What a phenomenal season so far

[maverick4]

When Brady went down I remember thinking that at least 10 wins this season would be outstanding, trying to integrate a backup QB who hadn't started since high school and who only threw 33 total passes in college.

*Then*, we lost Rodney, Bruschi, Adalius, Maroney, Sanders, Woods, and tons of others, resulting in an obscene number of players on the IR and major starting lineup changes. We were so low on depth that we signed two old reliables in Seau and Colvin who nobody else wanted, and threw them into the fire a few days after signing.

Winning at least 10 games so far, given the other injuries, has been flat out AMAZING.

This has been one of the most enjoyable seasons I have experienced as a Patriots fan, seeing the dramatic growth of young likable players like Cassel, Mayo, Meriweather, Wilhite, etc, and some steady leadership from guys like Seymour, Seau, Welker, and <gasp> Moss.

This team has pounded its opponents the last two weeks and may get to 11 wins next week. Even if we don't make the playoffs, this is a team we can all be proud of no matter how the rest of the season ends.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Definately proud of the team, but can't imagine how heartbreaking it would be next Sunday if they win and snubbed out the playoffs at 11-5.

 

[bbabin]

When Brady went down I remember thinking that at least 10 wins this season would be outstanding, trying to integrate a backup QB who hadn't started since high school and who only threw 33 total passes in college.

*Then*, we lost Rodney, Bruschi, Adalius, Maroney, Sanders, Woods, and tons of others, resulting in an obscene number of players on the IR and major starting lineup changes. We were so low on depth that we signed two old reliables in Seau and Colvin who nobody else wanted, and threw them into the fire a few days after signing.

Winning at least 10 games so far, given the other injuries, has been flat out AMAZING.

This has been one of the most enjoyable seasons I have experienced as a Patriots fan, seeing the dramatic growth of young likable players like Cassel, Mayo, Meriweather, Wilhite, etc, and some steady leadership from guys like Seymour, Seau, Welker, and <gasp> Moss.

This team has pounded its opponents the last two weeks and may get to 11 wins next week. Even if we don't make the playoffs, this is a team we can all be proud of no matter how the rest of the season ends.

:yeahthat:

Once we knew Brady was out for good, I knew this would be an interesting season if nothing else. I was excited to see what BB & co. could do with this team. It's been great to see the young guys stepping up (Merriweather, Mayo, Wilhite, Cassel, etc.). Here's hoping we get to the playoffs!

 

[T-ShirtDynasty]

This has been one of the most enjoyable seasons I have experienced as a Patriots fan, seeing the dramatic growth of young likable players like Cassel, Mayo, Meriweather, Wilhite, etc, and some steady leadership from guys like Seymour, Seau, Welker, and <gasp> Moss.

Not to distract from your thread... but I just gotta say.... Damn Moss was doing some blocking tonight. Remember when that was one of the knocks on him, that he "wouldn't run block"? Well then man blocks now!!

Back to your point... it has been an amazing year. A testament to Belichick, McDaniels, and the whole TEAM that has been built here.

 

[mgteich]

After the first game, we hoped for an a chance to be 11-5 with a win in Buffalo on Week 17. Well, even after all the additional injuries, here we are.

In the end, we were 7-0 against weak teams and 3-5 against playoff quality teams (I include Arizona with the weak teams).

 

[Rob0729]

This season is so impressive that even Tom Jackson praised Belichick and the Pats. You know the season has to be special to get that.

 

[Bella*chick]

This season is so impressive that even Tom Jackson praised Belichick and the Pats. You know the season has to be special to get that.

Wow. What did he say?

 

[Rob0729]

Wow. What did he say?

To paraphrase, he claimed he was astounded that the Pats won 10 and maybe 11 games and that when Brady went down at the start of the season that he thought the Pats would have a losing record. He praised the coaching staff and players for pulling it together. It wasn't really the longest analysis and was more the tone than all the content. It was a quick part of a segment that focused in on the AFC East race and not just the Pats.

 

[Bella*chick]

To paraphrase, he claimed he was astounded that the Pats won 10 and maybe 11 games and that when Brady went down at the start of the season that he thought the Pats would have a losing record. He praised the coaching staff and players for pulling it together. It wasn't really the longest analysis and was more the tone than all the content. It was a quick part of a segment that focused in on the AFC East race and not just the Pats.

Thank you for the synopsis. It's good to hear him give the Pats the respect they deserve.

 

[Hardboiled]

To paraphrase, he claimed he was astounded that the Pats won 10 and maybe 11 games and that when Brady went down at the start of the season that he thought the Pats would have a losing record. He praised the coaching staff and players for pulling it together. It wasn't really the longest analysis and was more the tone than all the content. It was a quick part of a segment that focused in on the AFC East race and not just the Pats.

All I heard him say is that he didn't believe they would get to this record. He then awkwardly moved on by saying that the real story next week is Chad Pennington returning to NY. :rolleyes2: It was clear that he didn't want to talk about the Patriots.

It has been a strange and enjoyable season to follow.

 

[maverick4]

After the 16-0 last season and the job this season, Belichick has really shut up a lot of critics who tried to pin his past success on the marginal benefits of sideline video for post-game analysis... not that he needed any more validation, but his recent work has cemented his status as maybe the game's best ever.

 

[dante828]

Definately proud of the team, but can't imagine how heartbreaking it would be next Sunday if they win and snubbed out the playoffs at 11-5.

I agree, if the Pats don't make it and Broncos at 9-7 or the Chargers at 8-8 make it....lets just say I will be sick to my stomach on top of being heartbroken.

 

[QuinielaBox]

The Patriots re-inforced the notion of good team play once more. It would be disappointing if the Patriots finished with 11 wins and did not get the opportunity to compete in the Super Bowl tournament. I credit the other teams for stepping up and competing more than the Patriots not being able to win against the strong teams. This is a rebuilding year for the Patriots if anything.

 

[BelichickFan]

10-6, probably 11-5, losing Brady and all the others has been crazy. It would suck to not get our chance in the playoffs but how many teams could lose a Hall of Fame QB and be 3rd in the league in scoring with a week to go ?

 

[MassPats38]

The Pats play to win, so I do not know how much comfort an 11-5 record without the playoffs will be to the players and coaches.

As a fan, it has been a simply amazing season. This is not a season like 2002 where we watch other games on the final day of the season hoping to back into the playoff after an inconsistent year at 9-7. The team has steadily developed over the year, and if given an opportunity is in a position to make a run at the title.

The 3-5 against good teams stat included 2 heartbreaker losses and 3 blowouts (one of which was redeemed with a blowout win on the road). I still believe the Steelers game would have been entirely different if Randy held on to the long passes for early scores, thus I would not go into a playoff game with the Steelers feeling they had the Pats' number.

No team this year looks unbeatable, so it would be great to get to the show. At the same time the Pats will be best team not to make the playoffs and if they do not make it others will wonder if they would have made a difference in the way the playoffs develop.

 

[MetalBleachers]

The Patriots re-inforced the notion of good team play once more. It would be disappointing if the Patriots finished with 11 wins and did not get the opportunity to compete in the Super Bowl tournament. I credit the other teams for stepping up and competing more than the Patriots not being able to win against the strong teams. This is a rebuilding year for the Patriots if anything.

:agree: but only to a point. Great to get PT for the rookies and backups, nice to see the retirees (Seau, Colvin) again. A very likable team. Rebuilding with at least 10 wins is pretty solid; bodes well for 2009 at least.

 

[maverick4]

It is possible next year we'll see a 1989-49ers kind of season...