New England Patriots

[tickletoy3]

Maybe now, once and for all, the Pats will prove they are STILL the best team in the NFL. Simple facts: Best offense: Pats beat 'em. Best defense: Pats beat 'em. Home field advantage: They beat the almight defensive Steelers in Pitt - and snow wasn't a factor. Penalties: Were there any? Plain and simple. They saw. They came. They kicked butt. I may be wrong, but I think I see a large bullseye on Philly.

 

[maniactickler]

the gods of the grid iron take another victim and lay the steelers down to rest. why even have the superbowl! oh yeah, its a day to party!

 

[tickletoy3]

We only ask that all non-Patriot fans please use tissues. Runny noses and tears get ugh messy.

 

[toyou444]

I'm a Steeler fan...

And I won't take a thing away from the way New England played. They beat us fair and square. I STILL don't think they are they are unbeatable though. Tom Brady is capable of playing poorly (see Pittsburgh in October and Miami in December). I have never been a BRady fan. He plays very well, and makes very few mistakes, but when there is an incompletion you will immediately see him yelling at a receiver or lineman. Corey Dillon was a non-factor despite the chest thumpin in the 4th quarter after a 1/2 yard run. The defense played very well, but allowed the rookie to throw for a couple TD's and got run over on more than one occasion by the runing backs. And Belicheck did nothing new in this game. The Patriots simply played better. But the Steelers lost and I'm not really surprised. They had a great year and won some games they should not have so that's the way it goes. I'll root for the Eagles, more to proove Rush Limbaugh wrong than any other reason! LOL!

btw, there were three penalties. One against NE for 5 yards. Two against the Steelers for 20 yards...but one of those was a 5 yard automatic first down on a third and 17 incompletion. Another wonderfully consistent job by NFL refs. Did anyone else notice that there were virtually NO holding penalties in ANY game played in the playoffs this year? I thought you could call holding on almost every play! LOL!

Oh well, there will always be next year and I was getting up to go work no matter who won yesterday!

~ toyou

 

[tickletoy3]

A true fan Toyou! My hats off to you. No whining or crying or complaining, just admission your team lost fair and square. You made some good points and yes, Tom Brady is not unbeatable. But I do think Dillon was a factor because Pittsburgh always had to consider his options on every play, unlike in their first meeting. Also I believe he was the leading rusher in the game. I think what makes the Pats so formidable is that they are not by any means a 'one man team'. They can win in so many ways, offensively or defensively, and I think that's what gives them the edge over the Eagles. Congratulations on Big Ben and the fanastic year the Steelers had (a franchise record for wins I think). Keep in mind that Ben is only a rookie so I'm sure Pittsburgh will be a threat as long as he has a team to back him.

 

[unclebill]

In my opinion if the Patriots beat Philly in the Super Bowl they will have to be regarded as one of the greatest teams in NFL history.

 

[toyou444]

Unclebill...I'l grudgingly agree with that. It takes an awful lot just to get there let alone win.

tickletoy - I don't think we were worried that much about Dillon. He ran, we stopped him, next play...lol. Still, overall they are a solid team.

Best analysis of the Steelers was by the venerable Myron Cope about midnight last night on the radio. An out-of-town reported was talking to him about the fact that the Steeler's have gone to 5 AFC championship games and never had a quarterback. Now they might have one.

I hope they can keep a team around him. So far the Rooney's have done a fine job at that. We will see what the off-season brings.

~ toyou

 

[unclebill]

I feel your pain Toyou but look at the bright side, your Steelers have a stud quarterback who will only get better, and a good coach. Next year may be their year.

 

[Knox The Hatter]

I'm not sure, but I think I heard that the spread is seven. I think that it just might be a point or two high...

I have no problem with the Patriots. None at all. I remember all too well, back in the day, when the merger was like, ten, fifteen years behind all of us, and the Sullivan family still ran the Patriots like some kind of old time AFL shoestring schmuck outfit. I also remember when The Man Who Turned Water Into Gatorade, Tuna of Nazareth, told Kraft that he was sick and tired of him telling him how to coach the team, and left him high and dry to go make a mess of the Jets. Looks like Kraft came out rather well, didn't he?

