SI: "Be afraid NFL. Be very afraid"

[BTTA]

All this predicting of glory makes me nervous. We need some reverse mojo. I suggest we highjack the thread for that purpose.

My prediction: 7-9, out of the playoffs, 2-4 division record with two losses to the Jets. Ocho Cinco is fixed on the bench by the fifth game, and sulks the rest of the season. Haynesworth never joins the team after his legal plays out. The new defensive scheme is a flop.

 

[ausbacker]

Eh, if the Pats were stinking it up in the preseason, I have a feeling a lot of naysayers would jump on it. Hell, we had boatloads of people in here writing the Pats off after the Browns loss last year.

For some reason, it's hard for fans in New England to trust success. Methinks it is a carry over from the Red Sox long title drought.

You can't win. Play well it doesn't matter it's the pre-season or play poorly and they're no good and the pre-season will roll over into the season proper.

 

[lurker1965]

OK, now I'm really concerned. When these bozos get on the bandwagon, nothing good ever comes out of it :ugh:

...

But damn, this is getting a little silly. Enough with the praises already, let play a meaningful snap or two first.... Holy Shizz, I can't beleive I just said that. :rocker:

Frankly, I look forward to losing the 4th pre-season game 78-0.

 

[Reckedtrek]

I wouldn't characterize it as a "New England thing", because crowds for Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics games can get pretty loud.

In my opinion there are couple other factors: first, the design of the stadium is such that a lot of noise dissipates rather than being retained, mostly due to that open end.

Second, ticket prices as well as demand due to the team's popularity are such that many tickets do go to the corporate set rather than long time individual fans. When a person is out with a client he is, unfortunately for the rest of the fans, going to be much more reserved than he would be if he was there with his friends. Although we notice this more with those attending games in Foxboro, you can be sure that the same type of situation is happening to varying degrees for the 31 other NFL teams as well.

Red Sox fans get loud under two conditions (IMO)- playoffs and vs. the NYY.

Celtics fans get loud, especially in the playoffs, and the same could be said for Bruins fans, so yes- I agree with you on that.

Maybe it is the corporate (conservative) influence. My wife and I have been to Pats games in Dallas (2007) and San Fran (2008). Both fan bases were more enthusiastic than what you typically see at Gillette, especially is Dallas.

 

[Reckedtrek]

It's not a bad thing. I didn't mean to sound judgemental. Let's hope that we can make the playoffs and have a stronger finish this year.

I'm with you on that 100% !

 

[PatsBoy12]

You can't help but have expectations from this team. Not just the fact that they were 14-2, but the way they played down the stretch last year. 8-0 in the 2nd half, and towards the end just started killing teams even conference championship caliber teams. No major losses from that very team. Most of the players are at the stage where 1 more offseason is a good thing and not 'another year older/slower', and we've had a brilliant offseason/preseason. This is before Albert Haynesworth and Shaun Ellis even step on the field.

That's what made the way the 2010 season ended so infuriating. How could they be killing teams for weeks and then just show up for the Jets game the way that they did? I never got that. I think that's why Brady said he'll never forget it.

 

[patsfan13]

With the assembled talent just making the playoffs will be a huge disappointment. This is a team that should win playoff games.

 

[PatsBoy12]

With the assembled talent just making the playoffs will be a huge disappointment. This is a team that should win playoff games.

I absolutely agree! I don't think I need to tell you or anyone else how badly I want the Patriots to make it back to the SB. I'm sick of one-and-done.

 

[Jackson 2]

Anyone who thinks that CHB will ever be a fan of the Patriots is a fool. All you havwe to do is read today's rip job.

 

[Keyser Söze]

So glad that loss happened against the Ravens in the playoffs. You knew Brady and Co. would never not show up for a playoff game at home ever again!

This team needs to get it done when it matters.

 

[DarrylS]

All of this speculation is nice, and believe that this is a very good team, probably the best have seen in a while.. but there is always the great NFL equalizer, injuries... that often dictate the outcome. The NFL season is a war of attrition..

Back to the topic at hand, Shaunessy is an azzclown of the first degree.

 

[brady199]

Did anyone find it funny that Shaunessey said that...

"fourth-year linebacker Jerod Mayo looks ready for a breakout season"

What the hell do you call leading the league in Tackles?

The rest of the article I thought was pretty good, but he loses some credibility for that line.



​

 

[Danger Zone]

How much harder is it to play when the PRESSURE to be perfect is riding on every move you make?

How easy is it to rest on your laurels, to buy in to your hype?

And how much easier it is to play when you can play with a chip on your shoulder because you've been disrespected and underestimated?

 

[Patriot Missile]

Did anyone find it funny that Shaunessey said that...

"fourth-year linebacker Jerod Mayo looks ready for a breakout season"

What the hell do you call leading the league in Tackles?

The rest of the article I thought was pretty good, but he loses some credibility for that line.



​

He lost his credibility for the Patriots before he ever picked up a pencil.

 

[JoeSixPat]

It's preseason. I'll wait to see how we do when it's for real. While I feel that we have a good team, it's a long season with peaks and valleys.

Absolutely correct. And there will be peaks and valleys - there always are.

That being said, the defense looked driven and Tom Brady appears to be very focused on rings 4,5 & 6

 

[TBradyOwnsYou]

The thing about this year... yes, we have vaunted expectations. How can you not? We have been great to super great on offense for the past few years, and good to freaking brutal on defense. Every year we moan about how we don't address our needs in the draft or free agency and then all of the sudden, BAM, it appears as though Belichick has been reading the forums. A complete overhaul of our defense which fills those holes. Yes, we are crushing team in the preseason, but like people said, who cares. It's not the points we are excited about, it's our new defense, it's our depth at certain positions, it's our POTENTIAL. Of course any given Sunday and all that, I mean, I doubt anyone has forgotten the first game of the 08 season. Regardless, I am going with 19-0 this year!

 

[brady199]

He lost his credibility for the Patriots before he ever picked up a pencil.

I knew he was a BB hater, but I didn't know he was that clueless.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Can't agree to compare this team to 2007 right now.

There is really no serious down the field deep threat like Moss....No longtime Patriot leaders like Bruschi,Vrabel and Harrison on the back 8

This team will have a character of it's own and hopefully a high character team with new veteran players who will get hired for the help wanted job of leadership needed that we sorely miss on defense the past few years.

...2007 will be hard to duplicate and to tell you the truth,I would rather the 2011 Patriots make a name for themselves rather than try and be like a team from the past.

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

May as well hand us our "on-paper" SB.

Come on man...

 

[Patriot Missile]

Can't agree to compare this team to 2007 right now.

There is really no serious down the field deep threat like Moss....No longtime Patriot leaders like Bruschi,Vrabel and Harrison on the back 8

This team will have a character of it's own and hopefully a high character team with new veteran players who will get hired for the help wanted job of leadership needed that we sorely miss on defense the past few years.

...2007 will be hard to duplicate and to tell you the truth,I would rather the 2011 Patriots make a name for themselves rather than try and be like a team from the past.

What he^ said.