I'd Rather Be 13-1

[brdmaverick]

the Pats were 13-2 and playing against the 49ers in a game with absolutely no playoff implications.

Brady and the rest of the starters still played 4 quarters. Some went deeper into the game. I remember Corey Dillon ran in for a TD in the fourth quarter with Rohan Davey handing off to him.

 

[tuckeverlasting]

I'm so very glad that no one on this board is the head coach of an NFL team.

no, he has a point, but i say now that we're here lets embrace the history and go for it.

 

[Deus Irae]

These two games are preseason games for the playoffs. Belichick does NOT always play to win. Look at his strategy in various pre-season games. If we win, great. If not, great. The important thing about these games is to be MOST ready for the playoffs.

These games are not pre-season games, and the Broncos and Colts can attest to the folly of viewing them as if they were.

 

[Metaphors]

I think Brady has mentioned before that he WANTS to play for those 3 hours on Sunday. That is their payoff for their hard work. If you want to give them rest, do it on Wed-Fri.

As far as injuries are concerned, I would be surprised to see any players with injuries to see game action in the next 2 weeks. I do believe Belichick will try to win these next 2 games. If the starters play up to their potential, they should have a significant lead and will come out in the 2nd half. If the starters don't, then there is something to work on and they stay in.

I also believe that key bench players that haven't gotten much time but may be called on in the playoffs (Woods, Alexander, CJ, Troy, O'Callaghan, Washington, etc.) will get more reps than they might otherwise expect. I don't think you will see wholesale removal of starters unless/until the game is in hand.

 

[PatsfanGlo]

I can see the point of OP. With 1 loss, it actually would relieve some pressure off of players from this 'chasing history'. Probably would allow BB to be bit linient and rest some of dinged up starters. However, with Pats still without a loss, I doubt BB would go for easy road and rest up players. I'm pretty sure he is fully aware of that going undefeated and winning SB will place his team in history of all time greats. Besides, come on, its Phins and Giants. Giants just lost Shockey, one of their best player on offense. And I can see Phins trying not as desperate as before with a win now.

 

[xmarkd400x]

I'm so very glad that no one on this board is the head coach of the Patriots. A division foe, however, would be quite nice.

Fixed.


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[rsd]

Sorry I don't buy the reason of relieving "pressure". These guys have won 3 SBs, 21 straight games, etc. If you can't handle the pressure, get off the field!!

If they were severely banged up I could the reasoning of "resting" them, but they will already have a bye week. I'd rather have them play most of the last games to stay focused and sharp.

I don't get EVER how pundits or fans can ever say that a professional athlete would be better off LOSING a game.

 

[PaulThePat]

I'm really getting tired of this "we would be better off with a loss" stuff. It's defeatist, ignorant, crap. Have some faith in your damn team.

Spot on...couldn't agree more !!

2 other things about this ridiculous obsession with losing:

1. If we lost to either the Fish or the Giants with even backups there would be people on here complaining that the end is nigh. We don't need negativity going into the play-offs. We should play hard, keep the momentum going, continue to get better and roll into the post-season as if we mean it.

2. The idea that there will be less pressure is utter garbage. Face it people we are the stick on favourites for the big cheese and whether we're 16-0 or 15-1 the level of expectation and favouritism will be exactly the same. I trust our players to deal with that pressure they way they have all season..

Keep the foot to the pedal Bill :rocker:

 

[alamo]

IMHO, we would have a better chance at winning the SB if we were 13-1 at this point.

Your argument is based primarily on two assumptions:

1) Resting players going into the playoffs helps you win after a bye.

2) Belichick would actually take advantage of the opportunity to rest the players.

Both are highly debatable, and history says they are likely both false.

 

[mgteich]

OK, now I get it. The team should risk injury to players to prevent posters from whining.

Doesn't anyone even recall last year? We would have given anything to have our linebackers better rested. The only reason that Bruschi and Seau will get significant reps in the next two weeks is because we are chasing a record. We need them rested for the playoffs.

Spot on...couldn't agree more !!

2 other things about this ridiculous obsession with losing:

1. If we lost to either the Fish or the Giants with even backups there would be people on here complaining that the end is nigh. We don't need negativity going into the play-offs. We should play hard, keep the momentum going, continue to get better and roll into the post-season as if we mean it.

2. The idea that there will be less pressure is utter garbage. Face it people we are the stick on favourites for the big cheese and whether we're 16-0 or 15-1 the level of expectation and favouritism will be exactly the same. I trust our players to deal with that pressure they way they have all season..

