The narrative I'd like to hear next week.

[patfanken]

We are going to hear a LOT of crap over the next 10 days. Some of it will be pure Pats porn. Some of it will simply piss us off. Most of us will choose to, unfortunately, dwell on the stuff that pisses us off.

I know we are the Pats and its our 3rd trip in a row to the Superbowl, but I'm kind of surprised that the Pats are currently 3 point favorites for this game, and WHY is the narrative that I'd like to hear most this next week. Just how did this team of no-names and relative has been's suddenly become a favorite over at team that was looked on as a threat to go undefeated more than midway through the season, and has been widely recognized as having one of the most talented rosters in the NFL.

Think about it, The Football outsiders ranked the Rams OL as #1 vs both the run and the pass. And while it should be noted that the Pats ranked #3 in both, the fact remains that the Pats OL is going to have to face a star studded DL featuring the best defensive player in the league in Aaron Donald, AS WELL, as the league's foremost sociopath DT, in NSuh. On the other hand, the Rams OL will be facing a front seven of relative no-names led by THEIR star (Hightower) who has been best known this year as a guy who has under performed his contract.... by a LOT!. BTW- the Rams front 7 was ranked 3rd by PFF, while the Pats were ranked 27th. ( Not that any of that means much in the playoffs, but it helps make my point. )

The Rams have a RB (Gurley) who was the offensive player of the year last season. The Pats again have 3 guys named Joe, who aren't even in that category individually.

The Rams have 2 WR's that are considered top quality (Woods and Cooks), the Pats have a squirrel, a Hogan, and an after thought guy who didn't have 5 catches over the last 6 games. (Dorsett). Their one legitimate offensive skill player has had his worst receiving stats of his career, and is now best known for his blocking, . Doesn't seem fair, does it.

We have one probowl CB (Gilmore) - They have 2 (Peters/Shields) They have a very experienced defensive backfield, and we are giving key roles to our UDFA rookie and his 7th round counterpart. (Jackson and Crossen....as well as Jones)'

The Pats have but 2 star power players (Brady and Gronk), and both of them are in the midst of having bad years (relative to them). Leaving only Stephon Gilmore as their only true marquee player.

So here is the bottom line: I admit I am guilty of a little hyperbole in my assessment. Clearly the Pats aren't a BAD team. You can even make a legitimate case were they are the BEST team. But that's the best TEAM, not the best roster.

So I'm hoping that there can be a narrative created that extols the virtues of the Pats team building. An attempt to divine how a team can be so consistently good when they have been averaging picking at the bottom of EVERY round for close to 20 years. At the bottom of the waiver wire. Never a lot of cap room relative to a lot of teams in the league. How they can be so desperate for WR help that they have to take a chance on the riskiest player in the league, get it to look like it worked for half the year, only to see him crash and burn at the worst possible time, and STILL make find a way to score 35+ points in 2 playoff games.

I mean, to me the entire thing is so f*cking astounding that I want to see it talked about on a national level. I get why other team's fans want to see us lose. HOWEVER, I want to see this narrative to make those fans at least appreciate what they are seeing now and have been seeing for such an incredible period of time.

Finally, I have been preaching this mantra for decades. One of the reasons football is such a compelling game is that it is a game where the sum can be greater than the individual parts. In no other team game is the success of an individual so DEPENDENT on so many other people. THAT is what the Patriots epitomize so admirably. THAT is what I want to hear about. So think about this. Since 2001 the Pats have been to NINE superbowls (counting this one). The number of those players who have gotten into the HOF? ZERO!!!!! The ironic thing is that at least 4 players on that 2001 Rams team now have busts that reside in Canton. (Warner, Pace, Williams, Faulk off the top of my head)

Now of course the Pats will eventually have a few guys like Brady and Gronk that will make it. Maybe even Law and Seymour might break through, Though it is telling that not a single member of that first "dynasty" in in the HOF. But it bring tears to my eyes when I think about all the SUSTAINED success this team has brought us over such a long time, because they recognized and lived that primary allegory of football. The sum can be greater than the individual parts

BTW- win or lose next week, , I can't wait to see what the Pats do this off season as Bill reloads and begins to build the NEXT iteration of this epic run.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

96% of the betting has been on the Patriots, even though most books opened with the Rams slightly favored. Honestly, I’d be thrilled to hear more narratives about why the Rams should win this game. I never like being the hyped up team who can’t possibly lose, and I see this being another very close matchup just like almost all SBs are. So while I understand the Patriots fan confidence/passion, the national confidence doesn’t make that much sense to me. The Rams may have “gotten a break” and the Patriots may have “that look” but it doesn’t matter much as each game is an independent event. Two very strong teams on a neutral field. One team may have a slight edge but there’s no way this is a clear call.

