SI's Best and Worst of the decade, all-decade team

[SVN]

FWIW
Tom Brady, Patriots are tops in NFL decade; Lions at bottom - 2000s: The Decade in Sports - SI.com
Pats mentioned quite a bit...
all our frustrated feelings aside this week...a decent reminder of how good we have had .

 

[PatsFaninME]

Manning's the best of the decade only if you don't count his playoff record/stats or winning.

 

[TennesseePatriot]

Many great Pats games of the decade mentioned. Sadly Super Bowl XLII was included, but the 2001 AFC Championship made up for it.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Not much to argue with there. I could make a couple of homer arguments, but they'd be homer.

The treatment of Belichick is fair and he can only hope that the other HOF electors see it the same way and don't deprive him of the first ballot trip to Canton that he deserves.

The Tyree game is what it is. It is already being treated as an anomaly by knowledgeable fans and will, I think, eventually be regarded as a Fluke when the dust settles, especially if Manning doesn't return to a Super Bowl.

Even if the Colts win it all this year, the Pats are the team of the decade and the Pats are the best franchise in the league. Looks like the Steelers aren't going to grab a third Lombardi and contest it.

I'm glad to see that Adam gets the credit he deserves. That kick in the Snowbowl to send the game into OT...virtually a line drive from 45 yards out in a driving Blizzard...I have to say it is the greatest single play I've ever watched in any sport. Hopefully, he will be the second K to go to Canton; I think King is signalling that he's on Board for that. I know we (myself included) are all on board for Ghost, but I thought of Adam in the Saints game when Gostkowski missed a kick from virtually the same spot on the field from which Number Four won SB XXXVI. How different the last nine years might have been if Adam had done the same thing that night.

Manning comes out on top individually, but Brady is mentioned in every sentence. They'll still be arguing which is the better when our great-grandkids are picking up a football for the first time, so a bunch of homers aren't going to settle it now. It would be kind of nice if they retire in the same year and go in together, but the NFL wouldn't like that. They'll want two years of stories out of it.

 

[chris66]

My only gripe with this is King is doing team of the decade, but when it comes to QB he takes Manning because he is having the better year.

 

[patriotsdynasty12189]

Not much to argue with there. I could make a couple of homer arguments, but they'd be homer.

The treatment of Belichick is fair and he can only hope that the other HOF electors see it the same way and don't deprive him of the first ballot trip to Canton that he deserves.

The Tyree game is what it is. It is already being treated as an anomaly by knowledgeable fans and will, I think, eventually be regarded as a Fluke when the dust settles, especially if Manning doesn't return to a Super Bowl.

Even if the Colts win it all this year, the Pats are the team of the decade and the Pats are the best franchise in the league. Looks like the Steelers aren't going to grab a third Lombardi and contest it.

I'm glad to see that Adam gets the credit he deserves. That kick in the Snowbowl to send the game into OT...virtually a line drive from 45 yards out in a driving Blizzard...I have to say it is the greatest single play I've ever watched in any sport. Hopefully, he will be the second K to go to Canton; I think King is signalling that he's on Board for that. I know we (myself included) are all on board for Ghost, but I thought of Adam in the Saints game when Gostkowski missed a kick from virtually the same spot on the field from which Number Four won SB XXXVI. How different the last nine years might have been if Adam had done the same thing that night.

Manning comes out on top individually, but Brady is mentioned in every sentence. They'll still be arguing which is the better when our great-grandkids are picking up a football for the first time, so a bunch of homers aren't going to settle it now. It would be kind of nice if they retire in the same year and go in together, but the NFL wouldn't like that. They'll want two years of stories out of it.

Best thing I have read on here in a while.

It's so true, its part 2 of whos better. First it was Montana and Marino and thats still unsettled, and now it's Brady and Manning. I think the Patriots are definatley the team of the decade...not looking at the numbers but just by watching the game. Everyone who watched football in the 2000's knows that the Patriots were the team of the decade...I just wish this team could pull out some heart like the 03-04 teams did. Two of the best seasons ever.

Tom Brady vs Peyton Mannning, who is better. That question will never be answered. We forget that 30 other teams in the league, dont have the privledge of watching these 2 grow up and play the game it was ment to be played.

 

[WhiZa]

Best Rivalry I would say is BB vs Manning.

The best Superbowl would be Pats vs Rams. Though I'm biased.

Also I would say the Cowboys stadium is not the best with the issues they have. I'd probably go with the Cardinals stadium.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Best Rivalry I would say is BB vs Manning.

The best Superbowl would be Pats vs Rams. Though I'm biased.

Also I would say the Cowboys stadium is not the best with the issues they have. I'd probably go with the Cardinals stadium.

Get thee behind me! The Cardinals stadium is an evil place where evil things happen. It is an abomination upon the earth.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Many great Pats games of the decade mentioned. Sadly Super Bowl XLII was included, but the 2001 AFC Championship made up for it.

My view on XLII is that non-Pats fans no doubt could see it as one of the great games of the decade at this time. But, I think that it is also a game the perception of which will change with time. Even now, people outside of New England are starting to discuss the 18--1 season with respect and not the derision with which many fools defined it at the time.

Eventually (and I'm talking 15--20 years from now), assuming that Eli doesn't return to the SB (which I believe is a very good assumption), I think Tyree's catch and Manning's "one great drive" will be spoken of as a fluke by knowledgeable fans. For now, we just have to take it on the chin, time and time again.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

My only gripe with this is King is doing team of the decade, but when it comes to QB he takes Manning because he is having the better year.

That's a debate that will go on for decades and won't be settled by homers like us.

 

[DarrylS]

King or anyone can say what they want, but when Peyton has three rings then it will be worthy of a real discussion...

Consider the receivers that Brady had in the SB's we won, and compare them to the receivers that Manning has had to work with in the past decade...

Consistency of coaching is another factor... we have been through how many O coordinators???

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I have a few minor gripes, but just one major gripe. Best single game performance is hands down 20-3 over the Colts in 2004. I don't know where the hell they get off thinking the Ravens trouncing a mediocre Giants team is the best. That was one of the worst years ever in terms of quality teams.

The Patriots went up against one of the greatest offenses of all time and completely shut them down. To beat a team like that 20-3 is downright ridiculous.

 

[brady et al fan]

I have a few minor gripes, but just one major gripe. Best single game performance is hands down 20-3 over the Colts in 2004. I don't know where the hell they get off thinking the Ravens trouncing a mediocre Giants team is the best. That was one of the worst years ever in terms of quality teams.

The Patriots went up against one of the greatest offenses of all time and completely shut them down. To beat a team like that 20-3 is downright ridiculous.

now that's what I'm talkin about! Was that the game that led the "GM of the decade" to get rule changes for pass interference?

 

[chris66]

now that's what I'm talkin about! Was that the game that led the "GM of the decade" to get rule changes for pass interference?

Look where all the pro offense rule changes have led to. there will probably be 2 teams this year that go undefeated. that will be 3 teams in 3 years.