The Sky is Not Falling

[mayoclinic]

The Pats are 10-3. They won the AFC East after 12 games. They're on track for a bye, and possibly their third #1 seed in a row. They have scored 97 points more than any other team in the NFL through 13 games. They outscored their opponents by 198 points (over 15 PPG), over 5PPG more than any other team in the NFL. They just annihilated a very good 10-1 Texans team in one of the most complete performances we've seen in years. And yet we've heard the following this season:

I love the home team as much as the next guy, but there comes a point where we have to acknowledge certain things from time to time .. This team is lethargic, displays no passion whatsoever .. Honestly, what is this team good at? It's like it is just there taking up space .. All of them just kinda roam around saying "oh shucks"

LOL... I'm just looking for them to make the playoffs.

The AFC is a one team conference. Outside of the Texans, we're basically looking at a lot of garbage. And the Patriots are a part of that garbage.

I don't know if the Pats have what it takes to even make the playoffs. They have taken a step or two backwards this year. Clutch is not the team's motto anymore.

Man, between the radio, analyst and talkshows people are really thinking that Brady has finally taken that step down and has started to show his age. I personally don't think he's taken a step down but he hasn't been that same guy we all remember. Now, to be fair, he is getting older and its natural to slow down a bit. Tom Brady is among the league's worst-rated quarterbacks while trying to protect a late-game lead in recent seasons.

Is this the worst tasting win in your memory? It is in mine. I have lived through a lot in the past 40 years of rooting for the Pats; but this was just horrible. The end of the game I was just sitting there going - this is NOT a Patriots team I recognize.

Very justifiable booing over horrible playcalling and even worse QB play by an offense that cannot close out games.

the booing is justified.

this team has developed a kneck for screwing the pooch in the 4th quarter

look at what they've had to look at so far this year:
cardinals - weak game
broncos - weak finish
jets - weak finish

never seen this kind of 4th quarter weakness in any winning pats team since foxborough opened.

this team is a far cry from what the reasonable expectation was going into the season.

When the Patriots have been one of the worst teams in the NFL year in and year out at finishing games, when the secondary has been one of the worst in the league year in and year out at defending the pass (against some of the worst offensive teams in the NFL, mind you), when the defense year in and year out chokes away 4th Q. leads, only for the offense to come onto the field and go 3 and out and punt...is inexcusable. THAT deserves boos.

Now I'm a "glass half full" kind of guy (or maybe more). And I understand that there needs to be an allowance for difference styles. But perhaps people overreacted a little bit, particularly given the sustained record of excellence that we've been privileged to witness under the Kraft-Belichick-Brady regime: the greatest example of sustained excellences since the 49ers teams of the 1980s-1990s, which occurred before free agency and the salary cap.

We may lose to SF next week. We may not win the SB this year. We may flame out in our first playoff game. But whatever happens, this team and this organization deserves more respect than it got from us earlier this year, IMHO. It's given better to us than we gave to it. And I'm not talking about constructive criticism, which is always appropriate.

We're the best *****ing team in the NFL, and the best organization in the NFL over the past 12 years. The team comes out and gives its all every week, and every week other teams prepare for us as though it is their Super Bowl. As Brady says, it's not easy to win a game, and any win is a win. But this year we have heard posters argue that this team is "garbage", "lethargic", "pathetic", "mediocre", worthy of being booed. So egregious that it makes even the bottom-feeding teams of the Sullivan days pale in comparison. Not to mention the usual posts that BB has lost his mojo and needs Viagra.

Imagine if we lived in Kansas City.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

If you're going to identify one poster you probably should have identified all the quotes.

 

[mayoclinic]

If you're going to identify one poster you probably should have identified all the quotes.

My apologies, especially to the poster. That was on oversight. I intended to delete all identies - my intent was not to single out individuals. There were a lot of quotes. It's been fixed for now.

 

[Gumby]

Don't know about anybody else but my quote was from the first jester game which seems like eons ago now.

it was a snapshot of a moment in time. And if I went back and watched that game again I would probably say the same thing again (particularly if I had as many drinks as I did when I posted that). They played that game with completely inconsistent effort.

MAYO,
not sure if all the other posters comments are from the same or even earlier; or more recent; but taking comments like those out of context and posting immediately following a BIG STATEMENT GAME like yesterday where they played with purpose and authority is a bit contrived on your part.

Not sure what your point is in doing it.

Just because we live in an era of excellence on the part of the Pats; does that mean we cant comment or complain about when the performance falls BELOW THE SEASON AVERAGE (let alone well below the 'ERA average')

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

If you're going to identify one poster you probably should have identified all the quotes.

You just want credit for your quotes Mo

 

[pwes]

How long ago did these people make these statements and were they after losses? I dont really think you can judge the kneejerk reactions of these people if that is the case. Also at the beginning of the season the Pats DID have a hard time closing out games

 

[BSR]

How long ago did these people make these statements and were they after losses? I dont really think you can judge the kneejerk reactions of these people if that is the case. Also at the beginning of the season the Pats DID have a hard time closing out games

This fan base is largely regarded as one of the whiniest in the league largely because of kneejerk reactions like those quoted above. Sometimes pointing this out to people gets them to think before doing it the next time.

