The pats work best with their backs against the wall. We've seen time and time again that when the national media works as an echo chamber to distort concerns about the team, Belichick uses it to his advantage. It's not just "bulletin board material," it's more a state of mind that he cultivates. "Everyone thinks we're cheaters/our time has passed...what are you going to do about it?"
We are in a great position from a motivation standpoint right now. If you read the national media you'd think that a team that's one year removed from an 11-5 season that has its all-world quarterback back in action is somehow on the decline. Not so fast, daddy. I know the team hasn't looked great, but let's get some perspective: Brady's second game back, in his first game he led a 11 point comeback in less than four minutes of game time, and the Jets only won by 7 points. You'd think it was the kind of thumping we usually put on them with the way things feel.
He's out there giving the game ball to people like it was a super bowl. What a stupid move. That team is in for ANOTHER Jets letdown, but I digress. From the perspective of getting Tommy nice and motivated and finding new leaders in the locker room, could we possibly be in a better position this season.
I expect we will win on Sunday. I posted last week that I expected we'd lose to New York, but I think that will have been a blessing in disguise. I saw good things out of this young team last week; the biggest problem remains the offensive line, but get Welker back and perhaps start bringing Edelman along in a more definitive way, and you're still looking at AFC East champs. Bank it. They'll beat the Falcons this week and they'll still go at least 12-4 this year.
Last year I said 11-5 after the Jets game. No B.S. This year I think we're looking at another Super Bowl run. It just might be a rough September. But, get excited. I'm telling you, this is the ideal motivational position for Belichick.
