Soak It In: A Moment for Reflection

[brdmaverick]

Hi Everyone,

As victors of three Super Bowls and numerous conference championship game appearances, perhaps sometimes we even lose site of how special it is to be playing in conference championship weekend.

I mean, let's consider the unpredictability of the NFL.

A few weeks ago, the 11-1 Texans were cruising through the regular season. They looked to be battle tested and ready for any oncoming challengers. Their team is absolutely loaded with Pro Bowlers and it's hard not to rave about their defense. Fast forward a few weeks later, they have gone 2-4 in their last six games and are now sitting at home pondering who they might pick in the upcoming draft.

The Denver Broncos were 11-1 in their last twelve games and were the media darlings of the league. Of course, that ONE loss happened to be at the complete wrong time (in the playoffs) with an unlikely wishful hail mary heave that extended the game and led to the Broncos' eventual doom. This team, very hopeful of Super Bowl titles much like our own fan base, will also be at home watching the conference championship games.

There are only four teams left out of 32, and we are one of them. Think about that. That's a tremendous accomplishment that we sometimes take for granted. Win or lose this weekend, it will have been a good year for the Pats, hopefully they can continue to extend it to make it a great one.


Despite the Gostkowski missed kick against the Cardinals and the fourth quarter collapses against both the Ravens and Seahawks, the Pats are right where they want to be.......at home during conference championship weekend. Now time to enjoy the show.

 

[PatriotSeven]

Agree and I never take it for granted. Every playoff win and win against the Jets is huge for me. This is awesome!

 

[bostonia3333]

All this is totally true........I appreciate every game Brady plays, because the end is getting closer. You never know when the next big defensive hit to Brady may come...In my lifetime I remember certain plays that affect the landscape of the NFL...plays that stand out are Leonard Marshall's hit to Montana to pave the way to Steve Young or Mo Lewis' hit to Bledsoe to do the same for Brady.

People say how the Pats could have had 5 rings with Brady....I look at it a different way. Those first 3 also could have gone either way and we were fortunate to pull through in those.

This weekend is a great opportunity and I can't believe we are actually hosting this championship game.

What an awesome year!

 

[TruthSeeker]

Thanks for sharing this perspective. Indeed, you are right on. As a Patriots fan since the 60s, I'm well aware that most of my life I never even thought about the Patriots in the Super Bowl - or even a factor in the playoffs. We were just the also rans that were fodder for the other teams.

It won't always be this way. But then again, it probably will continue to be this way as long as BB and TB are still around (and probably even when it's only BB...).

 

[DarrylS]

I never take it for granted, but I savor every moment of it...

My favorite time is when I am watching the game and my friends and relatives call from across the country call me to pay homage to what they are seeing, they all tell me how lucky we all are..

I am lucky to witness this..

 

[Haterproof]

I'm definitely soaking in the moment right now. I think it's about time the Pats conquer the NFL mountain again! I've a ton of respect for the other 3 teams remaining in the playoffs. But this our time!

 

[crew1954]

Thanks for sharing this perspective. Indeed, you are right on. As a Patriots fan since the 60s, I'm well aware that most of my life I never even thought about the Patriots in the Super Bowl - or even a factor in the playoffs. We were just the also rans that were fodder for the other teams.

It won't always be this way. But then again, it probably will continue to be this way as long as BB and TB are still around (and probably even when it's only BB...).

Or maybe when it is only Kraft? How long has he had the team? 18 years maybe? Lets say 20.

6 SBs
8 AFCCGs
3 HCs
2 QBS

Playoffs what 13 times?

Think of the 20 years prior for the Pats, roughly 1972-1992. How many coaches/qbs? SBs? Playoff years?

Few teams have as astute an owner.

 

[denverpatsfan]

Well said. How soon we forget the bad times. How lucky we are to have this team's run of success.

Go Pats!

 

[Steve102]

Never forget the dark times. I remember when my wife and I were first married, and the Pats were the laughingstock of the NFL...it wasn't that long ago we picked Bledsoe #1 overall... and my wife laughed at me, saying "why do you watch these a55holes?"

Fast forward to last night...and my 14 yr old son has no idea the Pats were awful. It's literally another lifetime ago for him. I savor every win, especially in the post season.

I really feel that my emotional (and financial) commitment has been rewarded.

 

[PATSNUTme]

I want them to win another SB. But not for me or other fans so we can pump up our chests. If fans can't be proud of all the things that this team has given to us for the past 12 years, there is something wrong with the fan.

But I do want them to win another SB. I want them to win it for BB, TFB, Big Vince, and Bob Kraft because they are the ones who deserve it.

 

[brdmaverick]

I want them to win another SB. But not for me or other fans so we can pump up our chests. If fans can't be proud of all the things that this team has given to us for the past 12 years, there is something wrong with the fan.

But I do want them to win another SB. I want them to win it for BB, TFB, Big Vince, and Bob Kraft because they are the ones who deserve it.

I like where you are going, but all those guys already have a championship. I think it would be nice to see the new wave of Pats get their first...Welker, Mayo, Gronk, Hernandez, Mankins.

 

[patsfan13]

Relishing this time as a Pats fan, attended the first game at Schaefer Stadium as a HS student, went to the superfoot competition at the Racetrack when fans voted to get J Smith a tryout, can you even imagine BB letting the fans select a PK for a tryout?

