Redemption Is Near!

[JarOfMayo51]

We as fans got to experience total euphoria watching the Patriots win those 3 titles back in the early 2000's, but we've also been on the opposite side of the spectrum over the last 7 years feeling the sad, grim reality of them getting knocked out of the playoffs, and twice losing a Super Bowl in the final seconds of the game, one of which ended their quest for a perfect season. We've experienced all the ups and downs, and older fans can obviously attest to that more than I can at 30 years old, but I really want to see them win just 1 more, and not to just add to the collection of rings and lombardis (as sweet as that would be), but more so to stick it to all those fans that have taken shots with BS like Spygate and what not.. you know the people im talking about, the casual fans that just regurgitate what they see on ESPN and you can't actually have a conversation with them about football.

I really think we are about to witness something special again. Just think of the youth of the D, but that has now had several years together.. and all these young LBs that have been groomed into their roles and can start to unleash more complex schemes. A guy like Jamie Collins can come in and contribute right away as a pass rushing specialist because the rest of the defense has started to establish that consistency and can be the leaders to line everyone up where they need to be in order to execute more complex game plans. If Chandler Jones can take the next step, he is going to be getting most of the attention on that right side, so a guy like Collins could make a difference on passing downs because we only need him in a limited role, we don't need him to be Superman and be a fixture just yet, he has time to groom.

I think our defense is right on the verge of surprising the league. Everyone wants to focus so much on our lack of depth at WR and what not, but our offense is fine.. Its good enough to compete with anyone on Sunday, but that isn't where this team has had its problems... They need to get back to those championship level defenses that created turnovers and stopped other teams in big time situations. If the defense can just come together, like I really believe it can and is about to happen, the offense will do more than its fair share of the lifting.

Brady has worked with Rache Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney as his #1 and #2, with average tight ends and average running backs and was able to come within 1 minute of going to another SB. This 2013 offense is a lot more potent than that 2006 offense was.. It has a strong running game, stout offensive line, monster tight ends to work the inside of the field and it does have some veterans at WR in Slater, Edelman, Jenkins and Amendola (who has been in McDaniels system before as well), although they aren't stars but they are contributors that can also help the young Dobson and Boyce along in their progression as well.. and thats where you win football games, from the inside out, and down the middle as belichick would say. This team is built to grind on you and wear you down while also being able to deliver serious shots and put up some points throughout the game, especially if given 1-2 more opportunities from the defense with turnovers.

It sure would be nice to see BB and Brady hoist that trophy up one last time as a symbolic middle finger to all the doubters, haters and all of the people that have been trying so hard to tear their legacy down to shreds and discredit what they were able to accomplish and the things that we all emotionally experienced and were proud of as fans.

Just 1 more guys, just 1 more to shut them all up! :rocker:

 

[Mac&Barmore FTW]

Fantastic post. I remember watching Super Bowl XXXVI on TV which my dad went to, and then having him take me to Super Bowl XLVI. I wanted us to win so badly to shut all the jackasses up, and to cement Brady as the UNDOUBTED GOAT. We've finally rebuilt our defense. The only spot that I'm curious about is who will start on the other side of Chandler. I really hope it's Buchanan, or even possibly Armstead who can get after the passer. Also, not quite mentioned was the depth we now have. If Talib goes down, Ryan or Dowling come in. If Gronk is out, Ballard comes in, etc. I know Ballard is not Gronk, but still. I'm very excited.

 

[FirstAndGoal]

Some of you are really spoiled if you think the last 7 years have been "down". This team couldn't buy a win some years. Anyone who thinks the last 7 years have been down years hasn't been a fan that long and isn't prepared for the really lean years this team will eventually encounter. It's just the law of averages.

 

[JarOfMayo51]

Some of you are really spoiled if you think the last 7 years have been "down". This team couldn't buy a win some years. Anyone who thinks the last 7 years have been down years hasn't been a fan that long and isn't prepared for the really lean years this team will eventually encounter. It's just the law of averages.

There has still been some emotional downs. Getting to the big game and losing it is almost more crushing than not getting there at all. Its also all of those people that try to diminish when we had those euphoric ups by saying that they didnt really win them etc.. it would certainly be nice to see them get 1 more, just to end any doubt and solidify their legacy as the GOAT QB and HC!

 

[TruthSeeker]

Some of you are really spoiled if you think the last 7 years have been "down". This team couldn't buy a win some years. Anyone who thinks the last 7 years have been down years hasn't been a fan that long and isn't prepared for the really lean years this team will eventually encounter. It's just the law of averages.

