Bostonian1962
In the Starting Line-Up
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2004
- Messages
- 3,096
- Reaction score
- 34
Two years ago, when our Patriots lost in the Playoffs, there was a big discussion on the undesirables on the roster. The punks. The non-team players. The cancers. We all know the names.
BB and Co. got rid of the aforementioned/unnamed players, and for two drafts in a row heavily factored in the "Class Factor" when drafting. In two years, the team added talent, but they also leaned towards character guys. In fact, a bunch of our picks were college team captains. Heck, even our punter was a college team captain.
Contrast a team like the Jets who while they had a bunch of head cases, had a good amount of character, stand up guys to keep them in line. Guys like Damien Woody, Chris Jenkins, Brad Smith, Jerricho Cotchery, and others were there. The team went to two straight AFC Championship games. All of these guys were gone this year, and that team didn't even have a winning record.
The Patriots are now two years into re-emphasing character (because we were loaded with those types in our Super Bowl years), as we've all read about.
We have two straight years as the number one seed in the AFC, despite the fact that we have a ways to go (talent wise) on the defensive side of the ball. It's a team again. The players reportedly like each other, and go to bat for each other. There are many young leaders in the locker room again.
I've always thought this was a big deal. As we wait to see who we will be playing in the AFC Championship game next week, I wonder if there are any others that agree on the importance of this/or perhaps do not agree? Thoughts? Comments?
BB and Co. got rid of the aforementioned/unnamed players, and for two drafts in a row heavily factored in the "Class Factor" when drafting. In two years, the team added talent, but they also leaned towards character guys. In fact, a bunch of our picks were college team captains. Heck, even our punter was a college team captain.
Contrast a team like the Jets who while they had a bunch of head cases, had a good amount of character, stand up guys to keep them in line. Guys like Damien Woody, Chris Jenkins, Brad Smith, Jerricho Cotchery, and others were there. The team went to two straight AFC Championship games. All of these guys were gone this year, and that team didn't even have a winning record.
The Patriots are now two years into re-emphasing character (because we were loaded with those types in our Super Bowl years), as we've all read about.
We have two straight years as the number one seed in the AFC, despite the fact that we have a ways to go (talent wise) on the defensive side of the ball. It's a team again. The players reportedly like each other, and go to bat for each other. There are many young leaders in the locker room again.
I've always thought this was a big deal. As we wait to see who we will be playing in the AFC Championship game next week, I wonder if there are any others that agree on the importance of this/or perhaps do not agree? Thoughts? Comments?