 

[BlueThunder]

This team has evolved and is growing together as a unit. Those comments were probably true at that moment in time. The young kids (Wilson,Jones,Hightower,Dennard) are growing up and being molded into the Patriot model. Talib is still learning the defense.

Can you imagine how good this team could be with a few weaknesses shored up next year ?

 

[mayoclinic]

Don't know about anybody else but my quote was from the first jester game which seems like eons ago now.

it was a snapshot of a moment in time. And if I went back and watched that game again I would probably say the same thing again (particularly if I had as many drinks as I did when I posted that). They played that game with completely inconsistent effort.

MAYO,
not sure if all the other posters comments are from the same or even earlier; or more recent; but taking comments like those out of context and posting immediately following a BIG STATEMENT GAME like yesterday where they played with purpose and authority is a bit contrived on your part.

Not sure what your point is in doing it.

Just because we live in an era of excellence on the part of the Pats; does that mean we cant comment or complain about when the performance falls BELOW THE SEASON AVERAGE (let alone well below the 'ERA average')

My point is the following:

1. We are privileged to be fans of the one of the greatest NFL franchises in history. We're witnessing an almost unparalleled run of sustained excellence under conditions that were unknown to previous regimes that had similar traditions (yearly roster turnover due to free agency and salary cap). We're the envy of just about every other team in the NFL.

2. In spite of that, there has been a tremendous amount of whining and bashing this season, beyond constructive criticism. I understand that people get frustrated when the team doesn't play well, and a certain amount of gnashing of teeth is reasonable. I understand that wanting the team to do better is reasonable. I understand that it's a message board, and expressing an opinion is reasonable. But there's been a lot of loading up on this team at times. Given their track record of sustained success, that didn't seem warranted.

I think that the next time we see the team struggle, we might want to temper our despair or frustration just a little bit. It's fine to say "I'm glad we won, but this wasn't our finest hour". It's another thing to say "this win feels worse than a loss", or to boo the team when they are winning.

I'm not saying that we should all hold hands and go kumbaya all the time. That would be boring, and not very useful. And I'm not saying the team is above criticism, or even reproach at times. But some of the knee-jerk reactions seem to me to have crossed a line at times. If you want "garbage", "pathetic" and the likes, go to Jacksonville or Kansas City. Or New York.

Since you referenced your own post, you claim to have been a Pats fan for 40 years, and said in that October post that the team that played against the Jets was "not a Pats team you recognize". Really? The team that beat the Jets 29-26 in OT was worse than anything the Pats sent out on the field in the Sullivan or Kiam years, when they were the worst team in the NFL several years? When we were the laughing stock of the league? We were that bad? Or have you just become so spoiled by our success that you were pouting over a game in which the team was struggling through it's early season problems to find it's rhythm, something that has happened routinely the past few years before the team went on a second half tear to end up with the #1 seed in the AFC?

The season is an evolution. It's all about "climbing the mountain", as BB calls it. They won't all be 42-14 shellackings of 10-1 teams. There will be losses and ugly wins. It's a growth process. BB is the best in the business at pacing the team and using the schedule to grow the team. The fan base cries bloody murder every time the team falls short of perfection. And sometimes it has gotten ugly this season. What we have isn't ugly. It's beautiful.

 

[Rob0729]

I know I always get slammed for being a major homer for this, but I never get upset about early season struggles. I have complete faith in Belichick fixing the problems or at least minimizing them.

I know this is a bit off topic, but when did "In Bill We Trust" become blind homerism. In fact, when did Belichick ever completely blow a season. Since 2001, his worst years have been years that he lost the AFC East by the third or fourth tiebreaker (and one was with Cassel at QB).

Sorry to go off topic there. But until Belichick proves the "In Bill We Trust" motto is a proven wrong, people should relax and not go overboard with the Chicken Little stuff early in the season.

 

[BradyManny]

The thing that gets me is how there's still a faction of the fanbase that is so quick to jump on Belichick or Brady for any possible negative - on the field, off the field, whatever. Brady wears this, Belichick says that. Brady can't throw the deep ball, Belichick lost his magic. Whatever.

At this point, what the two of these guys have accomplished together, the resume they piled up, the entertainment they have provided us with, and the sports-happiness they have delivered is bordering on absurd. It's an embarrassment of riches, and to not have some general gratitude towards them makes me question those fans.

 

[mayoclinic]

Also, just to clarify. To anyone I quoted: my intention was not to single out you, or to create a divide between the "half full" and "half empty" crowd. It's human to get frustrated at time, and I certainly do. It's healthy to criticize the team when it doesn't do well. Many of the criticisms voiced were justified - in some cases, it may be more the manner in which they were voiced than the content of the criticism.

