This Was Nice, But 2/7/2016 Is The Big One

[goheels22002]

Or he felt calling the Pats a 12-4 team was an insult. We have come a long way

I think the sequence of games in the schedule next season has a lot to do with how they finish. We saw this year with the Patriots and the Seahawks that the limitations on the number practices in pads and limited two-a-days has a huge impact on what kind of team you are. The first four games of the regular season are almost an extension of the preseason.

If they load up with quality teams on the road early, the Patriots may very well stumble out of the gate again trying to get everything clicking. The last two games of 2015 will be road games due to the NHL Winter Classic. They may not matter as much to the Pats as to their opponent, especially if they include teams like the Giants, Dallas or Houston who will be battling to get into the playoffs or secure a home game.

12-4 is not an insult by any means. It was good enough for homefield throughout this year. I just don't see the Patriots going undefeated with that schedule, nor does it seem valuable. You expend so much energy doing that. Resting the injured players and veterans for the Buffalo game this year paid off.

 

[Brady6]

Wait...are people really clamoring for an undefeated season less than a week after a SB victory?

I love the idea of Brady winning a 5th SB title in SF, and I think it provides him great motivation. But this undefeated talk...after 2007 and 2014, haven't we learned enough? The best teams, the SB winning teams, build as the season goes along and gel in the playoffs. They go through rough patches, learn how to handle adversity, and provide their coaches with teachable moments. After all the quotes about how much stress the players put on themselves in 2007, how much the undefeated talk was weighing on them, especially during SB week, the LAST thing I want, if they're to chase #5, is an undefeated season.

Put together another great team, build as the season goes along, pray for some injury luck and plug holes as needed, then prepare for war. All I want is for them to be back in the mix next season, let Brady and the football Gods decide the rest.

No I was asking if people think that would be a goal for Belichick, it is one of the few things he has not achieved as a coach and he came so close. I am not clamoring for it, it was a question, I suggest you read my previous post again for clarity.

 

[brdmaverick]

Of course it's fun to dream about the future, but at least for a little while perhaps we should be happy with what we have.

After all, the Pats won the Super Bowl and think about what it took to get this win. Gronk and Edelman were healthy during the post season. Those players being injury prone is NOT bad luck, it's a result of their 'style of play.' They are scrappy, physical guys who do not shy away from contact and constantly take big hits in an effort to extend plays an extra yard. It's what we love about them, but also what gets them injured.

Not only were these two healthy, but the rest of the team was relatively healthy as well, and yet we still only won the game on one of the most clutch plays in Patriots history.

I'm not saying repeating is impossible, I'm just saying it's probably less likely than we think. I think we should take a moment to cherish the championship we do have instead of thinking about all the championships we could get. Yes, it's a fun game and worthy of forum chatter, but perhaps we should wait longer than a few days.

Think about what the players would be thinking reading this thread......."jeez, we just won a Super Bowl for the ages......pulling a victory from the jaws of defeat.......and fans are already worried about next season?!?!?"

 

[SHOWTIME15]

I cant think of a better person to do it. Why would Montana care? Get his name in the paper again.

When was the last time you saw a montana interview?

 

[hambone1818]

No I was asking if people think that would be a goal for Belichick, it is one of the few things he has not achieved as a coach and he came so close. I am not clamoring for it, it was a question, I suggest you read my previous post again for clarity.

Sorry, I wasn't directing that at you, there were a bunch of people talking about 19-0 in this thread.

Re: Belichick specifically, I think he'd be just fine with #5, regardless of whether they went 16-0 or 8-8 to get into the playoffs. He's obviously a student of the game and its history, but I believe him when he says (as he did in 2007) that an undefeated season means nothing to him, he just wants the team to improve so they're in a position to win in the playoffs.

The scorched earth approach petered out late in the season, that 2007 team was a shell of their early-season form and I think the undefeated talk really took it's toll on them (and of course there are a number of players on the record saying as much). Not having those bad games, those teachable moments hurt the team. I think Belichick would be just fine with another 'ho hum' 12-4 Super Bowl season

 

[Bruins29]

When was the last time you saw a montana interview?

I have seen some things recently including his "opinion" on deflategate. Your point?

 

[everlong]

the @ Dallas game is gonna be a beauty...probably a monday nighter for sure. I might fork out some serious dough to go fly out to see that one. I've always wanted to see that stadium in person. Dallas was very balanced this year and could have beat Seattle in their house.

I think that could end up Thanksgiving again like 07.

 

[Bobsyouruncle]

I know what a stab in the back is. This wasn't one. Also, I didn't conveniently leave anything out. It was obvious what you were crying about. There was no need to repeat it.

It was also obvious that you were attacking Montana, which was a scumbag move, given that Montana was actually defending the issue by saying that it shouldn't even be one in the first place.


Sad. Very sad.

