VJCPatriot
Pro Bowl Player
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2006
- Messages
- 16,650
- Reaction score
- 5,219
The Patriots have not won a Superbowl championship since 2004. What have they been doing since then?
2005 10-6 Division Title, Lost to Broncos in Divisional Playoff round, Bailey returns Brady INT for touchdown
2006 12-4 Division Title, Lost to Colts in AFC Championship game, Peyton Manning's 1st Title, Defensive meltdown in 2nd half
2007 16-0 Division Title, Perfect Season, Superbowl loss to Giants, Eli Manning's 1st Title, Tyree's miracle catch extends gamewinning drive
2008 11-5 Missed Playoffs, Brady out for season, Cassel steps up
All in all, the results are not bad. Most teams would kill to make the playoffs in 3 of the last 4 seasons and to win their Division titles in 3 straight seasons. However compared to the Dynasty years, 2001-2004, the level of success is not as high as is expected in Foxboro.
Which brings me to my point. The 2009 offseason is likely the most critical year for this team to return to where it wants to be, a football dynasty to be remembered for the ages. The other team that threatens to become a dynasty are the Pittsburgh Steelers who have now won Championships in 2005 and 2008 respectively.
With Cassel as a trading chip, the Patriots may have the most draft points in the history of their dynasty this year. There are also some impact free agents available on the market that may improve this team's fortune.
It has become clear that the Pats defense waned this year. A defensive unit that was previously ridden to 3 superbowl titles is missing some key ingredients - #1 shutdown corner (no Law or Asante here), outstanding passrusher/OLB (McGinest is long gone), smashmouth safety (no milloy, no harrison).
BB will have the draft picks, and after Cassel is traded, he will have the cap space to make a splash in the free agent market. The key is to do the proper grocery shopping. The Patriots dynasty CAN be revived. But the pieces they pick up in 2009 will be CRUCIAL in determining whether or not that happens.
2005 10-6 Division Title, Lost to Broncos in Divisional Playoff round, Bailey returns Brady INT for touchdown
2006 12-4 Division Title, Lost to Colts in AFC Championship game, Peyton Manning's 1st Title, Defensive meltdown in 2nd half
2007 16-0 Division Title, Perfect Season, Superbowl loss to Giants, Eli Manning's 1st Title, Tyree's miracle catch extends gamewinning drive
2008 11-5 Missed Playoffs, Brady out for season, Cassel steps up
All in all, the results are not bad. Most teams would kill to make the playoffs in 3 of the last 4 seasons and to win their Division titles in 3 straight seasons. However compared to the Dynasty years, 2001-2004, the level of success is not as high as is expected in Foxboro.
Which brings me to my point. The 2009 offseason is likely the most critical year for this team to return to where it wants to be, a football dynasty to be remembered for the ages. The other team that threatens to become a dynasty are the Pittsburgh Steelers who have now won Championships in 2005 and 2008 respectively.
With Cassel as a trading chip, the Patriots may have the most draft points in the history of their dynasty this year. There are also some impact free agents available on the market that may improve this team's fortune.
It has become clear that the Pats defense waned this year. A defensive unit that was previously ridden to 3 superbowl titles is missing some key ingredients - #1 shutdown corner (no Law or Asante here), outstanding passrusher/OLB (McGinest is long gone), smashmouth safety (no milloy, no harrison).
BB will have the draft picks, and after Cassel is traded, he will have the cap space to make a splash in the free agent market. The key is to do the proper grocery shopping. The Patriots dynasty CAN be revived. But the pieces they pick up in 2009 will be CRUCIAL in determining whether or not that happens.