For those who trashed the defense

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Roster issues about the defense and wide receivers were a 100% legitimate concern. People thought, though it would be unlikely, they’d improve with coaching and they would finally be the team that catches lightning in a bottle come playoff time. That happened!

 

[Ivan]

And you're right - they weren't. But I'm talking more about the people who weren't willing to at least give them the benefit of the doubt or the opportunity to figure it out. No one cares about the regular season performances. While they count in terms of playoff seeding, it doesn't matter if they play great all year and suck in the postseason. Clearly, as we learned, they can be inconsistent and even terrible at times during the regular season as long as they're great in January (and February). It was the people who spent the year saying they had no shot who were a little frustrating. But let this be a lesson to at least ride it out, no matter how bad things look. You clearly never know how it might turn out

This is how I see it as well. I have no problem with valid criticism being leveled at them, but I have little to no patience with the people who are always crapping on them. I wasn’t surprised that they ran the table after the Pittsburgh loss because they weren’t going to lose to the Jets or Bill’s, and the tournament is a series of one game season’s, and I would never bet against Belichick and Brady in any one game situation.

 

[Kontradiction]

I have been researching all of Andy’s mea culpa’s and here are the results:



















.

Yep. This is a guy who said Edelman would never amount to anything as a WR in 2012 and the guy just won the Super Bowl MVP. Two could play that game all day. The defense sucked throughout long portions of the year. They locked down the #2 corner spot, Hightower got healthier, and the rest is history.

 

[Ring 6]

This is how I see it as well. I have no problem with valid criticism being leveled at them, but I have little to no patience with the people who are always crapping on them. I wasn’t surprised that they ran the table after the Pittsburgh loss because they weren’t going to lose to the Jets or Bill’s, and the tournament is a series of one game season’s, and I would never bet against Belichick and Brady in any one game situation.

I think the point is that Belichick and brady have proven that no matter what happens it’s stupid to give up on them. This team in 18 years has been in the SB in half of them and win it in 1/3 of them. It has been to at least the “final 4” afccg 13 times in 18 years.
Furthermore they are getting BETTER. In the last 8 years they have been to the final 4 EVERY year, the SB 5 of 8 and won it 3 times. 2011-2018 may be the greatest run in nfl history and it’s still going.
It has overcome weaknesses in virtually every area. It has looked terrible in areas or games and then become dominant in those areas or against the same opponent.
Predicting doom for this team is idiotic.
And that was really the point of my post. The arrogance and ignorance of the doomsayers, and this year there were many, is infuriating. But even mireso when it comes from supposed fans of this team.
To me being a fan means having hope that the team will ultimately succeed. We have the team that has proven over and over again that what looks bad today can be corrected and we will always have a chance to end up on top.
There were MANY fans here who wrote this team off. Hopefully they learned a lesson.

 

[Ring 6]

I have been researching all of Andy’s mea culpa’s and here are the results:



















.

Of course you know that is wrong but feel free to point out anything I was wrong about and I will address it openly and truthfully.

 

[JayNM]

Unbelievable play by them. Like, literally, if someone had said "Yo, Pats r going to hold the Rams to 3 points" I'dve answered - Dude, pass me that joint. UN-BELIEVABLE

I knew our Secondary was great. That I've been saying all year, but everyone, on that field, was Individually excellent. It's hard to say something about one play, without mentioning other, such was this a team game... but I ****ING LOVED that J. McCourty having a OVER 500 IQ for his awereness realizing Woods was open in the End Zone.

Then... Which kind of god has entered Van Noy's body? Dude was a mix of Urlacher with Bruschi, all over the field, blitzing, covering, side to side.

And Hightower is just Clutch. When we need him, he's there.

Last but not least, where was this D-Line all season? My god, they were beautiful. so sychronized, almost like a swimming team, if they were a bit less thinner. Wise was WALL against the Run. HECK, even SHELTON was making A DIFFERENCE

Historic is right.

 

[mgteich]

They were bad at points throughout the season. Can't deny that.

Thankfully, all that matters is they showed up big time in the biggest game of the year for 4 straight quarters.

through the entire playoffs!

 

[Ivan]

Of course you know that is wrong but feel free to point out anything I was wrong about and I will address it openly and truthfully.