So Montana's take is that Brady is a great QB and big f***ing liar. I'd say the stab in the back is pretty close to right. If he said I think Brady is a guy with integrity who isn't the greatest QB that would be better. That's just his opinion. You call someone a liar with no evidence you're sort of an a**hole, that's just basic civility 101.

If you don't believe that then I guess I'd just say your a lying a**hole, but a fantastic poster. I suppose you'll be thanking me for the compliment?


Note to mods: ^ satire, not a personal attack.

 

[everlong]

I'm going to go full on pipe dream for this one:

Patriots go 19-0, redeeming themselves for 2007 and making Brady and BB the best ever. Roger Goodell, having been fired during this offseason, pulls the gun out of his mouth just long enough to watch Don Shula present Belichick with the Lombardi, while Joe Montana hands the Super Bowl MVP over to Brady.

And they beat the Colts at Lucas Stadium 73-0 while tipping off the league off on how they're piping in the noise forfeiting another first round pick like the year before when correctly identified at the team that really deflated some balls.

 

[shmessy]

When was the last time you saw a montana interview?

Umm... a few days ago????? He basically did the entire Radio Row.

http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/wnba/391070275943/0/joe-montana-on-his-career-and-tom-brady

 

[patsfaninpa]

I do think there are areas we can improve upon and be better in 2015. Breaks may not go our way and we could have more injuries. We do have an easier sked and a road to a bye.

Defense
a. Better idea on how to utilize our secondary talent with a year of seeing them. Browner missed first 5 games and Dennard(Who is a decent corner) will be back. I'm assuming we keep McCourty.

b. A little more aggressive pass rush because of confidence in the secondary. Plus, Dom Easley will help in that area.

c. Return of Mayo and hopefully a full year of Casillas. Upgrades lb position. Collins and Hightower were warriors this year. I think the defense can be better.

Offense

a. Receivers - I haven't given up on Dobson. He had a good rookie year and was hurt by injuries this year. I still think Boyce can be effective in screen game. He's good once he has the ball. Tim Wright has a full year too.

b. Expect the same from OL. Draft is an opportunity to upgrade the G position. Rookies can step in and play well there. For example; The Urschel kid from PSU looked really good in Baltimore. 5th rounder.

c. QB - Best evah. Now, we even have the next one.

d. TE - On his way to becoming the best evah.

e. RB - Our rb's weren't exactly great this year. We have to be just as good don't we? Rookies can help here too.

Used to love me some grape Kool-Aid

 

[Wheelman]

This has been posted elsewhere, but it is just so good:

Lol that was freaking hilarious! That video being used just never gets old.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Umm... a few days ago????? He basically did the entire Radio Row.

http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/wnba/391070275943/0/joe-montana-on-his-career-and-tom-brady

Thanks, but Montana over the years had been few and far between. I didn't mean it literally. He's not a spotlight guy.

 

[Bruins29]

Thanks, but Montana over the years had been few and far between. I didn't mean it literally. He's not a spotlight guy.

 

[Wheelman]

Must have been a long nap, eh Deus?

When Jamie Collins is balling game after game it's hard to show yourself after ridiculing the pick.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

He only comes out during the playoffs it would seem. Besides this isn't exactly an interview.

I never seen him on NFLN or ESPN

 

[NYCPatsFan]

Sorry, I wasn't directing that at you, there were a bunch of people talking about 19-0 in this thread.

Re: Belichick specifically, I think he'd be just fine with #5, regardless of whether they went 16-0 or 8-8 to get into the playoffs. He's obviously a student of the game and its history, but I believe him when he says (as he did in 2007) that an undefeated season means nothing to him, he just wants the team to improve so they're in a position to win in the playoffs.

The scorched earth approach petered out late in the season, that 2007 team was a shell of their early-season form and I think the undefeated talk really took it's toll on them (and of course there are a number of players on the record saying as much). Not having those bad games, those teachable moments hurt the team. I think Belichick would be just fine with another 'ho hum' 12-4 Super Bowl season

That would be me.

If I was clamoring, I wouldn't have added a big grin emoticon next to it.

But yeah, I would love to have a 19-0 season just to make Shula squeal and the haters howl.

 

[patsinthesnow]

-Neither the Seahawks nor the Packers are on the schedule
-The Broncos won't be an elite team next year
-AFC South/NFC East

Unlike the last two years, Brady will enter TC with:

-Gronk
-An established WR duo in Edelman/Lafell
-Most of his OL ready for week 1 (Solder, Stork, Wendell, Vollmer should all be in the starting lineup for TC)

The offense should finally start off hot, rather than a near trainwreck like the first four weeks in 2013-2014.

Going undefeated is nearly impossible, but a team with potentially the #1 offense, a top 5 defense, and no real elite teams on its schedule could make an interesting run at it.

2015 should be an awesome year

 

[1960Pats]

This has been posted elsewhere, but it is just so good:

Thanks. I've been waiting for that.

 

[1960Pats]

Oy, let's enjoy this one and not upset the Football Gods with our hubris...

Don't worry.

Now that I found the lucky shirt I misplaced we're golden.