New England Patriots Poll

[4X4]

Good to be lucky - lucky to be good.

That ravens game was a s***-show. They took so mant penalties, you can't say anything about the penalty at the end.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by moon

...deserving team like the Colts are enjoying the SB win.

Why is Indy more deserving of a SB ring than the Pats?

The fact that they lost 2 games this year? Along with almost losing to opponents like KC & OAK?

I am just curious what makes a team more deserving than the team that goes 16-0 and proves is so many ways that they can win.

[troutman]

The BAL game was misleading - IIRC two easy TDs were dropped by Patriot receivers. Game should not have been as close as it was. The PHI game was the most troubling.

NYG kept it close with a special teams touchdown. Otherwise, NE was in control. NE handled IND despite some outrageously bad officiating (more than making up for any Colt injuries). The Jet game was just bad weather.

I think NE is 50/50 to win the SB. There are some great teams in the AFC. Injuries can happen. Bad weather can be a factor.

[burn_baby_burn]

I don't think I would rank the Patriots as the greatest team in NFL history just yet. Do they have the greatest QB, WR tandem in history? Maybe. Nobody is going to remember their RB in 25 years. Their defense is good, but not great.

The 1972 Dolphins had the easiest schedule in NFL history. But since they went undefeated they are widly recognized as the greatest team in NFL history. Personally (and from what I have read since I was just a kid at the time). I would take the 1985 Bears or some of the Steelers teams of the 1970's or the Niners teams from the 1980's. Maybe even the Dallas Cowboys from the 1990's over the current Patriots.

Sure the Patriots did go 16-0 and you can't take that away from them. But they did it when the league is full of parity. Maybe that makes the feat that much more impressive. But I think it also eliminates any real competiton as well. They beat the Colts who are considered the 2nd best team in the league. But that same Colts team had a hard time putting the pathetic Kansas City Chiefs away at home.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

The 1972 Dolphins had the easiest schedule in NFL history. But since they went undefeated they are widly recognized as the greatest team in NFL history. Personally (and from what I have read since I was just a kid at the time). I would take the 1985 Bears or some of the Steelers teams of the 1970's or the Niners teams from the 1980's. Maybe even the Dallas Cowboys from the 1990's over the current Patriots.

Mike Ditka said something along those lines the other day. He added that his '85 Bears beat the Patriots 46-10 in the Super Bowl and if they faced the '07 Pats it would be 46-17.

[Bobblehead]

The benchmark teams that people remember all seemed to dominate both side of the ball, no matter what people remember them for today.

The great 49er teams that people remember for Montana, Taylor, Rice, Craig, Watters, etc. all had punishing defensive players like Ronnie Lott.

The Bears of '85 are famous for their defense but they did run up 46 points in the SB and had Sweetness in the backfield.

This year I think the Pats have done it without a great defense. Getting a big lead in the second half will make your defense look good, but in the tight games where the opponent can still run the ball in the 4th quarter seems to be where the squeeker games have occurred.

I still think the Pats will run the table, but it will be a strong power running team (like Jacksonville) who may derail the run.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

Mike Ditka said something along those lines the other day. He added that his '85 Bears beat the Patriots 46-10 in the Super Bowl and if they faced the '07 Pats it would be 46-17.

for the Pats this time?



One position Ditka can't compare is quarterback. McMahon couldn't carry Brady's jock strap.

[moon]

Originally Posted by HOOT

Why is Indy more deserving of a SB ring than the Pats?

The fact that they lost 2 games this year? Along with almost losing to opponents like KC & OAK?

I am just curious what makes a team more deserving than the team that goes 16-0 and proves is so many ways that they can win.

For me Indy deserves it more because of the quality people on their team. I would personally rather see guys like Manning, Sanders, Harrison, Polian and Dungy win than pieces of crap like Moss, Belichek, Rodney Harrison, Vrabel and Brady win.

I am not sure the Pats have shown a ton of different ways in which the can win. It seems to be huge passing offense, good defense and teams quitting when down big for the most part.

