I think the future is still very bright

[Sean Pa Patriot]

Im on the fence, with the future looks bright.. There is a lot to consider..

Things were going well for this team, till Spector on Fri ruined it and then Tommmose came out with the story, when I turned the tv and radio, the game was not important, then we come out and played un patriot football..

If Spy gate comes back and forces Belichick to be either suspened or step down, then we have to reconsider things...

Again I just cant think of the future, its been a cold 2 days in all of our Patriot hearts..

This season was like no other and to have it end like it did is just .. I cant describe it...

I know by March 2nd things will look different, but its such a long climb back and the last 2 yrs Brady has been in the prime of his carrer..

 

[wtf]

Vegas has us at 5/2 Odds of winning the big one next year!

As disappointing as this loss was, I am actually over it and looking forward to next year! They will have a huge chip on their shoulders and will NEVER take another team lightly.:rocker:

 

[Tommysgirl]

I've made my decision about what I want most next year. An opening day loss. I want no pressure of perfection. I want to lose and move from there.

 

[nummit]

If Spy gate comes back and forces Belichick to be either suspened or step down, then we have to reconsider things...

This is true, and will be a major factor going forward IF and only IF something turns up. IF something does turn up I would expect to see BB gone for quite a while but until the facts are known we can only speak about what we know

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

This is true, and will be a major factor going forward IF and only IF something turns up. IF something does turn up I would expect to see BB gone for quite a while but until the facts are known we can only speak about what we know

I do only want to say IF , but its a long offseason..

 

[dante828]

Keep this mind, I think the Pats will feel like they have unfinished business, and in recent NFL history has any meaning, teams that are overwhelming favorites one year and lose, typically come back the next year and win. I can think of three examples in recent memorary. In 96 the Broncos were favorites to go to the super bowl, but lose to an overachieving Jags team (coached by Coughlin interestingly enough), come back the next two years and win Super Bowls. In 2004, the Steelers go 15-1 and look like the favorite for the Super Bowl only to lose to the Pats at home in the AFC Championship game. 2005, the Colts are overwhelming favorites to win, lose to the Steelers in the Divisional round, come back next year and win as underdogs.

I see the Pats seemingly taking a step back early next year, then rounding into form in Nov-Dec and making another run. I think mentally they will be motivated to win and show a little more fire then they did even this year.

This loss is under somewhat different circumstances, and its hard to compare different teams...but I would not be surprised if the Pats make a run at the Super Bowl next year.

 

[SDMan]

I had my day of misery following the loss like everyone else, but after a little time to cool off I don't think we are in a bad position. Sure the team needs some upgrades, but overall, this was a team that went 18-1! I bet there is only one team in the league that wouldn't trade seasons with us right now.

As a Charger fan I would agree. If it were the Chargers with 18-1 I would be disappointed but proud. The only thing I would worry about would be this spygate fiasco (please, I am not throwing this in anyone's face. It is, at least, a pain in the neck to the Patriots organisation and one I would not like as a fan).

We still have BB and Tom. Nothing more needs to be said here.

EXACTLY. BB and Tom are of the very small class that they'll beat yours with theirs and theirs with yours. Rock solid.

We still have a solid, playoff caliber defense that could be a championship defense again with a few additions.... and maybe a little hunger.

I doubt you will find more hunger. Those guys sold out EVERY week. It'll be tough to add more without losing Samuel.

I guess I didn't realize that the Pats may have lost a little of their intensity and desire to control the game defensively due to the wins and points coming at a record pace, but after watching last nights game it was very clear who wanted it more.

I'm not sure I agree with this. Guys were playing with SB intensity as far as I could see.

The O line came up small in the big game, but once again, they are a solid unit. 25 sacks on the regular season is damn good when you throw the ball as much as the Pats did this season. Last night their weakness as a unit was exposed and exploited by a highly motovated Giants defense who refused to take "no" for an answer.

Losing Neal hurt big time. Not sure the outcome would have been the same if he stays in the game.

Maroney came up huge down the stretch, having Sammy back next year will make things even better.

Maroney answered the critics about the one "weakness" in the Patriot offense, their running game. Ask the Chargers if it was a weakness.

Moss wants to be here, so long as his demands are reasonable and the Pats are reasonable about his value, I can't see any reason why this deal doesn't get done.

As one who watched Moss do nothing (and less, he was a negative) twice a year with Oakland I believe the year Moss had is a testament to BB and TB. Amazing and I would never have predicted it. I believe the guy re-signs at a bargain, he likes being there that much (and if he is smart he will realise that the Patriot organisation is the best fit for him).

If the Pats had won this game we would be talking about winning a couple more titles over the next few seasons.

You still can. The Patriots are STILL the team to beat in the AFC.

Had the Pats won this game we wouldn't be talking about letting Moss go, or cutting Hobbs, or any of the other knee jerk reactions I have read today.
While I am as disappointed as anyone about how we lost the game last night, I still wouldn't trade players with the Giants, and I don't see any need to dust off my funeral suit just yet.

Great points all. See you next year! Go Chargers! LOL.

pao

 

[c_nice_37]

Re: Look at the Yankees to see what the future holds

You're right on about San Diego. That team is young and talented. I think they are going to be the top AFC team next year. Buffalo is only missing a QB. Cleveland is only missing a defense. Jacksonville is only missing a receiver. There are a good many talented and young teams in the AFC and they are going to bump the Pats down several notches.

Really? Buffalo is ONLY a QB away? Cleveland is ONLY a DEFENSE away? Those seem to be some big f-in ONLY's, no?

Most of this team is also quite talentless/lack playmaking ability, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

You sound like one of my buddies that I had the misfortune of watching the SB with. The grass is always greener.

 

[nummit]

I see the Pats seemingly taking a step back early next year, then rounding into form in Nov-Dec and making another run. I think mentally they will be motivated to win and show a little more fire then they did even this year.

This loss is under somewhat different circumstances, and its hard to compare different teams...but I would not be surprised if the Pats make a run at the Super Bowl next year.

I would love to go back to being the underdog. That was a role that suited this team well.

 

[#12]

I would love to go back to being the underdog. That was a role that suited this team well.

You can't be the underdog when you are the dynasty of the decade. You just can't, and I for one would rather be the dynasty than the underdog. We did well being favorites in '04, none of that matters. Even if we were underdogs, we as fans will expect this team to win it all regardless so our expectations will be set high. Its a long offseason to help get over this loss for the players(though I wish it was shorter bc i think 08 season wont come any sooner). They will be ready come next season. They will grow from this because they have that competitive fire. The same reason why they won 18 games this season. I understand the pain, trust me, but we can only grow from our mistakes.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Look at the Yankees to see what the future holds

Most of this team is also quite talentless/lack playmaking ability, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

I'm sorry, PF, but this is the last straw.

I'm finally realizing that Reality took you to the cleaners when you decided to divorce yourself from her.

When you two reconcile, maybe I'll start reading your posts again, but, until then, I'm putting you on my Ignore list.