, they took this one for granted, I'm looking at you dancing Rob Gronkowski).

Of course, then I think, really: why am I feeling bad for millionaires who have experienced repeated successes in their lives? Seriously. I have my own problems to worry about far heavier than winning a game. However, this brief dose of perspective fades over time and I end up daydreaming about what it would've felt like had Wes and Brady connected, had Brady not thrown it up to Gronk, had Chung or Moore made a play down the sideline. It's too easy to envision that game turning out the way we wanted it to - and my imagination is far to great not to let it go there.

Since spygate, I've been obsessed with this team getting the last laugh. Maybe that won't happen. Maybe I shouldn't care.

So, how is everyone feeling a month later? Has everyone moved on to 2012? Are we just happy the team is in a good position going forward?

PatsSox363804

We made the superbowl in a year where the defense was rebuilding and came damn close to winning it. Can't complain about it much. It isn't like 07 where we blew immortality.

BradyManny

This is how I've tried to feel. Unfortunately, I'm nuts, so it doesn't last. But I envy your perspective.

Objectively, it was one of Belichick's greatest accomplishments.

signbabybrady

I feel like 2012 season can't come fast enough. This team is only getting better and we should get another shot at the Super Bowl. Every lose hurts but looking back at 5 appearances and its hard to feel to bad.

__________________

blackglass3

I came to this realization while daydreaming the other day. I, also, have been dying for this team to win it all one more time as an FU to every single hater fan (whiny Steeler crybabies, I am looking at you) and player (whiny Steeler crybabies, I am again looking at you). But this just may not be in the cards for us.

Yeah, it's great that this team is set up to do well every year and I am sure this coming season will have some very high high's. The odds of them winning another Super Bowl, or even getting to another one, with Brady and Belichick are pretty slim, though.

It's a bitter pill to swallow, but at the end of the day I have 3 DVD's that show the Patriots winning the Super Bowl. I would have been perfectly fine with just the 2001 win.

BradyManny

I agree completely though I have to add the amendment of "until Spygate happened." It changed everything in my mind.

And I agree, the window is closing - which probably only further fuels the anxiety and frustration when they get as close as they just did. They could win a SB in ten years, but it won't have any connection to the Brady-Belichick duo, and to spygate. For me, ever since we were docked that 1st round pick, like you say - its all about getting that FU to the haters.

And you're right, maybe it won't happen - and maybe that's really OK.

I thought this was one of the grittiest Pats teams yet - and I am proud of the way they played. It was one of those defeats where I thought a team really went down fighting, and played the right way until the end. I really thought on both sides of the ball, we played well enough to win. The lack of possessions condensed the game, and the game really felt like half a game - but generally well executed on both sides. The Giants had the last real possession of relevance again, and it decided the game. That's how it is.

It reminded me of the Celts last failed attempt at a title, losing to the Lakers in Game 7. Heartbreaking, no doubt - but you walked away thinking, damn - I can't believe they made it that far. It was an impressive run. It is possible to be heroic in defeat.

parthasas

As I mentioned in earlier post, I completely stopped watching sports related content in newspapers, TV and radio. I have been simply reading/following posts in this forum not posting much, as usual.

I kinda got over the pats loss depression but still in the " football is 7 months away" depression

Hope free agency brings in some new energy to kick off this year.

__________________
IT IS WHAT IT IS
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

robertweathers

I'm over the SB loss and looking forward to the 2012 season.

On one hand, I'm having a hard time trying not to act like spoiled brat. In my mind, the needs this team has are very clear to me (secondary en mas, OLB, pass rush on the d-line, WR, upgrade RB) and the issue is that if in my mind they don't fill them, we'll be in for another outstanding regular season and a playoff disappointment.

On the other hand another 13-3 regular season and playoff run should be nothing to sneeze at.

The problem is that from Kraft to BB to Brady, that is the standard this organization has set for itself. As fans, that is our standard too, right or wrong.

__________________
“I'm not really concerned about the other 31 teams,” - Bill Belichick

"If a player has talent and doesn't succeed, that means that they either don't want to be successful or I have failed as a coach." - Bill Belichick

NEGoldenAge

I'm at peace with the loss, and I think the team still has a bright future. If this team has a couple of good hits in the draft and a couple more in FA, it could be domminant. With so many teams in cap hell, so many good free agents and a wealth of draft picks, this offseason has great potential.

Triumph

The loss boiled down to Gronk being a non factor and nobody really stepping up to fill his shoes in the passing game.