Like a lot of others, including those crying for Michael Bishop[K-State, like Grogan!! That alone should have put him in there!!], I knew we were never going anywhere with Drew. But Drew's a good guy, and really well liked by lots of teammates, the media, and Kraft. Incredible there are still legions still mad at Belichick for not putting him back in[and thus eliminating us] in '01.
Brady, right from the outset, clearly had the attitude and work ethic to succeed. He was the anti-Drew in so many ways, it was so enjoyable - and refreshing - to see him play. TODAY I do not believe his play in '01 is understood or appreciated. To me, this guy was CLEARLY set up to succeed in the long term, even if Coleman hadn't correctly reversed the fumble call in the Snow Bowl. It was blindingly obvious. Now, Kurt Warner had come out of nowhere only a couple years earlier to lead a previous doormat all the way, but he was older, and had some superstars. Brady, even with basically no experience as a rookie, learned how to work a game. You can't credit Weis enough. I swear, if Charlie had been our OC instead of the WR coach against the Packers he could have had Drew hand the stupid ball off to future Hall of Famer Curtis Martin at least 25 times and we could have won that game in '97.
Anyway, the Patriots were appointment viewing from the second Brady started. I believed we had the advantage at the quarterback position in every game he started for us, never mind who was on the other team. Yup, I'm a homer, but it's still true.
As for Robert, what he did - purchasing the land and the stadium lease, hanging onto it, taking a huge chance and buying out Orthwein, making the Hartford sweet deal that got the league and the legislature to wake up and do something to keep the team here, demanding nothing less than winning, hiring Belichick who was[and still is]considered toxic to legions in the media and the league - along with his genuine philanthropy and {private} consideration for former players, seems like it should make up for retaining the worst logo and uniform in history which insultingly replaced the best which was established for over three decades, actively going right along with resentful media, bitter opponents and the league in denigrating, dismissing, ignoring and outright denying all the success and great players and fan support prior to his ownership, and rolling over for the subsequent three (so far) FakeGates with three stolen top draft picks...
But for me, it doesn't.
A franchise, a team is defined by its players and fans: the ups and downs, the highs and lows, the trials and travails, the laughter and the tears, the good times and the bad times. Winning a Super Bowl is supposed to be the culmination of this relationship, the pinnacle of this commitment, a celebration of the investment and sacrifice of years together, usually with the same logo and uniform. A Super Bowl title is not the be-all and end-all of a football team's existence. All the local philanthropy and activity by Robert Kraft is admirable; However, his complicity with media, opponent and league denigration, dismissal, ignorance and denial of the Patriots' success and players' accomplishments on and off the field in the 34 years prior to his purchase has empowered and enabled the very same treatment during his ownership.