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AB & Other "What Could've Been's" From The Brady/Bill Era

Vindicate

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Hey all, I was reading this article that had some quotes from Brady on Antonio Brown, apparently the first time he has spoken about him publicly:

"I met him, and I always admired him as a player. And then I got to play with him, and I actually saw in the meeting room how he could take information and bring it to the field."

""We picked him up at the Patriots, and he played one game—the second game of the year against Miami. The next week in practice, we were playing the Jets. It was a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday practice. We didn't have an incompletion the entire week of practice. That's basically unheard of. And we released him Friday afternoon."

We all remember how stoked we were after that Miami game. It was like "holy **** this NFL has no idea what's coming to them"

To come in and not drop a single pass in practice after one week with the most complicated offense in the entire league, helmed by the most demanding QB of the league is actually pretty damn wild.

It got me thinking - while it was a spoiled time, what are the other "what could've been" from a player perspective? (As in, winning either lost SB doesn't count, just players)

Another one is Hernandez. I just read an article where Suggs said he was so good at running routes. He basically said that while Gronk was obviously a monster, Hernandez was shifty and with the best of them from a receiver perspective (trying to type out a sentence with adverbs/adjectives to describe his game ability that aren't puns for Hernandez is impossible: Shifty, difficult, a problem, etc. lol)

What are some others?
 
What are some others?

For starters, it woulda been nice if Moss could have throttled his inner diva or Josh Gordon could have done the same with his demons. And yeah, if AH could maybe have tamped down the murderous impulses that would've been nice
 
For starters, it woulda been nice if Moss could have throttled his inner diva or Josh Gordon could have done the same with his demons. And yeah, if AH could maybe have tamped down the murderous impulses that would've been nice

I think Moss throttled those tendencies pretty damn well tbh haha.

I kinda forget Gordon here, he had a decent game or two. But wowweeee if he was who he was for the Browns... Peak Gordon could've been absolutely bonkers. That dude was essentially Myles Garrett in WR form.
 
I think Moss throttled those tendencies pretty damn well tbh haha.

He did... until he got so consumed with his contract that he couldn't. We all tend to gloss over how he got his ass traded out of town but he is on record saying he regrets it to this day. Moss is THE one everybody, including him, has regrets for the way he left. He should have finished his career here, he'd have had his ring and Brady would have more. Just a damn shame smdh
 
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He did... until he got so consumed with his contract that he couldn't. We all tend to gloss over how he got his as traded out of town but he is on record saying he regrets it to this day. Moss is THE one everybody, including him, has regrets for the way he left. He should have finished his career here, he'd have had his ring and Brady would have more. Just a damn shame smdh

Interesting, I got into watching football a little late (when I was 18) and I feel like 2010 was my first "watch everything" season, I'd imagine you have a much better memory of that than I.

Because when you put it that way, there was a lot of talent that would've shared the room with him, soon to break out. Woof. 2010 would be interesting with a dedicated Moss.
 
Interesting, I got into watching football a little late (when I was 18) and I feel like 2010 was my first "watch everything" season, I'd imagine you have a much better memory of that than I.

Because when you put it that way, there was a lot of talent that would've shared the room with him, soon to break out. Woof. 2010 would be interesting with a dedicated Moss.

I have a great memory for the year 2010, I remember it like it just happened even if I can't recall WTH I went into the kitchen for 15 minutes ago.

A happy Moss vs the ghosts of Patten and Branch added to Gronk and a pre-murderous AH and I'd like to think they get past the Jete. 2010 will always rank right up there for coulda been's
 
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What if Brady didn't get injured in 08.

'08 would have been THE year they settled all family business had Bernard Pollard not carried out the hit. May that evil degenerate burn in hell next to Ben Dreith for all eternity
 
What if the Pats had 2 extra first round picks that weren't stolen by the league.

What if Brady didn't get injured in 08.

Damn, lol. Didn't even think about that lol, that is an oft-gossed over discussion. What years were those? 2008/09? EDIT: Wait I'm confusing spy and deflategate punishments. 16/17. Interesting.... Would things be different if we had those? We sucked at drafting but.... That was on the precipice of a retooling era that was most visible 18/19/20.

'08 would have been THE year they settled all family business had Bernard Pollard not carried out the hit. May that evil degenerate burn in hell next to Ben Dreith for all eternity

My most hated player of all time and it isn't even close. Idgaf about Ward, Suh, etc., - **** Pollard.
 
