6 weeks down, 46 to go.

[Patjew]

Slow week on the Pats front. Though we did re-sign Mike Wright. That's good. Right?

I'm feeling very very happy with the O. They're going to kill again next year. Still hoping for some more help on D before the draft. But I know that's a long way away.

I consider Matt Light the most overrated player on the team and perhaps the league. He is to me what James Sanders is to DW Toys. Except without the psychotic fixation. And also, I'm not a serial killer.

Deangelo Hall signed with the Raiders this week. I was kinda hoping the Pats would make a move for him, but considering a # 2 and his contract, I'm glad they didn't.

I could go for some Take-E-O.

Shawn Alexander stinks. Please don't bring him here.

There have been some crazy posts recently. The Vrabel-can't-pass-rush one was one of the worst I've ever seen.

Though I LOVED the "i can haz patriot pics?" thread. Effing genius.

My family moved to Suzhou this week. This is REALLY China. We get stared at for being the honkies we are when we go to certain non-ex-Pat places around here. We're still settling in, but so far we really like it.

Still feeling quite positive about the 2008 season. The Super Bowl doesn't really sting anymore. It just feels like the most ridiculous fluke ever. In some weird way, it makes me a little happy for the Giants. Yet in a bigger way, I can't think about it too much or I'll puke.

Keegs, are you alive buddy? Haven't seen you post in a while.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Hi, PJ. Good luck to you and your family in your new home.

I'm glad you're feeling better about the past season. I've had a tough couple of weeks and so perhaps it's just me projecting my emotions onto the team (what, really? a fan who does that?) but I don't feel good about this off-season. The end of 2006 was devastating but I felt that the reaction from Belichick and the organization was "Right, whatever else, we're not going to go through THAT again!" And they were amazingly active in overhauling the playing staff to address the issues that we all saw.

Somehow, I don't have the same impression this off-season. I don't mean that they should be spending money right, left and centre, but the sense I have is one of a kind of passivity. The only really active move that they've made is bringing in Dom Capers. That's not a lot. Beyond that, I have more questions than anything. OK, you knew that Asante was gone, what plan do you have for replacing him? And what about Colvin? The linebacking and the secondary is as obvious a weakness as linebacking and the receivers were last year -- and no one could complain that they didn't address that very aggressively -- but all you've done is cut a player who played very well when he was healthy and was a great fit for the team as an individual.

Yes, I know. In BB we must trust. He must have a plan. He always does, and it isn't his business to share it with the media. But could it be this time ... gulp! ... that the Patriots are just drifting? Could it be that the pressure of media vilification, the threat of yet another episode of Spygate, has just got too much? Or is it that too much work, bad health and the New England winter have made poor old Mike the Brit finally lose his senses?

 

[Patjew]

Hi, PJ. Good luck to you and your family in your new home.

I'm glad you're feeling better about the past season. I've had a tough couple of weeks and so perhaps it's just me projecting my emotions onto the team (what, really? a fan who does that?) but I don't feel good about this off-season. The end of 2006 was devastating but I felt that the reaction from Belichick and the organization was "Right, whatever else, we're not going to go through THAT again!" And they were amazingly active in overhauling the playing staff to address the issues that we all saw.

Somehow, I don't have the same impression this off-season. I don't mean that they should be spending money right, left and centre, but the sense I have is one of a kind of passivity. The only really active move that they've made is bringing in Dom Capers. That's not a lot. Beyond that, I have more questions than anything. OK, you knew that Asante was gone, what plan do you have for replacing him? And what about Colvin? The linebacking and the secondary is as obvious a weakness as linebacking and the receivers were last year -- and no one could complain that they didn't address that very aggressively -- but all you've done is cut a player who played very well when he was healthy and was a great fit for the team as an individual.

Yes, I know. In BB we must trust. He must have a plan. He always does, and it isn't his business to share it with the media. But could it be this time ... gulp! ... that the Patriots are just drifting? Could it be that the pressure of media vilification, the threat of yet another episode of Spygate, has just got too much? Or is it that too much work, bad health and the New England winter have made poor old Mike the Brit finally lose his senses?

Hi Mike. First, if you're in bad health, I'm very sorry to hear it. Get well.

Next: yes, it's just you. The Pats are not drifting as far as I can tell. They've made some nice re-signings. They have not made a huge splash with FAs from other teams, but you know that sometimes the best move is no move at all. I mean, it's better not to sign a player than to sign the wrong player. If there was player who would fit, then I'm sure they will go after him. Sometimes they'll get him, sometimes not. But passivity from BB? He wishes!

