X factor in all of this...

[TOzgood]

To put free agency and the randy moss saga and whatever else there is aside....I am worried about something much bigger than personnel with the Patriots next year...Is anyone concerned about the psyche of this team? Think about it...Two years ago you lose a heart crushing game in Indy...This year they get defeated in the biggest upset possibly in sports history, not to mention the implications of that loss...Now the team is taking crushing blows (so far) in free agency...is anyone worried about the mental state of this team and the direction it is headed? Will Tom Brady be happy if Randy leaves? What about the defense who has crumbled to its knees in two season ending games two years in a row...How do you come back from such defeats and still have it in you to go forward...especially if Randy is gone, Samuel gone, Rosey gone, Gay gone, etc...

 

[Bertil]

I don't know that this years loss was that much more of a defeat than last years loss in Indy, from the players' standpoint. They were essentially a hairs breadth from a SB Championship both times. They were only a four yard Troy Brown missed reception and a miracle David Tyree catch away from...

Suddenly, my fingers will not type those last few words.

 

[Zeke_Mowatt]

Simply, imo, nope. Not at all worried. They came back from Indy with a great offseason and 18-0 before a big choker, but that doesn't mean they'll be any less hungry...if Bruschi and Brady are back, I suspect they'll work even harder towards it. Hope I'm right, could be wrong.

To put free agency and the randy moss saga and whatever else there is aside....I am worried about something much bigger than personnel with the Patriots next year...Is anyone concerned about the psyche of this team? Think about it...Two years ago you lose a heart crushing game in Indy...This year they get defeated in the biggest upset possibly in sports history, not to mention the implications of that loss...Now the team is taking crushing blows (so far) in free agency...is anyone worried about the mental state of this team and the direction it is headed? Will Tom Brady be happy if Randy leaves? What about the defense who has crumbled to its knees in two season ending games two years in a row...How do you come back from such defeats and still have it in you to go forward...especially if Randy is gone, Samuel gone, Rosey gone, Gay gone, etc...

 

[Rossmci90]

We came damn close to the SB in 06 with an average WR corps, even if we lose Moss, we are more equipped than 06.

 

[vyrago]

While we're speculating on x factors what about RM's battery charge?

Isn't it time to start dragging out and dusting off the Myra factor?? It's all her fault.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Why are you worried about losing defensive players that play on a defense "that has crumbled to it's knees" the past few years. A choking defense probably has choking players.

Here's the scoop:

All players start winding down. The Pats are best letting them go with a little tread left. It's much better to let them go a little early than when it's high priced too late.

We have 4 picks in the first round. Maybe 5 with a trade. I believe our secondary will be loaded and we get good value at LB.

We had the 6th ranked offense with Reche.

We have a very easy schedule next year.

Get the kids ready for the playoffs.

 

[National Sports Advisors]

Many of you are in denial just like many of you were completely oblivious and blind to the fact that this team had flaws and was not playing well down the stretch of the season. It's been proven time after time that it is awfully hard the following season for the super bowl loser to rebound and come back strong. It does not happen often. Not only does losing in the super bowl completely trump losing to the Colts in the AFC title game in 2006, but it's also the fact that they were heavy favorites and had a chance to go 19-0 and make history. Some of you forget that 60% of this roster has NOT won a super bowl. More than half the team. With Colvin, Troy Brown, Randall Gay, and Asante Samuel leaving, that number should be in the teens this upcoming season. I think it is going to be awfully hard for this team to get back to the AFC championship game this season nevermind to the super bowl and winning it. Wake up people. Plus if we lose Randy Moss then Tom Brady will have to get used to a whole new receiving core once again this season outside of Welker. Not good.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Another thing

The defense would not have crumbled if like Samuel made than interception.

 

[Rossmci90]

Many of you are in denial just like many of you were completely oblivious and blind to the fact that this team had flaws and was not playing well down the stretch of the season. It's been proven time after time that it is awfully hard the following season for the super bowl loser to rebound and come back strong. It does not happen often. Not only does losing in the super bowl completely trump losing to the Colts in the AFC title game in 2006, but it's also the fact that they were heavy favorites and had a chance to go 19-0 and make history. Some of you forget that 60% of this roster has NOT won a super bowl. More than half the team. With Colvin, Troy Brown, Randall Gay, and Asante Samuel leaving, that number should be in the teens this upcoming season. I think it is going to be awfully hard for this team to get back to the AFC championship game this season nevermind to the super bowl and winning it. Wake up people. Plus if we lose Randy Moss then Tom Brady will have to get used to a whole new receiving core once again this season outside of Welker. Not good.

I wonder how many teams would kill to say that.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Not playing well?

After Indy they won, ohh, like 9 in a row!!!

Dude, you need to be a lions fan.

