I'm taking a different approach to this

[strongside]

As many of you know the only positive that could possibly come out of a loss like this, is to weed out some of the bandwagon fans that only know of the good times. What should you do with all of this raw emotion? Certainly not do as all the pink hats are telling me to do which "pitchers and catchers report in 60 days." F that! Its time rededicate yourself to the support of this team. This was a really dose of humility for fans. Starting by making my peace with this loss to the Giants. It amy take time but I will do it. I will Realize that BB mad some mistakes and the execution was not there in the end and maybe this team wasn't as focused as in past years. i don't know but I'll figure it out. I'm breaking down this draft and getting to know some of the lesser known talent that may be in Pats uniform next year. I'll even re-evaluate the tailgating that went on this year. What should I add? Maybe buy a new tent or grill. All these superstitions I have are done. I'm washing my Jersey, changing the wall paper on the PC's at work, and putting the Bruschi picture on a different wall. I will continue to put the utmost trust in BB and not succomb to the mudslinging that has already started and will continue throughout the offseason. I'll even shop at patriot place as I do anything I can to contribute to the Patriot brand. Point being this loss has lit a fire under me and I hope it has done the same at Gillette.

 

[mcgraw_wv]

Look guys, I became a HUGE fan the day Drew Bledsoe was drafted, I was just too young to care that much about NFL before that...And my goodness, if making it to the Super Bowl is bad times, then wow... we were seconds away from another ring, and next year, we will have a chance to do it again.

Who cares bout 19-0, I know I don't... never did, I always said it means nothing without a ring.

These are the GREAT times, its a good decade to be a pats fan, and 08 doesn't bring an end to this.

I think the challanges will be
1 - Keeping the hunger in the team after 3 straight gut wrenching losses in the playoffs
2 - Bringing in people / balancing the cap to keep the secondary competitive.


I think we will be worse off for the first part of the season, dropping one to Indy, and maybe seatle, or something... Then the pressure moves on to other teams, like Colts, and we then get pack to peaking at the right time.


Next year,
We have the easiet schedule we have had in a LONG time. This past years, was one of the TOUGHEST, and we went 16-0.

You can't drop that far from 16-0. Gaurunteed of atleast 10 wins next year.

Plus I look for Morris to come back and reignite the running game.

 

[PromisedLand]

You're right, but a lot of us DID care about 19-0, and 4 out of 7. I care because those marks would have put us in the discussion as greatest team ever and greatest dynasty ever. And you may live a lifetime and never again see ANY team go 19-0, let alone OUR team.

 

[oldskool138]

Next year,
We have the easiet schedule we have had in a LONG time. This past years, was one of the TOUGHEST, and we went 16-0.

The Pats have to play a ton of west coast road games (granted against weak teams). The travel will be the biggest obstacle next year.

 

[Theplayer]

You're right, but a lot of us DID care about 19-0, and 4 out of 7. I care because those marks would have put us in the discussion as greatest team ever and greatest dynasty ever. And you may live a lifetime and never again see ANY team go 19-0, let alone OUR team.

That's a mistake many made,,winning the SB should have been all that mattered...19-0 was just the cherry on top...too many had it reversed.

 

[mcgraw_wv]

I already think, feel, and believe this Patriots Team is one of the greatest teams ever.

And we still have more years to try again. 3 years ago, I would have thought we had another one, but it seems as though we are getting stronger, not weaker as a team... Sustained excellence is here.

We have been in the hunt and a force in the playoffs every year, and the teams that have beaten us, have come and gone. Where is Denver? Colts? While we have made it to a grand stage over and over again.

I believe 4 out of 7 > 19-0

Hom many Super Bowls did that Miami team win?

Any team can win one every 15 years... its phenominal to win back to back, and then 3 out of 4. Chance at 4 out of 8.

I know I wanted it too... but its not over.

 

[PromisedLand]

I already think, feel, and believe this Patriots Team is one of the greatest teams ever.

And we still have more years to try again. 3 years ago, I would have thought we had another one, but it seems as though we are getting stronger, not weaker as a team... Sustained excellence is here.

We have been in the hunt and a force in the playoffs every year, and the teams that have beaten us, have come and gone. Where is Denver? Colts? While we have made it to a grand stage over and over again.

I believe 4 out of 7 > 19-0

Hom many Super Bowls did that Miami team win?

Any team can win one every 15 years... its phenominal to win back to back, and then 3 out of 4. Chance at 4 out of 8.

I know I wanted it too... but its not over.

I agree that when looked at through the objective lens of history, this era of Patriots football will be one of the greatest ever by ANY team. Consider:

Since 1996:

12 seasons
9 playoff appearances
6 AFC Championship games
5 AFC Championships/Super Bowl appearances
3 Super Bowl wins

14/3 overall playoff record (since 2001)

How many teams have had EVER such a sustained run of excellence?

 

[mcgraw_wv]

And we aren't done yet.

I think we have 2 more seasons to get one more ring. A lot of younger defensive players are up for negotiations after 2009 I believe... And since we are already tight now, I don't see how we get any break, or the talent to replace what will be leaving.

Unless this Draft turns into something special...

 

[#12]

Yeah, we are definitely not done! We will come back with a vengeance next season...that is one thing we know bout this pats team, they never relent. I would say that as long as BB/TB are in tact we have a chance to win it all. I think we got 6-8 years to add on to our ring collection. This team will not be continually denied...they will finish the business and when that next ring comes this board will be one hell of a place to be on!