Actually I usually agree with where you are coming from, but I also know from years of seeing your posts that you never admit to being wrong, and you will argue any point to the death. And my point here is that it is more than a little ironic to see you calling for others to submit their mea culpa’s.

 

[BTTA]

...They locked down the #2 corner spot, Hightower got healthier, and the rest is history.

The #2 spot, the #3 spot, the #4 spot...and the safeties played better and better over the past couple of months. The whole D backfield played as well as any we've ever had. Remarkable. Who would have thought Chung would continue to improve like this?

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

Of course you know that is wrong but feel free to point out anything I was wrong about and I will address it openly and truthfully.

Well since you asked, what about your stance on Kingsbury not getting an NFL HC job?

 

[Patriot Missile]

A lot of game day threads ruined by some of these negative nancy’s over the years. Just utter garbage at times.

Don’t think it’s a bad thing to criticize your team, but there our better ways to do it than how it’s been done by some.

At one point this season, I would concur this defense wasn’t championship caliber and just expected a playoff appearance. Never gave up hope though, and was grateful for the 5 rings this team had already given us.

So glad they were able to put this machine together. One of the best coaching jobs ever and a testament to the Pats players. Incredible job by all.

 

[Steve102]

I hated the fact that this D was horrible against the run. 3 points against the Rams. Wow.

 

[Kontradiction]

Well since you asked, what about your stance on Kingsbury not getting an NFL HC job?

Or getting Gordon in the first place, or how getting Gordon and losing him would make life worse for the offense than never having got him in the first place, or Baker Mayfield never being a quality NFL quarterback, or pumping the defensive unit in 2017 as a top 5 unit, or not blaming Googs for the debacle in Denver in 2015. I could go further but that would make a good starting point to drive home the ultimate lesson of those living in glass houses tossing stones for something that people weren’t wrong about in the first place.

 

[Ring 6]

Actually I usually agree with where you are coming from, but I also know from years of seeing your posts that you never admit to being wrong, and you will argue any point to the death. And my point here is that it is more than a little ironic to see you calling for others to submit their mea culpa’s.

You seem to have things confused.
There is a difference between arguing what you believe and in ultimately being proven wrong.
For example I believe this run isn’t over. I believe brady will bring them back at least one more time. I will argue vehemently with anyone who disagrees and I understand every facet of the topic so nothing you can say will make me say I am wrong to believe that
However if it doesn’t happen, I will obviously admit my belief was wrong.

 

[Ring 6]

Well since you asked, what about your stance on Kingsbury not getting an NFL HC job?

Clearly I was wrong about that. I’m still shocked.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

Or getting Gordon in the first place, or how getting Gordon and losing him would make life worse for the offense than never having got him in the first place, or Baker Mayfield never being a quality NFL quarterback, or pumping the defensive unit in 2017 as a top 5 unit, or not blaming Googs for the debacle in Denver in 2015. I could go further but that would make a good starting point to drive home the ultimate lesson of those living in glass houses tossing stones for something that people weren’t wrong about in the first place.

Rather than be on cloud9 from last night some people would rather drive home the point of being the smartest guy in the room.

Edit..I’m victim for thinking this offense would struggle post Gordon, the OL and run game minimized that loss thank god.

 

[Patjew]

I'll eat some crow.

I didn't say the D wasn't good, but after the Pitt game I did say that the team lacked smarts and heart. I am happy that I was wrong but I am unhappy with myself for judging things too early.

I have a screen shot of me texting that to my dad. I've posted it on Instagram so it's always there as a reminder - not just about the Pats, but as a life lesson.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

Clearly I was wrong about that. I’m still shocked.

Lol I just wanted to hear you say it. I’m sure your not the only one who was shocked.

 

[Kontradiction]

Rather than be on cloud9 from last night some people would rather drive home the point of being the smartest guy in the room.

Exactly. I don’t ignore people, but I’ll ignore this dumpster fire of a thread.

 

[Ring 6]

Lol I just wanted to hear you say it. I’m sure your not the only one who was shocked.

A lot of people also felt it was a ploy to interview him for OC job.
Unfortunately for Kingsbury fans he ended up in Arizona so it might not last long.