What was learned from the Browns loss

[wiggins!]

I know that I'm not the only one who after that game spun the loss as a "learning experience." That the loss was going to be a "teaching lesson" for the rest of the season that the coaching staff could use. All the positive ways to spin a loss etc etc.

But after reading this part of Belichick's press conference from Monday, he was asked about the play of the team since the loss:

"Well, sure, I think that game was a real life example of not being ready to play as a total team – coaches, players, everybody – not doing a good job and not having a good result. But, again, each week we have a big challenge. It is a huge challenge this week against the Packers. This is a really good football team. But, we played a good team last week and before that and before that and we got them ahead of us. So, each week, we just try to isolate the opponent and look at ourselves and try to find the matchups and understand the game plan, understand how we want to play the game and then go out there and practice it and try to get to the best position we can by Sunday to execute it."

There is more to the answer but that's enough to echo my point from that game and those who were thinking along the same lines as me. 6 - 1 at the time and most people saying they were the best team in the league or in the conversation, young athletes who come from winning college programs can think it's just as easy as in the NFL...lesson learned!

When this season is over (hopefully the way we all want!) I'm at least going to look back at that loss and believe that the next day THIS Patriots team was born.

thoughts?

 

[billikens]

You wonder what would have happened in 2007 if we had a game like that.

I also wonder, considering the last possession of the Patriots in the 2007 Super Bowl (1st sack, 2nd incompletion to Moss, 3rd incompletion to Moss, 4th incompletion to Moss, game over), when all we needed was a field goal, was what would have happened if Branch was playing instead of Moss.

 

[patsfan13]

Think of the situation we win 3 big games, Ravens, Chargers and Vikings, we have an 'easy' games against the Browns and a rookie QB, followed by games with the mighty Colts and Steelers, we have a young team. Classic NFL trap game they weren't prepared they got spanked, lesson learned, BB VW & Brady won't let the lesson be forgotten.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

I'm still not happy we lost that game But you're right, it could prove to be a valuable lesson this young team had to learn the hard way. And we responded in a big way.

I wonder if we would have matured the same way if we had won that Browns game, squeaked out a win somehow, then went into Pittsburgh feeling invincible still. Maybe we don't beat them, and maybe we're not as confident the next week against the Colts, and who knows?

 

[billikens]

I think it definitely was a turning point. Before the Browns game, they reminded me of the 2001 overachievers. And the Brown's game, the 2007 dominant force. And they're getting better, scarily enough. Just keep your fingers crosses about McCourty.

 

[Patstopia]

I'm sure after the crap last year, BB goes to bed with a big smile and a grateful prayer.

 

[Kontradiction]

You wonder what would have happened in 2007 if we had a game like that.

I also wonder, considering the last possession of the Patriots in the 2007 Super Bowl (1st sack, 2nd incompletion to Moss, 3rd incompletion to Moss, 4th incompletion to Moss, game over), when all we needed was a field goal, was what would have happened if Branch was playing instead of Moss.

We still would have lost the Super Bowl. Not losing a game had nothing to do with Stephen Neal leaving the game and the Giants being able to generate an extreme amount of pressure up the middle consistently throughout that game afterward.

Anyway, nice post. Dare I say that BB got some moderate amount of enjoyment in the aftermath of that loss because it gave him an opportunity to really do some coaching.

 

[monarchsent]

Never under estimate opponent

 

[monarchsent]

Shocked byt the Pats

 

[Kontradiction]

Shocked byt the Pats

Would you like me to loan you 100 posts so you can start a thread, my man?

 

[monarchsent]

Again just one loss

 

[Patspsycho]

Would you like me to loan you 100 posts so you can start a thread, my man?

I was just thinking the same thing. He seems intent on starting a thread of his own.

 

[TB146]

Again just one loss

What exactly is your point, my verbally economical friend?


I mean:
Please explain your post.
(1, 2, 3, 4... good)

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

Brady said as much in his weekly D&C spot this morning. They were talking about 2007 and they asked him if the sting of that loss was propelling them and motivating the team right now (which I for 1 thought was a dumb question).

Brady said "no, most of these guys were't even around back then and that loss means nothing to them" but them immediately followed with "But they all do remember the Cleveland game ".

Obviously something lit inside these guys after that loss.