[burn_baby_burn]

I think when it is all said and done that Belichek will be right up there with Paul Brown, Vince Lombardi, and Bill Walsh when the discusssion comes up about the greatest coaches of all time.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by moon

For me Indy deserves it more because of the quality people on their team. I would personally rather see guys like Manning, Sanders, Harrison, Polian and Dungy win than pieces of crap like Moss, Belichek, Rodney Harrison, Vrabel and Brady win.

I am not sure the Pats have shown a ton of different ways in which the can win. It seems to be huge passing offense, good defense and teams quitting when down big for the most part.

Why does Brady get included in this group? Moss, Belichek, Harrison, I'll give you those three (not sure what Vrabel has done to get on the "piece of crap" list either. He's a defensive player that scores touchdowns? that's bad is it?) as they're not angels. But Tom Brady? He's a bad guy for listening to his coach?

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by moon

For me Indy deserves it more because of the quality people on their team. I would personally rather see guys like Manning, Sanders, Harrison, Polian and Dungy win than pieces of crap like Moss, Belichek, Rodney Harrison, Vrabel and Brady win.

I am not sure the Pats have shown a ton of different ways in which the can win. It seems to be huge passing offense, good defense and teams quitting when down big for the most part.

Pieces of crap like Brady? I haven't heard one football personality refer to Brady in a bad way, and thinking about it I think you are the first person I have heard say something bad about him, when he isn't beating someones favorite team of course! Harrison and Belichek I could understand but I am not too sure about Moss(this year) or Vrabel are guilty of...but only teams with all good guys should win championships?

It seems you have a thing against the Pats and nothing they do except lose will make you happy. I am sure if this exact team was wearing your teams jersey you would have no problem with any of those guys or what they were doing.

I am not a Pats fan but you can count me on the 19-0 bandwagon as I would love to see that history and my team didn't make the playoffs. I think it will be an awesome thing to witness as it could never happen again. Plus I just don't understand the big hate on for this team...they have prepared well for every opponent so far and have worked very hard at executing their game plan when on the feild.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by moon

For me Indy deserves it more because of the quality people on their team.

You mean like Dungy throwing a game against TEN? That was much worse than spygate IMO. Or Manning, always blaming his team-mates for losses. Or Sanders flexing his biceps after every tackle? The owner sneaking out of BAL in the middle of the night?

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by moon

For me Indy deserves it more because of the quality people on their team. I would personally rather see guys like Manning, Sanders, Harrison, Polian and Dungy win than pieces of crap like Moss, Belichek, Rodney Harrison, Vrabel and Brady win.

I am not sure the Pats have shown a ton of different ways in which the can win. It seems to be huge passing offense, good defense and teams quitting when down big for the most part.

That is the biggest load of BS ever written on this forum. Put your Colts jersey back in the closet.

Manning is the biggest corporate whore in the history of the leage, hell he is so whorish he comes close to the Steve Nash MDG commercial.

Brady vs Manning is no comparison, Brady appears like a fantastic teamate and Manning seems like a spoiled brat who's dad never won the superbowl and who has been given every opportunity in the world to play QB.

Frank Caliendo said it correctyl when comparing Brady and Manning, both QB's dad never won the Super Bowl, only problem is that Brady's dad never played in the NFL!

[burn_baby_burn]

Video Tape Gate or Spy Gate has a lot to do with it I think. I would never cheer for the Patriots, because it is no fun cheering for the team that kills everybody. I will allways root for the underdog. But after the Spy Gate game. I lost a tonne of respect for the Patriots. People can say that it doesn't matter and everyone does it blah, blah, blah, blah. They were arrogant enough (or to stupid to figure out the other teams defensive signals) to just video tape the coach sending in the signals at point blank range and took all the guess work out of it. The Patriots in my mind got off like bandits in that whole deal. Especially if you consider the fine that the F1 team received for cheating. Personally I think the NFL did its best to sweep the whole incident under the rug. Why? Because they didn't want the legitimacy of one of the Leagues dynasties tarnished in history.

[moon]

Originally Posted by habernac

Why does Brady get included in this group? Moss, Belichek, Harrison, I'll give you those three (not sure what Vrabel has done to get on the "piece of crap" list either. He's a defensive player that scores touchdowns? that's bad is it?) as they're not angels. But Tom Brady? He's a bad guy for listening to his coach?

