What makes this team different from 2007?

[pheenix11]

2017 is much deeper, hell just look at RB, Maroney and Sammy Morris vs Lewis, White, Burkhead and maybe Blount?

WR had a higher ceiling in 2007 because Randy was maybe the best ever but this group is better overall. TE no contest.

This defense is younger and will be even better next year.

 

[bormio]

The talent at the skill positions on this team is setting up to be extremely deep - 5 WRs that can really contribute, may 4 or more RB that can really play. Even with Gronk's injury history - TE looks good - and we likely will draft one. The offense in 2017 will be more versatile and less vulnerable to impact from 1 or 2 injuries (except Brady).

 

[Dexter]

I know I'm getting way ahead of myself but it would be so F incredible if Pats can repeat next year and complete full circle with the second 3 titles in 4-years period. Two awesome dynasties inside one HUGE dynasty, by far the greatest in NFL history.

 

[thecore762]

Welker / Edelman
A better player in Brady, he plays so much better now than then...also a team that has more than 2 threats on offense...you have a better running game, better backs, and overall a more versatile team that can do many things.

 

[thecore762]

Also in 04 we were a 34 defense, now we run a 43.

 

[I.M. Fletcher]

The biggest advantage today is in coaching. This is the best staff we have ever had here, top to bottom.

The skill players and defenses could be better or worse, we have no idea yet. But I have incredible confidence in the coaches getting everything out of them.

 

[PittPatriot]

You may be insecure about Gostkowski. I'm not. In kicking field goals, he is 31 for 33 lifetime in the playoffs. I guess you expect perfection.

I expect perfection on extra points - especially in big games and where field conditions are ideal.
His miss in Denver could have been the difference for a Super Bowl berth and likely win.
His miss against Atlanta forced the Pats to go for 2 again.
In the game that "we don't mention".. going for it on 4th and 13 from the Giants 31, spoke volumes to me. He was young then and I can understand not attempting a kick. But a 48 yarder in Arizona with perfect conditions is not much to ask for.
Gostkowski seems like a really great guy and overall he is a good kicker. But many patriots fans including myself feel uneasy every time he lines up to kick in a big game.

 

[Kontradiction]

That throw to Gaffney in week 15

He was firing lasers all over the field in the Ravens game because the coverage was so tight and he had to rocket them in.

I don't think this squad is going to put the points up that the 2007 edition did, but there are improvements at the TE position and I'd say the 2017 squad has the advantage at the rest of the WR's positions except the comparison to 2007 Welker and 2017 Edelman. That may be a wash. 2007 more than likely had the better OL. 2017 has the potential to be a much stronger defense. Younger and more athletic as well.

Those saying Brady is better are kidding themselves. 2007 Brady was still Brady but he was also in his absolute physical prime back then. Still, he's the best QB in the league... even at 40. I also find it funny that every year we have a significant chunk of the forum claiming that the 2004 team was the best Pats team in the Belichick and Brady era and, yet, we get threads every year comparing the current squad to the 2007 squad. That's very telling when it comes to what people actually believe.

 

[TB12TheGoat]

He was firing lasers all over the field in the Ravens game because the coverage was so tight and he had to rocket them in.

I don't think this squad is going to put the points up that the 2007 edition did, but there are improvements at the TE position and I'd say the 2017 squad has the advantage at the rest of the WR's positions except the comparison to 2007 Welker and 2017 Edelman. That may be a wash. 2007 more than likely had the better OL. 2017 has the potential to be a much stronger defense. Younger and more athletic as well.

Those saying Brady is better are kidding themselves. 2007 Brady was still Brady but he was also in his absolute physical prime back then. Still, he's the best QB in the league... even at 40. I also find it funny that every year we have a significant chunk of the forum claiming that the 2004 team was the best Pats team in the Belichick and Brady era and, yet, we get threads every year comparing the current squad to the 2007 squad. That's very telling when it comes to what people actually believe.

2007 is the greatest team ever

 

[sb1]

From now on if a team goes up on the Super Bowl Champion Patriots in a game, even if it's late... there will still be doubt in their minds. They know the Patriots are not beaten until they are beaten. And if the Pats score... their collars will start to feel a little tighter. The greatest comeback in Super Bowl and NFL history will do that.

That's a psychological edge the 2007 team never had and I'd say it's significant.

 

[ALP]

You may be insecure about Gostkowski. I'm not. In kicking field goals, he is 31 for 33 lifetime in the playoffs. I guess you expect perfection.

i do expect perfection...on PATs

 

[brdmaverick]

In the game that "we don't mention".. going for it on 4th and 13 from the Giants 31, spoke volumes to me. He was young then and I can understand not attempting a kick. But a 48 yarder in Arizona with perfect conditions is not much to ask for.
.

I don't mean to highjack this thread but I chalk that up to a flat out bad coaching decision. I love BB and wouldn't want another coach, but a 48 yard field goal with any kicker is a better proposition than 4th and 13. Fourth and 7 and less then I can buy and argument, but 4th and 13? One of the most puzzling coaching decision in the BB era. Fortunately those bad decisions are very few and far between.

 

[brdmaverick]

i do expect perfection...on PATs

As fans we need to retrain our way of thinking. PATs are now the equivalent of a 32 yard field goal. Yes, most 32 yard field goals are made, but you can expect a miss or two every now and then. The PAT is no longer a kick that you can reasoanbly expect perfection anymore.

 

[brdmaverick]

I also find it funny that every year we have a significant chunk of the forum claiming that the 2004 team was the best Pats team in the Belichick and Brady era and, yet, we get threads every year comparing the current squad to the 2007 squad. That's very telling when it comes to what people actually believe.

Trust me, to this day I still think the 2007 squad is the best team ever, but I do have a logical explanation for your observation.

Even though some may think 2004 had the best team, I think all will agree that 2007 had the best offense. So I think it's just natural for us to want to compare our offense today to the video game-like offens we had in 2007. Just a thought.

 

[supafly]

2007 is the greatest team ever

It's hard to look past the '85 Bears, but the '07 Pats were solid as hell on both sides of the ball.

To answer the OP's question: the only real difference may be that we won't have a once in a lifetime helmet catch to deal with on the other side.