On the subject of Tuna of Nazareth: I can't believe the Dallas folks actually bought him and his carousel of crap. I always knew that sooner or later, he'd be rode out of town with the rail sticking out of his ass, and that day might come a lot sooner than anyone thought...

Should be a good game.

 

[Krokus]

the pats are a good team, but during these last few years they haven't really had any competition. If I saw them beat teams like the 90's cowboys or the old niners teams, then I'd be impressed. So far, they haven;t really had any competition.

 

[tickletoy3]

Umm.. no competition? One of the highest scoring teams in NFL history?? Led by the man who broke Dan Marino's single season record for touchdown passes?? The highest rated defense in the league (and keep in mind a 15-1 record which matches any team of the past with the exception of the 72 Dolphins) for 2005?? And playing against that defense on the road?? What more do you want??? I would say that pretty much stacks up to any team of the past. Montana, Staubach, Bradshaw or Bart Starr never broke a record like Manning has and neither had a team to score like the Colts did this year. And the Patriots played the best defense the league had to offer on the road - and won decisively. Competition - definitely. Keep in mind, with the Pats you're talking about the team that holds the NFL record for consecutive wins - and has won two of the last three Superbowls. That too pretty much puts them in the stack with any team you can mention - past or present.

 

[Krokus]

I still say the only way to tell would be for them to play those teams. Colts have good offense but aren't the whole package. The other teams I mentioned were the whole package. I just feel as though they don't have true competition.

 

[Knox The Hatter]

Meanwhile, I did see the greatest teams that ever played on any gridiron anywhere on this planet...clubs built before the cap, when you could have a devastating offense, world class special teams, and magnificent offensive and defensive lines, all at the same time. No contest...
Now, if you said that this Patriots team's the best since the institution of the cap, then, you might have an argument. Pound for pound, though, they wouldn't belong on the same field as the old San Francisco teams, or the Pittsburgh four Supe clubs, or even my beloved Redskins Hog/Smurf squads. Trust me on this.

 

[kis123]

the pats are a good team, but during these last few years they haven't really had any competition. If I saw them beat teams like the 90's cowboys or the old niners teams, then I'd be impressed. So far, they haven;t really had any competition.

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!!!!!!!

We have a winner!!!!!

When the AFC consistently produces stronger teams, you will no longer see the Patriots. Every dog has his day, and they should enjoy theirs. They won't last forever. The cowboys, 49ers, broncos are just a few examples of the pendulum swing. And they were far better than the Patriots in their day. Pats lovers, enjoy the ride, the bus will eventually ride on.....

Personally, I can hardly wait until someone else steps in. There's no fun watching the same team over and over again. Bring in the new blood!

 

[Neutron]

THe Only Expert Speaks..

Uh, The Pats are every bit as good if not better than the teams you mentioned. On the average they're 22 pounds heavier, stronger, and as a team about .15 seconds faster than any of the so called "great" teams. They're probably better coached and as a rule more flexible. Dillon is as good a back as there is, and Brady is probably a better QB than all but Montana and so far as that goes he's probably just as good. Joe had better receivers.

Tron

 

[unclebill]

Knox, I think you are right on target. The Steelers from the 70`s, the Montana led 49er`s and the Redskins would abuse the Patriots like a rented mule. But after the salary cap was started I`d have to say the Patriots are the greatest.

 

[Sexicana]

whatever...

The teams of the past that you mentioned didnt have consistent competition...you folks are crazy..i may be 'just a girl' but i know my football and I'm from Rhode Island (part of New England) and this Patriots team deserves to be ranked among the best....the offense is practically identical to the Montana-led 49ers of the 1980's and the defense is just as proficient and confusing to opposing offenses as any great team of the past. The Steelers of the 70's, the 49ers of the 80's, the Cowboys of the 90's....what competition did they beat that compares to the Peyton Manning offense of the Indy Colts?? none...what of those former teams of the past?? how many of them ripped apart a defense like this year's Pittsburgh Steelers?? none of them did...be real and look at the stats..and remember the 1st Pats title 3 years ago when they were supposed to get destroyed by that great St. Louis Rams team but they won after dominating the action throughout almost the entire game. You Patriot doubters need to be honest and think before you speak against the Pats..and its a fact that New England WILL win this year against Philly.