 

[Pats726]

Many of you are in denial just like many of you were completely oblivious and blind to the fact that this team had flaws and was not playing well down the stretch of the season. It's been proven time after time that it is awfully hard the following season for the super bowl loser to rebound and come back strong. It does not happen often. Not only does losing in the super bowl completely trump losing to the Colts in the AFC title game in 2006, but it's also the fact that they were heavy favorites and had a chance to go 19-0 and make history. Some of you forget that 60% of this roster has NOT won a super bowl. More than half the team. With Colvin, Troy Brown, Randall Gay, and Asante Samuel leaving, that number should be in the teens this upcoming season. I think it is going to be awfully hard for this team to get back to the AFC championship game this season nevermind to the super bowl and winning it. Wake up people. Plus if we lose Randy Moss then Tom Brady will have to get used to a whole new receiving core once again this season outside of Welker. Not good.

Sorry I don't buy that...that simple..And you are not one who sheds light on anything new...

 

[Pats726]

Not playing well?

After Indy they won, ohh, like 9 in a row!!!

Dude, you need to be a lions fan.

Ot maybe a fan of ,,,,fill in the blank...

 

[National Sports Advisors]

I wonder how many teams would kill to say that.

What's your point? Of course everyone would kill to have won 3 super bowl. Guess what? It does not mean a hill of beans in 2008. Who gives a rat's behind about the past? It's all about winning in 2008. Some people here just think we are going to strap on the helmets, don the shoulder pads, paste on the eye black and get back to the super bowl just because we are the New England Patriots. That loss was devestating. It is always hard for the super bowl loser the next season. You think we are immune to that just because we are the New England Patriots? Puhleaze. We are losing key guys and a lot of our guys on defense are not getting any younger. I think many of you are underestimating how difficult it is going to be next year. Forget the easy schedule. It's about how we are going to match up with the teams we face in the playoffs. Losing Moss and Samuel is not making us any better.

 

[National Sports Advisors]

Not playing well?

After Indy they won, ohh, like 9 in a row!!!

Dude, you need to be a lions fan.

Ya and how many mediocre QB's looked good against our defense? AJ Feeley or Kyle Boller ring a bell? Wake up.

 

[Rossmci90]

Ya and how many mediocre QB's looked good against our defense? AJ Feeley or Kyle Boller ring a bell? Wake up.

Forever the pessimist...

*awaits the usual "im not a pessimist, im a realist" comment"

 

[National Sports Advisors]

Forever the pessimist...

*awaits the usual "im not a pessimist, im a realist" comment"

Pessimist? It's a fact. The season is over. Look at the box scores. You don't have to be Einstein to cleary see how mediocre QB's looked very good against our defense down the stretch. Hell, we made Eli Manning into a superstar and super bowl champion lol! Good lord.

 

[Rob0729]

If anything, I think the Super Bowl loss may make the team even more driven and cutthroat. I think this team saw perfection grasps away and they lost it. I think that may have been a wake up call to a lot of players who seemed (at least in hindsight) to think the Super Bowl was going to be a cake walk.

Losing to the Colts in the 2006 season did nothing to harm the psyche of this team. In fact the mantra became, you play for the full 60 minutes. The Pats played the full 60 minutes so much that they got slammed for running up the score. I expect the Super Bowl loss to have a similiar effect.

There are too many veteran leaders to allow this team to have a Super Bowl hangover like that.

 

[Rossmci90]

What's your point? Of course everyone would kill to have won 3 super bowl. Guess what? It does not mean a hill of beans in 2008. Who gives a rat's behind about the past? It's all about winning in 2008. Some people here just think we are going to strap on the helmets, don the shoulder pads, paste on the eye black and get back to the super bowl just because we are the New England Patriots. That loss was devestating. It is always hard for the super bowl loser the next season. You think we are immune to that just because we are the New England Patriots? Puhleaze. We are losing key guys and a lot of our guys on defense are not getting any younger. I think many of you are underestimating how difficult it is going to be next year. Forget the easy schedule. It's about how we are going to match up with the teams we face in the playoffs. Losing Moss and Samuel is not making us any better.

First of all we have not lost Moss, we might do but so far we haven't. And as im sure most people believe,we're almost guaranteed to win the division. Any team that makes the playoffs has a great chance of going all the way

 

[Deus Irae]

All teams run their course and certainly this Patriot team is on the downslope but they can re-tool and be a force, but it does appear that they are a step below where they were a few years ago. A lot of that demise has to do with age as the Patriots are an aging team. Belichek and Pioi are phenomenol, but even they have their limits. Soon, and it might even be next year the Pats will feel the effects of this aging roster.

The last time I checked, going 16-0 wasn't a sign that a team was "on the downslope".

As for the age theory, remove the linebackers and check again.

 

[National Sports Advisors]

First of all we have not lost Moss, we might do but so far we haven't. And as im sure most people believe,we're almost guaranteed to win the division. Any team that makes the playoffs has a great chance of going all the way

Guaranteed? Take Randy Moss off this offense and let's see how good it is. Now that Samuel is gone from the defense let's see who we have covering the TO's, Hines Ward's, and Reggie Wayne's of the world. NOTHING is guaranteed. The Bills are going to be much better next season. You people amaze me.