The Bandwagon - On it or Off It?

[Huckleberry1]

In defense of the "sell out for a win now" crowd...if we mortgaged the future for Myles Garrett this season I think it's probably an easy Super Bowl win lol

Not me. They don't have the depth, and that would have taken a minimum of 2 first round picks, probably 3, not too mention quarterback honey.

 

[A Defiant Goose]

Not me. They don't have the depth, and that would have taken a minimum of 2 first round picks, probably 3, not too mention quarterback honey.

Yeah but if we're talking strictly this year and pretend the world ends after the super bowl, it would've definitely been worth it. that being said I'm on your side, I am glad they didn't sell their future for a non-guaranteed chance at a SB win

 

[mgteich]

Yeah but if we're talking strictly this year and pretend the world ends after the super bowl, it would've definitely been worth it. that being said I'm on your side, I am glad they didn't sell their future for a non-guaranteed chance at a SB win

No team has ever had a guaranteed chance at a SB win.

 

[A Defiant Goose]

No team has ever had a guaranteed chance at a SB win.

ok man whatre we doing here

obviously

but their biggest weakness being fixed with an all-time great in a record breaking season of his would have massively increased their chance at winning the super bowl. OBVIOUSLY it's never guaranteed, which is why you don't just do it and risk your future for it

ETA: I know we don't like to talk in absolutes and guarantees but I'm not sure there's anything closer to a guarantee than upgrading our edge with prime Garrett

 

[Huckleberry1]

Yeah but if we're talking strictly this year and pretend the world ends after the super bowl, it would've definitely been worth it. that being said I'm on your side, I am glad they didn't sell their future for a non-guaranteed chance at a SB win

Vrabel was asked about whether they were in on the bidding for Micah Parsons and said they werent at that point yet, i.e... they are still builfing their team to seripus contender status. Im sure hes enjoying tjeir success and believes they can nest anyone on a given day, but je knows its a team built on young players that lacks depth, and to a degree playmakers, and knows they have to leep building to reach true contender status. And tjats a goodbthing, as we can expevt another offseason similar to the lsst offseason, which was excellent.

 

[PancakeBlockPaul]

I get the excitement and love it. But wheels fall off what? Wagons….Ive never called myself a bandwagon fan as I’ve always associated it with fair weather fans…but a fan? Like others I put up with the 80s, some 90s, Sullivans, and now Mayo, etc and am still here….not going anywhere.

 

[n1997y]

I get the excitement and love it. But wheels fall off what? Wagons….Ive never called myself a bandwagon fan as I’ve always associated it with fair weather fans…but a fan? Like others I put up with the 80s, some 90s, Sullivans, and now Mayo, etc and am still here….not going anywhere.

Not just wagons…

 

[Sect140]

I have no bandwagon. I am a Patriots fan no matter what our record.

Drop the mic moment. Well said.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Gillette is more like 65,000 at a poetry reading than it is a menace to opposing teams.

Finger-applause

 

[PatsFanInVa]

So, quick check-in after another gameday thread full of guys who break their glasses so they can't see just in case someone might describe them as rose-colored... (speaking of colors, color code... you are here)

Checklist for extended bandwagon tour
■ 10-game Winning Streak
■ Victory over former division leader
■ Clinched Playoff Spot
■ First seed aspirations deep into regular season
□ Sweep former division rival (4 points. We'll get 'em next year.)
■ Young phenom QB has unbelievable accuracy stats every. SIngle. Game.
■ Young phenom QB realizes he can throw the ball away instead of running for 2 yards and taking injury chances.
■ Young phenom QB surges against adversity and leads a 4th quarter comeback victory, team learns to win gritty
■ Young phenom QB finally cracks 300 yards
□ Beat the JEST
□ Beat the LOLphins
□ 1st seed, Bandwagon back in the shop for a well-deserved and much-needed 1st-round bye week
□ First Vrabel-Maye playoff victory
□ First Vrabel-Maye AFC Championship
□ First Vrabel-Maye Super Bowl Championship

□ Bandwagon pulls into garage, gets rings adjusted

 

[Huckleberry1]

To me "the bandwagon" isn't about this season, it's about Vrabel, Maye and the future of this franchise. Imo this is the start of long term contention, and more Lombardi's. And nothing that happens the rest of this season is going to change that. I believe in Vrabel, his front office, and his coaches. And I believe that Drake Maye is going to be an All Pro quarterback this season, and for the rest of his career. I think he will take another big leap forward this offseason, and if they put the pieces around him he will have them in every game for years to come. That's the bandwagon I'm on.

 

[UrbanCowboy]

Love this team. Been a blast this year! Last night was so much fun. All gravy from here. And we're set up for another run. Good times!

 

[DarrylS]

So, quick check-in after another gameday thread full of guys who break their glasses so they can't see just in case someone might describe them as rose-colored... (speaking of colors, color code... you are here)

Checklist for extended bandwagon tour
■ 10-game Winning Streak
■ Victory over former division leader
■ Clinched Playoff Spot
■ First seed aspirations deep into regular season
□ Sweep former division rival (4 points. We'll get 'em next year.)
■ Young phenom QB has unbelievable accuracy stats every. SIngle. Game.
■ Young phenom QB realizes he can throw the ball away instead of running for 2 yards and taking injury chances.
■ Young phenom QB surges against adversity and leads a 4th quarter comeback victory, team learns to win gritty
■ Young phenom QB finally cracks 300 yards
□ Beat the JEST
□ Beat the LOLphins
□ 1st seed, Bandwagon back in the shop for a well-deserved and much-needed 1st-round bye week
□ First Vrabel-Maye playoff victory
□ First Vrabel-Maye AFC Championship
□ First Vrabel-Maye Super Bowl Championship

□ Bandwagon pulls into garage, gets rings adjusted

Then all the Patriots haters can come out of the closet and utter nonsense about remembering how the Patriots cheated or some other such nonsense...
"That hate us, because they ain't us"... truer words never spoken.
Meantime I will continue to enjoy this wonderful ride and will ignore the noise...

