New England Patriots

[Knox The Hatter]

Let me preface this with the fact that no one hates the Dallas Cowboys as much as I do, and have, for thirty years. But, hear this: A few breaks here and there, and Dallas would've won X and XIII...they matched up with Pittsburgh very well, and were teams that truly fed the legend every bit as well as the Aikman/Irvin/Emmitt edition. Another break here or there, and the Los Angeles Rams would've won XIV. Poor analogy.

No, Sexicana, you weren't there. I'm telling you, though, weight, speed, it matters, but it really doesn't. Tedy Bruschi would've been sitting on the bench with the 1985 Chicago Bears.

No, we've seen better competition. Much better competition. No one can legally put together competition like that anymore, and not be penalized. Yeah, the Patriots sure look tough, they are tough, they've proven it. I, however, don't see an offensive line there good enough to make the likes of a Phil Simms a success, and it took just about one of the greatest offensive lines of our time to do so.

The Patriots will probably win, which would be proper, and credit should be given where credit is due, to the people who could make a perennial champion in a league which prides itself on parity. I think it's incredible, given the cap, that you can have a team with so much balance. Who knows, it might be a blueprint for future GMs. However, don't compare them with the old 49ers. Thank you.

 

[kis123]

Let me preface this with the fact that no one hates the Dallas Cowboys as much as I do, and have, for thirty years. But, hear this: A few breaks here and there, and Dallas would've won X and XIII...they matched up with Pittsburgh very well, and were teams that truly fed the legend every bit as well as the Aikman/Irvin/Emmitt edition. Another break here or there, and the Los Angeles Rams would've won XIV. Poor analogy.

No, Sexicana, you weren't there. I'm telling you, though, weight, speed, it matters, but it really doesn't. Tedy Bruschi would've been sitting on the bench with the 1985 Chicago Bears.

No, we've seen better competition. Much better competition. No one can legally put together competition like that anymore, and not be penalized. Yeah, the Patriots sure look tough, they are tough, they've proven it. I, however, don't see an offensive line there good enough to make the likes of a Phil Simms a success, and it took just about one of the greatest offensive lines of our time to do so.

The Patriots will probably win, which would be proper, and credit should be given where credit is due, to the people who could make a perennial champion in a league which prides itself on parity. I think it's incredible, given the cap, that you can have a team with so much balance. Who knows, it might be a blueprint for future GMs. However, don't compare them with the old 49ers. Thank you.

This just about wraps it up for me in a nutshell! I agree with Krokus as well-the league's out of balance in a major way. That may be because the Pats spend the money to bring on the power players. It may be because they are the NFL darlings who get a lot of breaks in the penalty category. It could be because it's their time. It could be a lot of things.

I know someone's team is going to rise up and knock them down from their high horse just like real dynasties before them. I personally can't wait for it to happen. I don't dislike them-I'm just sick of looking at them. Bring on a fresh team!

 

[tickletoy3]

The 49ers, Cowboys and Steelers of earlier years all faced nearly the same competition in the Super Bowl. The Steelers faced the boys twice, actually three times now, the boys faced the bills twice. Face it, the Bills could never win the big one. I see similiar comparisons in the niners and the Pats. The Pats overachieved against the mighty Rams, ala the niners in their first win when the defeated the Bengals, but first ousted the mighty boys with "the catch". The niners also beat the untested one year wonders, the Chargers, ala the Pats vs the Panthers. (Although I still say had the Panthers not had so many injuries this year it would have been a diff story - and even given that, no one wanted to face them at end of the season). All the above teams were awesome given their times, and among the greats of NFL history. All I'm saying is the Pats are the same now, given their time and the opposition they are given. Just give the Pats their due. 21 straight wins deserves credit no matter who you play. This is the NFL.

 

[tickletoy3]

I agree with you too Kis. The Pats will eventually fall from the tree. I think Joe Greene said it best, when after the Steelers had just won their fourth Super Bowl and everyone was celebrating but him. When asked about it, Joe said "Next year it will be what have you done for me lately?" It's almost as if any of it really means nothing. People forget so quickly. In short, sports are a 'moment' thing no matter which team or person. Enjoy the moment because tomorrow none of it matters.

