Glad traffic is still strong here... we're Pats fans, dang it!

I'm enjoying rooting for a team whose coach doesn't whine or throw his players under the bus. I don't see the team being successful again without a viable quarterback and I don't see one on the horizon. But for every Rams game there's been a Chargers game, so it's not as though we go into games without any hope.

It's wonderful that Ian has the skill and dedication needed to keep the board going technically with so few problems, but what's truly amazing is that he combines it with being the most tolerant and reasonable person in America (sometimes I think he may be the last one left). Bless you, Ian, for helping us all through these troubled times.

Just wish the Pats didn't have to play in the NFL.

Where are the Pats supposed to play--in the MLB?

Wordsmyth said:

Where are the Pats supposed to play--in the MLB?

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Hence the phrasing "have to." Love the Pats, hate the NFL.

I absolutely enjoy this forum to give you an idea. I am not a member of any other forum of any type. Have followed the Patriots since their inception. Just discovered this site about 8 years ago and I don't remember when I first joined. Became a supporter this year. I am looking forward to seeing this Patriots team evolve as we go forward.

I like the energy on the team, yes there are holes hopefully some will be filled this year, but I waited a long time for the first super bowl, may not be able to wait as long now, but will enjoy what I have had and what may come. Who knows it may be faster this time around.

Soliel said:

One thing I find nice about this year is it’s not the end of the world every time we lose a game

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yes, but it still sucks

fnordcircle said:

I've never rooted for the Pats to lose but there are some silver linings to us returning to being merely human.


-Ticket availability

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This is 100% the absolute greatest part of starting to be a trash team. I almost hope for a couple 2-win seasons so I can get season tickets when all the "The NFL is a joke I'm done giving them my money when the GOAT HC and GOAT QB leave" people leave

Mike the Brit said:

.

It's wonderful that Ian has the skill and dedication needed to keep the board going technically with so few problems, but what's truly amazing is that he combines it with being the most tolerant and reasonable person in America (sometimes I think he may be the last one left). Bless you, Ian, for helping us all through these troubled times.

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Wow rude I'm right here you b*tch

we'll be back to home game blackouts, especially for Late season games that mean nothing. we'll see much fewer season ticket renewals for next year. we could potentially see a home game ticket market where you'll get below face value prices on the secondary market similar to Cincinnati and Cleveland over the last 5 or so years. When Boston teams suck, people don't show up. it's not like buffalo where the place is packed to the gills in November when the team is clearly headed to 6-10. In the past 20-25 years all Boston teams have played to 50-75% capacity crowds when the team was bad. I remember buying game day Bruins tickets at the ticket office and sitting in a half full Garden. Ditto for Red Sox and Celtics. People are not going to pay some of the highest ticket prices in the league to watch a bad team, pay $40 to park and dedicate an entire day to going to Foxboro.
I was in high school in the late 80s/early 90s. My friends father worked for the phone company and they always had crews at the games doing something w stadium or team ops. anyway, things were a lot less strict back then and my friends dad would get us into many a game and we'd sit there and watch those Pat's teams get thumped in front of 30K fans.

Wordsmyth said:

Where are the Pats supposed to play--in the MLB?

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If Bill the lacrosse fan got his way over Bill the coach the Patriots may be headed somewhere else

@oldrover thanks for starting this thread!!! You always put a smile on my face

This has been the toughest season since I've been on this forum, but I'm so proud of our team, they really battle and fight every game!! It's also nice to see people debating and talking football without getting personal and attacking. There are so many knowledgeable posters on here and I've learned so much about football in my 7 years on here.

I think as a team, we have a lot to look forward to going forward. We have the best coach in the league who seems like he isn't going anywhere. We have a lot of cap space and have some young talented players who are flashing. Call me a homer or overly optimistic, but this girl this we'll be in the playoff picture this time next year.

The Pats are going to sneak into the playoffs and win the Superbowl!!

I put $50 on them to wint he Superbowl when I was in Vegas for the last Sueprbowl beacuse someone on this site said they had an inside source and that they "guaranteed" that Brady was going to re-sign. So I thought the 14-1 odds were great.