The Pats were so very very very close to perfection last year. They probably need to do less than almost any other team to stay elite. Yes, Colvin is gone, Bruschi is another year older, Seau is ?, and Samuel left... those are a few holes to fill. It's MARCH. Some new guys have come in, more will follow, and they have the # 7.

The boys in Foxboro still know what it takes. Have faith. Feel better... and you will feel better.

 

[Bertil]

The funny thing is that 2 weeks after the SB, it seemed like a lifetime ago. Once training camp starts, the SB will seem like yesterday.

 

[blackglass3]

Good stuff, PJ. I actually found myself looking forward to reading this post on Friday.

I am feeling the opposite of most people about the Super Bowl. I was pretty upbeat after it happened, with a "Next year there is going to be hell to pay" kind of attitude. Just lately it has started to really bother me. If I ever see the commercial for the SB42 DVD, I switch the channel. When I see Eli Manning or Michael Strahan or even Don Shula and his ******ed "Still Undefeated" steakhouse crap, my stomach does a little flip flop kind of thing. My family and I were walking around Seaside Heights yesterday and it was just covered with 18-1 bullsh!t and #10 jerseys. I felt sick last night and was replaying the game in my head just from seeing all that stuff. And it's not like it will go away once the season starts...if the game announcers and all the mediots don't mention the Pats going 18-1 AT LEAST once a week, I will sh!t in my hat. They are going to beat that drum for years.

PJ, how is watching the games in Asia? Do you get up at ungodly times and watch them live, or do you record them and then watch them when it's convienent for you? Maybe it will work out well, since I won't have to watch all the ESPN and all the pregame crap due to the time difference. God knows I am not going to go out of my way to watch Tom Jackson cry like a b!tch.

 

[RayClay]

Slow week on the Pats front. Though we did re-sign Mike Wright. That's good. Right?

I'm feeling very very happy with the O. They're going to kill again next year. Still hoping for some more help on D before the draft. But I know that's a long way away.

I consider Matt Light the most overrated player on the team and perhaps the league. He is to me what James Sanders is to DW Toys. Except without the psychotic fixation. And also, I'm not a serial killer.

Deangelo Hall signed with the Raiders this week. I was kinda hoping the Pats would make a move for him, but considering a # 2 and his contract, I'm glad they didn't.

I could go for some Take-E-O.

Shawn Alexander stinks. Please don't bring him here.

There have been some crazy posts recently. The Vrabel-can't-pass-rush one was one of the worst I've ever seen.

Though I LOVED the "i can haz patriot pics?" thread. Effing genius.

My family moved to Suzhou this week. This is REALLY China. We get stared at for being the honkies we are when we go to certain non-ex-Pat places around here. We're still settling in, but so far we really like it.

Still feeling quite positive about the 2008 season. The Super Bowl doesn't really sting anymore. It just feels like the most ridiculous fluke ever. In some weird way, it makes me a little happy for the Giants. Yet in a bigger way, I can't think about it too much or I'll puke.

Keegs, are you alive buddy? Haven't seen you post in a while.

Hey Patjew, how ya doing? I was honestly going to say enough with the countdown until I read your nice, and very humorous, summary. I like that and would look forward to one each week if you're so inclined.

Wow!! Just checked, you're really going into China, eh? Nowhere near Hong Kong. Please give us a rundown on your new surroundings. Fascinating.

For Mike the Brit. I'm betting there's little action pre draft. I think there will be a great draft and probably other trades/pickups around draft time.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

They are going to beat that drum for years.

Of course they will. . . . until the Pats do go 19-0.

But, seriously, the way I see it, so #%#@%ing what if they do mention it?

The way I see it, the SB loss is--in the way you handle it emotionally--dealing with the death of someone you know. Yeah, you're constantly going to be reminded of it, but how you remember the life is under your control. As I've said before, every time I'm reminded of the loss, I think about everything else that came before. It makes it easier to cope.

 

[Patjew]

Good stuff, PJ. I actually found myself looking forward to reading this post on Friday.

Thanks! You must be sick!

I am feeling the opposite of most people about the Super Bowl. I was pretty upbeat after it happened, with a "Next year there is going to be hell to pay" kind of attitude. Just lately it has started to really bother me. If I ever see the commercial for the SB42 DVD, I switch the channel. When I see Eli Manning or Michael Strahan or even Don Shula and his ******ed "Still Undefeated" steakhouse crap, my stomach does a little flip flop kind of thing. My family and I were walking around Seaside Heights yesterday and it was just covered with 18-1 bullsh!t and #10 jerseys. I felt sick last night and was replaying the game in my head just from seeing all that stuff. And it's not like it will go away once the season starts...if the game announcers and all the mediots don't mention the Pats going 18-1 AT LEAST once a week, I will sh!t in my hat. They are going to beat that drum for years.