 

[kis123]

Re: THe Only Expert Speaks..

Uh, The Pats are every bit as good if not better than the teams you mentioned. On the average they're 22 pounds heavier, stronger, and as a team about .15 seconds faster than any of the so called "great" teams. They're probably better coached and as a rule more flexible. Dillon is as good a back as there is, and Brady is probably a better QB than all but Montana and so far as that goes he's probably just as good. Joe had better receivers.

Tron

I respect your opinion and your experience, but do not agree that the Pats compare to the teams I previously mentioned. And it certainly doesn't make me like them any better. I'm more sick of looking at them than I ever was at previous "dynastys".

Down with the Pats!
Up with anyone else!

 

[Sexicana]

Any Patriot haters still just don't get it. If you don't like them...fine. But give them their credit and be realistic. I was only just about being born when the Steelers of the 70's were dominating, I was reaching double digits in age when the Niners of the 80's were breaking through, and I was reaching early adulthood as the Cowboys of the 90's were winning titles again. Fact is, Brady is picking teams apart in the clutch exactly the same way that Montana did in the 80's except that Montana had 1 advantage...Jerry Rice. Brady is able to do the same thing as Montana without having a 'star' receiver. The Pats also won 2 title without a 'star' running back whereas the 49ers had Roger Craig. New England would DEFINITELY match up very well against the 49ers of the 80's. As for the Steelers of the 70's...their defense would certainly give Brady some trouble, but New England's defense would confuse and force turnovers against that offense which wasn't bad but wasn't as good as the modern-day Indy Colts offense by any means. New England's D would beat the Steelers of the 70's. As for the Cowboys of the 90's...they would probably be the toughest challenge of the 3. However, they were a blitz happy and non-dominating defense and Brady, especially now with Corey Dillon, would wear the Dallas D down. New England's D would keep the Cowboys offense contained...yeah there's Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin..but the Pats wouldn't allow them to have big games...and even that Dallas offense isn't as good as today's Indy offense...seriously folks...be realistic.

 

[unclebill]

Sexicana, don`t sell yourself short just because you are "just a girl". If you watch films of sporting events from many years ago it was almost all males in the seats, but those days are long gone. Females have come a long way in a short time both as participants and fans. As to your Patriots, I feel its a little early to be comparing them to the teams I mentioned earlier, but if they keep winning championships its hard to deny them their place in NFL history.

 

[Krokus]

if they win 3 more superbowls, then I might compare them to the teams I mentioned. but until they have some equal competition, no way.

 

[Sexicana]

If anything, they have faced superior competition compared to the team you mentioned.

 

[tickletoy3]

Krokus, you are entitled to your opinion, but I hardly see how anyone can say the Pats have not faced 'competition'. The Steelers were 15-1, which ties any past record of any team with one exception - and they had the highest ranked defense in the league. They faced the number one offense in the league and one of the highest scoring teams in NFL history. Bottom line is, whether you like it or not, the Pats are just that good. 21 straight wins and three superbowl appearances in four years definitely ranks them among the best. Sexicana had some very good points as well.

 

[Krokus]

It should be pretty obvious that the steelers were the overachievers of the year, similiar to the cowboys last year. They fizzled in the playoffs, and a better team then they, the jets, couldn't pull it out thanks to thier dumbass kicker. You guys think what you want and I'll do the same. I never said they weren't good, but I don't feel they have had any competition, and I think it's laughable that they are being compared to some of the true dynasties....

 

[Sexicana]

Back when the Steelers of the 70's were winni9ng 4 superbowls, NO other team was in their league....even more so for the 49ers of the 80's..nobody in their day could compete..and the Cowboys of the 90's were THE team with no one else even close to them and now the Patriots are in that same boat...like it or not >: