2007 to 2009 getting used to losing

[Dagg]

The 2007 season spoiled us all, not losing a game for the entire regular season sets some high standards. Even last year in defeats I went kicking and screaming and that was with Cassell in there and while it was easier cause we didnt have Brady I still didnt like it. Yesterday I think my will is finally broken. Even in the pit of my stomach I knew we were going to lose that game as the 4th quarter progressed(normally this feeling is brought on by a second or third quarter missed field goal by Gostkowski in a close game where I turn and say I hate f'in kickers thats going to hurt us later on) but thats another thread.

Finally when it happenend no anger, no ranting phone calls to friends. No..nothing..just a click and ok what game should I watch at 4PM. I have been a fan since the early 80's so I have been through the hard times. And this doesnt compare. I just think we are on track for playoffs(sort of) I guess which us maybe why I am not worried or lack emotion.

Maybe deep down I know even if we get in, we dont have a decent shot to win it all and that hasnt happenend in many years.

 

[Nunchucks]

Once, long ago, I had the mindset that the Patriots would lose every game they played. They were so bad that to even watch them havea positive play such as a first down brought me joy.

Over the years, this mindset has changed, to the point where anytime they punt or the opponent got points I was severly disapointed.

I must return to this mindset in order to enjoy my Patriots. it isn't something I am proud to do, but I know that to expect the Patriots to win any game they play is unrealistic and will bring me great heartache.

Instead, I will think they are going to lose and be suprised when they win.

 

[RobertWeathers]

This is the 1999 season, 1987 season and 1979 season. Just just get the feeling that the team is good, has talent, has playmakers, but is a total tease.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

This is the 1999 season, 1987 season and 1979 season. Just just get the feeling that the team is good, has talent, has playmakers, but is a total tease.

Those teams came to mind as well , when thinking about the Pats..

 

[RobertWeathers]

Those teams came to mind as well , when thinking about the Pats..

I was just a kid during the 79 season but I remember the team starting well and collapsing. 87 was the strike year, but at 4-3 had 2 very winnable games vs down and out Giants and Cowboys teams and lost them both. If they beat those 2 teams and eventually they beat Indy which should have put them at 7-3 but instead were 5-5. They were cooked.

1999 started out 6-2 but went 2-6 the rest of he way. I remember folks calling for Ernie Zampeze's head that year.

What did all 3 have in common? All seasons were the inflection point of rebuilding jobs.

 

[brady et al fan]

I am there now. I had been able to explain their last 2 losses because they were against undefeated teams on the road. Yesterday's loss was very telling to me. Getting the ball with 1 minute left and Brady at helm usually meant at least a FG attempt to me. That's Brady time. Yesterday's result has become the more expected result now. In a tight game, either we don't stop the other team or we fail to score ourselves.

The ability to finish a game is what made this team the dynasty that they were. The have lost that. I think there are a number of reasons but I will watch the remainder of the season no longer expecting a win. All of last week's prognostications of them winning out was based on the Patriots of the past. This squad is not that team anymore.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Losing is fine but it's the way we are losing. The team just looks lost out there. They haven't been executing in the 2nd halves and it's not getting any better. The red zone offense isn't improving. The defense has gotten worse if anything. It's just very hard to see how close we are to being where we want to be and hard to confide in this staff's ability to make the adjustments. It's all 'correctable' according to our staff but will they 'correct' it in time?

 

[Jimke]

I have followed this team thru the Holovak, Fairbanks, Meyer/Berry,
Parcells, and Belichick eras. All these regimes had some good teams.
Their demise began when the good players began to leave and the
replacements were inferior.

The Patriots have only Warren and Wilfork as defensive starters from
the Superbowl days. The other players for the most part are inferior
to the players they replaced.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

I was just a kid during the 79 season but I remember the team starting well and collapsing. 87 was the strike year, but at 4-3 had 2 very winnable games vs down and out Giants and Cowboys teams and lost them both. If they beat those 2 teams and eventually they beat Indy which should have put them at 7-3 but instead were 5-5. They were cooked.

1999 started out 6-2 but went 2-6 the rest of he way. I remember folks calling for Ernie Zampeze's head that year.

What did all 3 have in common? All seasons were the inflection point of rebuilding jobs.

Was also a kid in 79, remember they lost to a jets team that they blew out 56-3 that year... 87 the strike hurt us, and also Grogan proved he was a better choice than Eason... But he was so hurt that year, Tom Ramsey played a few games that year... 99 , was another slide late in the year for Pete Caroll..

 

[Spiral]

This team reminds me of the Dan Marino-era Dolphins teams. Ironically, on a throw-back uniform day, it seemed like the Dolphins were wearing the Patriots uniforms. It used to be the Patriots who played tough, hung in there, and found a way to win against teams that had more "talent."

 

[PATSNUTme]

Fortunately or unfortunately some posters here don't have any idea of what being a fan of a losing team really is like.

Many of use were fans of 2-14 teams in the past. Many of us were happy when the team even had a remote chance of making the playoffs.

So I do get angry and disappointed when The Patriots lose games. But I've had a big taste of what being a fan of a real losing team, for many years, was like. And I don't forget that.

This team is not a losing team and I still think, if the can get a couple OL players back, they can still make a run. They are not that far off.

 

[TheComeback]

This team reminds me of the Dan Marino-era Dolphins teams. Ironically, on a throw-back uniform day, it seemed like the Dolphins were wearing the Patriots uniforms. It used to be the Patriots who played tough, hung in there, and found a way to win against teams that had more "talent."

The Dolphins are looking like they'll take over the AFC East in a few seasons. BB needs to do what has rarely been done, and that's build a new championship team from the leftovers of an old one.

 

[The Dynasty]

The Dolphins are looking like they'll take over the AFC East in a few seasons. BB needs to do what has rarely been done, and that's build a new championship team from the leftovers of an old one.

I dont know about take over the AFC East, but will definitely be at or near the top year in and year out. They have a solid, young defense and a very good running game with Williams and Brown and a solid QB in either Pennington or Henne which ever they go with. They are just 1 WR short of really being one of the better teams in the NFL