That actually sounds very rough. I feel for you. I've said it before, but it's true: being here, away from any hype, has helped me heal. The first 2 weeks were brutal, but after that I've just kinda moved along. I am going to Vegas in 2 weeks for work. I pray that no one mentions the SB.

PJ, how is watching the games in Asia? Do you get up at ungodly times and watch them live, or do you record them and then watch them when it's convienent for you? Maybe it will work out well, since I won't have to watch all the ESPN and all the pregame crap due to the time difference. God knows I am not going to go out of my way to watch Tom Jackson cry like a b!tch.

Most games I woke up early and watched live. China and HK are 12/13 hrs ahead of EST/EDT (they don't move the clocks ahead here). The good thing about the Pats playing alot of 4 and 8 PM games meant that I could watch them at 5 or 9 AM live. Some of the 1 PM games I woke up for to watch live (at 2 AM), a couple I didn't and then just watched a replay of on Yahoo!. I gotta say, it's nice to roll out of bed and turn on the game just in time for the kickoff without all of the pre-game crap.

Thanks for the kind comments.

 

[Patjew]

Hey Patjew, how ya doing? I was honestly going to say enough with the countdown until I read your nice, and very humorous, summary. I like that and would look forward to one each week if you're so inclined.

Hey RayClay, I'm doing well. Thanks for the nice feedback. It's my goal to pump out about 46 more of these, so I really appreciate the positive comments.

Wow!! Just checked, you're really going into China, eh? Nowhere near Hong Kong. Please give us a rundown on your new surroundings. Fascinating.

I really am up here in China! Suzhou is a mid-sized city for China, with about 6 million people here. It's about 2 hours by car from Shanghai. There is ton of industry here (which is why I'm here), and a decent ex-Pat community as well. But it's not like Hong Kong. Hong Kong is easy, this place isn't. We live in a housing estate in what's called the Singapore Industrial Park. It's not like an industrial park back home; this is like a city within a city filled with local Chinese and other nationals. It's a relatively modern city with a cool mix of the new and the old. The "old" part of the city has parts over 1000 years old, and then close by there are huge, state-of-the-art factories and beer halls. We could have lived in Shanghai, but I preferred the idea of Suzhou because it's a bit more quaint and quiet. But you can never get away from the fact that it is China. Traffic is crazy, the air is disgusting, western groceries are scarce, and very few people speak English. It's hectic and bizarre, and we're loving every minute of it- even the minutes we hate!

 

[RayClay]

Of course they will. . . . until the Pats do go 19-0.

But, seriously, the way I see it, so #%#@%ing what if they do mention it?

The way I see it, the SB loss is--in the way you handle it emotionally--dealing with the death of someone you know. Yeah, you're constantly going to be reminded of it, but how you remember the life is under your control. As I've said before, every time I'm reminded of the loss, I think about everything else that came before. It makes it easier to cope.

I'm not making fun, but as a former die hard sox fan who managed to live through '86 I understand.

The analogy doesn't hold. Nobody died. We forget that not only have we had recent success, but we are a competitor every year.

Besides the Colts, and possibly a couple others nobody this century can make that claim.

Living in the past is not healing. Realizing we just signed Moss and have the #7 pick is. Why invent reasons to go on, when we have the type of off season optimism we've seldom had in our history?

If you've been a Pats fan or fan of any team in any sport, you realize sometimes a lot of rationalizing is required to be optimistic. We have year 2 of Brady Moss, A burgeoning monster (IMO) in Maroney Morris, the best coach FO combination going and the germ of a new defense with picks and dough to stock the pond...

Now get out there and let the sunshine in.

Don't make me go all Annie on your ass.

http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/bestofbroadway-americanmusical/tomorrow.htm

 

[BionicPatriot]

I'm not making fun, but as a former die hard sox fan who managed to live through '86 I understand.

The analogy doesn't hold. Nobody died. We forget that not only have we had recent success, but we are a competitor every year.

Besides the Colts, and possibly a couple others nobody this century can make that claim.

Living in the past is not healing. Realizing we just signed Moss and have the #7 pick is. Why invent reasons to go on, when we have the type of off season optimism we've seldom had in our history?

