PATs "we're 9-4" comments

[JR4]

Has anyone noticed how Belichick, Brady and now Kraft seem to be
defending themselfs with the "well were 9-4" type comments.
Before its was well were 9- 3 now it's "were 9-4".

I know in previous SuperBowl years they didn't have to defend themselfs
because they weren't losing in December. But it just seems strange.
I would have thought Belichick would be saying
"I'm not really concerned about the record ... what is important is the
next game ... well see how it all works out in the end."

 

[BelichickFan]

Re: PATs "were 9-4" comments

Don't we already have 16 threads about this ?

How about this game :

http://sports-att.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=241220015

In December. At Miami.

 

[Brownfan80]

Re: PATs "were 9-4" comments

Don't we already have 16 threads about this ?

How about this game :

http://sports-att.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=241220015

In December. At Miami.

Let's not talk about that game. I spent alot of money to go to that game. And it wasn't worth the trip! Bad, bad memories.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Re: PATs "were 9-4" comments

It's because idiots in the media and idiot fans are harping and whining about it. Every 5 mins there seems to be a new crisis for the idiot media to talk about ( that's how they feed their families) then the idiot fans jump on it and harp and whine about it.

15 years ago the question would have been. You are 9-4, how great do you feeel about that! Then the fans would have been on cloud 9. Now, we have a bunch of spoiled fans and a media who will kick over every pebble to try to find something to shoot there mouths off about.

Hope that answers you question.

 

[Brownfan80]

Re: PATs "were 9-4" comments

It's because idiots in the media and idiot fans are harping and whining about it. Every 5 mins there seems to be a new crisis for the idiot media to talk about ( that's how they feed their families) then the idiot fans jump on it and harp and whine about it.

15 years ago the question would have been. You are 9-4, how great do you feeel about that! Then the fans would have been on cloud 9. Now, we have a bunch of spoiled fans and a media who will kick over every pebble to try to find something to shoot there mouths off about.

Hope that answers you question.

Also, I think the more direct responses are BB and Brady's way of saying: "Well what the hell did you EXPECT from this season with only Troy coming back at WR? This is a good result, you idiots!"

 

[psychoPat]

It is a decided change of attitude
... which, i'm afraid, does not bode well.

The coach, the star, the other players have never before
taken shelter under their won-lost record.
It has always been, Well That Was Then ... We Have An Important Game To Play
And Have To Keep Improving!

 

[BelichickFan]

A big part of leadership is knowing when to kick some ass and when to praise. It appears that Belichick and Brady have decided, for the time being anyway, the team needs the boost of confidence to be reminded they still have one of the better records in the league. There's nothing wrong with that, you just have to have your finger on the psyche of the team.

 

[RayClay]

I took it as, we played like crap a few games but we're 9-4.

We know how to win and we're going to see who's with us. Not Doug, not Pass etc.

It is kind of ridiculous to have to apologize for that record. Read their body language, BB and Brady are pissed and their are going to be some intense practices and maybe more men overboard.

 

[PatsDeb]

When you think about it, how many other teams could go through the turmoil (Branch situation and resulting shuttling in and out of receivers) and injury problems the Pats have and still have the record they do? It is a testament to BB, Brady, and the other guys on the team that they have been able to pull together as much as they have this season. I am sure they are propping themselves up to a certain extent by repeating this mantra in the face of unrelenting scrutiny and griping by the media and fans (myself included at times). If they could just put the same team on the field for a stretch I am sure they could get their mojo back, but we keep suffering injury after injury and are forced to plug in new guys. It will be interesting (and hopefully not heartbreaking!) to see how they do these last three weeks and beyond. GO PATS! Even if we complain too much, a lot of us are with you all the way, come what may!

 

[thomas144]

The strange thing is that they are dwelling on their record rather than on the next game. The last time I can recall this focus was at the start of the 2002 season, when they made a big deal about doing well in the first 4 games to make up for the bad start they had in 2001 (and of course, managed to overcome).

I would prefer that the team just prepared for the next game and let the fans focus on the season record, or the game after the next game. That's what we do best.

 

[BelichickFan]

And, I belive one thing that is in the back of many fans minds, and might be the reason for this feeling... is that eventhough we have 9 wins, only three were convincing. In the other six wins, the win could just as easily have been a loss. In those games, I cant recall even one in which we could reelax in the fourth quarter, knowing one mistake could easily turn the game.

You could say that about almost every team. Look at some of SD's wins.

Look, our Strength of Schedule and Strength of Victory validates that we're a good team based on the schedule, it's not a fake record

http://www.nfl.com/standings/conference

If any team is left wondering, it should be SD. For Strength of Victory, while most teams, including us, in the AFC are tightly bunched in the .462 - .500 range (with Jax the only playoff contender way above), the Chargers' SoV is a mere .406. And Strength of Schedule, all AFC contenders are .497 or higher except SD at .444 - which is the lowest SoS in the conference.

 

[BelichickFan]

That may be true, but our expetation, as fans, is much higher, considering what the team has accomplished in the past 5 years.

That makes it different.

If you look at some of the wins, they're perceived expectations. Tough fought wins a few years ago are easily remembered as comfortable today.

 

[AzPatsFan]

If you look at some of the wins, they're perceived expectations. Tough fought wins a few years ago are easily remembered as comfortable today.

I'll second that comment whole heartedly. How come we revered Adam Vinatieri so much? Because he helped us pull out ugly wins on so many occasions as the time expired or in OT. In regard to criticizing the "...we are 9-4..." comments, I should point out that this is a form of "...It is what it is...". in other words... Get real, people! :rocker:

 

[PATSNUTme]

If you look at some of the wins, they're perceived expectations. Tough fought wins a few years ago are easily remembered as comfortable today.

