Over this dynasty run, I've never been less confident of a Patriot team being fielded than right now. Our team is seriously depleted and I am so disgusted in the playcalling we come up with in big games it isn't even funny. Brady doesn't have the weapons, and Brady himself has not had a great year. The OL has looked pathetic at times, and early glimpses of a dominating run game were just a big tease. I sure hope we end up winning the Super Bowl like every other fan, but I just don't expect it this year like other years.
That's not true. You are just unable to tap into your mindset in those years and you have the benefit of knowing that three of those teams won.
1. Our team is not seriously depleted. We have more depth and better starters at many positions. I'd love to argue this against many of the years mentioned.
2. The same team is calling plays as last year. I think we were better with Weiss, but we had the same team last year. Brady had a very limited play book in 2001.
3. Our passing offense is 6th in the AFC according to NFL.com. This is the area we had trouble with. In other words, with one receiver getting a contract almost twice his worth and another breaching his contract, we are 6th.
We have had muchmore glaring holes in other years you mentioned.
4. The OL is young and deep. We have better back ups than we have had at starters in the past. Maybe the weakest position is Light, who was considered the strongest. To say the UDFA's and scrap heap pickups of the past are better than the talent we have now requires Rosie colored glasses of an intense burgundy hue.
5. You're remembering that consistent running game with the fierce Antoine Smith, who ran hard every play and showed up in incredible shape yearly?
You really need those glasses checked. If you don't think we can do some damage with our top 4 RBs, I imagine you're looking for the (figurative), reincarnation of Jim Brown and Gale Sayers.
Have some egg nog, fer crissakes.