 

[venecol]

I think that after the last two weeks almost everyone is tired of being wrong and picking against the Pats. There are still the haters out there but many have been converted.

Also, after the 3rd straight trip to the SB, what hasn't been already said about this team? I suspect there will be way more stories about the Rams more because of Patriots exhaustion than anything.

That's fine by me.

 

[IllegalContact]

The only narrative you will hear in Boston by the morons on radio is how the pats should have lost and how the fans can’t appreciate that they should have lost.

Every topic possible will be turned into ‘how does that not also apply to tha rams?’

It’s already to the point that felger is making up crap that nobody said.

 

[1960Pats]

I gave up listening to the noise many years ago. When we get in the SB I usually spend my time here and re-watching the 3 Games to Glory series. I hope I can squeeze them all in this week.

The only thing I don't agree with in the OP has come up in another thread here. That's the idea that the Pats pick at the end of every round so they lose very much. The truth is that the teams with the worse records gain on one player only, in the first round. After that player is picked the Pats are picking ahead of those teams for the rest of their picks. To me the difference isn't as drastic as it's made out to be.

I think the reason that the Pats are favored is the same as it would be for any game. That's where the most money is going. And I think the reason for that is Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, in that order.

As for the HOF, there seems to be an NFC bias with the selections.

 

[MassPats38]

Ken-

It seems to me much of the Vegas line is based on the benefit of having been there.

KC, a better team at home, could not stop the Rams in LA and the Rams could not stop KC. The Pats showed twice it can at least slow down that level of offense, while showing it can put points on the board. I still believe the experience is the reason you see a slight edge.

I have seen plenty of negative press. I did read one positive article observing this may be BB's best coaching job yet, given all the personnel issues this season. The positive stuff is definitely a minority against the negative stupidity. To the credit of the media, unfortunately, lots of people hate the Pats so everything that paints the organization as villain will get clicks and promote the game.

Absolutely agree that the greatness of football is successful teams work as a whole, not based on who puts the highest ranked position players on the field. You cannot buy a great team in free agency. They are built, and the Pats have a knack for knowing what type of players work in carrying out game plans.

 

[venecol]

The only narrative you will hear in Boston by the morons on radio is how the pats should have lost and how the fans can’t appreciate that they should have lost.

Every topic possible will be turned into ‘how does that not also apply to tha rams?’

It’s already to the point that felger is making up crap that nobody said.

So who's the guy in Boston sports radio that would tonya harding Felger? If not, I know a couple of Haitians.

 

[Hyped]

We are playing with house money at this point. It is all gravy to me. It is February and our football team still has 60 minutes to play before we go into a long 7 month lay off.....

 

[Doctor DDS]

I think the betting public is really focusing on Brady vs Goff and the fact that the Rams were a fortuitous call from heading home. Can the young guy handle the pressure and a BB defensive scheme? As stated above, the Rams probably have more top end talent and had a better regular season. If not for Brady and the Pats mystique the metrics would likely have the Pats a 4 or 5 point underdog. (I believe the ESPN Power index - whatever the heck that is- has the Rams with a 52% chance of winning)

 

[IllegalContact]

I mean it’s better when they win but I’m still going to watch when they suck

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

I seen Scott Pioli after he got the Personel job give a speech at a lunch event years ago. He said he told BB “I will get you the best players”. He said BB fired back at him “I want the right players not the best players”. He asked BB to elaborate and he said “for instance Brushi is strong to his right but weak to his left. I want a player on his left that is strong to his right to cover up Brushi’s weakness. And I want 2 of those players to account for injury”

My point is BB builds a team like a puzzle. That is why players leave us and do not thrive elsewhere. They are system players that fit nicely in the puzzle. He covers players weaknesses and plays to there strengths. That is why we draft guys and our head explodes. They are a puzzle piece not always the big name left on the board.

