The New England Dynasty

[strngplyr]

So, after 3 Super Bowls in 4 seasons and a 4th appearance, the media has dubbed our dynasty as over the past 3 or so seasons, and either the Jets or the Dolphins would take over the division.

Since we've been deemed the second best team one year and third best entering 2010 we've posted seasons of 14 and 13 wins and are now 4 days away from potentially earning the right to play in our 5th Super Bowl since Y2K.

Regardless of the outcome of this season, we head into 2012 with the best QB in the NFL, easily top 5 of all time, the best TE in the NFL and when paired with his buddy, the best tandem by a land slide, the best "slot" receiver in the league, a second year RB who has shown a lot of promise towards the end of this year, and one of the best, young, offensive lines in football with the injection of Vollmer, Connolly, Solder, and Canon, paired with the veterans Light, Waters, and Mankins.

Very promising offense for years to come.

Defense is another story, but a big advantage for this group is that they are young. Mayo will be entering his 5th season, Chung and Arrington their 4th, McCourty, Fletcher, and Spikes with their 3rd, Moore his 2nd. They also have their steadying veteran presence of guys like Wilfork and Ninkovich and hopeful returns of Carter and Anderson.

This unit could be called a disappointment in 2011, which wouldn't be wrong, but they generated 40 sacks, 34 takeaways, and held opponents to about 21 points when our offense scores an average of 32. Not a bad margin. They play complimentary football, obviously not an all-world unit.

I don't know about everyone else here, but I'm not ready to give up on this as a dynasty as easily as the media. The 49ers Super Bowl years took place from the early 80's into the 90's, New England has been competitive for 10 years now in an era of Salary caps and Free Agency.

I see greatness for this team extending beyond the BB and Brady era, this team has been undergoing a youth movement for the past 2 seasons and has won 27 of the 32 games in the process. I think we're in good shape.

 

[Ring 6]

So, after 3 Super Bowls in 4 seasons, a 4th appearance, the media has dubbed our dynasty as over the past 3 or so seasons, and either the Jets or the Dolphins would take over the division.

Since we've been deemed the second best team one year and third best entering 2010 we've posted seasons of 14 and 13 wins and are now 4 days away from playing in our 5th Super Bowl since Y2K.

Regardless of the outcome of this season, we head into 2012 with the best QB in the NFL, easily top 5 of all time, the best TE in the NFL and when paired with his buddy, the best tandem by a land slide, the best "slot" receiver in the league, a second year RB who has shown a lot of promise towards the end of this year, and one of the best, young, offensive lines in football with the injection of Vollmer, Connolly, Solder, and Canon, paired with the veterans Light, Waters, and Mankins.

Very promising offense for years to come.

Defense is another story, but a big advantage for this group is that they are young. Mayo will be entering his 5th season, Chung and Arrington their 4th, McCourty, Fletcher, and Spikes with their 3rd, Moore his 2nd. They also have their steadying veteran presence of guys like Wilfork and Ninkovich and hopeful returns of Carter and Anderson.

This unit could be called a disappointment in 2011, which wouldn't be wrong, but they generated 40 sacks, 34 takeaways, and held opponents to about 21 points when our offense scores an average of 32. Not a bad margin. They play complimentary football, obviously not an all-world unit.

I don't know about everyone else here, but I'm not ready to give up on this as a dynasty as easily as the media. The 49ers Super Bowl years took place from the early 80's into the 90's, New England has been competitive for 10 years now in an era of Salary caps and Free Agency.

I see greatness for this team extending beyond the BB and Brady era, this team has been undergoing a youth movement for the past 2 seasons and has won 27 of the 32 games in the process. I think we're in good shape.

If this team wins a SB this year, 'round 2' of the dynsaty starts with a more talented, younger and more experienced team than round 1 started with in 2001.
Knowing what happened from there on, and how incredible and hard to duplicate that is makes it hard to recongnize that this team, if it wins would be more likely to win more titles that the 2001 team was. A lot happened from 2001 to 2003 and 2004, but if (and a big IF) this team wins it all this year, there is no doubt it is in better shape for the future the next day than the 01 team was.

