We are so lucky to be fans of this team

[Fanfrom1960]

OT slightly: Mike Nolan, coach of the 49ers, got questioned for all 20 minutes of his once a week Tuesday call-in to KNBR today about an alleged accusation by Alex Smith, QB, that he, Alex, was undermined this year by Nolan. It was about playing hurt/not playing hurt, or both. Heard it's in the San Jose Mercury News, a newspaper I used to read before the Internet days. Looks like Shaun Hill will be starting for the 9ers for now. 9ers are so f*cked up right now.

 

[SamBam39]

yeah, it makes you really appreciate how well-run this franchise is now, when you see some of the god-awful issues that other teams have, and not only that, but the way they publicly air their dirty laundry.

even when manning threw his offensive lineman under the bus when they lost in the playoffs a couple years back, I remember being astonished that someone working together with a whole team like that would make excuses to publicly defelct blame off of himself and onto his teammates. just clueless and part of the pats success is that you would never hear anything reselmbling that from this team.

it is truly the best of times. and I think one of the things that make people so jealous of us is that they can see there is no weakness in our armour. there's not much to pin their hopes on for our ultimate demise.

we're just gonna keep winning and winning and winning - like the everready bunny !!

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Go back 15-45 years and the Patriots were that type of dysfunctional team living crisis to crisis. We have been spoiled by Kraft, Belichick, Pioli, Brady et al and a mentality that has developed over the last 13 plus years. Hopefully this E ticket ride won't end for many, many years, especially for those of us old enough to remember Rod Rust, 2-14 years and times when this late in the season the only games of interest affected the draft......
How times have changed.....

 

[Gwedd]

Yup,

2 words: Irving Fryer.

Sums it up pretty well.

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

I still attribute it to two things: Belichick and Brady.

I believe that without Brady, we don't have this success. Manning would not have won the superbowls that Brady won on this team. He isn't the same player.

Belichick makes a team of guys better than the sum of their parts.

I really feel that this is thunder and lightning. The best QB and best coach somehow end up together.

Enjoy it while Brady is still playing, because this act will be hard to duplicate.

When I grew up, the Pats sucked. It was moral victories or no victories at all.

Funny how the Pats games have shattered all records in viewership this year when supposedly everybody hates us.

 

[fgssand]

I still attribute it to two things: Belichick and Brady.

I believe that without Brady, we don't have this success. Manning would not have won the superbowls that Brady won on this team. He isn't the same player.

Belichick makes a team of guys better than the sum of their parts.

I really feel that this is thunder and lightning. The best QB and best coach somehow end up together.

Enjoy it while Brady is still playing, because this act will be hard to duplicate.

When I grew up, the Pats sucked. It was moral victories or no victories at all.

Funny how the Pats games have shattered all records in viewership this year when supposedly everybody hates us.

I have no doubt in my mind that Brady would win a Superbowl or two without Belichick.

I have no doubt that BB would win a Superbowl or two without Brady.

Together......they are at 3 going on 4 and who knows how many more. Certainly, five rings seems to be almost a given and 6 or even 7 is not out of the realm of possibility.

Together, these two, are the primary reasons history is being made each and every year now.

Enjoy it people.....

 

[SamBam39]

Yup,

2 words: Irving Fryer.

Sums it up pretty well.

it's Fryar, not Fryer. and while he had a lot of 'issues' he was actually one of our top all-time receivers. he was a head case like terry glenn though.

but there were just so many bizarre problems back then, like zeke mowatt, all stemming from the sullivan's not really knowing how to run a team.

our ascention went like this:
1)parcells came to help the team do better so they could get more for it in a sale. and he started implementing a culture of winning.
2)kraft, a lifelong fan and shrewd businessman bought the team.
3)just as we were in the superbowl, kraft and parcells relationship became untenable, as parcells wanted most control, and kraft wanted an organization that worked together.
4)parcells left for jets, border wars ensued, including curtis martin being stolen, and kraft stole belichick from the jets.
5)parcells left jets without winning, curtis martin left jets without winning, jets continue to be a mockery, and belichick/kraft has turned pats into an nfl dynasty that has not only been great thus far, but has shown no signs of ending anytime soon, in fact, it continues to get better - and we have a top 5 pick next year!! LOL !!

 

[scout]

This year I've watched the unfortunate teams play as it had a bearing on our draft choice. I remember those times, remembered the false hopes when we drafted Plunkett and traded for Joe Kapp. Today, its hard not to look forward to the this year's crowning and completion, and at the same time, smell the roses.

 

[Patsman]

It's amazing what taking a bust of a high qb pick can do to an organization. There is one thing we all have to realize and that's that the advent of this organization is when we stepped in huge ***** picking up Tom Brady in the 6th round. To be able to slide a HOF qb into your franchise with a pick like that makes it so much easier on an organization. Taking a qb as your franchise/high pick is such an eggs in one basket committment, it's ridiculous. Look at all the terrible high QB picks and look where their franchises are today.

I really feel like Vince Young is another huge bust - fortunately, their defense can win them games.

 

[Scouse Patriot]

It was part of why I took to the Patriots, just how well this organisation is run, the mentality of the place and how similar it is to my hometown team in how they operate. We are definately seeing something special this year and we are lucky, but at the same time I think the team has earned it due to the hard work and skills the backroom and playing staff possess. It's not just "our year". We've had hunger, heart and passion all season long which can't be said for some other teams. You can have all the talent you want but it wont work unless you have it together and working as a unit, trusting each other and it's a credit to everyone here.