My point is that we should be pretty confident in the talent base of our team, and in the judgment of our coaching staff and organization. They won't win every game, and there's no guarantee they will win the Super Bowl. But I think we can generally trust them to fix problems over the course of a season. They know what they're doing. And the 2009 team was the only team I've seen in the BB era that could be criticized for a lack of effort, and BB took that team to the woodshed as soon as the season was over. Whether it plays badly or well, this team will give a good effort. It's not easy to go out there week after week and bring your A game - no one else does as good a job of it as we do.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I didn't say it here, but I was at the Jets game in Gillette and my private thoughts when McCourty fumbled the KO in the last minute leading to the tie were that the 2012 Patriots sucked. Sucked. Defense couldn't stop anyone (Sanchez fer crikey!) and the vaunted offense was MIA when just one 1st down was needed to run out the clock. How wrong I was. But I have learned to keep my negative thoughts of the moment private for furthur reconsideration.

 

[ay-yo]

The funny part is all these cynics consider themselves realists.

The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.

 

[mayoclinic]

I didn't say it here, but I was at the Jets game in Gillette and my private thoughts when McCourty fumbled the KO in the last minute leading to the tie were that the 2012 Patriots sucked. Sucked. Defense couldn't stop anyone (Sanchez fer crikey!) and the vaunted offense was MIA when just one 1st down was needed to run out the clock. How wrong I was. But I have learned to keep my negative thoughts of the moment private for furthur reconsideration.

It's easy to do.

For the record, I went ballistic in a PM to OTG in 2011 when the Pats cut Albert Haynesworth, of all people, coming off of back to back losses to the Steelers and Giants. I was so pissed at BB. I can't remember what I said exactly, but it was not complimentary. I had great hopes for what the Pats could do with 2 talented Grizzlies like Wilfork and Haynesworth together, and it was very disappointing to me when that didn't work out, and I let it get to me. But of course, BB was 100% correct, Haynesworth was turd, and by cutting him BB sent a message to the rest of the team, who pulled together as a team, gave a full effort, and didn't lose another game until the SB. In retrospect it was ludicrous. So I'm not claiming to be any "better" than anyone else.

 

[Deus Irae]

The team started off at 3-3 and was looking very suspect on defense, to put it mildly. Yes, people went over the top, but it's no different than what the homers do when the team is on a roll. Look at the posts today. You'd think this team was 13-0 and had never won a game by fewer than 50 points.

Homers only see rainbows. Chicken Littles only see storm clouds. Most people see both. It is what it is.

 

[fnordcircle]

************.

Can't you people just enjoy an awesome win?

By 'calling out' the negative people you're just keeping the cycle going and distracting us all from what is important. (Hint: It's not words on an internet forum by a random poster.)

And to be fair, I prefer negativity to 'I told you so!'

 

[cmasspatsfan]

The team started off at 3-3 and was looking very suspect on defense, to put it mildly. Yes, people went over the top, but it's no different than what the homers do when the team is on a roll. Look at the posts today. You'd think this team was 13-0 and had never won a game by fewer than 50 points.

Homers only see rainbows. Chicken Littles only see storm clouds. Most people see both. It is what it is.

I think Mayos point is BB, Brady and most of the team should get more respect even when they're struggling, they certainly should get the benefit of the doubt that they know what the problems are and they're working on fixing them. I know football is an emotional sport for players and fans but some of the fans go over the top when things are'nt all rosy.
I remember some fans leaving the stadium early and some turning the tv off towards the end of the 4th qtr of the Jets game, yes it was frustrating and it was'nt a pretty win but winning in the league isnt easy week to week.
If you cant support this team, in this era, with BB and Brady all the time 100% you got a problem.

 

[shmessy]

The sky is not falling????

OH, YES IT IS!!!!!

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...-uh-oh-pats-back-atop-all-power-rankings.html

 

[Deus Irae]

I think Mayos point is BB, Brady and most of the team should get more respect even when they're struggling, they certainly should get the benefit of the doubt that they know what the problems are and they're working on fixing them. I know football is an emotional sport for players and fans but some of the fans go over the top when things are'nt all rosy.
I remember some fans leaving the stadium early and some turning the tv off towards the end of the 4th qtr of the Jets game, yes it was frustrating and it was'nt a pretty win but winning in the league isnt easy week to week.
If you cant support this team, in this era, with BB and Brady all the time 100% you got a problem.

I don't buy your premise. The Patriots aren't the Jets. In NJJland, it's about winning seasons and making the playoffs. In NE, it's about Super Bowls. That's what happens with elite teams.

And, let's be honest. Y'all are acting like what happened was nothing more than the team getting off to a slow start. The team knew it had a problem. It went out and signed a guy who allegedly was shooting at people, because they were desperate for help at cornerback. If the Talib deal isn't made, we could very well be looking at 2011 redux, where it's all offense and prayers.