I think the future is still very bright

[nummit]

I had my day of misery following the loss like everyone else, but after a little time to cool off I don't think we are in a bad position. Sure the team needs some upgrades, but overall, this was a team that went 18-1! I bet there is only one team in the league that wouldn't trade seasons with us right now.

We still have BB and Tom. Nothing more needs to be said here.
We still have a solid, playoff caliber defense that could be a championship defense again with a few additions.... and maybe a little hunger. I guess I didn't realize that the Pats may have lost a little of their intensity and desire to control the game defensively due to the wins and points coming at a record pace, but after watching last nights game it was very clear who wanted it more.

The O line came up small in the big game, but once again, they are a solid unit. 25 sacks on the regular season is damn good when you throw the ball as much as the Pats did this season. Last night their weakness as a unit was exposed and exploited by a highly motovated Giants defense who refused to take "no" for an answer.

Maroney came up huge down the stretch, having Sammy back next year will make things even better.
Moss wants to be here, so long as his demands are reasonable and the Pats are reasonable about his value, I can't see any reason why this deal doesn't get done.

If the Pats had won this game we would be talking about winning a couple more titles over the next few seasons. Had the Pats won this game we wouldn't be talking about letting Moss go, or cutting Hobbs, or any of the other knee jerk reactions I have read today.
While I am as disappointed as anyone about how we lost the game last night, I still wouldn't trade players with the Giants, and I don't see any need to dust off my funeral suit just yet.

 

[#12]

Good post. I too think the future is bright. Hell, there have been others who've had disappointing losses and they still ended up getting the big one. Key for us is we've already had the big one 3 times, and with Brady in his prime and Belichick here we will be back! This dynasty is far from over...

 

[Rocky]

Nice job putting things in perspective. I guess the one thing that worries me is that the Pats have struggled in big games over the past three years. I have no doubt that they can have a successful season next year, but their playoff performances have been lackluster for whatever reason. (SD Chargers--both games the past two years were not great games played by the Pats, Colts last year, Denver two years ago)--back in 2003-2004 you couldn't imagine the Pats being unprepared or playing sloppy in a playoff game.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

And every team we play next year either lost to us this year, didn't have a winning record or is name the seahawks.

we have the easiest schedule imaginable other than the Colts and Chargers...

 

[nummit]

Nice job putting things in perspective. I guess the one thing that worries me is that the Pats have struggled in big games over the past three years. I have no doubt that they can have a successful season next year, but their playoff performances have been lackluster for whatever reason. (SD Chargers--both games the past two years were not great games played by the Pats, Colts last year, Denver two years ago)--back in 2003-2004 you couldn't imagine the Pats being unprepared or playing sloppy in a playoff game.

This is what I was refering to when I spoke about intensity and desire. I agree they have struggled, but it was also in the playoffs, and needless to say, playoff teams are good

 

[LurkingLinebacker]

I think it goes without saying that this team ought to remain highly competitive next year, even if everything does not go smoothly in the offseason with resigning certain players and in the draft (but hopefully we can have a near-perfect offseason, at least).

Despite what happened in last night's game with the O-line/running game, i think priority 1 all season long in terms of "what does the franchise do after 2007 into 2008" has been defense.

I just dont think a team led by Belichick and Brady can crumble and suffer the recent "Super Bowl Hangover" phenomenon, especially not this team.

even though the recent past and present seem gloomy, for the time being, the future is still very bright for the Patriots.

 

[Epica]

This reminds me a lot of when the Detroit Red Wings won 62 games. They never even made the finals. The next year they did not win 62 games but they did go on and when the Cup. Can the Pats go all the way next year? It will be a wait and see. But most of the teams are not that great. I mean really Arizona is going no where and fast. Denver had all kinds of problems and so on. The Colts and the Chargers well with the Colts it will have to see. The Chargers could be a bit harder.

I wanted them to win they didn't. But next season well who knows they may just shock us all and go 19 and 0. I'm not going to look at last night and cry there is baseball coming up in a few months so I have that to look forward to. Just tighten up on a few things and you stil have a great football team.

 

[juny]

Nice post! Way to put things in perspective.

 

[BradfordPatsFan]

I agree with a lot of what the OP said. It took me a while but I got it through my head.

My concerns upon pulling myself out of bed this morning were:

1. Colvin's cap #
2. Age of key players (Seau, Bru, Harrison) and the hole each one may leave in the roster should they retire.
3. Need to sign at least one of Stallworth/Moss
4. The right side of the OL
5. The secondary's effectiveness in general.

After some time to fume/vent/breathe, I have come to the following conclusions:

1. Colvin can be extended and the cap # can be reduced.
2. Any combo of the three can be kept as depth so long as viable bodies are either developed (Sanders, Woods, etc) or brought in via free agency.
3. Moss seemingly wants to stay and I forgot about a certain maligned former 2nd round pick. Then there is BAM!
4. A need for upgrade but Dante has worked wonders with that line.
5. Asante will likely walk. Thanks for all you've done. Hobbs is no worse than a nickel back, not the worst #2 cb in the league. Sanders and Merriweather likely allow for more coverage ability than Rodney/Sanders. I have not seen a potential free agent list nor have I studied the draft enough but I think BB and SP can make due here.