Agreed, been a fan since 1975 and have seen some really lean years. BUT you can't blame younger fans who haven't been around as long. If you're in your 20's, you've seen the Pats in 6 Super Bowls and 8 AFC Championships. You're not used to 1 win seasons or 5 win seasons.

 

[Efstratios]

There has still been some emotional downs. Getting to the big game and losing it is almost more crushing than not getting there at all. Its also all of those people that try to diminish when we had those euphoric ups by saying that they didnt really win them etc.. it would certainly be nice to see them get 1 more, just to end any doubt and solidify their legacy as the GOAT QB and HC!

I agree, I'd love to see the Pats win another SB, but even if they do, it won't erase the "PATS CHEATED" crap that's spewed by the Marshal Faulk's of the world. Regardless of what this team accomplishes, those people will continue to delude themselves.

 

[Gumby]

Just ONE more

Heli, if Elway could win two and retire on top; why cant Brady do 3 and retire on a real top.

not that I am greedy or anything.

 

[Whitt25]

I agree, I'd love to see the Pats win another SB, but even if they do, it won't erase the "PATS CHEATED" crap that's spewed by the Marshal Faulk's of the world. Regardless of what this team accomplishes, those people will continue to delude themselves.

Yeah, well, at least if we do finally win again, when the people say spygate or 18-1 or whatever, we can just say 4th ring and throw up the middle finger.

I'm not even sure what the haters will say if we do win. Before Super Bowl XLVI, it was "You haven't been to a superbowl since spygate." Then we got there, and it became "You haven't WON a superbowl since spygate."

So what's next if we get a fourth ring? "You've only won one ring?"

I'd also like to add I get more hate because I'm in NJ, so I have to deal with Giants, Jets, and Eagles (some are still mad about Super Bowl XXXIX) fans all the goddamn time.

Edit: For the record, I wouldn't consider us 'down' either. Some teams almost never, ever make the playoffs or win their division. We're lucky to have Tom Brady.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

It's near for sure. I think luck robbed us of the last two Super Bowls along with the 2 important passes. 1 caught and 1 dropped.

This team isn't done and I don't think Brady is for awhile either. If the D can gel and take that jump, this team will be beating lots of great teams.

 

[stinebot]

Some of you are really spoiled if you think the last 7 years have been "down". This team couldn't buy a win some years. Anyone who thinks the last 7 years have been down years hasn't been a fan that long and isn't prepared for the really lean years this team will eventually encounter. It's just the law of averages.

I remember the days of being extremely thankful the Colts were in the AFC East, because that meant the Pats should at least get one win that season. Back in the days when 2-14 or 3-13 was common, and 6-10 was considered a great success to hope for, but to not really expect.

 

[DarrylS]

Some of you are really spoiled if you think the last 7 years have been "down". This team couldn't buy a win some years. Anyone who thinks the last 7 years have been down years hasn't been a fan that long and isn't prepared for the really lean years this team will eventually encounter. It's just the law of averages.

I agree "7 years down" is a very relative term, every year I am giddy with the thought of a winning, competitive season.. every time this team takes the field I expect a win.. I have family all across the country, who root for different NFL teams all of which envy the way the Patriots Organization is run and their incredible record...

Perspective is lost as many did not experience the embarrassment and ineptitude of the earlier years of this franchise, there were a few bright spots but they were few and far between.

We are experiencing this team being rebuilt on the fly before our eyes, instead of a huge amount of veteran(star) turnover it is being done incrementally and replacements are either being drafted or brought on board.

We in a very good times folks, and I never forget how lucky we are with this franchise.. I remember when we were the laughingstock and doormats for the league.

 

[goheels22002]

Anyone who thinks the last 7 years have been down years hasn't been a fan that long and isn't prepared for the really lean years this team will eventually encounter. It's just the law of averages.

The Law of Averages applies to things like flipping a coin.

Just a wild guess, but I imagine that assembling a team, training and medical care, managing the salary cap, preparing for games, execution, and in-game decisions are just a teensy bit more complex than flipping a coin.

 

[TruthSeeker]

It's near for sure. I think luck robbed us of the last two Super Bowls along with the 2 important passes. 1 caught and 1 dropped.

This team isn't done and I don't think Brady is for awhile either. If the D can gel and take that jump, this team will be beating lots of great teams.

Unfortunately our D doesn't have that swagger. Doesn't have that guy like Rodney Harrison to smash them in the mouth, or a Bruschi to make that clutch defensive play, or the Mcginest to make that key sack, or that Seymour to stuff that key run, or Assante or Ty to make that clutch Int. It just seems when we need the D to come up big, they never do. That D of 2003 and 2004 could hold the highest scoring teams to 10 points or lower in the clutch to help our offense if they weren't scoring and on top of their game. Nowadays, if the offense doesn't blow teams away, we always lose close games.