Well put!


Just because some goofy fans have "high expectations", as one person put it, does not mean it's reality. Even when we went 14-2, there were a number of games againts 'lesser" teams that were razor thin and could have been losses. (Does Houston ring a bell with anyone?)

Expectations should be grounded in the reality of the NFL and not a "pie in the sky" feelings.

 

[cstjohn17]

If you look at some of the wins, they're perceived expectations. Tough fought wins a few years ago are easily remembered as comfortable today.

I agree, in the glory days there were many close games. But casting the record aside my confidence level has dropped. It use to be, they are playing Miami, it will be close and then they will pull away in the 4th quarter. Every game my wife would ask if they will win and I would say "the Pats are a better team, it will be close but they will win."

Now I say "I don't know who the better team is, the Pats are so inconsistent."

My expectaions have been raised, as much as the championships I was proud of how the team played. We know the mantra "Smart, tough, mistake free..." The most disapointing thing for me is how sloppy these games have become.

If seeing is believing I hope we see some signs of improvement in the last 3 weeks, if not, it what it is, still better than at least 25 other teams (including those high and mighty Dolphins!)

 

[BelichickFan]

I'll second that comment whole heartedly. How come we revered Adam Vinatieri so much? Because he helped us pull out ugly wins on so many occasions as the time expired or in OT. In regard to criticizing the "...we are 9-4..." comments, I should point out that this is a form of "...It is what it is...". in other words... Get real, people! :rocker:

I think back to the Tenessee playoff game in 2003. Early in the 3rd quarter I thought Tenessee was going to win, they seemed to have a little more going for them. It wasn't until McGinnest, I think it was him, read a flea flicker and dropped them for a big loss sometime in the 3rd quarter that things turned around a bit. But let's face it, the Titans had a tough catch in their hands that would have put them in position to tie the game in the last minute.

Man, talk about an overated team that 2003 team was playing that close game, not to mention how close SB 38 was.

 

[DarrylS]

Well put!

Just because some goofy fans have "high expectations", as one person put it, does not mean it's reality. Even when we went 14-2, there were a number of games againts 'lesser" teams that were razor thin and could have been losses. (Does Houston ring a bell with anyone?)

Expectations should be grounded in the reality of the NFL and not a "pie in the sky" feelings.

This and the Belichick fan are the voices of reason, in a desert of people who would like woulda, shoulda, coulda and choose not to deal with what is. In reality, 9-4 is a good record for this team, despite all the adversity and adjustment they have made. In reality a good team makes the adjustments and wins, as they have.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

And, I belive one thing that is in the back of many fans minds, and might be the reason for this feeling... is that eventhough we have 9 wins, only three were convincing. In the other six wins, the win could just as easily have been a loss. In those games, I cant recall even one in which we could reelax in the fourth quarter, knowing one mistake could easily turn the game.

The seahawks could say the same thing. there were a bunch of games they could have easily lost that they won. and those got me peeved becuase of the draft pick.



Our "so called dynasty years" are far from being over... I, fully, expect to see the Pats playing in Miami in Februaryt.

We WILL get over this bump in the road. Count on it.

I have no idea how they are going to put together some semblance of a passing offense. They are back like they were at the beginning of the season with only a few wr's who truly know the offense and they might be minus ben watson. IMO the offense is in utter disarray and they better pray for the maroney to come abck otherwise the playoffs could be one and done.

They might not be a really good team until next year and the offensive issues are addressed.

 

[BelichickFan]

I agree, in the glory days there were many close games. But casting the record aside my confidence level has dropped. It use to be, they are playing Miami, it will be close and then they will pull away in the 4th quarter. Every game my wife would ask if they will win and I would say "the Pats are a better team, it will be close but they will win."

Now I say "I don't know who the better team is, the Pats are so inconsistent."

My expectaions have been raised, as much as the championships I was proud of how the team played. We know the mantra "Smart, tough, mistake free..." The most disapointing thing for me is how sloppy these games have become.

If seeing is believing I hope we see some signs of improvement in the last 3 weeks, if not, it what it is, still better than at least 25 other teams (including those high and mighty Dolphins!)

Offensively I would agree with that.

Look at these numbers though :

17
21.6
14.8
16.3
21.1
14.3

Know what they are ? Average points allowed each year (regular season only) starting in 2001. This year, so far, is our best scoring defense yet. And other than 2003 it's the best by a lot (2 PPG better than 2004).

Poor Strength of Schedule some might say ? Well, it's right about average so that's a difficult arguement, plus we haven't played any poor weather games yet.

 

[JoeSixPat]

This and the Belichick fan are the voices of reason, in a desert of people who would like woulda, shoulda, coulda and choose not to deal with what is. In reality, 9-4 is a good record for this team, despite all the adversity and adjustment they have made. In reality a good team makes the adjustments and wins, as they have.

Given our depleted WR corps and how that affects the rest of the offense, I agree that 9-4 is quite impressive - especially noting that the AFC East isn't as bad as some think (though the NFC certainly is).

But I think BB's comments - and Brady following his lead (and urging all his teammates to do what the coach tells them!) is more about not getting too "up" after a win or too "low" following a loss.

That's typical Belicheckian philosophy. Beyond that BB and Brady - and the rest of the team know that whether they are 9-4 or 4-9, the mistake prone sloppy football they've been playing recently is a sure fire prescription for one-and-done in the playoffs.

So no matter what people think about their comments, I think everyone understands and agrees about that - and that's really the only important stat anyway.