Thoughts On Perfect Season and Best Ever

[Ring 6]

First of all, it really surprises me that there is so little 'how great we are' commentary on this board. I wonder if we are not living in the moment, holding back until the SB is over.
Maybe its the ever present fear of the 'jinx'? But we are 5 wins away from perfection, and not only the best team ever for a season, but very, very arguable the best franchsie ever over a 7 year run. I have always felt that ALL that matters is winning the SB. I still say it is what matters most, but I am finding myself rooting for this teams place in history.
If the perfect season is completed, we will have accomplished, starting on the day Tom Brady became the starting QB, a 7 year run of an overall record of 101-26. Stop and think about THAT. Over 7 years that equals an average overall record of 14.4-3.7. OVER 14 wins a year for 7 years. 4 SB titles in 7 years, and a playoff record of 15-2. It still has to be finished, but I can absolutely say that if and when it is there is no way, no how that anyone will ever be able to convince me that this is not the best team ever for a season, AND for an era.

I remember back to early in the season when the talk of a perfect season or best ever started. Consistently any reference to it was met by a barrage of 'are you an idiot' 'no way that happens' 'only a homer could even suggest it'. Here we are on the brink. My question is at what point or points did you start to think that?
Heres mine. In complete honesty. During the SD game in WEEK 2 I said to my 9 year old son 'Buddy, I have a feeling you may be watching the best team ever'. When I think back it seems sooooo early to be thinking that, but I truly did, at least to the point of entertaining the possibility.
I think that the Miami game was when I really started thinking a perfect season was a real possibility. I was in Vegas that week, arriving midnight Vegas time on Saturday night. What do you do in Vegas when you arrive at midnight? Of course you stay up all night. The game starts at 10 am Vegas time, so why sleep? I watched the first half in the sports book (while watching half of my bets lose) showered, and went back down for the second half. During the 42-0 first half, Brady hit Moss on 2 mind-boggling deep TDs that just looked like "here it is, proof we can do whatever we want to you". Cassell comes in and throws the Int, then Brady is put back in. I'm sitting in the sports book and Brady comes in and 5 plays its 5 passes and an 80(?) yard TD drive. I was LITERALLY laughing during the drive (unusual for me, even after 12 hours of drinking) basically saying this team is totally unstoppable. From that point on, I have never really doubted the perfect season.
The point of my post is this:
1) Are we holding back from just enjoying the ride until its over?
2) When did you start believing in the perfect season?
3) If you were one of the 'your an idiot for even suggesting 19-0' guys, at what point did you realize it was more likely than not.

 

[Disco Volante]

1) Are we holding back from just enjoying the ride until its over?
Enjoying now, and expecting a win every week. Looking forward to what records we have on our sights as well. Not hanging around with that nervous pessimistic “Well gee guys, you’re going to jinx us via message board! I wish we were 13-1, less pressure you know!” attitude. Kind of disgusting actually…

2) When did you start believing in the perfect season?
Since we signed Randy Moss. Not once did I question our chances of going undefeated nor will I now.

3) If you were one of the 'your an idiot for even suggesting 19-0' guys, at what point did you realize it was more likely than not.
They won't admit it. I remember some comments on here such as "Delete these topics, you are absolutely ridiculous for even thinking of such a thing, you are all morons! What idiots!

At the end of the season I was thinking of compiling all of those comments into one topic for all of us to look back on.

 

[patsox23]

I have been absolutely holding back until it's official, but I felt pretty damn early that this was a special team.

 

[Ring 6]

1) Are we holding back from just enjoying the ride until its over?
Enjoying now, and expecting a win every week. Looking forward to what records we have on our sights as well. Not hanging around with that nervous pessimistic “Well gee guys, you’re going to jinx us via message board! I wish we were 13-1, less pressure you know!” attitude. Kind of disgusting actually…

2) When did you start believing in the perfect season?
Since we signed Randy Moss. Not once did I question our chances of going undefeated nor will I now.

3) If you were one of the 'your an idiot for even suggesting 19-0' guys, at what point did you realize it was more likely than not.
They won't admit it. I remember some comments on here such as "Delete these topics, you are absolutely ridiculous for even thinking of such a thing, you are all morons! What idiots!

At the end of the season I was thinking of compiling all of those comments into one topic for all of us to look back on.

I hope you do that.
Back in 2003, after the Buffalo game, I posted an article in the section of this board (12th man? or something like that) title "Come in off the ledge" where I ripped the negativity and basically said there is nothing to worry about this team will be fine. I went back to reread it many times during the course of that SB season.

 

[Ring 6]

I have been absolutely holding back until it's official, but I felt pretty damn early that this was a special team.

