2007: The Possibilities

[PatsFanInVa]

Well, our "sentencing phase" is over. And in the mean time, everybody who's ever been beaten by the Pats has come forward in front of a camera and said "oh yeah of course they're cheaters... that's how they beat us that time..."

And now, my happy little friends across the National Football League, the smoke is about to clear... and if the "Ohhhhh they win because they cheat" hypothesis is not right, the rest of the NFL is in for a world of hurt.

Think, people: You're in a locker room, suiting up for Sunday. The media has just done its "hmmmm... maybe they DIDN'T win those super bowls" routine for the 50th time since last Sunday. You friends, girlfriend, family members have said "hey, um, nothing personal dude... but did you know?" You've been told by the organization not to joke about it when you're interviewed, not to get pissed, not to display anything but contrition. You've been questioned, looked at in a different light, basically humiliated.

And now, you have your chance to say your piece on the field, just as the great -- flawed? yeah okay, but great -- Bill Belichick has said.

This is one of the league's most dangerous teams, perhaps a few flu shots away from a fourth SB in 6 years last year, massively re-stocked with talent, and by the way, backed into a corner by a torch- and pitchfork-bearing mob.

WTF do you THINK is going to happen?

I pretty much scoffed at the newbies and trolls running around and predicting 16-0 at the start of the season. I never predict over 12-4, though this year I put a /13-3 after it, because I feel they're that good.

But I think the Perfect Season might just be the Perfect Answer to the charges that the Pats did it all with smoke and mirrors. And with this talent, I think that might now be in the realm of the possible. Still very unlikely, but possible.

Then, there is the possibility that the Pats ride this bummer into an 8-8 year. I just don't see that happening, given the team's famed reaction to adversity.

My take is that this season has just turned into a mission.

Am I ashamed of what we got busted doing? Yes.

Am I really, really, really ready to see the Pats give the Chargers their battery (see what I did there?) Not yes but HELL yes.

Pats players, if any of you guys are reading this, dudes, make it happen for you, for us, hell, for Belichick -- even if his actions got you smacked around for the last week, and probably will for the rest of the year.

I think a nice shiny 4th Lombardi should knock the breath out of the haters this year. It won't just silence them, it'll demoralize them. Every other team's fans (and players) so want this dynasty over.

We don't. :rocker:

PFnV

 

[dtbrks]

To me, there are two things that can happen:

1. The pull together and dominate, win the superbowl and rub it in the NFL's face.
2. They fall apart under the pressure and miss the playoffs.

I feel #1 is the answer.

Dave

 

[carolinatony]

I go with # 1 as well.

 

[1976pats]

I'll tell you this much. We'll know the answer Sunday evening by 11:30...

If they rally from this mess to crush the Chargers, I think this season will be one for the ages. And the 4th SB Trophy will be the sweetest of all. :eat3:

 

[37Harrison]

I agree. The only thing that can minimize this down the road is if the Pats now go out and win it all, perfect season or not. It will be known that the league will be keeping an eye on the Pats and there won't be anymore video taping on the sideline by the Pats.

However, if they implode and this year turns into a failure (not winning the SB) everyone will point to this and the whole 'they cheated to win SB's will only grow louder.

I don't think BB resigns or walks away during or at the end of this year. That would be like throwing in the towel and ultimately completely ruining his reputation for good. He won't get into the H.O.F. (which I think is now in jeopardy anyways) so the only thing that he can do to prove to everyone that his tenure up to this point isn't because he had some guy video tape hand signals is to replicate his past success.

I just hope the new guys in the locker room (AD, Welker), even some of the vets (Seau, especially after his "culture" speech earlier this year) don't turn their back on the team now because of the perceived association or being labeled cheats. They don't deserve this and neither do we. I also hope this doesn't deter FA's from coming into NE. However, we (the fans) will be ridiculed and mocked wherever we go while wearing any Patriots garb, this is something that we as fans need to realize now and grow thicker skin.

This isn't the end of the world, although you wouldn't know it listening to all of the haters, it's a sport/entertainment. I hope someone blows the lid on all of the cheating that is done around the league. I would love to see what Goodell does then.

 

[ClevTrev]

PFIVA - Good post as usual. You accurately summed up my feelings.

To the team: Let's roll!

 

[everlong]

LT this week needs a beating.

I'm not aware of anybody in Buffalo saying anything.

Carson Palmer who was whining only put up 13 points last year. Last time I checked it was defensive signals that were in question.

Sweep the knee, do you have a problem with that?, No sensai.

 

[lander]

This is one of the league's most dangerous teams, perhaps a few flu shots away from a fourth SB in 6 years last year, massively re-stocked with talent, and by the way, backed into a corner by a torch- and pitchfork-bearing mob.

WTF do you THINK is going to happen?

I pretty much scoffed at the newbies and trolls running around and predicting 16-0 at the start of the season. I never predict over 12-4, though this year I put a /13-3 after it, because I feel they're that good.

But I think the Perfect Season might just be the Perfect Answer to the charges that the Pats did it all with smoke and mirrors. And with this talent, I think that might now be in the realm of the possible. Still very unlikely, but possible.

Then, there is the possibility that the Pats ride this bummer into an 8-8 year. I just don't see that happening, given the team's famed reaction to adversity.

My take is that this season has just turned into a mission.

Am I ashamed of what we got busted doing? Yes.

Am I really, really, really ready to see the Pats give the Chargers their battery (see what I did there?) Not yes but HELL yes.

Pats players, if any of you guys are reading this, dudes, make it happen for you, for us, hell, for Belichick -- even if his actions got you smacked around for the last week, and probably will for the rest of the year.

I think a nice shiny 4th Lombardi should knock the breath out of the haters this year. It won't just silence them, it'll demoralize them. Every other team's fans (and players) so want this dynasty over.

We don't. :rocker:

PFnV

Gawwwwwd. The only thing more tired than CameraGate is Patriot fans trying to paint this whole thing as a motivating, patriots against the world, team on a mission galvanizer. You think the team wasn't already juiced after getting stomped by Indy? That Brady needs help getting the fire going? Puhleeeeeeze. What a joke.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Gawwwwwd. The only thing more tired than CameraGate is Patriot fans trying to paint this whole thing as a motivating, patriots against the world, team on a mission galvanizer. You think the team wasn't already juiced after getting stomped by Indy? That Brady needs help getting the fire going? Puhleeeeeeze. What a joke.

Hey, believe what you want. If the Pats crumple this Sunday, well, they're 1-1, and lost a game that was a toss-up going in.

I don't see it happening.

And if the Pats crush the Chargers, after all the blathering in the media, I think you'll hear the guys in the booth coming to the same "oh-ohhhhh" conclusion I just depicted.

I'm not conveying certainty here, though I'd like to. I'm acknowledging the possibilities. And I see a distinct possibility of a monster year.

Puh-leeease indeed.

PFnV