Ronin
Rookie
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2005
- Messages
- 21
- Reaction score
- 6
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.Thanks for a gritty, magical, and inspiring season Pats, even if it is the end (can't believe I'm saying that! )
Seeing teams like the Bears and Vikes stumbling into the playoffs is just sad when you see what this decimated team has done when it counts.
Well, it's official. I can't say I'm not disappointed right now, but this team had a hell of a run.
Four months ago, on a sad Sunday in a game against Redskins, people had already given up on the season. A backup who hadn't started a game in almost a decade, who hadn't been under center as a starter since his high school days, was charged with taking the Patriots to the playoffs. It was seen by most that there was no way it'd happen...and yet it was this close to coming to fruition.
They lost defensive stalwarts, they lost their top three running backs--at the same time--and yet the team continued to battle. Some impressive wins were sprinkled around some horrifying losses, and yet they continued to battle. And over the last month, when they knew they couldn't slip up once, they played their best football of the season, to the point where people started to whisper that they'd hate to see this team in the playoffs. Despite losing the best player in the NFL their offense was among the league leaders, and despite injuries to most of their best and most important peices on defense they finished in the top 10 on that side of the ball as well.
It goes without saying that there are two individuals who made this season one of the most exciting I can remember: Belichick and Cassel. One was tabbed as a coach who succeeded because of one player, the other was tabbed as...well, a terrible backup. Both of those claims have now been debunked, as Belichick had, imo, his most impressive season as a head coach, while Cassel will be the most sought after free agent in the league.
No playoffs? Terribly depressing, and hard to fathom looking at their record. But with the exception of the amazing 2001 team I've never been more impressed with a football team than I am with this squad.
Now wait till 2009...it's on!
You believe wrong. Some of us have been Cassel believers since day one.I believe we all thought the season was over in the first quarter of the first game.
Now wait till 2009...it's on!