Put it all together for the biggest what if of all...what if AB AND Gordon panned out in 2019? With that defense, and Brady throwing to Edelman, Brown, Gordon and James White, we'd be talking about another push for an undefeated season.
 
Put it all together for the biggest what if of all...what if AB AND Gordon panned out in 2019? With that defense, and Brady throwing to Edelman, Brown, Gordon and James White, we'd be talking about another push for an undefeated season.

To the house Baby! THE HOUSE!

 
For better or for worse, we had Bill doing things his way, and Bob doing things his way.

Several times it worked to their detriment and cost the team more titles.

I think we should be grateful for those that we won, and take solace in the knowledge and confirmation we got that most people - opponents, their fans, the media and the league - are scum.

Bob, Bill and the Pats weren't, and aren't. So the good guys finished on top six times. And we didn't get 'help' for any of them. Unlike the ****ed Yule of '76, the Tuck Rule was simply a referee doing his job and enforcing the rules correctly, objectively and fairly.
 
For better or for worse, we had Bill doing things his way, and Bob doing things his way.

Several times it worked to their detriment and cost the team more titles.

I think we should be grateful for those that we won, and take solace in the knowledge and confirmation we got that most people - opponents, their fans, the media and the league - are scum.

Bob, Bill and the Pats weren't, and aren't. So the good guys finished on top six times. And we didn't get 'help' for any of them. Unlike the ****ed Yule of '76, the Tuck Rule was simply a referee doing his job and enforcing the rules correctly, objectively and fairly.
I carried the bitterness from that shafting in 1976 for 25 years.
But then came the payback that started the best 20 year run in NYFL history.
And the fact that the Raiders' cried about it so long and loud made it even sweeter.
It's been a great ride eh?
 
I am about 2/3's through BB's, The Art of Winning. First time I'm listening (cd's) to a book. Started slow but by Chapter 2 I was enthralled.
 
I carried the bitterness from that shafting in 1976 for 25 years.
But then came the payback that started the best 20 year run in NYFL history.
And the fact that the Raiders' cried about it so long and loud made it even sweeter.
It's been a great ride eh?
Not just the Raiders, but the entire nation.

'76 is the epitomy of an actual atrocity. But no two hour documentaries on NFL Network or BSPN.
 
Not just the Raiders, but the entire nation.

'76 is the epitomy of an actual atrocity. But no two hour documentaries on NFL Network or BSPN.
I can still feel a twinge over that incredible theft but the dynasty wiped that clean and then some.

There's a top ten show I saw about the Raiders where George Atkinson was bragging about the team motto at the time, which was "if you ain't cheatin' you ain't tryin'." They got away with a lot of it in '76 and not just the roughing the passer call.

I really like how the call in 2001 turned everything around. Within 4 years from that time the Pats had tied the Raiders with 3 SB wins and by the time they were done they had doubled them up with 6.

As for other "what could haves", I've always been opposed to the 4th and two play at Indy. Had they just played it correctly on 3rd down with a run and held onto their last TO, they probably win that game and end up playing against the worst SB team ever.
 
Put it all together for the biggest what if of all...what if AB AND Gordon panned out in 2019? With that defense, and Brady throwing to Edelman, Brown, Gordon and James White, we'd be talking about another push for an undefeated season.
While we are in hypotheticals, add in a first round pick WR acting like one instead of a Harry and it gets better yet. And a version of Gronk too who would play the following year.
 
I can still feel a twinge over that incredible theft but the dynasty wiped that clean and then some.

There's a top ten show I saw about the Raiders where George Atkinson was bragging about the team motto at the time, which was "if you ain't cheatin' you ain't tryin'." They got away with a lot of it in '76 and not just the roughing the passer call.

I really like how the call in 2001 turned everything around. Within 4 years from that time the Pats had tied the Raiders with 3 SB wins and by the time they were done they had doubled them up with 6.

As for other "what could haves", I've always been opposed to the 4th and two play at Indy. Had they just played it correctly on 3rd down with a run and held onto their last TO, they probably win that game and end up playing against the worst SB team ever.
2009 Saints were 13-3 and defeated three HOF QB's to win it all. They also demolished the Patriots on MNF.

That definitely was not a weak team.
 
they probably win that game and end up playing against the worst SB team ever.
4th and 2 was in 2009. Saints were a really good team that thumped the Colts in the SB. Did you mean 2006 where they could have played a Rex Grossman Bears team in the Super Bowl if the ref didn't call face-guarding which didn't exist in the rulebook?

Faulk converted the 4th and 2. Had it here after the "football move".


This is where they spotted it. Lol
 
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