Originally Posted by HOOT

Pieces of crap like Brady? I haven't heard one football personality refer to Brady in a bad way, and thinking about it I think you are the first person I have heard say something bad about him, when he isn't beating someones favorite team of course! Harrison and Belichek I could understand but I am not too sure about Moss(this year) or Vrabel are guilty of...but only teams with all good guys should win championships?

It seems you have a thing against the Pats and nothing they do except lose will make you happy. I am sure if this exact team was wearing your teams jersey you would have no problem with any of those guys or what they were doing.

I have never liked Brady or his attitude. he certainly isn't in the class of Moss, Belichek or Harrison when it comes to being a jerk but gets included in MY list no doubt. Every time I see Vrabel he seems to be yapping at someone about the win and generally acting like a jackass and poor winner. It may just be the limited time that I see him on TV and it may not be his normal actions but he has acted like a jerk after Pats wins.

I wouldn't be happy about my team running up the score or cheating to win, but I would probably like the wins. I would prefer to gets said wins without a jerk like Moss and without a cheap shot, roider like Harrision. The Lions haven't won 19 games in the past 3-4 years so of course the chance to win that many games would be appealing but I would prefer that my team do it with a lot more class than the Pats have done so far.

[moon]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

That is the biggest load of BS ever written on this forum. Put your Colts jersey back in the closet.

Manning is the biggest corporate whore in the history of the leage, hell he is so whorish he comes close to the Steve Nash MDG commercial.

Brady vs Manning is no comparison, Brady appears like a fantastic teamate and Manning seems like a spoiled brat who's dad never won the superbowl and who has been given every opportunity in the world to play QB.

Frank Caliendo said it correctyl when comparing Brady and Manning, both QB's dad never won the Super Bowl, only problem is that Brady's dad never played in the NFL!

Manning is a great teammate and has been caled that from bother former and current teammates. He is a likeable guy that gets plenty of ad opportunities because of that. Not why that is a negative.

All this guy has done since coming into the league is be a great player, teammate, leader and professional. He has put up great numbers and a ton of wins despite often not having any help from his O-Line or defense. He is without doubt a top 5 QB of all time and is a great guy as well. It makes no sense at all that he gets as much hate, and BS, as he does. I guess that is the price of being the best.

As for the dad argument not sure why that is relevant other than as another way to take a cheap shot at Peyton Manning.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by moon

Manning is a great teammate and has been caled that from bother former and current teammates. He is a likeable guy that gets plenty of ad opportunities because of that. Not why that is a negative.

All this guy has done since coming into the league is be a great player, teammate, leader and professional. He has put up great numbers and a ton of wins despite often not having any help from his O-Line or defense. He is without doubt a top 5 QB of all time and is a great guy as well. It makes no sense at all that he gets as much hate, and BS, as he does. I guess that is the price of being the best.

As for the dad argument not sure why that is relevant other than as another way to take a cheap shot at Peyton Manning.

which is the same tag you're saddling Brady with. Everyone hates a winner.

[burn_baby_burn]

I don't get the hate for Brady. What has he done to deserve the ill will besides quarterbacking the highest scoring team in NFL history? As well as three Super Bowl rings and an undefeated regular season. I do hate the Patriots. But I hated the Cowboys as well. Even though I disliked the Cowboys I allways respected Troy Aikman and Emmit Smith. Thought Irvin was a jackass, but I appreciate him now.

[Azure]

I don't get the hate for Brady either.

He is a class-act, no matter which way you want to look at it.

Guy was a 6th round draft pick who got to the top by a LOT of hard work.

I really don't care what anyone thinks about the rest of the team, but Brady is not the arrogant jerk Moon thinks he is.

[MarchHare]

You mean like Dungy throwing a game against TEN?

Wow, that's one of the stupidiest things I've ever read. Teams rest their star players in meaningless pre-playoff games all the time, both in the NFL and other leagues. Did you think Playfair threw the last game of the season vs. the Avs last year when he gave Kipper, Iginla, Tanguay, and Langkow the night off?