Only way out

supafly said:

[...] and let's not forget the fact that 2008, 2009, and even 2010 all saw a total of zero postseason wins, so it wasn't quite as dominant as you're suggesting.

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I get what you're saying. However, I travel often throughout the US and have seen first-hand that whenever there is an upcoming game scheduled against the patriots it is circled on their calendars, regardless of the team.

They don't think about Pats being cheaters (yes a few do, but most do not), for them it's a question of going up against the one of the best in the league and seeing how they stack up against us. If they can do well against one of the NFL's best, then they might be on the right track. However if they're blown out by NE, they need to consider serious changes.

For example, look at the Bronco's last year. They were an elite team but yet wanted a win against us to feel like they could go all the way. Don't believe me? Read the Orange mane message boards from last year. When they lost, you could hear them crying in their beers from 2000 miles away.

GrogansArmy said:

I get what you're saying. However, I travel often throughout the US and have seen first-hand that whenever there is an upcoming game scheduled against the patriots it is circled on their calendars, regardless of the team.

They don't think about Pats being cheaters (yes a few do, but most do not), for them it's a question of going up against the one of the best in the league and seeing how they stack up against us. If they can do well against one of the NFL's best, then they might be on the right track. However if they're blown out by NE, they need to consider serious changes.

For example, look at the Bronco's last year. They were an elite team but yet wanted a win against us to feel like they could go all the way. Don't believe me? Read the Orange mane message boards from last year. When they lost, you could hear them crying in their beers from 2000 miles away.

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It would be very difficult to argue with what you're saying--at least in league circles, anyway. I believe that the actual coaches and GMs greatly respect the Pats, no doubt.

Unfortunately, I think the general opinion of the NFL fanbases (other 31) will be using the "cheater" card for quite sometime, particularly since this is the alleged second offense for breaking the rules. Whew...that's hard to think about.

supafly said:

Unfortunately, I think the general opinion of the NFL fanbases (other 31) will be using the "cheater" card for quite sometime, particularly since this is the alleged second offense for breaking the rules. Whew...that's hard to think about.

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Unfortunately you are correct about that. It will take time. However we can still take solace in the fact that most teams will still be comparing themselves against us.

GrogansArmy said:

Unfortunately you are correct about that. It will take time. However we can still take solace in the fact that most teams will still be comparing themselves against us.

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We won't be playing games until September...and if Brady insists on a full exoneration (which he should) and decides to bring the NFL to federal court, the media storm will only continue.... and I really can't say where that will lead us. So far, this whole thing has been an unmitigated disaster for the franchise.