The 2004 Pats vid was eeriely similar to how we start 07.
Started with a strong team coming off a year where they improved back to elite status (in 04 it was 02 team truning into the 03 the SB champs, this year its the 10-6 team of 05 becoming the 12-4 AFC title game squad of 06).
Added top FA players in key positions. In 04 it was Dillon. In 07 it's Thomas and Moss.
Everyone picking them as hands down SB favorites.
The streak of winning, making everyone feel like they couldn't lose (not parallel with this year, but speaks to the hype to be dealt with).
Of course, the local pundits and scribes who can't remember back more than half a year have totally forgotten that. They act like 07 is a first for the team not being able to play the disrespect card. But it was just three years ago in 04 when folks first started to laugh at their contention of disrespect because of how massively they were picked as favorites.
The 04 season should provide Belichick and team plenty of opportunity to draw from in debunking hype and keeping a team focused.
