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Obviously need a win tonight. But they're in my top 5, right behind all the Super Bowl winners currently, and ahead of the 2007/2008/2015 teams.
It starts with the obvious, all the legal drama surrounding Defamegate, and the circus that went with it. But the team didn't get distracted, even when Brady's suspension was upheld by luddite judges from the 1850's.
The roster moves were typical BB. The trades almost all seemed to work out. The Chandler Jones trade was a big surprise, but brought us 2 potential long-term starters. A pouting Collins was traded, addition by subtraction. The Marty B trade had some concerned about the locker room, but he was a perfect fit. Eric Rowe was a questionable trade, then didn't play due to injury, only to emerge as a key part of our secondary. Van Noy has made some huge impact plays down the stretch. He's been on the wrong end of some plays (no reason a pass rush specialist should be covering a slot receiver), but he's made his presence felt in a short period of time.
The FA class was classic BB too. Chris Long was the typical low-risk, high-reward guy who has brought energy and hustle and depth to the DE position for significantly less money than he could have gotten elsewhere. Chris Hogan, a third-string WR for the terrible Bills would emerge as a ridiculous deep threat for Brady. And while it took some time, McClellin has finally found his role with his versatility playing a huge part in the D's resurgence.
And BB's coaching moves seemed to all work too. Starting DE Sheard was benched, and rather than freaking out, fell in line. A struggling Logan Ryan also settled down to play his best football of his career after a brief benching. Getting rid of Collins seemed like a mistake, especially after the Seahawks thrashed this D, but slowly the D improved.
The actual season started with Jimmy G making his first start in one of the most hostile road venues against a Super Bowl contender, lighting up the Dolphins and playing his way into a potential starting gig next season while returning us a nice draft pick or two. When Jimmy got hurt, Jacoby showed great character in filling in, even shutting out the Texans and playing with an injury because the team needed him. And Brady could have treated Jimmy's emergence as a threat, but instead he embraced the kid. It's clear how close this group is.
3-1 without Tom, but then Brady came back and lit it up, showing the difference between an emerging young QB and the GOAT. Beating up on Cleveland and Cincinnati was fun, but putting up 41 on the Bills was very satisfying. It felt like Big Brother Brady was coming back to lay the smack down on the big fat bully who picked on his little injured brother Brissett.
And even after losing Gronk, the team didn't miss a beat. Marty has played hurt, and while some fantasy football players might slag him, he's been a pro's pro. The OL, the weakness of last year's team, would emerge as a strength under Scar again. Former Bills player Chris Hogan would lead to a million lacrosse references, while it has been a while since we could be so excited about a rookie WR like Mitchell. Meanwhile, Patriot fanboy punching bag LeGarrette Blount broke the TD record and found a long-overdue respect, James White emerged as a viable solid role player, and Dion Lewis successfully returned from a serious injury. He's not all the way back yet, but it's enough to help us win some key games.
The defense would struggle early on for a lot of different reasons, but like typical BB teams, got better as the season progressed. It was extremely satisfying to watch former fan whipping boys McCourty, Chung, and Ryan combine with Butler and Rowe to form the backbone of this D in transition. Chris Long has been an inspiration to watch and listen to, and it's clear that no matter how much money one makes, there's nothing quite like being a part of a winning team.
Ghost's struggles and re-emergence is the main storyline on special teams, but some brilliant plays from Slater, Ebner, King and Jones (Jonathan) helped the team early on, especially without Brady.
And a Super Bowl win would be the 5th. Not one for the thumb as the Steelers said, but one for the middle finger (I wish I coined this, can't remember who did, but brilliant). The temptation of seeing Goodell hand the trophy to Brady and Kraft is too much to resist.
I could go on and on and on and on...I kind of have actually. But I love this team. The 2003 Patriots also led the league in fewest points allowed. That team also got shut out by Buffalo. They also won the 2nd championship in 3 years, cementing a dynasty.
With a win tonight, it would be the perfect way to end one of the most memorable seasons in Patriots history, and a chance to win 3 in 4 years again. And if they do, they will be one of the best teams from top to bottom that we've ever had, maybe even the best.