Yes, last night was a huge disappointment and I am still at a loss for words over that performance last night. However, the future is not as bleak as it may have seemed about 24 hours ago.

 

[bevster]

It may not be a popular thought, but I bet the PATS do not get another sniff at the SB for 4-5 years.

Imagine San Diego for example. Young team with no significant free agent losses. They are primed for the next five years. Can we take for granted that the PATS will beat them every year?

The PATS are old at several key positions. They may need TWO new ILBs before next season. Those types of players do not grow on trees.

 

[#12]

It may not be a popular thought, but I bet the PATS do not get another sniff at the SB for 4-5 years.

Imagine San Diego for example. Young team with no significant free agent losses. They are primed for the next five years. Can we take for granted that the PATS will beat them every year?

The PATS are old at several key positions. They may need TWO new ILBs before next season. Those types of players do not grow on trees.

What positions are they old at other than linebacker? Most of this team is still pretty young. Our offense is still very potent. We obviously have room for improvement, but we won 18 games this year so I don't think it's a stretch to say that we have a good chance of being back. I know SD is young and I do think they have a good chance as well to get to the superbowl, but this pats team is still the team to beat in the afc IMO.

 

[BadMoFo]

I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't win a Super Bowl in some time.

 

[TripleOption]

It may not be a popular thought, but I bet the PATS do not get another sniff at the SB for 4-5 years.

Imagine San Diego for example. Young team with no significant free agent losses. They are primed for the next five years. Can we take for granted that the PATS will beat them every year?

The PATS are old at several key positions. They may need TWO new ILBs before next season. Those types of players do not grow on trees.

They do not need 2 ILB's. Adalius was brought here to play ILB. Seau/Bruschi will rotate at ILB like they did earlier in the season. Oscar Lua will be given a shot. If Colvin comes back, he will play OLB...or they will sign someone to play there, depending on Pierre Woods development.

The rest of the team is young.

 

[BadMoFo]

It may not be a popular thought, but I bet the PATS do not get another sniff at the SB for 4-5 years.

Imagine San Diego for example. Young team with no significant free agent losses. They are primed for the next five years. Can we take for granted that the PATS will beat them every year?

The PATS are old at several key positions. They may need TWO new ILBs before next season. Those types of players do not grow on trees.

I completely agree. With new parts coming in on the defense, it is going to take some time to adjust. And we all know the records of the Super Bowl losers a year after they lost.

 

[Truck]

The future is still bright...yes

But I doubt we'll ever have another superbowl in which we're 18-0 going into it.

This is more disheartening than if they were 16-2 going into it.

 

[pats63]

Yeah fellas it's been a rough night and day at work...Future is bright no doubt about it...Yes the NYG out played us and wanted it more...If pats did this or that,we would have won...We didn't...NYG showed the pat have some weakness....It can be all corrected....Look the refs did a good job...Yeah I know a call or two could went our way...NYG won,it's not the end of the world....We would still face the same minor problem if we won and that needs to address....A little adjustment here and there we will be the team we love...

 

[PF1996]

Re: Look at the Yankees to see what the future holds

This reminds me a lot of when the Detroit Red Wings won 62 games. They never even made the finals. The next year they did not win 62 games but they did go on and when the Cup. Can the Pats go all the way next year? It will be a wait and see. But most of the teams are not that great. I mean really Arizona is going no where and fast. Denver had all kinds of problems and so on. The Colts and the Chargers well with the Colts it will have to see. The Chargers could be a bit harder.

I wanted them to win they didn't. But next season well who knows they may just shock us all and go 19 and 0. I'm not going to look at last night and cry there is baseball coming up in a few months so I have that to look forward to. Just tighten up on a few things and you stil have a great football team.

Actually this team reminds me much more of the New York Yankees and their run in the late '90s. The similarities are uncanny. First year, Yankees came out of nowhere, led by young SS, and won as an underdog with good pitching and defense. Second year they lost, then went on a three year run with good pitching and defense and an efficient offense. Everyone thought they would win 4-5 more easily. Sound familiar?

Then the wheels fell off in a way similar to the destruction of the Pats.

A totally out of character error filled loss in 2001 - similar to the uncharacterisitc error filled Pats loss to Denver. Then the 2004 chokejob to the Redsox, similar to the Pats chokejob at Indy. The Pats' chokejob this year is similar to the Yankees' chokejob in 2003, both offenses choked.

Just like the Yankees, the Pats started losing when they abandoned their championship winning ways (Yankees - strong pitching/defense ; Pats - strong defense/chameleon offense), accumulated large contracts, didn't replenish their farm system, had bad drafting/free agent pickups. The Pats are going to have to go into rebuilding mode, just like the Yankees. Lots of one and dones are in the future, if we even make it to the playoffs.

