Let's not forget when we were the heart breakers

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

The year is 2001. You're a Steelers fan. Your #1 seeded team is about to host the AFC Championship game against the Pats. You have the #1 running game, a great defense and a deep corp of WRs. Are you really that nervous? Don't you expect to win this one?

It's one week later. You're a Rams fan. Your #1 seeded team is about to play the Pats in the Super Bowl. You already beat the Pats on the road, and now you have the Greatest Show on Turf playing on turf. Are you really that nervous? Don't you expect to win this one?

The year is 2004. You're a Steelers fan again. Your #1 seeded team is about to host the AFC Championship game again against the Pats. You already beat them down during the regular season. Your team's on a 15 game winning streak. It won't be easy but in the end, don't you expect to win this one?

The year is 2006. You're a Chargers fan. Your #1 seeded team is about to host an AFC divisional game against the Pats. You have the #1 offense (by a lot) in the NFL, you're undefeated at home and riding a 10 game winning streak. The Pats defense is very good but in the end, don't you expect to win this one?

I know a lot of Pats fans are hurting and looking for answers. How did we blow it? It's simple: sometimes the other team simply plays better than you. We've been there. We've done it that way. Yeah it sucks to have such a good team and go home early. I bet it sucked for their fans too when it was them instead of us.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

The year is 2001. You're a Steelers fan. Your #1 seeded team is about to host the AFC Championship game against the Pats. You have the #1 running game, a great defense and a deep corp of WRs. Are you really that nervous? Don't you expect to win this one?

It's one week later. You're a Rams fan. Your #1 seeded team is about to play the Pats in the Super Bowl. You already beat the Pats on the road, and now you have the Greatest Show on Turf playing on turf. Are you really that nervous? Don't you expect to win this one?

The year is 2004. You're a Steelers fan again. Your #1 seeded team is about to host the AFC Championship game again against the Pats. You already beat them down during the regular season. Your team's on a 15 game winning streak. It won't be easy but in the end, don't you expect to win this one?

The year is 2006. You're a Chargers fan. Your #1 seeded team is about to host an AFC divisional game against the Pats. You have the #1 offense (by a lot) in the NFL, you're undefeated at home and riding a 10 game winning streak. The Pats defense is very good but in the end, don't you expect to win this one?

I know a lot of Pats fans are hurting and looking for answers. How did we blow it? It's simple: sometimes the other team simply plays better than you. We've been there. We've done it that way. Yeah it sucks to have such a good team and go home early. I bet it sucked for their fans too when it was them instead of us.

Very, very well said. The world does not revolve around the Patriots, although it once seemed to for a four-year stretch.

 

[BlueString94]

That's exactly what I was thinking. Being a Rams fan in 2001? That's just as bad as us in 2007. Same situation down to the last detail (except for perfect season)

 

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

That's exactly what I was thinking. Being a Rams fan in 2001? That's just as bad as us in 2007. Same situation down to the last detail (except for perfect season)

Exactly. For about an hour after that 2007 Super Bowl, I was crushed. Then it hit me. The Giants were us and we were the Rams. We had been on the winning end of that kind of matchup and now we were on the losing end. I started to feel better instantly because it made that 2001 Super Bowl feel even more special.

Ever since then, I've been quick to get over every loss.

 

[Patsattax]

Exactly. For about an hour after that 2007 Super Bowl, I was crushed. Then it hit me. The Giants were us and we were the Rams. We had been on the winning end of that kind of matchup and now we were on the losing end. I started to feel better instantly because it made that 2001 Super Bowl feel even more special.

Ever since then, I've been quick to get over every loss.

Ha! That's funny I said the same thing immediately after the game in 07/8.
And honestly as much as these losses hurt they really aren't so bad if you put it into perspective how lucky Boston/new England had been from 01-07...

 

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

Ha! That's funny I said the same thing immediately after the game in 07/8.
And honestly as much as these losses hurt they really aren't so bad if you put it into perspective how lucky Boston/new England had been from 01-07...

That's what it comes down to for me. My grandpa died in 2007. He had been a die-hard Saints fan since the moment New Orleans was awarded a franchise. Just having a winning record was a big deal for most of the history of that team. He didn't get to see them at the top. I would give anything to have been able to sit down and watch that Super Bowl with him and see how happy it would have made him when they won.

I was able to see mine. I was able to see that FG go through the uprights and the clock hit zero. Then I got to see it twice more. Of course I'd like to see them win again. I'm a fan and that's human nature. Of course there will always be disappointment when they lose. In the end though, they've done enough for me. A lot of people aren't fortunate enough to get to say that.

 

[pheenix11]

It's like that last M&M in the bag, I just want one more to savor. 2001, 2003/2004 came and went too quickly, I didn't truly realize what we were experiencing.

Just one more. Please, I need a hit.

 

[mcgraw_wv]

So basically your saying, losing heart, and the passion to defend what you work so hard for through out the season is natural after you feel you achieved a lofty position as the #1 seed?

What I am feeling overall is that, the passion to win another championship is gone. The requirement to be ready to go to war for those around you simply is not there in this group of "leaders".

 

[mcgraw_wv]

That's what it comes down to for me. My grandpa died in 2007. He had been a die-hard Saints fan since the moment New Orleans was awarded a franchise. Just having a winning record was a big deal for most of the history of that team. He didn't get to see them at the top. I would give anything to have been able to sit down and watch that Super Bowl with him and see how happy it would have made him when they won.

I was able to see mine. I was able to see that FG go through the uprights and the clock hit zero. Then I got to see it twice more. Of course I'd like to see them win again. I'm a fan and that's human nature. Of course there will always be disappointment when they lose. In the end though, they've done enough for me. A lot of people aren't fortunate enough to get to say that.

That's true, and I am very thankful for being able to see those 3 wins, I was even lucky enough to be at the firs tone.

But after 04, with the team basically still intact and playing at a high level, didn't you see the chance to be the greatest of all time... and 06, came and went, oh what could have happened... 07... DOH!, now

After 07, we could have been 5 out of 7 and been the most greatest bestest indisputable franchise ever... Now were starring down a 7th for the Steelers ( 4 MORE THAN US ) or our most hated rival of all rivals...

This is the reality of it... Blown chances, could haves, would haves, should haves... How many chances do YOU have to be great? I have seen the Pats become great 3 times, and let 3 other times slip away.

 

[DropKickFlutie]

CrazyPatriotGuy = not so crazy, in fact an impressively rational and wise thread you've got here.
Nice perspective.

 

[Potstickas]

Some young pats fans need to realize that getting to the big game is not automatic and winning the big one is not easy. This is why playoffs are played. Any given week, especially in the playoffs.