1985 Patriots Or 1996 Patriots

[Actual Pats Fan]

‘85 Pats

Although I cannot recite each player and position aside from the “names,” it’s the underdog team that made me a fan to begin with. I was only ten and lodged directly in the middle of Browns/Steeler fans (equal distance from both).

Loved the fact that they were the first team to ever win 3 games on the road as a WC to reach the SB. Just wish they could’ve gone up against anyone else and finished the job in the SB. Admittedly, I lost some interest in my early teens after that with the poor records and hopped back on with the drafting of Bledsoe in ‘93. That was back when I could still wear a Patriots jersey in Pittsburgh. Times have changed.

Meanwhile, I've seen Steeler jerseys worn around here since the early '70s

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Yeah but what about Kraft?

Hot take: I choose neither. Who knows if we have this current run if we win either of those super bowls? Possibly changes the timeline of the franchise and screw everything up...

Yeah we wouldn't want to disrupt the time-space continuum...tempting as it may be to go back and knock some sense into Berry, I wouldn't want to destroy the entire universe.

Then again, the damage may be only local, limited to our own galaxy...

 

[italian pat patriot]

1985
that was an awesome incredible unforgettable run...that play-offs winning streak was simply charming...i loved a lot that team...from Camarillo to Clayborn...from Eason to Grogan...from Hannah to Lippett...from Morgan to Nelson...from Tatupu to Tippett...

with that strong CHI team there was simply nothing to do...imho they were unbeatable...pity that we faced a team like that otherwise we would have a great chance...we were rolling...

i love two 'old teams' wth passion that should have won a ring...

1976 was the other one...

 

[DarrylS]

Gotta go with 1985 even though the SB turned into a on sided loss, as it was the first time that we could get Pats Gear, "Squish the Fish" T-shirts (made cheap as hell)... we had gone such a long time with little or no playoff hopes this was welcome on many levels.

Used to work on Sundays from 3-11... so afterwork would head on over to Green Airport as they got off the plane with about a 1,000 other hardy souls who were all thirsting for good Patriots news.. this was a good run for that team and a welcome respite from being an inept team for the fans.

1996 always caused ambivalence as Parcells acted like a butthole preceding the Superbowl and obviously wanted out of the Patriots, he capped that off by coming home on a different plane.. will never forgive him for letting that week being about him and not the team.

 

[PittPatriot]

The whole Raiders game is on youtube.

MIA as well.

Havent been able to find the Jests one. They actually had a very good team.

AFC East was loaded that year. 3 teams with over 11 wins.

The Jets were “good” even in 1986.
They started out 10-1...but in typical Jets Fashion, needed up 10-6.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Yeah but what about Kraft?

Hot take: I choose neither. Who knows if we have this current run if we win either of those super bowls? Possibly changes the timeline of the franchise and screw everything up...

I'm not sure it changes. Team was 5-11 in 2000 with Drew and 0-2 in 01. Tom was 5-3 when Drew deemed himself ready.. Bill knew what he was doing. Kraft really didnt have an argument....except being the owner and he did the right thing and let Bill do his job- thank god

 

[Triumph]

No kidding. When Sweetness fumbled and we went up 3-0 I thought they were going to win again. I was a teenager. I didn't know any better.

At the time my neighbor was from Chicago and I wanted to bet. He agrees. After NE scored first, I went over and knocked on his door asking what the score was thinking we were going to have a game.

He never let me live that one down.

 

[Triumph]

Squish the fish.

Jambalaya was a good one too and who didnt love it when they played the wizard of oz music at Foxborough.

Parcells ruined 96 for me. The whole pre super bowl week was about his drama and it pixxed off the Packers.

 

[RobertWeathers]

The Jets were “good” even in 1986.
They started out 10-1...but in typical Jets Fashion, needed up 10-6.

KenOBrien and Tony Eason were cut from the same cloth. Good passers. Soft as poop

 

[Triumph]

85 was when Matt Millen punched Billy Sullivans son for taunting Howie Long after the game.