It may not be a popular thought, but I bet the PATS do not get another sniff at the SB for 4-5 years.

Imagine San Diego for example. Young team with no significant free agent losses. They are primed for the next five years. Can we take for granted that the PATS will beat them every year?

The PATS are old at several key positions. They may need TWO new ILBs before next season. Those types of players do not grow on trees.

I agree totally. Which is why in the next few years the Pats need to get a QB to develop so that the position is set once the Pats are ready to be seriously competitive again.

You're right on about San Diego. That team is young and talented. I think they are going to be the top AFC team next year. Buffalo is only missing a QB. Cleveland is only missing a defense. Jacksonville is only missing a receiver. There are a good many talented and young teams in the AFC and they are going to bump the Pats down several notches.

Not only are the Pats old at several key positions, but most of their young players lack TALENT/playmaking ability. We are really going to miss that n.31 pick this year because we need to replace both corners and at least one LB.

What positions are they old at other than linebacker? Most of this team is still pretty young. Our offense is still very potent. We obviously have room for improvement, but we won 18 games this year so I don't think it's a stretch to say that we have a good chance of being back. I know SD is young and I do think they have a good chance as well to get to the superbowl, but this pats team is still the team to beat in the afc IMO.

Most of this team is also quite talentless/lack playmaking ability, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

The future is still bright...yes

But I doubt we'll ever have another superbowl in which we're 18-0 going into it.

This is more disheartening than if they were 16-2 going into it.

Totally agree. Belichick, Brady and the offense totally choked a once in a lifetime opportunity away. That is what makes this loss so painful.

 

[nummit]

Re: Look at the Yankees to see what the future holds

Actually this team reminds me much more of the New York Yankees and their run in the late '90s. The similarities are uncanny. First year, Yankees came out of nowhere, led by young SS, and won as an underdog with good pitching and defense. Second year they lost, then went on a three year run with good pitching and defense and an efficient offense. Everyone thought they would win 4-5 more easily. Sound familiar?

Then the wheels fell off in a way similar to the destruction of the Pats.

A totally out of character error filled loss in 2001 - similar to the uncharacterisitc error filled Pats loss to Denver. Then the 2004 chokejob to the Redsox, similar to the Pats chokejob at Indy. The Pats' chokejob this year is similar to the Yankees' chokejob in 2003, both offenses choked.

Just like the Yankees, the Pats started losing when they abandoned their championship winning ways (Yankees - strong pitching/defense ; Pats - strong defense/chameleon offense), accumulated large contracts, didn't replenish their farm system, had bad drafting/free agent pickups. The Pats are going to have to go into rebuilding mode, just like the Yankees. Lots of one and dones are in the future, if we even make it to the playoffs.



I agree totally. Which is why in the next few years the Pats need to get a QB to develop so that the position is set once the Pats are ready to be seriously competitive again.

You're right on about San Diego. That team is young and talented. I think they are going to be the top AFC team next year. Buffalo is only missing a QB. Cleveland is only missing a defense. Jacksonville is only missing a receiver. There are a good many talented and young teams in the AFC and they are going to bump the Pats down several notches.

Not only are the Pats old at several key positions, but most of their young players lack TALENT/playmaking ability. We are really going to miss that n.31 pick this year because we need to replace both corners and at least one LB.




Most of this team is also quite talentless/lack playmaking ability, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.



Totally agree. Belichick, Brady and the offense totally choked a once in a lifetime opportunity away. That is what makes this loss so painful.

I have to disagree with your statement that Brady choked. It's hard to play like a superstar when the entire D-line is in your face all night. He could have handled pressure from the left, right, or up the middle, but not from all directions at once. Bledsoe would have been killed in the first 1/2

 

[Rocky]

Re: Look at the Yankees to see what the future holds

I have to disagree with your statement that Brady choked. It's hard to play like a superstar when the entire D-line is in your face all night. He could have handled pressure from the left, right, or up the middle, but not from all directions at once. Bledsoe would have been killed in the first 1/2

He brought them down and scored the go ahead TD with 2:30 left. If Harrison knocks that pass down, we're talking about how Brady got it done when it mattered and continues to be a clutch performer. You have to give him credit in that spot. But he definately missed some open receivers.

 

[nummit]

Re: Look at the Yankees to see what the future holds

He brought them down and scored the go ahead TD with 2:30 left. If Harrison knocks that pass down, we're talking about how Brady got it done when it mattered and continues to be a clutch performer. You have to give him credit in that spot. But he definately missed some open receivers.

He did miss some open receivers, but even Tom himself isn't perfect. We have to give the Giants their props, they came out and executed their superior gameplan perfectly.
I think the Pats as an organization were underestimating the Giants. Everyone but the Giants players expected a win by the pats. It just wasn't meant to be this year, but I still love our chances over the next few seasons.