The most amazing part is that this is a YOUNG core group, if Brady is healthy for another few years this could be a 2001-2004 type run. Last year the team wasn't really ready , but TFB dragged them there and almost across the finish line, this years team is better on both sides of the ball. IMO next years team could be better still.

But this weekend will be a lot of fun.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Relishing this time as a Pats fan, attended the first game at Schaefer Stadium as a HS student, went to the superfoot competition at the Racetrack when fans voted to get J Smith a tryout, can you even imagine BB letting the fans select a PK for a tryout?

The most amazing part is that this is a YOUNG core group, if Brady is healthy for another few years this could be a 2001-2004 type run. Last year the team wasn't really ready , but TFB dragged them there and almost across the finish line, this years team is better on both sides of the ball. IMO next years team could be better still.

But this weekend will be a lot of fun.

You couldn't have stated it any better!

Your prognosis is fully in agreement with mine. Next year will be better Team, and the subsequent year an even better team. NFL Beware.

But I suspect there will have to be a QB transition during the next run. Nothing is forever, and BB knows it. Don't forget there was also a QB transition in the first BB run...

 

[brdmaverick]

But I suspect there will have to be a QB transition during the next run. Nothing is forever, and BB knows it. Don't forget there was also a QB transition in the first BB run...

Do you remember there were actually some people who suggested we keep Matt Cassel (following his 2008 season) and trade Brady for draft picks?

 

[PlainOldEd]

Do you remember there were actually some people who suggested we keep Matt Cassel (following his 2008 season) and trade Brady for draft picks?

While this clearly would have been a monumental mistake, I have to say that I think Cassel would have been a much better QB over the last 4 years had he been here. Furthermore, I think he could still be servicable for KC if he has the right tools around him, just 2 years ago he was coming off a good year and considered to be an up and coming QB.

Sometimes I feel bad for Matt, then I remember his $60 million deal.....

 

[aluminum seats]

Yup, good times.

And look! The Pats have now been in BACK-TO-BACK AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES. As all Jets fans know, that is the pinnacle of football success.

 

[mosi]

Hi Everyone,

As victors of three Super Bowls and numerous conference championship game appearances, perhaps sometimes we even lose site of how special it is to be playing in conference championship weekend.

I mean, let's consider the unpredictability of the NFL.

A few weeks ago, the 11-1 Texans were cruising through the regular season. They looked to be battle tested and ready for any oncoming challengers. Their team is absolutely loaded with Pro Bowlers and it's hard not to rave about their defense. Fast forward a few weeks later, they have gone 2-4 in their last six games and are now sitting at home pondering who they might pick in the upcoming draft.

The Denver Broncos were 11-1 in their last twelve games and were the media darlings of the league. Of course, that ONE loss happened to be at the complete wrong time (in the playoffs) with an unlikely wishful hail mary heave that extended the game and led to the Broncos' eventual doom. This team, very hopeful of Super Bowl titles much like our own fan base, will also be at home watching the conference championship games.

There are only four teams left out of 32, and we are one of them. Think about that. That's a tremendous accomplishment that we sometimes take for granted. Win or lose this weekend, it will have been a good year for the Pats, hopefully they can continue to extend it to make it a great one.


Despite the Gostkowski missed kick against the Cardinals and the fourth quarter collapses against both the Ravens and Seahawks, the Pats are right where they want to be.......at home during conference championship weekend. Now time to enjoy the show.

Darn right. For the fans of 28 other teams, their season is over. We get to follow our team and football for a few more days and hopefully a couple more weeks. This is a magic time for Pats fans. For those that remember the 70's, 80's and early 90's, this is almost unthinkable. I never imagined my patriots would be like this.

 

[BrainTrust66]

I like threads like this because times like these always cause me to reflect on my 36+ years as a fan. For me it started with that '76 team that should have gone to the Super Bowl. From there it was a slow and steady decline to the 1981, 2-14 team. They got a little better - but '85 took me (and many others) completely by surprise. Of course, we had a date with a history-making team and it didn't end well. Then another slow, steady decline to the early 90's. A vast wasteland of New England football. The team got so bad that we almost lost them. Kraft and the little "poison pill" that Chuck Sullivan (if I remember correctly) had written into the stadium lease helped to save the team. Then we started to rise. Another Super Bowl loss to a darn good team (imagine if they had played well on ST that day?). A few more years, and Belichick, and Brady, and here we are...

If they get to the Super Bowl - Tied with the Steelers and Cowboys for most appearances (8)

If they win the Super Bowl - One of only 6 teams with 4 or more wins

If you had told me this back in 1980, or 1990, or 2000, I never would have believed you!

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I never take it for granted, but I savor every moment of it...

My favorite time is when I am watching the game and my friends and relatives call from across the country call me to pay homage to what they are seeing, they all tell me how lucky we all are..

I am lucky to witness this..

In game calls are not allowed in my home

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Or maybe when it is only Kraft? How long has he had the team? 18 years maybe? Lets say 20.

6 SBs
8 AFCCGs
3 HCs
2 QBS

Playoffs what 13 times?

Think of the 20 years prior for the Pats, roughly 1972-1992. How many coaches/qbs? SBs? Playoff years?

Few teams have as astute an owner.

Prior years. One home playoff game. One. A loss to Houston.