The REAL problem is...

[JJDChE]

The fans and the media.

Coming off a Super Bowl appearance, going 3-3 with three losses by a total of 4 points to teams that are a combined 14-5 with 4 of 6 games on the road. I mean ferchrissakes, every year isn't 16-0. That's only happened once EVER, twice if you want to count 14-0.

Sure, nobody likes to see the secondary continue to get trashed, but you have to look at the facts. We were within minutes of a Super Bowl win with, arguably, a worse secondary.

All these posts, articles and radio talk show hosts talking about how the Partiots 'have a lot of question marks right now' are such garbage. They don't have question marks, they are in the same place they were last year and that was enough for an AFC Championship. If things bounce the right way, it's a Super Bowl team. That's how it goes in the NFL. Very few teams just plow right through everyone. You need to get there and get a few breaks. This team is obviously good enough to get there, hopefully things break our way this year if they do get back.

I can't blame the media too much, in this day and age they get paid to overreact. The lack of perspective among the fanbase is pretty sad.

I'm not saying you can't complain about the team's warts and shortcomings, just recognize that every team has them and if you find yourself typing 'the sky is falling', 'this team sucks', 'you can't win like this', etc. take a step back and consider pressing the delete key a few times before making yourself look silly.

 

[JJDChE]

OK, the secondary is a problem, too.

(...and kudos to the members who have started threads in the same vein. It's just hard to find them among the sky is falling threads sometimes.)

 

[DarrylS]

This morning there are 14 of the 16 teams in the NFL with a record to or equal to .500... need perspective, here folks.

The critical thing is can they make adjustments?? Last year the Giants entered the tournament with a 9-7 record...

 

[IllegalContact]

LOL....

I though this was going to be something that made sense

as in 'the REAL problem is that this team appears to only be prepared to play football half the time

 

[JJDChE]

LOL....

I though this was going to be something that made sense

as in 'the REAL problem is that this team appears to only be prepared to play football half the time

Thanks for proving my point. :rocker:

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Let's establish the fact that 3-3 is a decent record for most teams and it's only disappointing when you have the expectations we have for this team since 2003.

That said, the issue to me isn't necessarily the record. The continued inability to close out these tough games is a big concern. People can argue all day over blaming the offense, defense, Brady, the OC, but the fact is this team as a WHOLE can't get it done in big situations and they fold like a cheap tent in te clutch. It's been a huge problem since the 2006 AFCCG when we couldn't get one first down to ice the game.

And like you touched upon, I won't even get into the secondary.

 

[IllegalContact]

Thanks for proving my point. :rocker:

what point? that the pats lost 3 games because they were completely unprepared to finish them?

they should be 6-0, and the only thing that separates them from that is an occaisional complete breakdown of competence

unless I am mistaken, I believe the performance of the team on the field is not relevant to fan base opinion

 

[RayClay]

Like all teams in the salary cap era, the Patriots have a flaw. Unfortunately, it's known to the rest of the league and they must become at least competent in the secondary.

Having said that, they could have nailed every game with better execution. They have young players, new players and new schemes and teams like that need to gel.

I agree with the OP, of course. In years past, we'd be talking about securing a playoff spot, which we're fortunately still easily on pace for in our current division.

Our newer "fans" are discussing the design of the Super Bowl rings in August and I'm almost happy they've gone away. It's never easy, nor should it be. When young teams come together early, that's the exception, not the rule.

Time to beat the Jets, that's all there is right now.

 

[JJDChE]

what point? that the pats lost 3 games because they were completely unprepared to finish them?

they should be 6-0, and the only thing that separates them from that is an occaisional complete breakdown of competence

unless I am mistaken, I believe the performance of the team on the field is not relevant to fan base opinion

As long as you realize that your comment about being unprepared to finish games is just a fanbase opinion, then we are in agreement.

 

[Jackson 2]

what point? that the pats lost 3 games because they were completely unprepared to finish them?

they should be 6-0, and the only thing that separates them from that is an occaisional complete breakdown of competence

unless I am mistaken, I believe the performance of the team on the field is not relevant to fan base opinion

We all know that it is not possible for you to be mistaken.