If you've been a Pats fan or fan of any team in any sport, you realize sometimes a lot of rationalizing is required to be optimistic. We have year 2 of Brady Moss, A burgeoning monster (IMO) in Maroney Morris, the best coach FO combination going and the germ of a new defense with picks and dough to stock the pond...

Now get out there and let the sunshine in.

Don't make me go all Annie on your ass.

http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/bestofbroadway-americanmusical/tomorrow.htm

Your right. The only thing keeping me able to think about the Pats is FA, Moss re-signing and the potential stud rookie they could grab with such a high pick. I don't think BB has ever had a pick this high in his time here, so I'm optimistic to see who he picks. That, and faith that they pull it together again and will hopefully have the fire to get back where they were and finish something. Not to sound like a homer, but I feel this team is different from any of the past SB losers. Outside of spygate, the team is alright. No contract BS, no locker room problems. You have a locker room with guys who have 3 rings and want and know how to get another one. That gives me hope.

However, this offseason has been like drowning. It's just so slow and painful. I keep thinking "what if". IF Samuel grabs the ball, IF Hobbs blocks the pass, IF Eli over threw him. It just freaking hurts. Your invest such an emotional toll throughout the season with optimism. When it all goes crashing down, it's just such a kick in the nuts. I was shocked, period. I just never fully began feeling it until now. I hope I can just grow up about it soon, it's a game and I'm trying to feel that way. I just hope they win the super bowl next year, erase this bull****.

 

[Keegs]

Slow week on the Pats front. Though we did re-sign Mike Wright. That's good. Right?

I'm feeling very very happy with the O. They're going to kill again next year. Still hoping for some more help on D before the draft. But I know that's a long way away.

I consider Matt Light the most overrated player on the team and perhaps the league. He is to me what James Sanders is to DW Toys. Except without the psychotic fixation. And also, I'm not a serial killer.

Deangelo Hall signed with the Raiders this week. I was kinda hoping the Pats would make a move for him, but considering a # 2 and his contract, I'm glad they didn't.

I could go for some Take-E-O.

Shawn Alexander stinks. Please don't bring him here.

There have been some crazy posts recently. The Vrabel-can't-pass-rush one was one of the worst I've ever seen.

Though I LOVED the "i can haz patriot pics?" thread. Effing genius.

My family moved to Suzhou this week. This is REALLY China. We get stared at for being the honkies we are when we go to certain non-ex-Pat places around here. We're still settling in, but so far we really like it.

Still feeling quite positive about the 2008 season. The Super Bowl doesn't really sting anymore. It just feels like the most ridiculous fluke ever. In some weird way, it makes me a little happy for the Giants. Yet in a bigger way, I can't think about it too much or I'll puke.

Keegs, are you alive buddy? Haven't seen you post in a while.

yeah i'm here chief. i've moved a lot of my stupidity to the patsfans pub forum since most of my dumb threads used to get moved there anyways.

I figured for once i could give the mods a break
There's some good stuff in there if you haven't been in a while.

-I'm really excited for the draft. I love it. Its like watching a game but you don't get nervous b/c you don't know which players suck yet. I also like seeing how other teams try to fix their dysfunctional teams through the draft.

-If they get someone you don't know, its exciting b/c you can go search the internet for the guy... like Mankins

-If they get someone that we didn't think they would, and we thought wasn't as good, like Maroney, it's fun to watch the highlights and search for what the pats saw in the player. it's also fun to listen to the threads of people justifying the pick. I love reading that crap.

-If they trade up and get someone flashy, like Chad Jackson, everyone goes nuts and someone will say he's a future HOF. That's fun too.

I hope the pats get a tight end early. It irritates everyone and i find it hilarious, every year. And BB/SP are only doing it for the good of the team so it's a win/win for me.

some of the threads going on now drive me nuts. like the AV thread, the Jimi Hendrix-brain-damaged-poster thread.

 

[RayClay]

Your right. The only thing keeping me able to think about the Pats is FA, Moss re-signing and the potential stud rookie they could grab with such a high pick. I don't think BB has ever had a pick this high in his time here, so I'm optimistic to see who he picks. That, and faith that they pull it together again and will hopefully have the fire to get back where they were and finish something. Not to sound like a homer, but I feel this team is different from any of the past SB losers. Outside of spygate, the team is alright. No contract BS, no locker room problems. You have a locker room with guys who have 3 rings and want and know how to get another one. That gives me hope.