 

[PowerAlley.com]

I remember having a pats sticker on my truck in the early 90's when they were aweful. I used to get asked "why do you like the Patriots". Today I had my dillon jersey on with my Pats suede jacket and my Pats 3 time championship santa hat. I went to 3 stores and got comments like "you just like them because they are good"

We ARE blessed to have the team we have now. What a difference from the ZEKE MOWAT days.

 

[Fanfrom1960]

Go back 15-45 years and the Patriots were that type of dysfunctional team living crisis to crisis. We have been spoiled by Kraft, Belichick, Pioli, Brady et al and a mentality that has developed over the last 13 plus years. Hopefully this E ticket ride won't end for many, many years, especially for those of us old enough to remember Rod Rust, 2-14 years and times when this late in the season the only games of interest affected the draft......
How times have changed.....

Yes, I've been watching as an unwavering fan since...1960.

There have been some high points, like in 85 - 86 when they won three playoff games on the road vs. the Jets, Raiders and Dolphins. Then, da Bears. :bricks:
One very low point I remember was in the early 90s, don't know if it was a Rust or McPherson year. The Pats were on TV at night, at home, and they had the worst looking astroturf I've ever seen. It was raining and the field had this bright silver-red look from the lights shining off of it. You could hardly see the players. There were not many people in the stands. It might have been the only game I saw that year, being in CA. They lost badly, and I was thinking, is this team going to even be around in a few years? Get working on the Kraft, Belichick and Brady statues.

 

[mgteich]

IMHO, Fryar was the best receiver we ever had (although some would argue for Morgan, Brown or Glenn).

it's Fryar, not Fryer. and while he had a lot of 'issues' he was actually one of our top all-time receivers. he was a head case like terry glenn though.

but there were just so many bizarre problems back then, like zeke mowatt, all stemming from the sullivan's not really knowing how to run a team.

our ascention went like this:
1)parcells came to help the team do better so they could get more for it in a sale. and he started implementing a culture of winning.
2)kraft, a lifelong fan and shrewd businessman bought the team.
3)just as we were in the superbowl, kraft and parcells relationship became untenable, as parcells wanted most control, and kraft wanted an organization that worked together.
4)parcells left for jets, border wars ensued, including curtis martin being stolen, and kraft stole belichick from the jets.
5)parcells left jets without winning, curtis martin left jets without winning, jets continue to be a mockery, and belichick/kraft has turned pats into an nfl dynasty that has not only been great thus far, but has shown no signs of ending anytime soon, in fact, it continues to get better - and we have a top 5 pick next year!! LOL !!

 

[Fanfrom1960]

IMHO, Fryar was the best receiver we ever had (although some would argue for Morgan, Brown or Glenn).

If he hadn't gotten his hand carved up...

 

[Patriotic]

If he hadn't gotten his hand carved up...

. . . or got in a car wreck not far from the stadium during a Pats game . . . or was on the list of dope smokers published right after SBXX . . .

 

[abdul7]

Irv. Fryar was the best and was he fast or what ? I'm sure he would have won a medal at 200m ! Other 2 ofcourse were Grogan and Tippett for me. But thats where it started for me , those players and that 85 team.

 

[Gwedd]

Fellers,

Sorry I misspelled Fryar. I'm working with only one good eye at the moment, so occasionally I hit the wrong key, what with having no depth perception. Sigh.

Yeah, who was it playing toss with a buck knife that ended up getting it stuck in his chest? Anyone else remember that incident?

Respects,

 

[ClevTrev]

It was part of why I took to the Patriots, just how well this organisation is run, the mentality of the place and how similar it is to my hometown team in how they operate. We are definately seeing something special this year and we are lucky, but at the same time I think the team has earned it due to the hard work and skills the backroom and playing staff possess. It's not just "our year". We've had hunger, heart and passion all season long which can't be said for some other teams. You can have all the talent you want but it wont work unless you have it together and working as a unit, trusting each other and it's a credit to everyone here.

Well said. As a passionate fan since the team's inception, it's impossible to put into words the pride of seeing how the Pats have evolved into the organization they are today. These are good times! And there's a reason these are good times, it's the completely synchronized organization.

 

[Fanfrom1960]

More there but for the grace of God stuff: the 49ers have signed QB Chris Weinke because of Alex Smith being out for the season and Trent Dilfer's recent concussion. The 49ers QBs are now Shaun Hill and Weinke. 3 - 13 coming. The grace of God mention is because most of us have been there, i.e., supporting a bad, bad Patriots team and wondering if it would ever get better. Enjoy it kids, enjoy.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I still attribute it to two things: Belichick and Brady.

I believe that without Brady, we don't have this success. Manning would not have won the superbowls that Brady won on this team. He isn't the same player.

Belichick makes a team of guys better than the sum of their parts.

I really feel that this is thunder and lightning. The best QB and best coach somehow end up together.

Enjoy it while Brady is still playing, because this act will be hard to duplicate.

When I grew up, the Pats sucked. It was moral victories or no victories at all.

Funny how the Pats games have shattered all records in viewership this year when supposedly everybody hates us.

Well believe it or not people like to see lots of points scored. And whether people will admit it or not, they enjoy seeing the Pats score lots of points. There is some innate beautiful aspect of watching greatness in action. And of course even the people who "hate" the Pats will tune in to see if this will be the week that they finally lose. The Pats are a viewership magnet. They are good for the sport of football. And yes, we are priviliged to be fans of this team in this very special history making season.