It starts with the obvious, all the legal drama surrounding Defamegate, and the circus that went with it. But the team didn't get distracted, even when Brady's suspension was upheld by luddite judges from the 1850's.
The roster moves were typical BB. The trades almost all seemed to work out. The Chandler Jones trade was a big surprise, but brought us 2 potential long-term starters. A pouting Collins was traded, addition by subtraction. The Marty B trade had some concerned about the locker room, but he was a perfect fit. Eric Rowe was a questionable trade, then didn't play due to injury, only to emerge as a key part of our secondary. Van Noy has made some huge impact plays down the stretch. He's been on the wrong end of some plays (no reason a pass rush specialist should be covering a slot receiver), but he's made his presence felt in a short period of time.
The FA class was classic BB too. Chris Long was the typical low-risk, high-reward guy who has brought energy and hustle and depth to the DE position for significantly less money than he could have gotten elsewhere. Chris Hogan, a third-string WR for the terrible Bills would emerge as a ridiculous deep threat for Brady. And while it took some time, McClellin has finally found his role with his versatility playing a huge part in the D's resurgence.
And BB's coaching moves seemed to all work too. Starting DE Sheard was benched, and rather than freaking out, fell in line. A struggling Logan Ryan also settled down to play his best football of his career after a brief benching. Getting rid of Collins seemed like a mistake, especially after the Seahawks thrashed this D, but slowly the D improved.
The actual season started with Jimmy G making his first start in one of the most hostile road venues against a Super Bowl contender, lighting up the Dolphins and playing his way into a potential starting gig next season while returning us a nice draft pick or two. When Jimmy got hurt, Jacoby showed great character in filling in, even shutting out the Texans and playing with an injury because the team needed him. And Brady could have treated Jimmy's emergence as a threat, but instead he embraced the kid. It's clear how close this group is.
3-1 without Tom, but then Brady came back and lit it up, showing the difference between an emerging young QB and the GOAT. Beating up on Cleveland and Cincinnati was fun, but putting up 41 on the Bills was very satisfying. It felt like Big Brother Brady was coming back to lay the smack down on the big fat bully who picked on his little injured brother Brissett.
And even after losing Gronk, the team didn't miss a beat. Marty has played hurt, and while some fantasy football players might slag him, he's been a pro's pro. The OL, the weakness of last year's team, would emerge as a strength under Scar again. Former Bills player Chris Hogan would lead to a million lacrosse references, while it has been a while since we could be so excited about a rookie WR like Mitchell. Meanwhile, Patriot fanboy punching bag LeGarrette Blount broke the TD record and found a long-overdue respect, James White emerged as a viable solid role player, and Dion Lewis successfully returned from a serious injury. He's not all the way back yet, but it's enough to help us win some key games.
The defense would struggle early on for a lot of different reasons, but like typical BB teams, got better as the season progressed. It was extremely satisfying to watch former fan whipping boys McCourty, Chung, and Ryan combine with Butler and Rowe to form the backbone of this D in transition. Chris Long has been an inspiration to watch and listen to, and it's clear that no matter how much money one makes, there's nothing quite like being a part of a winning team.
Ghost's struggles and re-emergence is the main storyline on special teams, but some brilliant plays from Slater, Ebner, King and Jones (Jonathan) helped the team early on, especially without Brady.
And a Super Bowl win would be the 5th. Not one for the thumb as the Steelers said, but one for the middle finger (I wish I coined this, can't remember who did, but brilliant). The temptation of seeing Goodell hand the trophy to Brady and Kraft is too much to resist.
I could go on and on and on and on...I kind of have actually. But I love this team. The 2003 Patriots also led the league in fewest points allowed. That team also got shut out by Buffalo. They also won the 2nd championship in 3 years, cementing a dynasty.
With a win tonight, it would be the perfect way to end one of the most memorable seasons in Patriots history, and a chance to win 3 in 4 years again. And if they do, they will be one of the best teams from top to bottom that we've ever had, maybe even the best.
