BAD News For The Other 31 Teams Of The NFL

In 2003/2004, the core of the team was a little long in the tooth but the QB was young. Dillon turned 30--ancient for a RB--Brown was on his last leg, and the entire core of the defense (Bruschi, Harrison, McGinest, Law, Johnson) was near or at the end of their rope. They could hang their hat on Seymour, Samuel, Warren, Givens and Branch (and obviously Brady) but that team had to retool in a big way, especially on defense.

This team? The only 'key' starters 30 or older are Wilfork (33), Ninko (30) and Browner (30). On both sides of the ball their main contributors are either entering their prime (Jones, Collins, Hightower) or in it(Edelman, Gronk, Revis, McCourty, Browner, Lafell).

And Brady is ageless

It's scary to think about, really. Keep the core together, watch the kids continue to turn into stars while plugging the few holes that'll pop up (Wilfork, Ninko). As long as Brady stays upright this team will be very, very good the next 3+ seasons.

Dynasty Part Deux!

NYCPatsFan said:

and still has a couple of years of solid play left in his tank.

Here's wishing BB & TB a 19-0 season next year.

Click to expand...

I'll most definitely love for the the Pats to finish what was started in 2007 next year! But I match rather them to lose a game or 2 then lose a shot at history again on the main stage! That loss ripped my heart out in the worst way.

Haterproof said:

I'll most definitely love for the the Pats to finish what was started in 2007 next year! But I match rather them to lose a game or 2 then lose a shot at history again on the main stage! That loss ripped my heart out in the worst way.

Click to expand...

They have a shot at history with a SB next year either way, 19-0 is obviously unprecedented but so is a QB having 5 rings.

Personally I feel like it'll be great next year just by virtue of the fact that the Pats have the monkey off their back now. They got that fourth ring, they've silenced the haters. Now Brady and company can just play fast and loose all season, no pressure. Just let it rip.

Ross12 said:

They have a shot at history with a SB next year either way, 19-0 is obviously unprecedented but so is a QB having 5 rings.

Personally I feel like it'll be great next year just by virtue of the fact that the Pats have the monkey off their back now. They got that fourth ring, they've silenced the haters. Now Brady and company can just play fast and loose all season, no pressure. Just let it rip.

Click to expand...

They'll still be playing with the biggest target on their back imaginable, but at this point they're used to it. If anything this deflategate nonsense has taught everyone on the team how to ignore the noise and focus on the next game.

Anyway, I agree about 19-0, we had our shot and missed. To see what that did to the general psyche of the best team I've ever seen, to read about how much pressure those players put on themselves hearing about it every day...I don't want the Pats to ever start 14-0 again, period. Build as the year goes on, learn from mistakes/losses, position the team for the playoffs, get healthy if possible then prepare for war. That's all I want to see.

hambone1818 said:

They'll still be playing with the biggest target on their back imaginable, but at this point they're used to it. If anything this deflategate nonsense has taught everyone on the team how to ignore the noise and focus on the next game.

Anyway, I agree about 19-0, we had our shot and missed. To see what that did to the general psyche of the best team I've ever seen, to read about how much pressure those players put on themselves hearing about it every day...I don't want the Pats to ever start 14-0 again, period. Build as the year goes on, learn from mistakes/losses, position the team for the playoffs, get healthy if possible then prepare for war. That's all I want to see.

Click to expand...

I agree 1000 percent with everything you said!

ThisSuperBowl Winnning Club revealed some weaknesses that Coach Belichick will address this offseason. It was unable to impose its will and force the Run. A pair of talented both big and quick offensive linemen should allow someof the current starters to become superb reserves.

The injury to Ridley revealed the potential lack of really good RBs. Blount and Verreen are good but limited in their own ways. Blount is a slow starter at play start, without much pass receiving ability. He gats his yards after reaching the hole, and beyond. He is much better in the Second half after an opponent has been hammered some. What's needed is the complete First half Hammer. Vereen is too small to deliver that hammering and is the only real pass catcher at RB.

The pass rush is merely pretty good. Another stud Defensive lineman would be welcomed to enable the rotation and increase the pass rush pressure.

The Pats beat the big Sea hawks secondary with quicker, smaller, more agile receivers, and a a pair of bigger receivers in Lafell and Gronk. The return of Dobson, and a full TC for Wright, with some off season body building, for size, is my prescription for whats needed.

The Pats have a grooming backup QB in Polo, who looks competent; and I could see drafting another QB to also be groomed.

Other than that, lets pay them, resign them, and enjoy seeing what happens in the next few years.

I don't care about 19-0. One more ring would satisfy me for a long, long time.

A few losses keeps the egos down. I remember Brady scoffing at the idea that the team wouldn't put up at least 17 points in 2007. The couldn't even manage that. Because of that, I think that Brady learned a very valuable lesson.

As for how much longer Brady can play, its been documented that he does everything he can to stay physically prepared to play this game. His life revolves around it. He's dedicated to football. I think he can play 5 more years at a great level.