Never seen a team this watched in sports...

Every game sets a new record, and that doesn't even take into account the actual results.

Every nationally televised game is setting a record. Vs. Dallas set a record for most watched game on a Sunday. Vs. Indy broke the record. Vs. Philadelphia set a Sunday Night record. Vs. Baltimore set a cable record, in the history of cable television.

Every time I turn on the television, the NFL IS the Patriots. Every tiny play, interview, injury, or other snippet is put under the microscope more than anything I've ever seen.

If this team can go undefeated, it would be a feat for the ages. This is making Roger Maris' home run pursuit look like a back page blurb.

This is like the 90s dynasties, but it's more like the Lakers * the Yankees * the Cowboys.

SteelEnema4Brady said:

Reason being is the rest of the NFL community wants to see the Pats lose. Period. Youre fan base is isolated to New England with a few bandwagoners or folks who've migrated elsewhere.

Click to expand...

Actually a recent poll on ESPN said 43% of the nation wants the Patriots to go undefeated. I am going to be really generous and say that 10% of those fans are from New England, although it's likely much less. Many people are sitting back, enjoying the drama, and wanting to witness history... the haters are the most vocal, and mostly idiotic chumps... to see one simply look in the bathroom mirror.

The national sports media are obsessed with the Patriots because they they're hypesters, not journalists, and because they claim to think that parity makes a feat like the one New England is aiming at is all the more unlikely.

In reality, it makes an organization like NE, which has been smart about free agency where most of the other clubs have been dumb, much more likely to be dominant.

Think about it, since 2001, the pieces have changed in New England but the only person besides Bellichek who is truly indispensable to the Pats is Tom Brady. And in the NFL's current era of parity, if you only absolutely need one guy to win, you have a huge advantage over other teams.

Hi5Steeler said:

i


ice ice vanilla sherbet....3

Click to expand...

so far...he has a ways to go yet. I'm pretty sure it will be 4 come January. I like his chances!

Steel74 said:

The national sports media are obsessed with the Patriots because they they're hypesters, not journalists, and because they claim to think that parity makes a feat like the one New England is aiming at is all the more unlikely.

In reality, it makes an organization like NE, which has been smart about free agency where most of the other clubs have been dumb, much more likely to be dominant.

Think about it, since 2001, the pieces have changed in New England but the only person besides Bellichek who is truly indispensable to the Pats is Tom Brady. And in the NFL's current era of parity, if you only absolutely need one guy to win, you have a huge advantage over other teams.

Click to expand...

This offseason was the first that the Patriots really went nuts in Free Agency.
They were able to do this, because they don't overpay for malcontents who just want to "get paid" (except ***ANTE Samuel, and I think they're setting a dangerous precedent there).

Think about it, who are the guys who left/got cut to "Get Paid" in the Belichick era?
- Damien Woody
- Lawyer Milloy
- Ty Law
- Willie McGinest
- David Givens
- Deion Branch (trade for a 1st rounder)
- Daniel Graham
- Adam Vinatieri
- David Patten
- Tebucky Jones

This is a condensed list off the top of my head; but if you notice, they were all huge pieces on the Patriots during their runs, but have made little or no impact since leaving. This would indicate that there is a "system" in place which allows good-very good players to become great.

Also note, the Offensive and Defensive Lines are all signed through 2009, and Richard Seymour is the oldest on the D-Line (He's 27, I think). This is because, unlike too many teams, the Patriots understand that lineplay wins games.

You can say that Brady is the team; and I would counter that you're way off. Would Cassel lead the Patriots to a 12-0 record at this point? No, but there's no doubt in my mind they're a playoff team. This is what this team and franchise in the Belichick/Pioli era has been based on. No player, even Brady, even Moss...NO player is more important than any other. Brady is an excellent QB, and Moss is an excellent receiver; but their Subs would be put in a position to succeed, which is what the coaching staff does best:

1) Put Players in a position to succeed
2) Have the players do THEIR job and ONLY their job
3) Put the team above anything else.

That's the blueprint that everyone's looking for.

SteelEnema4Brady said:

Reason being is the rest of the NFL community wants to see the Pats lose. Period. Youre fan base is isolated to New England with a few bandwagoners or folks who've migrated elsewhere.

Click to expand...

BUZZ... Wrong answer...

Hi5Steeler said:

ice ice brady....appropriate somehow...vanilla ice....caught in a gay bar btw....might want to change your name....

ever watch the steelers of the 70s? guess that was before your time......

thats ok all you need to know....

steelers FIVE superbowls.....


ice ice vanilla sherbet....3

Click to expand...

Worthlessburgerboy isn't anything to hang your hopes on dum-dum...

I should buy him a new face plant cycle.

SteelEnema4Brady said:

Hmmm ESPN eh? New Englanders logging on to do a poll from that ill fated oufit. No, go take a trip around the country and find out youreself. They are hated and want to see them fall on their face.

Click to expand...

Ill fated? There are a lot of digs that you can take at ESPN (I know, I've done most of them), but ill-fated? That's about the only thing it isn't, unfortunately.

You're ******* stupid.

All True.

People may hate the Pats, but they watch the Pats.

An outstanding team is an outstanding team.

SteelEnema4Brady said:

Reason being is the rest of the NFL community wants to see the Pats lose. Period. Youre fan base is isolated to New England with a few bandwagoners or folks who've migrated elsewhere.