 

[Fball]

Brady is the guy that makes the whole thing run the way it does. Without Brady, the talent level the Pats have is in line w/ most average & just above-average teams in the NFL.

They'll be dynasty as long as he plays, unless he really starts to slip in a few years. After he retires, it will probably be a different story.

 

[strngplyr]

If this team wins a SB this year, 'round 2' of the dynsaty starts with a more talented, younger and more experienced team than round 1 started with in 2001.
Knowing what happened from there on, and how incredible and hard to duplicate that is makes it hard to recongnize that this team, if it wins would be more likely to win more titles that the 2001 team was. A lot happened from 2001 to 2003 and 2004, but if (and a big IF) this team wins it all this year, there is no doubt it is in better shape for the future the next day than the 01 team was.

I agree 100%, especially about being in better shape for the future. The 01 team, while obviously successful, I don't believe was nearly as talented headed into 2002. That team won with heart and attitude, I feel like this team has all of that AND talent.

 

[PatsFan24]

The first Dynasty was 01-04 the second Dynasty is 2011 and beyond

 

[ausbacker]

How about we start by beating the Ravens first before proclaiming a dynasty. I'm sure Green Bay thought they were about to start one prior to the Giants fiasco.

Either way, the Patriots are a model organization and we're lucky to be fans.

 

[JJDChE]

We haven't won a SB in 7 years. I'm pretty sure that dynasty is over. Now it's just 'prolonged success'.

 

[VJCPatriot]

We haven't won a SB in 7 years. I'm pretty sure that dynasty is over. Now it's just 'prolonged success'.

First dynasty is certainly over. The Pats have to win a Superbowl this year before we can start talking about a second one. As far as offense goes, I see us being just as strong in 2012, the only significant free agents we have are Welker and BJGE. If BJGE walks, then no big deal, Ridley will step up. Welker however is a MUST SIGN. On defense, we continue to look for more through the draft. Our free agent crop was AMAZING in 2011 when you think about it - Waters, Anderson, Carter. Hopefully Carter can come back 100% for 2012 because you know he must HATE sitting out this postseason even if he gets a ring out of it, he didn't get to play.

 

[JJDChE]

First dynasty is certainly over. The Pats have to win a Superbowl this year before we can start talking about a second one. As far as offense goes, I see us being just as strong in 2012, the only significant free agents we have are Welker and BJGE. If BJGE walks, then no big deal, Ridley will step up. Welker however is a MUST SIGN. On defense, we continue to look for more through the draft. Our free agent crop was AMAZING in 2011 when you think about it - Waters, Anderson, Carter. Hopefully Carter can come back 100% for 2012 because you know he must HATE sitting out this postseason even if he gets a ring out of it, he didn't get to play.

Actually, we have to win a Super Bowl this year AND next year before we can start talking about another dynasty.

 

[PatsFan24]

How about we start by beating the Ravens first before proclaiming a dynasty. I'm sure Green Bay thought they were about to start one prior to the Giants fiasco.

Either way, the Patriots are a model organization and we're lucky to be fans.

The Ravens game is in the bag.

 

[Wolfpack]

This is all still part of the first dynasty. You have the same HC, the same QB and while they haven't won a Super Bowl in 7 years (I love how some people in here think that is some sort of tremendous hardship), they have certainly been competing.

 

[ALP]

The first Dynasty was 01-04 the second Dynasty is 2011 and beyond

i agree

this is not the same dynasty as a decade ago, if we win 3 out of the next 4, it will a completely different dynasty


though team, coach, and QB will all be the same, everything else would pretty much be different

 

[Satchboogie3]

We haven't won a SB in 7 years. I'm pretty sure that dynasty is over. Now it's just 'prolonged success'.

No team has more playoff appearances, playoff wins, or championship game appearances as the Pats since 06. The only real thorn was losing the big game in '07. Had we held on, none of these talks would appear. If we win this year the dynasty is still very much alive, it has just been a little rough/unlucky '08-'10.