 

[Huckleberry1]

Then all the Patriots haters can come out of the closet and utter nonsense about remembering how the Patriots cheated or some other such nonsense...
"That hate us, because they ain't us"... truer words never spoken.
Meantime I will continue to enjoy this wonderful ride and will ignore the noise...

I'm really looking forward to the coming dynasty, and how much teams and fans across the league are going to hate it. I'm even looking forward to how much Captain Quits and his band of quitters are going to hate it. Last night made the Captain, Sam, FCB, and the rest of them look really really bad, and they hate this team for it. Sam even resorted to trolling the forum as it happened. They can suck on their misery for the next 15-20 years(, because this team is only going up.

 

[BobDigital]

I would love to be off the bandwagon. I really would. It be nice to just chalk this year up to a rebuild house money kind of year where you just hope they put in a good show. But I can't. I look around the rest of the NFL and I can't say the Pats don't have a realistic shot.

The only team I think is clearly better is the Rams and there is a good chance they get bounced. I would bet on the field over then even with the first seed.

Denver at a Denver seems hard too but I trust our healthy D to hold an offense of that magnitude in check enough for us to have a shot.

I don't trust the pats to win a shoot out with any team. So they d needs to hold the opponent under 30. Good offensive teams are my biggest worry. I trust Maye and co if healthy to somehow some way get 24-28 vs anyone right now.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

I would love to be off the bandwagon. I really would. It be nice to just chalk this year up to a rebuild house money kind of year where you just hope they put in a good show. But I can't. I look around the rest of the NFL and I can't say the Pats don't have a realistic shot.

The only team I think is clearly better is the Rams and there is a good chance they get bounced. I would bet on the field over then even with the first seed.

Denver at a Denver seems hard too but I trust our healthy D to hold an offense of that magnitude in check enough for us to have a shot.

I don't trust the pats to win a shoot out with any team. So they d needs to hold the opponent under 30. Good offensive teams are my biggest worry. I trust Maye and co if healthy to somehow some way get 24-28 vs anyone right now.

Just accept it, Bob. We ain't perfect. The first lesson is, you try to win before the first down is played (preparation, personnel, scheming...) but once you're in it, it's players refusing to be out of it until they get their next break...the next turnover, the next stop, the next long ball downfield. you can't count on any of these -- but you can count on all of them. Opportunity will be presented. Are you a team that snatches it up? We're showing more and more that we are. My worry is that the team will mistake the map for the land at some point and misguidedly think they can't overcome something/someone... or on the flip side, takes winning for granted.

If we need to go through a health Denver, Rams, Seahawks, whoever, so be it! Much easier for me to say than our boys... but they're showing more strength/resilience every week, no matter who's injured.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Think positive. This is the Bills best shot at winning a Lombardi, and the Patriots are just getting started. Another offseason like the last one and watch the F out.

 

[BobDigital]

Just accept it, Bob. We ain't perfect. The first lesson is, you try to win before the first down is played (preparation, personnel, scheming...) but once you're in it, it's players refusing to be out of it until they get their next break...the next turnover, the next stop, the next long ball downfield. you can't count on any of these -- but you can count on all of them. Opportunity will be presented. Are you a team that snatches it up? We're showing more and more that we are. My worry is that the team will mistake the map for the land at some point and misguidedly think they can't overcome something/someone... or on the flip side, takes winning for granted.

If we need to go through a health Denver, Rams, Seahawks, whoever, so be it! Much easier for me to say than our boys... but they're showing more strength/resilience every week, no matter who's injured.

Personally as a fan while i know nothing is guaranteed i kind of hate the position the Patriots are in right now.

I would rather be a team that is the clear favorite, so even though i am super invested in the winning it is much more likely to pay off. Or I'd ALMOST rather be a team that really has little shot to win so you don't get your hopes up too high and can just enjoy the ride. That way you don't get too hurt when they lose cause you made piece with the fact they weren't a real contender anyway.

The worst of it is when you are a team on the bubble. You have to admit you have a shot to win but you are unlikely to do so. That to me personally is the most painful spot to be in cause i can't half buy in. I want championships. Super bowl appearances are nice, but without the win it is very empty for me.

That isn't to say I'd rather the team be worse and have no shot. Ultimately i want championships so i will take 20 hard loses for one win, but damn it is hard on the heart : /

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

I love the position the Pats are in. The future is bright and this season is a turnaround season ( Pats '01, Red Sox '67, Celtics 79-80) that bodes well for the future. Even if they don't win a Lombardi this year, they should be in the hunt in the near future. Hope springs eternal and even if this season ends with a playoff loss, the foundation is there for a future Lombardi, something that could not be said the last few years....

 

[n1997y]

I love the position the Pats are in. The future is bright and this season is a turnaround season ( Pats '01, Red Sox '67, Celtics 79-80) that bodes well for the future. Even if they don't win a Lombardi this year, they should be in the hunt in the near future. Hope springs eternal and even if this season ends with a playoff loss, the foundation is there for a future Lombardi, something that could not be said the last few years....

Story of the Patriots’ 2025 season:

“Doing all right, getting good grades
Future’s so bright I’ve gotta wear shades!”