After 8 games, this has GOT to be the most balanced and complete team Belichick has ever coached

[RobertWeathers]

Over a healthy 2015 squad? No way.

Yep.

Talent for talent is 2015. There is no debate there.

The 2003 team always found a way to get it done defensively and always made the play that needed to be made.

I'm not going to say that a team which went 14-2 and won 15 games in a row (inc playoffs) doesnt lose consistently to anyone.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

As badly as I want Lewis to be okay, I also realize this: the Patriots are 10x better equipped to handle an injury like this than they were last year. Last year, it might have been Brian Tyms time. This year, more targets for LaFell, Amendola, Chandler, and dare I say, possibly Dobson.

 

[Concussion Protocol]

I'm not sure why, but the points scored in 2007 served to help that defense more than anything. Maybe it was personnel or the that they change schemes after racing out to a lead, but there was never a line of demarcation between before/after 99% like there is with this group.

If I had to guess, I'd say the difference in experience levels is the primary factor.

The 2007 team also scored on defense (and special teams) quite a bit if I remember correctly. 2015 hasn't provided a single non-offensive touchdown yet this year, which is surprising.

*I don't really count the Tannehill safety

 

[condon84]

Sorry folks but I'm still taking the 04 team and I think the 03 team finds a way to win 5 of 10 times.

I tend to agree.

Those teams had Seymour, Warren, Bruschi, Colvin, Vrabel, Phifer, Law, Harrison on defense alone and also had great role players.

The offense, while not explosive, was efficient and more importantly, clutch. There was never a doubt in my mind that we were going to win with those teams.

 

[SalemPats]

Last night just seemed too easy. I don't think BB and TB care about balanced, they will exploit any teams deficiencies and if they feel they are better than someone at in an area they will exploit it.

 

[Oswlek]

Yep.

Talent for talent is 2015. There is no debate there.

The 2003 team always found a way to get it done defensively and always made the play that needed to be made.

I'm not going to say that a team which went 14-2 and won 15 games in a row (inc playoffs) loses consistently to anyone.

That was a great season, but this group is better. As was last year as well, IMO.

2003 would have an edge if 2015 was being coached by someone else, I'll grant you that.

 

[JMC00]

Yeah, it's easy to get giddy. Take away the garbage TD yesterday, and they lead the league in points scored and points allowed. They're pretty good.

Stupid refs throwing a ticky tacky flag with 40 seconds left. They would have been 3rd and goal from the 15.

 

[Concussion Protocol]

That was a great season, but this group is better. As was last year as well, IMO.

2003 would have an edge if 2015 was being coached by someone else, I'll grant you that.

If we're talking about "balance", 2003 doesn't really have a spot at the table. Anemic running game through the first 3 quarters of the season and the worst kicking game of the BB era (Vinatieri hurting and Walter being Walter). That team won like 3 games where the O didn't even score a TD. It was all about defense that season. Of course the roles reversed in SB38.

 

[Bruins29]

All good teams. 2007 was better than some remember. 04 was lethal. Lets let this team play out there year.

It also seems like 07 and 04 and 03 faced much tougher teams. No offense to the 15 squad but there does not seem like a lot of good teams out there.

 

[Bruins29]

That was a great season, but this group is better. As was last year as well, IMO.

Also, remember this group is better because they are playing against more sucky teams/QBs

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

What I love about this team is the chemistry. Guys really do know their roles here. It isn't just the star players but the role players. Guys like Slater, Bolden, many of the gritty linemen on both sides of the ball, Chung, Harmon. Funny how someone like Blount couldn't buy into his reduced role in Pittsburgh but is giddy playing in New England where he is gameplanned out all the time but just smiles and moves forward. It's a great thing this team has going...maybe Belichick's best recipe yet.

 

[Oswlek]

Also, remember this group is better because they are playing against more sucky teams/QBs

This team is better even controlling for opponent.

 

[Bruins29]

This team is better even controlling for opponent.

I could not definitively say that without doing more research and crunching more data.

 

[Oswlek]

I could not definitively say that without doing more research and crunching more data.

I can. That group had an incredible knack for making key plays in big moments, but they were never dominant. In fact. their ability to somehow never lose control of a game that was theoretically in doubt was their calling card. We also have to remember that the offense wasn't yet the dynamic group it blossomed into the next year.

DVOA supports this.

2003
Team: 20.7% (4th)
Offense: 1.2% (14th)
Defense: -18.7% (2nd)

2015
Team: 40.5% (1st)
Offense: 29.5% (1st)
Defense: -2.2% (10th)

 

[RobertWeathers]

I tend to agree.

Those teams had Seymour, Warren, Bruschi, Colvin, Vrabel, Phifer, Law, Harrison on defense alone and also had great role players.

The offense, while not explosive, was efficient and more importantly, clutch. There was never a doubt in my mind that we were going to win with those teams.

I totally understand the 07 and 2015 case but when I think of the all-time great defenses, 2003 is absolutely up there. I do think that they would struggle to score points but they always found a way to score as much as they needed to.

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

I can. That group had an incredible knack for making key plays in big moments, but they were never dominant. In fact. their ability to somehow never lose control of a game that was theoretically in doubt was their calling card. We also have to remember that the offense wasn't yet the dynamic group it blossomed into the next year.

DVOA supports this.

2003
Team: 20.7% (4th)
Offense: 1.2% (14th)
Defense: -18.7% (2nd)

2015
Team: 40.5% (1st)
Offense: 29.5% (1st)
Defense: -2.2% (10th)

Fascinating...what's the DVOA for the 2004 Pats?

 

[Oswlek]

Fascinating...what's the DVOA for the 2004 Pats?

Total: 34.2% (2nd)
Offense: 23.3% (3rd)
Defense: -10.7% (7th)

 

[RobertWeathers]

That was a great season, but this group is better. As was last year as well, IMO.

2003 would have an edge if 2015 was being coached by someone else, I'll grant you that.

2015 O is better than 03s by a country mile

2003 D is better than 2015 D at CB, S, LB, DE and DT by a healthy amount.

If there was a defense that could handle Gronk, it was 03. Bru, Roman in coverage and Willie and Vrabes with the chips and Rodney in coverage. Hell they may put Ty on him sometimes. it was that one.

I don't see this O-line dealing with Warren, Sey, Hamilton, Green, Willie and Vrabel well.

Andrews would have his hands full with 375 lb Ted Washington.

With that said they would still score between 17-30 pretty consistently.

 

[IllegalContact]

it's a tough comparison

the 2003 defense was more like smothering someone with a pillow........not much to watch and no bang bang

a richard seymour in his prime is still the best defensive player this team has had in the BB error

that said, the current defense would be the best ever if it only had connor barwin

 

[DarrylS]

This defense is the D that BB has been trying to get to for a long time, he has tried many times to created a D line rotation with a good D backfield.. but that has often produced.

We are all concerned when he did not resign Vince and when we found out that Mayo was not what he used to be, so now we have a young, fast and very talented defense.. imo am most impressed with our D line rotation.. imagine the O coordinators who have to prepare for this team??