Click to expand...

Then it Sucks to be the 'NFL community' doesn't it?
Deal with it, losers!

Steel74 said:

The national sports media are obsessed with the Patriots because they they're hypesters, not journalists, and because they claim to think that parity makes a feat like the one New England is aiming at is all the more unlikely.

In reality, it makes an organization like NE, which has been smart about free agency where most of the other clubs have been dumb, much more likely to be dominant.

Think about it, since 2001, the pieces have changed in New England but the only person besides Bellichek who is truly indispensable to the Pats is Tom Brady. And in the NFL's current era of parity, if you only absolutely need one guy to win, you have a huge advantage over other teams.

Click to expand...

Steelers always did a good job replacing departing FAs as well

SteelEnema4Brady said:

Reason being is the rest of the NFL community wants to see the Pats lose. Period.

Click to expand...

While what you said is actually false, it doesn't matter.

You don't matter.

SteelEnema4Brady said:

Reason being is the rest of the NFL community wants to see the Pats lose. Period. Youre fan base is isolated to New England with a few bandwagoners or folks who've migrated elsewhere.

Click to expand...

sorry, dude, six states larger than some 'burgh.

Steel74 said:

The national sports media are obsessed with the Patriots because they they're hypesters, not journalists, and because they claim to think that parity makes a feat like the one New England is aiming at is all the more unlikely.

In reality, it makes an organization like NE, which has been smart about free agency where most of the other clubs have been dumb, much more likely to be dominant.

Think about it, since 2001, the pieces have changed in New England but the only person besides Bellichek who is truly indispensable to the Pats is Tom Brady. And in the NFL's current era of parity, if you only absolutely need one guy to win, you have a huge advantage over other teams.

Click to expand...

Your simplicity is remarkable but in error, many teams have one guy who is indispensable yet they do not come close to the Pats success....Even Brady would not make a difference on many teams in the NFL, at least not enough to win the way the Pats have since 2001.

They most important aspect of this regime is its Philosophy, ALWAYS MAKE THE BEST DECISION FOR THE TEAM. That sounds corny and actually is corny until you actually have people from top to bottom in the organization with the gonads to actually live and die by it.

BB, Kraft and the entire front office not only talk this Philosophy they actually act on it always and forever. This is the true single element that will keep them competitive regardless of the players or the competition.

Yes Brady is indispensable to this present success, but someday he will be gone but as long as their philosophy remains the same another will replace Brady, maybe not as good and maybe not as successful but this team will remain competitive and a contender each year due to its Philosophy.

Say what you want about the hate, but people want to see the Patriots, good or bad. The marketability of this team is going through the roof and I'm sure Mr. Kraft is a happy man.

Who are the most popular franchises across the country, those that people latch onto as fans even if they don't fall into the geographical fits - Dallas, Pittsburgh..........Oakland. Not everyone hates teams that come off bad to the bone. If anything, this NE teams is multifaceted - still considered the best franchise in the NFL, but not has an edge to it it hasn't. I'd love to see some stats on team marketability.

Hi5Steeler said:

Click to expand...

'....'s are the new slashes I guess.

Congratulations on 2006. It'll be another 26 years before your team sniffs another one, too.

You, like the Cowgirl fans, are living in the past. 1975, 76, 79, 80. That was your team's time. 30+ years ago.

Join the present day. Ditch your rotary phone and Shasta Soda. Patriot's are the current Dynasty. Enjoy it, because it's not going to end any time soon

All year, we've been complaining about the ESPN machine, which has manipulated public perception about the Pats all year. Basically, they plant the seed, talk radio runs with it, and it filters through to the rest of the media like a brush fire. Whether it's "spygate," or "running up the score," or mercury morris, they don't care. ESPN (like all the 24 hour "news" channels) now needs to make the story, not report it, if they want to keep pushing forward 24 hours a day.

And lo and behold the Ravens game turns out the highest rated cable program ever.

You can't really question ESPN's results. If you ever have any doubt about their intent on any issue, it's money. Remember, the first letter in their name stands for Entertainment. "Sports" comes second.

I'd love to know how many percentage points go to us not-born-in-NE-never-lived-there-but-still-love-it folks?

Ice_Ice_Brady said:

Actually a recent poll on ESPN said 43% of the nation wants the Patriots to go undefeated. I am going to be really generous and say that 10% of those fans are from New England, although it's likely much less. Many people are sitting back, enjoying the drama, and wanting to witness history... the haters are the most vocal, and mostly idiotic chumps... to see one simply look in the bathroom mirror.

Click to expand...

The Pats are..............

a fun team to watch and the Pitt game should be no exception.
I'm pulling for the Pats for 1 reason.............I am sooo tired of the 72 fins.

GOD SAVE THE AL.

Ice_Ice_Brady said:

Actually a recent poll on ESPN said 43% of the nation wants the Patriots to go undefeated. I am going to be really generous and say that 10% of those fans are from New England, although it's likely much less. Many people are sitting back, enjoying the drama, and wanting to witness history... the haters are the most vocal, and mostly idiotic chumps... to see one simply look in the bathroom mirror.

Click to expand...

I would venture to say that everytime ESPN shows either Shula or Morris from the '72 Dolphins, that 43% grows. Apparently nobody remembers that Morris was convicted of cocaine trafficking and that Shula should be in a retirement home.