 

[Matt Hooper]

Regrettably, I'd say the steelers are the team best poised to be the dynasty of this decade. They have great receivers, a good tight end, rowtjliaberger us still young and their defense is always there. How long does Brady have left? Drafting him was dumb luck and most franchises dont get that lucky twice in a row. I mean, everyone has anointed Andrew luck the next Peyton manning, but he couklld be the next Ryan leaf.

 

[supafly]

Regrettably, I'd say the steelers are the team best poised to be the dynasty of this decade. They have great receivers, a good tight end, rowtjliaberger us still young and their defense is always there. How long does Brady have left? Drafting him was dumb luck and most franchises dont get that lucky twice in a row. I mean, everyone has anointed Andrew luck the next Peyton manning, but he couklld be the next Ryan leaf.

Brady was recently quoted last yr as stating that he hopes to play another 10 years. While I certainly wouldn't count on that, getting another 5-6 years would be relatively easy. Actually it's more than expected in all of the front office and NFL league circles. He will certainly at least play until his late 30's. When all is said and done, I don't see Roethlisberger (your next team of the "dynasty" era ) playing all that much longer than Brady.

He doesn't have to do anything but sit in the pocket and sling the ball, a la Favre, Montana, Marino etc. If he had to depend on his athleticsm and running skills then it'd be a much different story.

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And I would hardly consider the PIT Steelers as the next "dynasty." LOL!!

They are much too weak in the offensive line, and old on defense. Weren't 9 out of their 11 defensive starters this yr beyond 30? That's a joke.

Besides their younger LB's in Woodley and Timmons, and their up and coming WR core, they are old and done in many ways.

Having a QB half as dumb as Roethlisberger is very bad for their future too.

They are about to lose their OC in the next few days in Ariens, and **** LeBeau is about to retire in the next year or two for sure.

You have got to absolutely be kidding me with that statement....

 

[supafly]

No team has more playoff appearances, playoff wins, or championship game appearances as the Pats since 06. The only real thorn was losing the big game in '07. Had we held on, none of these talks would appear. If we win this year the dynasty is still very much alive, it has just been a little rough/unlucky '08-'10.

Post SB (2007) past few years:

2008---11 and 5
2009---10 and 6
2010---14 and 2
2011---13 and 3

You are right, people act like being 4 seasons removed from going to the SB is the "end" of everything, lol.

Try 6 AFCCG's in the past 11 years...that's more than 50% average since the turn of the 2000's.

How about being the NFL's winningest team in the past 10 yrs?

Some people are too much.

EDIT: While I am saying they are still a "dynasty," I am saying that the entire NFL can take to the bank the fact that the AFC will likely be competed until the end with the NE Patriots. Just b/c they lose 2 yrs in the playoffs doesn't make them any less potent. They proved their staying power.

Just look at teams like the Steelers in the 2000's...too inconsistent...they actually had a losing record a couple/few times. That would never happen in the current BB era. Winning the AFCE is almost a given every year, besides the yr Brady went down, and they still went 11-5 without him!

 

[Matt Hooper]

Brady was recently quoted last yr as stating that he hopes to play another 10 years. While I certainly wouldn't count on that, getting another 5-6 years would be relatively easy. Actually it's more than expected in all of the front office and NFL league circles. He will certainly at least play until his late 30's. When all is said and done, I don't see Roethlisberger (your next team of the "dynasty" era ) playing all that much longer than Brady.

He doesn't have to do anything but sit in the pocket and sling the ball, a la Favre, Montana, Marino etc. If he had to depend on his athleticsm and running skills then it'd be a much different story.

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And I would hardly consider the PIT Steelers as the next "dynasty." LOL!!

They are much too weak in the offensive line, and old on defense. Weren't 9 out of their 11 defensive starters this yr beyond 30? That's a joke.

Besides their younger LB's in Woodley and Timmons, and their up and coming WR core, they are old and done in many ways.

Having a QB half as dumb as Roethlisberger is very bad for their future too.

They are about to lose their OC in the next few days in Ariens, and **** LeBeau is about to retire in the next year or two for sure.

You have got to absolutely be kidding me with that statement....

I hate the steelers as much as anyone, and more than any pats fan. But trust me, those guys draft better than anyone and don't tend to let their weaknesses fester for more than a season. They will be back.

