What counts as a successful season?

[PatsOwl]

As we all know, us Pats fans have been pretty fortunate recently with success, but i just wondering, after 2 ring-less seasons what constitutes a successful patriots season for you?

How high are your expectations??? Particularly with the upcoming season. If we don't win the Superbowl will the season be a failure? Was only reaching last years AFCCG a failure, or a major achievement given the WR/LB/secondary problems?

Do you just look on each season and say 'anything after winning AFCE is a bonus'?

And one final question: would anyone here prefer a 16-0 record book season to winning the Superbowl? I know,i know 'of course not!' you all scream, and I probably agree. But think of the legacy that would leave this team for the decade - 3 Superbowls, longest-win streaks, perfect season etc.

Just some things to discuss during a long July.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

Isnt every teams goal to win the Super Bowl?

So yea if we dont win the Super Bowl its a failure.

 

[PatsOwl]

so by your definition last season was a complete failure????

 

[mgteich]

spoken like a true Boston sports fan

Isnt every teams goal to win the Super Bowl?

So yea if we dont win the Super Bowl its a failure.

 

[bbabin]

I considered everything after last year's defeat of the Chargers a success. That was an incredible game and even now I'm surprised that they pulled it off. Considering the loss of their first and second receivers, I perceived last season as an overachievment.

This year is different. Barring major injuries, I expect a superbowl victory.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

so by your definition last season was a complete failure????

Yes the season was a failure. Did we accomplish our goal? No, so that means it a failure.

Doesnt mean we didnt have a great year last year though. We went a long way and it hurts to keep thinking of that.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

spoken like a true Boston sports fan

Its too early in the morning to establish if thats sarcasm or not so i'll just say, Thanks?

 

[BradfordPatsFan]

What good is 16-0 if you don't win the super bowl?

Last year was a "failure" in terms of not winning the super bowl. To the team it was a failure. However to me, I was prepared for a loss to the Chargers. At the precise moment that Keading missed the fg, I felt that they had gone beyond expectations. However, at about halftime of the AFCCG, I began to think that the Super Bowl was a mere formality. In that light, the season became a failure for me as well.

 

[tedylb]

I think everyone in the organization and most of us on patsfans have only one definition for a successful season: another Lombardi.

Falling short of that, everyone can decide individually if it's a failure. Right now, I only want to think positively. Go get 'em, Pats!!!

 

[Remix 6]

agreed. failure to any team is not winning the SB

thats the ultimate goal. i doubt any player/coach says: we want to win X amount of games this year

goal is to improve but also be in the SB.

 

[richpats]

Last year was a "failure" in terms of not winning the super bowl. To the team it was a failure. However to me, I was prepared for a loss to the Chargers. At the precise moment that Keading missed the fg, I felt that they had gone beyond expectations. However, at about halftime of the AFCCG, I began to think that the Super Bowl was a mere formality. In that light, the season became a failure for me as well.

Well said. It all depends on expectations. After our embarrassing loss in Miami, I didn't seriously expect the Pats to win the SB until Asante's pick-6. Then it was just like old times, too bad it didn't turn out that way.

 

[Jimke]

Until 2002, success for me was the Pats making the playoffs so

I could see an extra game. After the Pats won their first Superbowl,

success became nothing less than a Superbowl victory. The window

for success shrinks each year as Tom Brady gets older.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

This yr has to be Super bowl or bust.. Lets just hope we dont set up ourselves up for a fall...

 

[Oswlek]

Undefeated or bust.

I am still disgusted with the 2004 team that they lost to Pitt and Miami. I guess I'll jump on board with the 2007 team, but if they come up short once, I'm gone.

 

[richpats]

This yr has to be Super bowl or bust.. Lets just hope we dont set up ourselves up for a fall...

Agreed. We can't go out in the playoffs like we have the last 2 seasons. Those weren't just losses, they were disasters. Another Lombardi would remove some of the bitter taste.

 

[37Harrison]

I think the team's goals every year are as follows:
1. Win the division (4 straight years of success there)
2. Win in the playoffs (12-2 record, I'd say that's pretty successful)
3. Win the AFCCG - failed last year but just barely
4. Win the SB - obviously if you fail goals #1, 2, or 3 you can't make it to goal #4

So if you are looking at this from purely a Super Bowl stand point then yeah, last season was a failure. However, if you take into account everything that has happened with this team over the past few years, I'd say this team has continued to have successful seasons. I guess another way to look at it would be to look at the veteran players in the league that want to be in NE BECAUSE of their sustained success on the field.

I'd say they have had successful seasons since '01, the lone exception being '02.

 

[richpats]

I am still disgusted with the 2004 team that they lost to Pitt and Miami.

Man I pray we have something remotely close to the 2004 squad. That team was dominant.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Stupid question - In EVERY sport if you do not win the WHOLE enchilada the season is a failure - Who gives a crap if you are 15-1 or 1-15 if you do not win the Super Bowl/World Series/Stanley Cup/NBA Title ect

Ask Marty,Ladanian,Merrimen and company if their 15-1 season was anything but a failure? - They would laugh at you in the face with an obvious expression of the answer.

 

[mgteich]

The answer that has given by the organization in the past is that winning the division win is the goal of every season.

 

[DarrylS]

I think the team's goals every year are as follows:
1. Win the division (4 straight years of success there)
2. Win in the playoffs (12-2 record, I'd say that's pretty successful)
3. Win the AFCCG - failed last year but just barely
4. Win the SB - obviously if you fail goals #1, 2, or 3 you can't make it to goal #4

.

It is a continuum from the expected, winning the division, to the ideal winning the Superbowl. If we went 16-0 and won the SB it would be the all time trifecta..