Even when the Raiders lost in those days they always found a silver lining.

 

[RayClay]

Ray you're speaking of the whole of 96 playoffs not just about the 96 SB, right? Bledsoe's play in the SB shouldn't be characterized as "played well".

And as I remember it, while the DH kick off return was the most deflating event in the game, if memory serves me one of BF's first passes of the game went for something like 60+ yards for a TD followed right up (again if I remember) a Bledsoe int giving GB a free 3 points. It was 10-0 and don't think GB had even moved the sticks yet

Whatever. He had them ahead before the kick return, if I recall. I had to work and watch, so I can't be sure.

 

[RayClay]

'85 Bears were like '86 Mets - arrogant and inferior.

Imagine Zo playing first half in '97.

Or me in goal vs. the Russians instead of Jim Craig for the first period.

From '83-'89, Eason started the games with our season on the line, and we lost.

I think this century has proven that playing the quarterback with the awareness, toughness and leadership wins.

Had Berry done the obvious, right thing, Pete Axthelm et al. would not have been laughing and celebrating the Bear's coronation prior to kickoff.

Suey got all those rushing yards on an exhausted, desperate Pats defense.

I wouldn't say the Bears were inferior that year.

 

[mosslost]

BB wouldn't have given a rats fart about 1996

would not have been because of BB. Kraft might have overruled him at that time. BB was not yet who he became at that point. In fact I think you are likely wrong.

 

[PittPatriot]

KenOBrien and Tony Eason were cut from the same cloth. Good passers. Soft as poop

Cut from same cloth? They were practically lovers.

The Jets made one of their boldest player moves in recent history today by claiming the quarterback Tony Eason off waivers, only to find that Eason does not want to join the Jets because the team's quarterback is his best friend, Ken O'Brien.

Jets Claim An Unwilling Eason Off Waivers

 

[RobertWeathers]

would not have been because of BB. Kraft might have overruled him at that time. BB was not yet who he became at that point. In fact I think you are likely wrong.

The circumstances show more that you are likely wrong.

What we do know is Drew was beloved by Kraft

We also know he had a big-time contract demonstrating that.

We also know under BB Drew was 5-13.

We know Tom was 5-3 and with better offensive numbers with the same players.

A Super Bowl title in 1996 does not change the last 2 points as he was still loved by Kraft and had a big contract anyway.

 

[denverpatsfan]

1996 is the only game they had a shot in. Troy Brown being hurt and kicking right to the best returner in the league was bad. Blowing coverage and giving them (2) easy TD's was bad too. Very winnable if you correct a couple of those mistakes and/or put a healthy Troy Brown in the game.

Parcel's actually coaching to win would have helped too...

 

[mosslost]

The circumstances show more that you are likely wrong.

What we do know is Drew was beloved by Kraft

We also know he had a big-time contract demonstrating that.

We also know under BB Drew was 5-13.

We know Tom was 5-3 and with better offensive numbers with the same players.

A Super Bowl title in 1996 does not change the last 2 points as he was still loved by Kraft and had a big contract anyway.

It would have been much harder to not play Drew if he had won Super Bowl 31. No question.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

The Jets were “good” even in 1986.
They started out 10-1...but in typical Jets Fashion, needed up 10-6.

My favorite trivia from that Jets finish was after the 10th win, NBC studio commentator Paul McGuire predicted the Jets would not win another game. By week 16, the pregame show had replayed that prediction multiple times.

(Pay no attention to the fact the Jets beat KC in their wild card matchup and should have beaten the Browns in the divisional).

Regards,
Chris

 

[signbabybrady]

I was 3 in 85 so definitely 96. Being a teenager I loved those 90s teams. The Drew crew always has a special place in my heart.

That said I'll turn around and trade it for the next one!

 

[RobertWeathers]

It would have been much harder to not play Drew if he had won Super Bowl 31. No question.

Even in 2001, when it came to making football decisions, there is zero evidence you can point to which says Kraft would or did overrule BB.

Find some and you might have a better hypothesis