Great, insightful post as usual with you Ken, thanks.
I have been reading PatsFan.com and watching games religiously (on TV) for at least a decade, but yesterday was my first stadium Patriots game.
At work, with my research, we occasionally solicit fresh eyes to make sure that we don't get entrenched in ways of thinking. I'm not sure if anyone is interested, but here (very briefly), is really stood out to me for my first in game Patriots experience, from my "not ever being at a Patriots game in person" fresh eyes.
* First, seeing Tom Brady at work in person is soooo much different than on TV. Admittedly this was a good game for him, but I think that many Patsfan.com posters (who talk about all of his misses, etc.) have just lost the appreciation. In person, his passing (in the context of the pass rush, etc.) is simply unbelievable, it was really hard for me to believe what I was seeing (it looks so much easier on TV). Watching him in person is an experience I will never forget. ....Along those lines, I've heard criticisms of his body language. Even from my seat far away, there was just something about his command and charisma. On the field at least, I don't think I have ever seen such command. Just a natural leader.
* I think that BB is the best coach ever, but weirdly (to me, from my distance) he was almost hard to notice. There was not the same long distance charisma oozing from him evident from a distance as with Tom Brady, I expected the same "everyone looking at him" charisma, but I didn't notice that. I think he was a little more involved in actually winning the game than how he looked. Not a criticism, just a bit of a surprise for me, I guess given his stature I expected lighting bolts playing around his head.
* From my fresh eyes (from the end zone), the person on defense that appeared to the the best person on the field was McCourtney. I have read about how others are faster, or more talented, etc. Just from my eyes, he seemed to be flying around (he looked so much faster than I have heard on this board) and always knowing where he was going. Hard to describe, but in person he was the most impressive defensive person in my eyes.
* On an OT, the other person that just looked different than the other people around him was Julio Jones. He just seemed to be at a different level with respect to speed at that size. I wish we had him.