However, this offseason has been like drowning. It's just so slow and painful. I keep thinking "what if". IF Samuel grabs the ball, IF Hobbs blocks the pass, IF Eli over threw him. It just freaking hurts. Your invest such an emotional toll throughout the season with optimism. When it all goes crashing down, it's just such a kick in the nuts. I was shocked, period. I just never fully began feeling it until now. I hope I can just grow up about it soon, it's a game and I'm trying to feel that way. I just hope they win the super bowl next year, erase this bull****.

Hey Bionic (kffl?), you have to count your blessings. Fans of other teams wait 20-30 years for the type of team we put on the field last year and this.

We had a great shot the year before too. We just didn't convert.

People have to get out of this mind set that it's automatic.

Some teams spend 10-20 years or more without a reasonable shot at a title.

Plus there's the Bills and Vikings.

Patriots fans need to snap out of it. If it was easy, it wouldn't mean anything.

 

[Patjew]

-I'm really excited for the draft. I love it. Its like watching a game but you don't get nervous b/c you don't know which players suck yet.

That's a great line. I've never really been into the draft before because I'm not into college football. But this year with such a high pick and some very obvious needs on D, I'm really looking forward to it.

Also, maybe they'll go all O for the first 4 rounds and it will be fun listening to people's heads explode.

 

[Keegs]

That's a great line. I've never really been into the draft before because I'm not into college football. But this year with such a high pick and some very obvious needs on D, I'm really looking forward to it.

Also, maybe they'll go all O for the first 4 rounds and it will be fun listening to people's heads explode.

Yeah it's weird, i don't like college football either...

but i like the combine, and i like the draft.

And if they wen't O in the first 4 rounds, this board would be absolutely hilarious.

 

[BionicPatriot]

Hey Bionic (kffl?), you have to count your blessings. Fans of other teams wait 20-30 years for the type of team we put on the field last year and this.

We had a great shot the year before too. We just didn't convert.

People have to get out of this mind set that it's automatic.

Some teams spend 10-20 years or more without a reasonable shot at a title.

Plus there's the Bills and Vikings.

Patriots fans need to snap out of it. If it was easy, it wouldn't mean anything.

I WAS Bionic, but I had to switch my name to 51Hits.

Anyway, look I realize all of that. But I don't know why this board is in denial, if they won it we'd be going freaking crazy. It just sucked what happened, and I can't get over it for some time. I envy those of you who can see it so positively. Pain wont be eased for me until the season is underway and they start the journey again

 

[signbabybrady]

Patjew,

Why not countdown to the start of the football season rather than to next years SB?

When next years SB is over and we are champs again it is going to be along time till football comes back. I can't wait til the season starts. Week 1 is one of the best weeks, all the hype is over and it is time to see what you really have for the upcoming year and all the games still have to played. I can't wait for that.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

However, this offseason has been like drowning. It's just so slow and painful. I keep thinking "what if". IF Samuel grabs the ball, ....

That's what I was talking about when I compared it to dealing with a death--sometimes, you wonder if there's anything that could have been done (or, worse still, something you might/could/should have done), or you remember how bad things were right near the end. OTOH, as bad or sudden as the end might have been, there was also a life that came before it, and that life might actually have been pretty darn good. So, do you just remember all the pain, or do you focus on the life? For my own sake, I try to focus on the wins--but I can understand why the pain is there.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Hey, PJ, glad to see you're well and also well into your SB recovery.

I agree with most of your take on the offseason, unfortunately. I think of the offseason like a simple "On" or "Off" switch. A team either gets better and improves more than its divisional and conference competition or it doesn't. I can't look at any particular move and say "Yeah, that makes them a lot better." Unfortunately, the Jests seem to be doing that. I assume we're waiting for the Draft and that we might make a move with the number seven.

 

[Patjew]

Patjew,

Why not countdown to the start of the football season rather than to next years SB?

When next years SB is over and we are champs again it is going to be along time till football comes back. I can't wait til the season starts. Week 1 is one of the best weeks, all the hype is over and it is time to see what you really have for the upcoming year and all the games still have to played. I can't wait for that.

Good question.

Of course, I cannot wait for week 1 and I'm going to really enjoy all of next season. My goal is not to be so stressed over every game next year as I was this year. I'm really looking forward to it.

BUT, that being said, I am on a mission next season, and it will not be complete until I am standing victorious in Tampa Bay 45 1/2 weeks from now. Thus, my countdown to glory, redemption, and vengeance.

(OK, that was a bit melodramatic, but I really am psyched about next season)