Last time I was in Vegas when the odds were that good was 2014, I cashed that ticket, this one is still under a magnet on my fridge, but it is close to going in the garbage.

Being young enough to have only watched the dynasty era, I honestly wasn't sure whether I'd have it in me to keep watching when the team went back to normal. This season has helped me realize I'm in it for life though. The only difference is I'll be quicker to switch to watching something other than football when it becomes clear the game isn't going our way, but I always come back next game and I always stay current on fan analysis even for the games I didn't fully watch.

Hard to say how much of this is due to Bill still being here, though. I'm trying to picture the Patriots with just some regular coach and I can't.

Dr Pain said:

I have enjoyed this season more than last season to be honest. I'd rather have a spunky team that can't get it done vs a whiny under performing team that can't get it done. I think if Covid did not hit the team they would have a much better record. This year was going to be bad with the salary cap situations and the number of opt outs. I think this season will end up being good in the long run as new players had a chance to shine.

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I have also found some positives in this season, cannot agree with enjoying it more than last year. We had 9 weeks of undefeated football to enjoy, and we got to watch Brady, Edelman, and Hightower. Even in his worst year, I cherished every snap with Tom.
And I just love having big games. Gearing up for the playoff run. Huge games in December. Playoff football. This year it’s early December and the season is basically over- it used to be that this is when it hits a different gear.
Also, I can’t go to games this year

I was less excited for this season than any previous since I became a diehard fan 26 years ago. So I didn't expect anything. But with the early wins I saw that we had some chance to compete. But it was the regression of Cam, and the unwillingness of BB to adjust that has made this difficult transitional season more disappointing. I think he's made decisions that will extend our miserable transition through next season too. Even so, we know in New England, we're more equipped to talk about the bad than the good - so the fandom won't stop!

To me this 2020 team seems easier to like and in some ways more fun to cheer for.

Maybe it's the fact it's no longer just a relief to win - but an actual accomplishment.

Paul Perillo from PFW said he doesn't think this year is a rebuild....he thinks that starts NEXT year. he thinks it gets worse next year with even more roster turnover. I don't doubt it. next year's schedule is not easy at all and their 2 variable games will be probably Baltimore and Denver. We'll probably have 7/8 wins this year and 5/6 the following year. the AFC east is no longer a guaranteed 5 wins. Hopefully by 2023 the 20 and 21 drafts play really well and develop into real impact players...

FCB02062 said:

Paul Perillo from PFW said he doesn't think this year is a rebuild....he thinks that starts NEXT year. he thinks it gets worse next year with even more roster turnover. I don't doubt it. next year's schedule is not easy at all and their 2 variable games will be probably Baltimore and Denver. We'll probably have 7/8 wins this year and 5/6 the following year. the AFC east is no longer a guaranteed 5 wins. Hopefully by 2023 the 20 and 21 drafts play really well and develop into real impact players...

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The schedule is definitely easier than this year. Baltimore and Denver are not really daunting opponents. No Chiefs, no Steelers, no NFC West. The Pats play the NFC south. The two tougher games (Bucs and Saints) are in Foxboro. They also play the AFC South. Titans game is also in Foxboro. There are benefits to a third place division finish.

The number of wins depends on what happens this offseason. Lots of cap space and more holes can be filled in FA than normal. Need a QB. Need to figure out who to keep as well. I wouldn't expect us to stick with the same roster.

I miss the original ESPN board from the mid 90's when there was one board for all teams........DaBruinz was there, Bulkness (I killed s hark once) the Vikings fan, Emerson_Boozer the Jets fan....place was overrun with Steeler fans but it was a fun place.

I also miss arguing politics........it's like snorting horseradish

The overall tenor of people's moods and reactionary instincts seems much more calm and reserved this year. A lot more freaking out and hot takes in other seasons when seeding order and home field looked in danger. That seemed to make people more agitated than just having a bad/mediocre team not going to playoffs at all.