This is my favorite Patriots team

[Kontradiction]

Are you serious? What lack of a run game? And our defense isn't the 2nd worst in the league. The numbers don't mean anything.

And how does losing the Super Bowl in 85 beat winning it two years in a row?

Edit: Oh, I see you cut out the criticism of our running game. Maybe you'll come around on the defense by end of the season, too. You claim we'll be one and done in the playoffs with this defense, even though we're 10-2 with the same defense.

I've never seen Rab say anything good about the current Patriots team. Even in 2007 (which he hilariously lists as one of his "favorite teams"), he was doom and gloom on a daily basis. Think of him as Bob Bummer from the "Debbie Downer" SNL skits and it'll make sense.

 

[Omega Supreme]

I'm finding this season to be more fun to watch than 2007 was, especially the 2nd half. In 2007, it was obvious in the latter half of the season that teams were starting to come around on the Patriots offense, with games becoming closer and some near losses (ie. Ravens and Eagles). On top of that, there was the additional pressure of the perfect season, which the fans most certainly felt along with the players. Expectations for that team started out high and had nowhere to go but down.

Contrast that to this year. The Pats were coming off a season in which the offense was looking one dimensional and the defense was in total rebuilding mode. I think most fans weren't expecting much of this team going into the season, including myself. However, it's been loads of fun watching this team improve with every game, and I'm getting the same kind of feeling in my gut about this team as I had in our SB years.

 

[Froob]

America's Game:The 2010 New England Patriots told by Rob Ninkovitch,Devin McCourty,Danny Woodhead, and Bill O'Brien.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

The first time is still the best time for me. The 2001 team will always be memorable for being the underdogs and taking out the 'Goliath' Rams team aka 'The greatest show on Turf'. I really love the 2010 edition of the Pats though. They are growing up before our very eyes. Really don't mention this but I think they have a shot at outscoring the 2007 team the way Brady is playing. At least there is no onus of a 16-0 start to bring unbearable expectations.

I agree, 2001 was the best for me. But this year's team has that same type of feel, with lots of people discounting this team at the beginning of the season, a bunch of young, talented kids starting to come into their own, helped by a bunch of guys nobody really knew about, finding a way to scrap together wins, and beating elite teams consistently. It's like we've seen this season before, and hopefully it has the same happy ending.

 

[Kontradiction]

I'm finding this season to be more fun to watch than 2007 was, especially the 2nd half. In 2007, it was obvious in the latter half of the season that teams were starting to come around on the Patriots offense, with games becoming closer and some near losses (ie. Ravens and Eagles). On top of that, there was the additional pressure of the perfect season, which the fans most certainly felt along with the players. Expectations for that team started out high and had nowhere to go but down.

Contrast that to this year. The Pats were coming off a season in which the offense was looking one dimensional and the defense was in total rebuilding mode. I think most fans weren't expecting much of this team going into the season, including myself. However, it's been loads of fun watching this team improve with every game, and I'm getting the same kind of feeling in my gut about this team as I had in our SB years.

I loved the 2007 team. Still do, in so many ways. That said, with all of the controversy and hate, the 2007 season became something of a burden for me to watch (as I'm sure was the case with a lot of Pats fans) as the season came to a close. I can't imagine the pressure that the team was feeling.

 

[ausbacker]

I loved the 2007 team. Still do, in so many ways. That said, with all of the controversy and hate, the 2007 season became something of a burden for me to watch (as I'm sure was the case with a lot of Pats fans) as the season came to a close. I can't imagine the pressure that the team was feeling.

For me the 2007 team is the hottest girl you've ever picked up. She lets you get through to 3rd base in record time and has you pinned in the bedroom wearing her sexy leather cat woman outfit whilst you're hogtied to the bed waiting to collect $20 as you pass your GO moment. Right as you hit Park Place she gets a jolt of the nerves, backs off a little and notices a ripped fireman outside, topless saving a dolphin from a burning inferno surrounding the swimming pool and decides the sexy prick saving a dolphin is a better option and promptly dismisses herself from the villa.

There you are hogtied to the bed, hopes dashed with nothing left but memories of what it was like to get to 3rd base with the hottest girl you'd ever scored.

That's what the 2007 Patriots are for me.

 

[RodThePat]

This team does not even make my top 5.

1) 2001
2) 1985
3) 2004
4) 2003
5) 2007 - up until SB 42.


Even if this team went 14-2 I would not be shocked if they were one and done in the playoffs. One win does not solve our 31st ranked defensive problems.

Way to misunderstand the whole point of the thread.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

You're way too kind. The 07 team was like the chick with the ice-pick in fatal attraction. Everything's fine except that unexpected conclusion.

But for 18 games, 2007 was a hell of a ride. In all seriousness, through game 12 (where we are now, right?) I have to say 2007 was better. Utter supremacy just feels good. That would have been sort of crushing another way had we won the SB though... the letdown would have been guaranteed, every season, for the rest of my life, by comparison.

Having said that, knowing the outcome (as we do,) yeah this is my favorite Pats season and Pats team.

There's something satisfying about picking up an incredibly talented career malcontent, and getting an outstanding couple of seasons out of him. Well, an outstanding season and a good season.

There's something more satisfying in getting back a guy who couldn't make a mark outside of the NE success machine, a JEST cast-off, our 'Phins cast-off from 3 years ago, a handful of "rebuilding" picks (Mayo, McCourty, the TEs...), and "Maroney's backup", and wiring them together into a completely different way to win, for the most part all within a single season.

I always assumed the 9ers model would eventually be our fate - we'd have to have a fire sale sooner or later and rebuild from the bottom of the league up. I'm not so sure that happens while Kraft and Belichick are together. Unlike most here, I don't date that from when Brady hangs 'em up.

They're just too good at putting together teams - not individual performers, teams.

(Another Cassel wouldn't be a bad thing either though.)

Whoa just had a very cool thought. Since Brady's just a "system quarterback," doesn't that mean that as long as our system is better than yours, losing Brady wouldn't even matter?

Okay too much coffee.

 

[DaedalusX]

I made the claim before the season even started and I'll say it again - I had a feeling with this team this year. And it all starts with Brady, Belichick and one of the best drafts in a while. Let's hope they can keep it up!

 

[tajapandu]

This next draft will put the finishing touches on BB's masterpiece.

finishing touches? i think the man is just getting started.

 

[NEGoldenAge]

The 2001 team holds a very special place in my heart. I'm not sure if I'm more fond of the current team, but a superbowl win would probably seal it for me. There is a major difference in how I have experienced both teams. In 2001, the Pats came out of nowhere, and did the seemingly impossible after such a long stretch of pain and misery. I get to appreciate watching this team grow up with the knowledge that they will be great. Experiencing each games with this knowledge, I've been able to truly savor this season, and appreacitate what these kids are really doing.

 

[Uncle Rico]

A great thing about teams like '96, '01 and even '03 is how they built momentum toward something special as the year went on. This team (with four games left) is on a similar track.

I started making the comparison to the '96 team early in camp, and I think that still holds. The combination of veterans and future-cornerstone first- through third-year players is similar.

1996 New England Patriots Statistics & Players - Pro-Football-Reference.com

That team, even with the disruption of the Carroll years, formed the basis for Dynasty I. This year, the roots of a potential Dynasty II are in place.

 

[Dagg]

I loved that 85 squad they played way over there heads, and really the first taste of success as a fan (for me hey I was 13)

I also loved 2007 sorry dont care about the super bowl that was a special season.