Keep the foot to the pedal Bill :rocker:

 

[scout]

I'm going to leave the substituting of players to BB. Personally, I think there will be chances to rest players in the next two weeks and then the bye comes. What is important at this point in time, is not just another Super Bowl win, but the memory of witnessing the greatest team ever. An undefeated record has a good chance of not being broken in my lifetime. I was too young to really grasp and enjoy the Celtics domination of the 60's. The NBA was not as popular or widely watched. Right now, the world is watching and the Patriots are making an exclamation point. This is one for the ages. Who is to say if they lose one game they have a better chance to win the Super Bowl. 19-0, I will remember for the rest of my life.

 

[Deus Irae]

OK, now I get it. The team should risk injury to players to prevent posters from whining.

Doesn't anyone even recall last year? We would have given anything to have our linebackers better rested. The only reason that Bruschi and Seau will get significant reps in the next two weeks is because we are chasing a record. We need them rested for the playoffs.

Ahhh.... the double standard strikes again. As I tried to earlier, let me refer you to the Colts and Broncos. They too shut down starters to rest them after losing games late in the season. They both got bounced from the playoffs.

 

[Barnsie]

I disagree. As mentioned above, we needed to win up to this point to clinch HFA through the playoffs. Now that that is done, we could start resting from here on out...but we shouldn't.

If anything, we need more game practice in the colder conditions. At this point, I bet most fans would feel better playing in a dome, as our team seems built for it. Since we do not, and the conditions are turning sour, we should get all of the extra "bonus" practice we can in these conditions, both throwing the ball and running it.

Furthermore, if we started resting players now, they would have entirely too much time off. We need to keep the players sharp, and then give them a rest for the bye week. We do, however, have the luxury of playing our backups a bit more than normal. If somebody like Brushi or Seau need a few less snaps/game for the next two games, by all means, but do not take the "rest the starters" approach.

 

[PaulThePat]

Maybe if we lost a game we could rest some of the fans...a few on here are clearly in need of a lie down as the excitement of a historic 19-0 season is proving way too much for them

 

[Pats Fan in Indy]

Not that anyone will read this, but Tony Dungy rested his players in 05, and they basically went a month without competing. We all know what happened to the Dolts that year.

I'm just fine being 14-0.

 

[mgteich]

If we play Seymour, Bruschi and Seau for four quarters for each of the next two games, we will be taking risks that I don't think we should take. I also believe that how much they play is influenced by our current undefeated record.

BTW, I will remember these patriots as the team of this decade, the team that won all those Super Bowls, the best dysasty of all time.

Some here would prefer to focus on being beating the record of a relatively weak team that went undefeated. As Brady has indicated, it is the patriots who have the longest winning streak. BTW, I think it unlikely that we will have the playoff records of a couple of the previous one-year wonders. I do NOT think we are the best one-year team of all time. I won't believe that if we are 19-0, unless the playoffs are different than I expect. We are the best dysnasty of all time; or at least we will be after willing another Supper Bowl or two).

If this is just about an undefeated season, Belichick might as well retire if we achieve it.

And yes, I do know that the players think that they are invincable and want to play all the reps for the next two games. It is not their decision to make.

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

I want the Patriots to get the undefeated season and put their mark in the history books.

You play to win. You don't play "not to lose". 19-0 or bust.

 

[patsox23]

logged into this thread ONLY to give it a one-star TERRIBLE rating and to let you know I did. This is ridiculous.

 

[Snarf]

<< I'd Rather Be 13-1 >>

Then you're a goddamn moron.

Where do you imbeciles come from, and who let you near the computer?

 

[Deus Irae]

If we play Seymour, Bruschi and Seau for four quarters for each of the next two games, we will be taking risks that I don't think we should take. I also believe that how much they play is influenced by our current undefeated record.

BTW, I will remember these patriots as the team of this decade, the team that won all those Super Bowls, the best dysasty of all time.

Some here would prefer to focus on being beating the record of a relatively weak team that went undefeated. As Brady has indicated, it is the patriots who have the longest winning streak. BTW, I think it unlikely that we will have the playoff records of a couple of the previous one-year wonders. I do NOT think we are the best one-year team of all time. I won't believe that if we are 19-0, unless the playoffs are different than I expect. We are the best dysnasty of all time; or at least we will be after willing another Supper Bowl or two).

If this is just about an undefeated season, Belichick might as well retire if we achieve it.

And yes, I do know that the players think that they are invincable and want to play all the reps for the next two games. It is not their decision to make.

Maybe they should just put those players into cryogenic stasis until the day of the first playoff game. That way, there's no problems anywhere in the world. After all, it's not as if the only place they can get hurt is on the field:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12172007/sports/jets/freak_injury_kos_coles_856035.htm