And I'm not criticizing holding back either, it just seems like there is a lot of holdin gback going on, and I wonder if we are missing out on the fun.
I would think there would be a page full of posts about how great we are, rather than so many negative what is wrong with this guy or that guy posts.

 

[JoePats]

1) Are we holding back from just enjoying the ride until its over?
I'm trying to hold back (mostly because of respect for the Colts/their ability to score quickly and frequently which seems to be a requirement to beat the Pats) but yea it's clearly on my mind at this point.

2) When did you start believing in the perfect season?
The San Diego game was a clinic and yea that was the first point it crossed my mind, but the real turning point for me was the Dallas game. Once they took the lead, Brady's "Gosh, guess we'll have to score again" and seemingly scoring at will from there.

3) If you were one of the 'your an idiot for even suggesting 19-0' guys, at what point did you realize it was more likely than not.
Jarvis Green strip sack / Rosie Colvin fumble recovery in Indy.

 

[JoePats]

And I'm not criticizing holding back either, it just seems like there is a lot of holdin gback going on, and I wonder if we are missing out on the fun.
I would think there would be a page full of posts about how great we are, rather than so many negative what is wrong with this guy or that guy posts.

I wonder if there would be more of that if not for

1) the Spygate distraction
2) the early decimation of the league...That set such a high bar for every other game, it was like there was a foolish disappointment in any close game.

 

[Ring 6]

I wonder if there would be more of that if not for

1) the Spygate distraction
2) the early decimation of the league...That set such a high bar for every other game, it was like there was a foolish disappointment in any close game.

To me Spygate has nothing to do with it.
I agree that playing the games has almost become anti-climactic.
In years past there was a lot to talk about in the week before each game, but this year, whats left to say? Oh, we are better than them, how much will we win by?
I find myself, even in the games that are close, not thinking 'will we win' but 'when are we going to put it away'.

 

[BelichickFan]

1) Are we holding back from just enjoying the ride until its over?

I'm enjoying every game and the magical dreamland of what 5 more wins this year would mean. But I'm not allowing myself to assume it will happen because of the massive disappointment that would entail

2) When did you start believing in the perfect season?

Once we won @ Indy I thought it was reasonable to think about.

 

[Disco Volante]

Mediots write things to make things exciting for the naive fans who believe in fairy tales..it ain't happening and if you think its going to happen then put some milk in a glass on your table at home on Christmas eve so Santa can have something to drink when he arrives.. ..

When a guy who has been a long time successful writer and he writes negative things about the Patriots then hes a jerk,a-hole,stupid ***** and other things...
When the SAME guy later writes the Patriots may go to 16-0 or something positive like this article then hes a brilliant educated man...Give me a F-ing break homies.

You are taking it personally,I said ANYONE - Not just Desi-patsfan,and just like you if I believe anyone who thinks the team is going to be 16-0 is ******ed than I am going to think that way and I don't answer to anyone on here either - I really don't think that writer believes it anyway but its a good way to make potential reading customers on the scouts website.

Writers are like Attorneys-you can NEVER trust them.

The Pats will NOT go 16-0. If you think they are going to then you're delusional. Colts, Steelers, Cowboys...those are considered to be the 3 other best teams aside from us excluding the Packers. I'll be surprised if we win all 3 plus every single AFCE game this year. I don't want the Pats jinxed with this 16-0 crap. Stop fantacizing.

One of PATRIOT64's rants was so ridiculous it was actually deleted and replaced with [Mod. deleted flaming] Heh.

 

[alamo]

Two reasons there isn't as much excitement as you might expect:

1) A "perfect season" is 19-0 to most of us, not 16-0. Even though there are only two games left in the regular season, the Super Bowl still seems a long long ways off.

2) Earlier in the season the offense was on a pace to break every offensive record known to mankind. Their pace has slowed so much due to weather and always getting the opponents' "A game" that it has dampened some of the excitement, and reinforced the fact that our opponents are not going to simply acknowledge our greatness and forfeit each game. There is a LOT of work left

 

[Ring 6]

One of PATRIOT64's rants was so ridiculous it was actually deleted and replaced with [Mod. deleted flaming] Heh.

Do you have dates when those were posted?
It is very interesting to know that I was being called ******ed for being right.
Do you think Patriots64 will call himself ******ed for saying anyone who correctly predicted 16-0 was ******ed?

 

[Ring 6]

Two reasons there isn't as much excitement as you might expect:

1) A "perfect season" is 19-0 to most of us, not 16-0. Even though there are only two games left in the regular season, the Super Bowl still seems a long long ways off.