 

[Whitt25]

Unfortunately our D doesn't have that swagger. Doesn't have that guy like Asante to make that clutch Int.

Oh, my god... I'm hyperventilating. Someone help me.

 

[Claremonster]

Unfortunately our D doesn't have that swagger. Doesn't have that guy like Rodney Harrison to smash them in the mouth, or a Bruschi to make that clutch defensive play, or the Mcginest to make that key sack, or that Seymour to stuff that key run, or Assante or Ty to make that clutch Int. It just seems when we need the D to come up big, they never do. That D of 2003 and 2004 could hold the highest scoring teams to 10 points or lower in the clutch to help our offense if they weren't scoring and on top of their game. Nowadays, if the offense doesn't blow teams away, we always lose close games.

Adrian Wilson doesn't have swagger? Wilfork? Spikes?


Really?

 

[FirstAndGoal]

The Law of Averages applies to things like flipping a coin.

Just a wild guess, but I imagine that assembling a team, training and medical care, managing the salary cap, preparing for games, execution, and in-game decisions are just a teensy bit more complex than flipping a coin.

Ah, so you believe that the Patriots will be the first team in history to not have lean years from here forward? It happens to everyone. Name a franchise in any sport without lean years. The law of averages applies over the entirety of all sports and large sample as it is defined. 7 years is not a large sample when it comes to the fortunes of a franchise and no one can sustain championship years over the long run.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Adrian Wilson doesn't have swagger? Wilfork? Spikes?


Really?

We shall see about Wilson. he wasn't even a starter for a lot of the games last season, he's near the end of his career. Spikes is a 2 down LB like Ted Johnson. Wilfork is the only one, a holdover from the "swagger" days.

 

[Claremonster]

We shall see about Wilson. he wasn't even a starter for a lot of the games last season, he's near the end of his career. Spikes is a 2 down LB like Ted Johnson. Wilfork is the only one, a holdover from the "swagger" days.

I do agree that the defense doesn't have a swagger of the superbowl years defense. But, that is kind of hard to replace. It's a slower than expected rebuild...no doubt. Hopefully this year they play as good as the superbowl years.

 

[Pewsterbaby]

I do agree that the defense doesn't have a swagger of the superbowl years defense. But, that is kind of hard to replace. It's a slower than expected rebuild...no doubt. Hopefully this year they play as good as the superbowl years.

Dang it Clair De Lune, wat typa assessment was that? "Slower than expected" huh?
How's about "Ya gotta really chump it in a huge way to field defenses as bad as The Patriots have over the past 4 seasons. Man, talk about going over the edge of a cliff after 2007 and plummeting in constant free fall ever since. Ya coulda drafted better throwing darts blindfolded."

Think about it for a moment.
Okay.... The Pats are exiting the Arizona field in early February.
2008. Look at the solid defensive roster then... and compare it to now.
Also, add in all the underachievers who've come and gone in the interim.

Ya gotta screw up heavily to field a defense who's not even freaking flashed for even a segment of one season.... any season... since that fateful day in Arizona.

We're talking worst case scenario come to fruition. Plug in most other teams' defenses in The NFL into The Patriots' roster and they have at least one Lombardi in the past 3 years.
How can Belichick go from "that good" to "that bad' all a once? It's night and day. The "no chucking the receivers" rule change hurt but that was a long time ago.
What's your excuse for this "oh no. we suck again" morass that this defense has been in for years? The CRUCIAL waning years of "Tom Brady is our quarterback and we need to go ALL IN and win now or else" years.
I still can't believe I saw you type "slower than expected". Go back 5 years and then flash forward to today. Ya still gonna call that "slower than expected"?
I call it abhorrent.
The way things are going, it's gonna be this team's legacy.
People are forever gonna be saying,"Man, you gotta screw up royally not to get Brady another Lombardi after he whipped off 3 in his 1st 4 seasons. Man, ya gotta field a horrendous bottom-of-the-barrel defense to accomplish that one, lemme tell ya. But hey, no worries. They have Bill Belichick at the helm, so there's no chance of that ever happening."

Guess what, Clare. It's happenin'.

Slower than expected, I guess. Oy.
I mean, I'd like to hear your description of say... oh... something as catastrophic as 9/11.
Slower than expected. uyy-yuy-yuy.
Talk about an understatement.