That being said I know the Rams have huge named players all through their roster.. Question is are they just names and fine players but with holes to be exposed. If their are holes BB will exploit them, because that is his forte. My guess with 2 weeks game planning. He will not make a mistake like he did last year and screw up the psych of the team by benching a respected teammate right before the game. They will come in with a solid game plan and trust in that plan. The No Names Win again

 

[luuked]

On the other hand, the Rams OL will be facing a front seven of relative no-names led by THEIR star (Hightower) who has been best known this year as a guy who has under performed his contract.... by a LOT!.

Honestly I think you are forgetting about Flowers here. He has been the most talented and impactful player on the front 7 this year. Given how he can be used anywhere he truly is an absolute top player in this league.

The Pats have but 2 star power players (Brady and Gronk), and both of them are in the midst of having bad years (relative to them). Leaving only Stephon Gilmore as their only true marquee player.

And here you are not only forgetting about James White who is a marquee third down back but also about Shaq Mason. Our entire secondary is better than what the Rams have to offer. Talib and Peters might have a ring to them as names but have really not played well so far.

I get that often it is difficult to judge your own player correctly but you are severely underrating our roster.

 

[patfanken]

Honestly I think you are forgetting about Flowers here. He has been the most talented and impactful player on the front 7 this year. Given how he can be used anywhere he truly is an absolute top player in this league.



And here you are not only forgetting about James White who is a marquee third down back but also about Shaq Mason. Our entire secondary is better than what the Rams have to offer. Talib and Peters might have a ring to them as names but have really not played well so far.

I get that often it is difficult to judge your own player correctly but you are severely underrating our roster.

YOU know that Flowers, Mason, and White are exceptional players. I know it too. Like I've said, even the so called JAGS are great football players and athletes. You certainly can't have the kind of success the Pats have had without a LOT of good football players.

But the same can be said for every NFL team. That's my point. One of the unique aspects of the game of football is that it often isn't about "just the talent". It's a game where coaching REALLY matters, and it isn't just about one coach, but several. It's about the scheme that's run. It's about the language they speak. It's about the strategy of the game planning. Then it's about the strategy that's constantly shifting during the game. It's about how your team responds to adversity, as well as success, etc, etc.

So there are many facets to the game that go WELL beyond merely how gifted your players are when you talk about the success of your team. THAT is what I'd like the narrative to be about, Luuked. After 17 years of this, isn't about time there was more of a discussion of how they manage to do this year after year. I don't think there is an "analyst" who believes the Pats overall roster ranks in the top 10 in the league, yet here was are again competing for a championship again. And being favored to boot. WHY???????

So if it's pretty much acknowledged that they have a team without many obvious stars, or ANY top 10 draft picks, and its been that way for so long, shouldn't there be a discussion on WHY they are favored, or even why in the preseason when people look at the team, and they all agree they aren't as talented as many of the other teams in the league. Yet after that, they pretty much all end up agreeing that the Patriots will "somehow" end up competing deep into the playoffs.

Why isn't there more of a discussion on exactly what that "somehow" is, and why the Pats do it and other teams can't or won't.

You see, L, it pisses me off that the Pats are so "hated" by the fans of the rest of the league. In my mind, even if you really want them to lose, those fans should admire and respect what they have accomplished DESPITE all the restrictions. limitations, and disadvantages that come from consistent success. You should be able to root against them and STILL be in awe at what they've accomplished. I know I constantly am.

 

[Brick27]

Don’t really give a F about metrics at this point. Done with this “how can the Pats beat team X” narrative the last few weeks, and looking at the reality that they’re about to put on a Super Bowl winning performance. Flame away at me, but the fact is they’re ready to beat this Rams team..and it’s going to be fuking glorious.

 

[venecol]

YOU know that Flowers, Mason, and White are exceptional players. I know it too. Like I've said, even the so called JAGS are great football players and athletes. You certainly can't have the kind of success the Pats have had without a LOT of good football players.