 

[PATSNUTme]

We lost a game by a shanked FG at the end. We lost a game with FG that may or may not been fully on or inside the upright bar. Then we lost a very frustrating game because of the inability of coming away with 3 point twice during 2 trips inside the 10 yard line.

That is the reality. That is the NFL. Will it continue to go this way for the Patriots for the rest of the year, I don't know.

What I do know is what my eyes tell me. This Patriots team, inspite of a flaw or 2, are good enough to compete for the championship this year.

Now for some fans it's not good enough unless the win every game and the championship. If that is their expectations, then they are going to be unhappy - some are happier being unhappy anyway. I've noticed that a few people here don't show up and post or start threads unless the Patriots lose, then they are all over the board.

Threads claiming that Brady now chokes during big games, BB is arrogant, or that the Patriots can't draft are now common place after every lloss. Yet the team has been almost completely rebuilt while winning 10+ games per year and competing for championships is not good enough for some.

 

[IllegalContact]

As long as you realize that your comment about being unprepared to finish games is just a fanbase opinion, then we are in agreement.

well.....it ring more real than anything you have said

 

[IllegalContact]

We lost a game by a shanked FG at the end. We lost a game with FG that may or may not been fully on or inside the upright bar. Then we lost a very frustrating game because of the inability of coming away with 3 point twice during 2 trips inside the 10 yard line.

That is the reality. That is the NFL. Will it continue to go this way for the Patriots for the rest of the year, I don't know.

What I do know is what my eyes tell me. This Patriots team, inspite of a flaw or 2, are good enough to compete for the championship this year.

Now for some fans it's not good enough unless the win every game and the championship. If that is their expectations, then they are going to be unhappy - some are happier being unhappy anyway. I've noticed that a few people here don't show up and post or start threads unless the Patriots lose, then they are all over the board.

Threads claiming that Brady now chokes during big games, BB is arrogant, or that the Patriots can't draft are now common place after every lloss. Yet the team has been almost completely rebuilt while winning 10+ games per year and competing for championships is not good enough for some.

so you're basically saying that the pats aren't capable of winning a close game.

because they've lost every single one they've been in......no.......wait......2 of those games can't really be called close since the pats were up 2 scores halfway through the 4th quarter and still lost..... ummmmm....isn't that even worse?

 

[IllegalContact]

I'm just trying to find in the midst of past successes where any team consistently blew multi-score leads and achieved any level of success.

seriously......its not like I am asking for a team to come back from 2 scores down in the 4th quarter.

 

[patsfan13]

These are the types of games this org always used to win, it is disturbing to see the team unable to play situational football in the 4th qtr.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

What a stupid thread

 

[PATSNUTme]

so you're basically saying that the pats aren't capable of winning a close game.

because they've lost every single one they've been in......no.......wait......2 of those games can't really be called close since the pats were up 2 scores halfway through the 4th quarter and still lost..... ummmmm....isn't that even worse?

How in the hell did you pull that out of my post? I think that they are more than capable of winning close games.

I don't know how some fans, who have watched this team over the 10+ years, think that they are not capable of winning close games based on 6 games this year.

 

[JJDChE]

well.....it ring more real than anything you have said

Your unsubstantiated commentary rang more true than the simple facts that I stated? mmmmkay.

 

[Tunescribe]

so you're basically saying that the pats aren't capable of winning a close game.

because they've lost every single one they've been in......no.......wait......2 of those games can't really be called close since the pats were up 2 scores halfway through the 4th quarter and still lost..... ummmmm....isn't that even worse?

Your posts are about as moronic as your avatar. Who's that supposed to be anyway? George Lazenby?

 

[IllegalContact]

Your posts are about as moronic as your avatar. Who's that supposed to be anyway? George Lazenby?

It's sterling archer

sorry my posts offend you so much. however, I have not seen anything come from you that more accurately depicts what has happened so far this season. are you in shock? maybe some for of denial?