Also, Hoody, who went to school in my backyard in Annapolis, is 59. How much longer is he going to coach? Certainly not 10 years.

 

[supafly]

I hate the steelers as much as anyone, and more than any pats fan. But trust me, those guys draft better than anyone and don't tend to let their weaknesses fester for more than a season. They will be back.

Also, Hoody, who went to school in my backyard in Annapolis, is 59. How much longer is he going to coach? Certainly not 10 years.

We're all pretty much guessing that he will give us some clues as to his departure. Since his contract is up after next yr (IIRC), he will very likely sign another 5-6 yr contract too. Of course, there is also a good chance that Kraft may try and lock him up ahead of time, particularly in the upcoming off-season, as I am sure he appreciates the team's back to back #1 seeds. The contract extension may happen sooner than people realize. Since everything is always on the hush in regards to his situation, he may actually already be extended, and we may not find out about it for a year or two.

With his propensity to keep moving picks into the upcoming yr's, and no sign whatsover of him slowing down or anticipating a "replacement" coach on the squad, I couldn't see him leaving before Brady.

Most of us are assuming something into the late 2010 decade at least. Belichick is fairly young. He claims he doesn't want to be a "Marv Leavy" but he's nowhere near that kind of status.

I am sure he will be compensated very well in his next future HC deal here, as his relationship with Kraft etc is second to none. He has every single thing he wants, and a great love and passion for the game.

Personally, I wouldn't think it's out of the realm for them both to be here another 5-6-7 years--hands down. Brady may end up leaving first of course, but I don't see any reason for any Pats fans to worry about it right now.

He will have set up at the very least a competetive team under good cap restrictions and a young and viable roster for his departure. He will also hand pick a replacement coach (and no, he will not be Josh McDaniels, as he will likely take another HC job in the next few yrs).

There's also a good reason to worry about another franchise QB in the making, as Ryan Mallett was ranked hands down the most "NFL ready" QB in the entire draft. He had the best arm of any QB coming out, playing in a pro-style offense, and slang the ball around like no one's business. He takes part in the scout team/practice team offense replicating opposing QB's with big arms. Many had Miami taking him with the #15th pick in last yr's draft, but they dropped the ball on that one for sure.

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As far as the Steelers go, I live in Pittsburgh and have to hear about them every day. I am tuned in pretty well with the team itself in general (unfortunately). While I agree that they do draft well, they also are in cap trouble (on a lesser level than some other teams, but still will have to be very creative), are past the point of aging in many areas, have a terrible offensive line, and will now be moving to a whole 'new' offensive scheme. since Bruce Arians won't be returning. That will make Big Ben horribly pissed off. Believe me, the team picture is not as rosy as you paint it. Recent reports just today say that Art Rooney Jr is now abandoning his cushy job as Ambassador to Ireland, because he is so worried about the future of the team. Although he did admit today that "we won't start over from scratch," he did indicate that they are a lot more worried over there than they may appear to the average fan.

With a 21st ranked offensive output (which negates all of the talk about "Roethlisberger and his young, up-and-coming WR's"), one of the worst offensive lines in the entire NFL, a very predictable gameplan, a tendency to continously turn the ball over, an aging defense that they will TRY to rebuild on the fly (a la NE Pats 2009-2010 and even current), and direct orders from Art Rooney himself for Big Ben to "stop taking so many hits" for a QB on the wrong side of 30 now, they won't be a "dynasty" for yrs to come....although I will agree with you that they can and likely will remain competitive. The rest we'll have to agree to disagree on.

FWIW--I am not suggesting that the Pats are going to "dominate" football throughout the 2010 decade either, just stating that they are built to remain very competitive in the free agency era. I do believe that they are built better than the current PIT team, drafts be damned. BTW--our team continuing to dominate the physical number of picks yr in and yr out cannot be viewed as a 'bad' thing either, for as much as you hear about PIT's great drafts. By Belichick always stocking up on multiple first and second rounders, he obviously has found a way to improve his odds at hitting a home run, as he realizes that the draft is a hit-or-miss gamble. By having more actual picks than anyone else, he is doing just a good of job as the PIT Steelers, at least in the long run.