How do you feel about this team going into the start of the season?

[VJCPatriot]

I'm a little nervous but excited. The Pats have some exciting new weapons on offense, a fully healthy Brady, and they added a few guys to shore up the defense. Now the defensive aspect of the team worries me more than any other, but I think having so much talent in the secondary helps. What is yet to be seen is if BB can scheme a pass rush and if the DL can execute pressure on the QB consistently this year. I think that's going to be a key factor for us. Looking forward to the Bengals game.

If they live up to their talent level, this could easily be a 12 win team. But the defense has got to make the key stops for us this season.

Go Pats! :rocker:

 

[makoute]

I want the team to win, I will root for them to win, I will however take a wait and see approach, their biggest issues last year, was the second half of games. If they can solve that, they probably will be able to win 10-12 games.

 

[Ryan]

I'm optimistic and excited just like I am every year. I have a great feeling about Brady & the offense, a little concerned with the defense based on the injuries to Bodden & Warren, and expect a very good season overall. I just can't wait for Sunday so we have something meaningful to go by.

Go Pats.

 

[JackBauer]

I feel better than most, probably, but really what I hope for is no more serious injuries. There are only so many high-caliber players we can lose before we hit the tipping point.

 

[sieglo]

I hate to be negative, but injuries seem to kill this team every year and this year we're off to a similar start.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

We have a better team today than we did on 9/8/01.

Oh, and we started off the season that year by losing to the Bengals and Jets in that order.

 

[FCB02062]

Realistically I see between 8 and 10 wins, but I see six games where the opponent will probably put up 28+ on this defense - CIN, @SD, MIN, @ PIT, IND, and GB - so this Pats offense will have to be much more efficient than last year. Last season there were too many opportunities to close out games that were not realized. I don't see a "playmaker" on defense, and that'll be one of the things that keeps this team from getting far in the playoffs should they make it. After watching this defense in preseason and looking at the players that'll be trotting out there trying to stop opposing quarterbacks, how can anyone think this team will be able to stop anyone? I just don't see it happening...hopefully they can find some of that 2001 magic...

 

[Uncle Rico]

I'm "optimistic." In recent years I've been "confident."

FWIW, I started a thread earlier summing up this week's web power ranking. I'm a bit surprised that everyone has the Pats top 10, and mostly in the 6-8 range.

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/587149-power-rankings-week-0-1-a.html

 

[Ben]

imo the offense is gonna need a BIG year, and they look like they can do that this year. I'm very optimistic about this season, and hope the defense builds some character by the playoffs, last year it was tough to watch them get walked all over at times. Hopefully this year that isnt the case.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Quietly confident no, confused no, confident, no ...:stars2:

 

[Tasco]

hopeful, but scared about our young D.

pumped about our O.

 

[Ring 6]

I feel great about the offense. To the extent that worst case we will be like some great O bad D teams with QBs in the top couple in the NFL that win 12+ games.
Defensively, its hard to be optimistic at this point. There are many questions, and the best guess is a pretty average defense. I am fine with that if it grows into more by the postseason.

 

[Rob0729]

I see a team like 2001. They may not have the same results, but I see a team that will start out slow and hit its stride by midseason when the defense gets a little more experience and cohesiveness. I think they have a good shot to win the division. We have seen with a lot of teams in recent history, once you get into the dance anything can happen (the 2005 Steelers, 2007 Giants, the Jets last year).

 

[N.Eman]

Im excited to see the offense but nervous as hell about the defense. I hope we get something going !!

 

[bucky]

Last year's team was a real mess - Brady coming back from injury, Bruschi retires right before the season starts, Seymour traded a week before the season starts. Awful signings of Galloway, Baker, and Springs. There were serious leadership and chemistry issues. And we still managed to win 10 games and lost 4 on the final possession.

I think this team will be better than last year's version. The defense will struggle sometimes. But the offense and ST promise to be much better. Anything less than 10 wins will be a disappointment.

 

[Kontradiction]

I see a potent offense and a defense with some big question marks in it. If some of those question marks are erased throughout the season, we could end up like the 2009 Saints: potent offense to carry us through the season, defense just good enough to make plays when it counts. If those question marks remain, we could end up like the 2004 Colts: potent offense to carry us through the season, defense that can't get it done and helps keep our potent offense off the field.

It depends...

 

[BradyManny]

If they live up to their talent level, this could easily be a 12 win team. But the defense has got to make the key stops for us this season.

Go Pats! :rocker:

I'm extremely excited about the offense.

Before camp, I would've said we were a 13 win team, minimum, in spite of a brutal schedule. I think we were being underrated to a laughable, offensive degree.

That said, since then, we have lost Bodden, Warren, Mankins, Kaczur & McGowan. That is an awful lot of adversity for this early in the season.

I think Bruschi was on point when he said that healthwise, this camp couldn't have got much worse.

Thank god we still have Brady & Moss (knock on wood), b/c the health of those two will truly determine this season.

I'd say 11 or 12 wins now - with the team peaking at the right chance and having as good a chance as anyone to win the title. This offense should be as efficient and balanced as ever. Maybe not as potent in terms of production as 2007, but hopefully a blend of the sheer dominance of 2007 with the relentless, versatile attack we saw in 2004.

This offense can and will carry this team...as long as Brady and Moss are healthy.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Lack of adjustment.

Doing the same thing that is not working, over and over again and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity.

To whom is this directed?

The fans? I really doubt what any of does has much impact on the team. (Well, other than cheering real loud on third down when NE is on defense)

The team, BB? Not working? What's not working?

Three titles in 10 years? 70% win record in the regular season? 79% win record in the post-season?

If BB keeps doing what he has been doing and getting the same result, I will be very happy with another 4 superbowl appearance, three ending in victory over the next decade. Anyone who would not be happy with that is insane.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

I feel great about the offense. To the extent that worst case we will be like some great O bad D teams with QBs in the top couple in the NFL that win 12+ games.
Defensively, its hard to be optimistic at this point. There are many questions, and the best guess is a pretty average defense. I am fine with that if it grows into more by the postseason.

what he said:rocker:

 

[Armen Da Pats Fan]

Feeling three emotions:

1. Optimistic - Because I just love our team, and I think with Brady & Belichick here we always have a decent shot at winning. Plus, I just love when fall and football roll around.

2. Nervous/Anxious - This team has a lot of holes from where I am looking. Secondary, D-Line, Running Back. Injuries have hit us hard already and we haven't even snapped them for real yet. I am interested to see how Belichick makes this all come together, but I am cautiously optimistic that he will.

3. Realistic - I am setting my expectations at 9-7, 10-6 and no playoffs. That way, I can sit back and enjoy the season without wondering why I am not watching a 12-4 team every week. If they should end up 12-4, wonderful, I get a bonus. if they don't, I get to watch my favorite team work their way through an average season.

As a Pats fan for close to 35 years, I have lived through a LOT worse than anything 2010 can dish out, that's for sure!