Scorched Earth Campaign 2008
 

I've been giving some thought to how the team is going to respond to this defeat and I reminded myself that this is a team that prides itself on playing with a chip on its shoulder. It's led by a quarterback who admits that there's no such thing as 'enough' and that he lives with the demons that make his entire career about proving a point; about revenge through success.

An article back from 2006

The more I think about this, the more I'm convinced that -- while the rest the of team might not respond the same way -- there is only one way Brady is going to respond.

He might be down for a bit the next few weeks, but after the way the media, the opposing teams and the opposing fans have treated him and his team, I'm convinced beyond a shadow of doubt that he's going to return next year fueled with a rage and hunger for vengeance that's going to turn winning into an obsession. He'll still be Mr. Cool on the field, but this loss is going to fuel a thirst for revenge that will probably never be quenched before he retires.

In short, I think 2008 is going to be a very, very good year for Tom Brady and the Patriots.

Re: Scorched Earth Campaign 2008
 

i think they're going to try and lay low and strike late

it's obvious they wore down as the season progressed , it was like half the season was pure blowouts, and then alot of teams start playing NE really close

one would think next year they'd like to be playing their absolute best at the end of the season, not the start

Re: Scorched Earth Campaign 2008
 

I can't wait for '08. I'm staying away from the "S" topic now bc there are too many if's ppl are playing into. I cant wait til this team comes out next season. Funny how all this **** is brought up at a time the team and its players cant truly defend themselves. And I agree, there will be no one player on that team more angry and set on revenge than TB. All hands on board to win SB 43...

Re: Scorched Earth Campaign 2008
 

In a way, this might actually be better for the team. Right after the Pats won the AFCCG, I wondered how they would ever be able to really have chips in their shoulders again. Then Spygate got revived and they lost the SB over the span of a couple of days, and I think that bought this mentality about another 5-6 years of shelf life, at least.

Re: Scorched Earth Campaign 2008
 

well yes...but they also had all that pressure too. as i recall, no other team in the league got the emotion and the 'A game' that the Pats competition brought to them each and every week. How about that first page write up in USA today about "HERES HOW TO BEAT NEW ENGLAND" FROM 4 OR SO TOP RETIRED COACHES IN THE LEAGUE. sure wish they had a write up on how to beat other teams as well. The pressure they had on their shoulders this year was probably too much to deal with. They will def. be back next year. I agree though...lay low ( which may be IMPOSSIBLE ) now for the Pats but strike late.

Re: Scorched Earth Campaign 2008
 

I agree with this! The Patriots have been a team that has always played their best ball post Thanksgiving. This year, it was the opposite. Sure they still won and won and won, but they played their best before Thanksgiving and seem to just putter out toward the end having some close games down the stretch. In 2008, the emphasis will once again to play their best ball after Thanksgiving. However, they must still play for the bye week - that is essential!

Re: Scorched Earth Campaign 2008
 

1) 2005 Denver Playoff Loss: Chance for first ever 3-peat lost due to foolish turnovers.
2) 2006 AFCCG: Biggest blown lead in AFCCG history.
3) Spygate: One of the biggest scandal's in NFL history.
4) 2007 Super Bowl: Lose final game/perfection. 18-1. Biggest disappointment in NFL history.
5) Spygate II: Further growing into a even bigger scandal. Legacy questioned.

That's a lot of god damn rage for the upcoming season.

But again, it's all about the final game.