2) Earlier in the season the offense was on a pace to break every offensive record known to mankind. Their pace has slowed so much due to weather and always getting the opponents' "A game" that it has dampened some of the excitement, and reinforced the fact that our opponents are not going to simply acknowledge our greatness and forfeit each game. There is a LOT of work left

There is no doubt that we havent gone 19-0 yet, and the hardest part is yet to come.
My point is that 19-0 happens over 22 weeks (reg season bye, 1st round bye, week off before SB) and if we wait to be excited about it until the SB is over we wasted 21 of the 22 weeks. Should we be 14/19ths of the way there by now?

 

[Disco Volante]

Do you have dates when those were posted?
It is very interesting to know that I was being called ******ed for being right.
Do you think Patriots64 will call himself ******ed for saying anyone who correctly predicted 16-0 was ******ed?

September 27th. Full topic here.

 

[BelichickFan]

This thread made me do a search and I found that Tony Kornheiser called this BEFORE we got Moss

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showthread.php?t=52614

 

[ATippett56]

The point of my post is this:
1) Are we holding back from just enjoying the ride until its over?

Whatever happened to the BB mantra of "one game at a time"?

 

[BelichickFan]

And I remember this one from Pro Football Talk :

"As one league insider explained it on Monday afternoon, "[Coach Bill] Belichick is pissed, and he wants to go undefeated."

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showthread.php?t=61704

 

[Ring 6]

Whatever happened to the BB mantra of "one game at a time"?

That is for players and coaches. Because if THEY dont think one game at a time they wont play as well. It doesnt apply to fans because if I am sitting here thinking about the 100th win in a row in 2012, it has no impact on the team .

 

[psychoPat]

So true ... about the "holding back".
I'm glad you brought that aspect out.

It actually is very creditable to most of this wee community.
Boast-proof.
Humble. Modest.
Like the team ... always looking for how to improve, even a little bit.

MUCH rather be that way ... than vicariously triumphalist.
Especially before the fact.

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

First of all, it really surprises me that there is so little 'how great we are' commentary on this board. I wonder if we are not living in the moment, holding back until the SB is over.
Maybe its the ever present fear of the 'jinx'? But we are 5 wins away from perfection, and not only the best team ever for a season, but very, very arguable the best franchsie ever over a 7 year run. I have always felt that ALL that matters is winning the SB. I still say it is what matters most, but I am finding myself rooting for this teams place in history.
If the perfect season is completed, we will have accomplished, starting on the day Tom Brady became the starting QB, a 7 year run of an overall record of 101-26. Stop and think about THAT. Over 7 years that equals an average overall record of 14.4-3.7. OVER 14 wins a year for 7 years. 4 SB titles in 7 years, and a playoff record of 15-2. It still has to be finished, but I can absolutely say that if and when it is there is no way, no how that anyone will ever be able to convince me that this is not the best team ever for a season, AND for an era.

I remember back to early in the season when the talk of a perfect season or best ever started. Consistently any reference to it was met by a barrage of 'are you an idiot' 'no way that happens' 'only a homer could even suggest it'. Here we are on the brink. My question is at what point or points did you start to think that?
Heres mine. In complete honesty. During the SD game in WEEK 2 I said to my 9 year old son 'Buddy, I have a feeling you may be watching the best team ever'. When I think back it seems sooooo early to be thinking that, but I truly did, at least to the point of entertaining the possibility.
I think that the Miami game was when I really started thinking a perfect season was a real possibility. I was in Vegas that week, arriving midnight Vegas time on Saturday night. What do you do in Vegas when you arrive at midnight? Of course you stay up all night. The game starts at 10 am Vegas time, so why sleep? I watched the first half in the sports book (while watching half of my bets lose) showered, and went back down for the second half. During the 42-0 first half, Brady hit Moss on 2 mind-boggling deep TDs that just looked like "here it is, proof we can do whatever we want to you". Cassell comes in and throws the Int, then Brady is put back in. I'm sitting in the sports book and Brady comes in and 5 plays its 5 passes and an 80(?) yard TD drive. I was LITERALLY laughing during the drive (unusual for me, even after 12 hours of drinking) basically saying this team is totally unstoppable. From that point on, I have never really doubted the perfect season.
The point of my post is this:
1) Are we holding back from just enjoying the ride until its over?
2) When did you start believing in the perfect season?
3) If you were one of the 'your an idiot for even suggesting 19-0' guys, at what point did you realize it was more likely than not.

I'll get back to you in February re: the 'how great we are' sentiment.

If we lose in the playoffs then what good it that? big deal we won 15 games or whatever in a row. We won 21 before.

Let me be crystal clear here...

It is all about championships.

15-0 or 16-0 or whatever is fine, without the ring, who gives a rip. The Vikings also were 15-1 or whatever and next to no one talks about that team...