Lansdowne
In the Starting Line-Up
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2005
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Note: This is me getting some thoughts out about my feelings about this season. Sorry because I know we get a bunch of these threads around here. But I wanted to share this with you guys because more than anyone else, you would understand. I post this in a general sports/NFL forum and all I would get is venom from others.
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Count me among those who feel the Jets were the best matchup for the Pats for the divisional round. Their quarterback is awful and the Pats have gotten the better of the Rex Ryan-era Jets in Foxboro every time. I'm not lacking for confidence. But the possibility, as remote as it may seem, that the season could potentially end for us on Sunday strikes fear in me.
Now, don't get me wrong. We all know what's at stake every time the Pats are in the playoffs: win or go home. That concept has never changed.
But personally, I have cherished this year's Patriots team so much that it would sadden me to see it end now. Not necessarily because they would fall short of expectations. After all, those expectations were fairly low, even within New England, going into the season. No, not for expecting a championship. But rather, because this team has been just so damn fun to watch each and every game.
Yes, every season is unique. But this one really stands out to me. 1996 was pretty fun, though I admit I don't remember a whole lot of the regular season, I missed too many games. 2001 was crazy and I couldn't believe it was happening as it was unfolding. It was pretty surreal. That's the closest thing I've felt to how I feel about this season. 2007 was special too, but it wasn't as much fun for me. It felt more personal. I couldn't talk to non-Pats fans because of all the Spygate crap. I wasn't allowed to enjoy any of those wins without asterisk this or cheating that or blah blah blah. Then when they fell short in that horrible final game, everyone else on those forums rejoiced at my expense and nobody sympathized. I never felt so bitter about a whole season. I had too much invested emotionally.
But with this 2010 team, it's different. It really is. Sure, I'll be disappointed if they fall short of Brady getting his fourth ring. But that won't change the fact that I really enjoyed this team and this season. Watching the kids grow up before our very eyes. Watching Belichick and Brady put on an absolute clinic as leaders and mentors. So many great moments that there are too many to list and single out. Just pure, genuine joy.
I have a colleague at work who is anti-Boston, and he asked me my thoughts about the playoffs. I told him quite simply I don't want it to end yet for the Patriots, that I'm having too much fun. He said I had plenty of fun in 2007, 16-0 team and such. I told him that wasn't fun, it was too personal and not getting the last laugh ruined it for me. That taught me never to take any Patriots game for granted. I told him that 2010 isn't anything like that, and that it's more about the journey than the destination, and it's true.
We're approaching that destination, which is only a few short weeks away. This has been the most fun and enjoyable Patriots season of my life, and like all of you, I don't want it to end. But it has to end at some point, and I just hope that when it does, that it's concluded with a victory parade in the streets of Boston.
Looking forward to Sunday, with hopefully another game to follow.
---
Count me among those who feel the Jets were the best matchup for the Pats for the divisional round. Their quarterback is awful and the Pats have gotten the better of the Rex Ryan-era Jets in Foxboro every time. I'm not lacking for confidence. But the possibility, as remote as it may seem, that the season could potentially end for us on Sunday strikes fear in me.
Now, don't get me wrong. We all know what's at stake every time the Pats are in the playoffs: win or go home. That concept has never changed.
But personally, I have cherished this year's Patriots team so much that it would sadden me to see it end now. Not necessarily because they would fall short of expectations. After all, those expectations were fairly low, even within New England, going into the season. No, not for expecting a championship. But rather, because this team has been just so damn fun to watch each and every game.
Yes, every season is unique. But this one really stands out to me. 1996 was pretty fun, though I admit I don't remember a whole lot of the regular season, I missed too many games. 2001 was crazy and I couldn't believe it was happening as it was unfolding. It was pretty surreal. That's the closest thing I've felt to how I feel about this season. 2007 was special too, but it wasn't as much fun for me. It felt more personal. I couldn't talk to non-Pats fans because of all the Spygate crap. I wasn't allowed to enjoy any of those wins without asterisk this or cheating that or blah blah blah. Then when they fell short in that horrible final game, everyone else on those forums rejoiced at my expense and nobody sympathized. I never felt so bitter about a whole season. I had too much invested emotionally.
But with this 2010 team, it's different. It really is. Sure, I'll be disappointed if they fall short of Brady getting his fourth ring. But that won't change the fact that I really enjoyed this team and this season. Watching the kids grow up before our very eyes. Watching Belichick and Brady put on an absolute clinic as leaders and mentors. So many great moments that there are too many to list and single out. Just pure, genuine joy.
I have a colleague at work who is anti-Boston, and he asked me my thoughts about the playoffs. I told him quite simply I don't want it to end yet for the Patriots, that I'm having too much fun. He said I had plenty of fun in 2007, 16-0 team and such. I told him that wasn't fun, it was too personal and not getting the last laugh ruined it for me. That taught me never to take any Patriots game for granted. I told him that 2010 isn't anything like that, and that it's more about the journey than the destination, and it's true.
We're approaching that destination, which is only a few short weeks away. This has been the most fun and enjoyable Patriots season of my life, and like all of you, I don't want it to end. But it has to end at some point, and I just hope that when it does, that it's concluded with a victory parade in the streets of Boston.
Looking forward to Sunday, with hopefully another game to follow.
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