But the same can be said for every NFL team. That's my point. One of the unique aspects of the game of football is that it often isn't about "just the talent". It's a game where coaching REALLY matters, and it isn't just about one coach, but several. It's about the scheme that's run. It's about the language they speak. It's about the strategy of the game planning. Then it's about the strategy that's constantly shifting during the game. It's about how your team responds to adversity, as well as success, etc, etc.

So many facets to the game that go WELL beyond merely how gifted your players are when you talk about the success of your team. THAT is what I'd like the narrative to be about, Luuked. After 17 years of this, isn't about time there was more of a discussion of how they manage to do this year after year. I don't think there is an "analyst" who believes the Pats overall roster ranks in the top 10 in the league, yet here was are again competing for a championship again. And being favored to boot. WHY???????

So if it's pretty much acknowledged that they have a team without many obvious stars, or ANY top 10 draft picks, and its been that way for so long, shouldn't there be a discussion on WHY they are favored, or even why in the preseason when people look at the team, and they all agree they aren't as talented as many of the other teams in the league. Yet after that, they pretty much all end up agreeing that the Patriots will "somehow" end up competing deep into the playoffs.

Why isn't there more of a discussion on exactly what that "somehow" is, and why the Pats do it and other teams can't or won't.

You see, L, it pisses me off that the Pats are so "hated" by the fans of the rest of the league. In my mind, even if you really want them to lose, those fans should admire and respect what they have accomplished DESPITE all the restrictions. limitations, and disadvantages that come from consistent success. You should be able to root against them and STILL be in awe at what they've accomplished. I know I constantly am.

Probably over-simplified but the WHY I've heard is basically BB plugs players into his system and gets them to buy into it. Basically he runs it like some socialist venture in which the sum of the parts is more important than the individual pieces.

I'm glad he runs it this way because frankly looking at what is going on in Pittsburgh with all that talent and they can't maintain any consistency is fortunately pathetic. Their failure has to be a combo of poor leadership/coaching and having players that believe their individual rights are more important than the goals of the team.

 

[woolster22]

Has Edelman called Steve Smith yet? Honestly, I thought Talib's viscious hip injury would have ended his career. Maybe we can watch him mug gronk a few times next weekend! He was usually good for a flag a game.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

Pat's got this, that is all.

 

[ausbacker]

After what the Pats did to the Chargers, for me, everything is gravy.

Just once in my Pats SB patronage, would I like the Patriots to shut the door by half time.

 

[Lansdowne]

Fantastic post OP and I agree that the narrative should be about the whole being greater than the sum of the parts with regards to this Patriots team. My only nitpick is that we actually do have HOF players from the Brady era, two in fact, from the doomed 2007 team: Junior Seau (inducted posthumously in 2015) and Randy Moss (inducted in 2018).

 

[DarrylS]

No one player is bigger than the team, imo no matter how good the LA Rams look on paper they are heading towards issues as the need to massage the ego's of all of these guy in terms of "getting paid" will eventually lead to disharmony among this team.

From my big comfy couch, have watched this team evolve into what it is today.. remember Tiquan Underwood and "Two Way Troy"?? No longer does BB believe that he can just coach up DB's and they can do what is expected.. that is a nice change. Our DB's are way above average.

While our WR corps are oft criticized, perhaps rightly so, that was not the intent at the beginning of the season injuries took a toll early on this group, then there is Josh Gordon whose addiction issues will always be difficult for him. Are they adequate?? The Pats use of White, Burkhead and sometimes Develin have somewhat changed the dynamic from something questionable to adequate.

Our O line has been better than we thought, 0 qb sacks the last two games, and my favorite recent stat.. 0 negative plays against KC, Duane Allen & Develin are also beasts.

Our front 7 is oft criticized and they have done better than good recently, KVN and #54 have really stepped up recently, John Simon and Elandon Roberts have also played well. There are parts of this group that need to change, but Trey Flowers is the real deal.

Gronk looks like he is back, not sure if his lack of production had to do with health issues or back issues.. depth at TE is a concern,.

#12 is #12 and will always be the GOAT.

ST's... the kicking game is great, but I thought the coverage guys might be more dynamic.. not bad, but not feared.

I never look at this team from the number of probowlers, as that is something that most do not play for.. to appear in 3 SB's is unheard of in the post salary cap environment..

I am happy where we are and look forward to our 6th Lombardi..

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