 

[Sexicana]

You all may think how you wish as will I. Tedy Bruschi...sitting on the bench of the 85 Bears....I hear what you are saying on 1 thing...the players were tougher back then because they had to be and were allowed to be. Bruschi, however, if given the chance to play back then as he physically is now, would have been more dominating of an individual. He is bigger, faster and stronger..its just evolution. Bruschi is a throwback to the rough players of the 85 Bears..and again...the 49ers of the 80's were great..but they didnt face an offense so unfairly stacked as the modern day Colts.....think what you all want but dont disregard the competition that the Patriots have beaten as inferior to what the teams of old had to deal with. Yes, the Steelers won 4 relatively close superbowls..2 against some very good Cowboys teams..but seriously...Roger Staubach didnt shred teams the way Peyton Manning does..Staubach didnt have as impressive a receiver core like Manning does..so thats 1 point...the Patriots have stifled offenses today that are far superior than any offenses from the any past era. Joe Montana had Jerry Rice and Roger Craig..Tom Brady has decent 'team' receivers but certainly no superstars...and Montana had Roger Craig running the ball whereas Brady had no 'true' running back until Corey Dillon this year. So Brady has been just as effective in the clutch as Montana, only Brady did it with more average players around him. Bottom line is that perhaps all the teams are equal when you average it out..just stop deflating the quality of what the Pats have done when they really have faced equal, if not better opposition than the teams of the past.

 

[kis123]

Sexicana,

I don't think anyone's saying you're wrong. Everyone's just expressing their opinion. I see you love the Pats-I don't have a problem with that. You make some points that others on the board have agreed with. I don't have a problem with that either. We'll all watch the superbowl on sunday and see what the end's gonna be. May the best team win! I get very little from this except to watch Donovan McNabb become the next quarterback since Doug Williams to play in the superbowl.

Funny, both quarterbacks came from NFC teams. What's up with the AFC, huh? There's a topic for general discussion!

 

[unclebill]

Sexicana, you have made it clear that you are a Patriots fan. But I think some of us are having a hard time taking you seriously when you make the sweeping generalizations about the great 49er`s teams of the 80`s and the Steelers from the 70`s when you weren`t around to see them play. The Pats have won two Super Bowls by a grand total of six points, and if they can win a couple more they deserve their place in NFL history. But until that happens you might try drinking your Koolaid with a little less sugar.

 

[Sexicana]

When the Steelers were starting to win superbowls in the 1970's I was just about being born (1975) so I didnt really SEE the 70's Steelers play..though I have watched all the old footage and was impressed. As far as the 49ers of the 1980's they won in 82..I was 7 and DO recall that a little..they won again in 85 and I was 10..they won again in 89 when I was 14 and in 1990 when I was 15...so I did see them play and they were impressive too, I never said those old teams werent good, I just feel everyone is attacking the Patriots..yes of course the Pats need to win this year and maybe 1 more after that, but they are 'ON THE VERGE' of being as much a dynasty as the other teams. You need less sugar in your tang..LOL!! The Patriots of today would be almost a mirror image of the 49ers of the 80's except New England's defense is more known for forcing turnovers than those 49ers teams. Fact is if there is a dynasty of the early 2000's it is the New England Patriots as of right now!!

 

[unclebill]

Good points my dear, and if any team is capable of forming the new dynasty its the Patriots because they have the best coach in the NFL. Also give me a different drink, I hate Tang.

 

[Sexicana]

sorry uncle bill..i hate tang too..how about pink lemonade..i like that 🙂

 

[unclebill]

Pink lemonade would be delicious, thankyou Sexicana. Tang is better only for astronauts.

 

[MAJ0718]

Sexicana,

I don't think anyone's saying you're wrong. Everyone's just expressing their opinion. I see you love the Pats-I don't have a problem with that. You make some points that others on the board have agreed with. I don't have a problem with that either. We'll all watch the superbowl on sunday and see what the end's gonna be. May the best team win! I get very little from this except to watch Donovan McNabb become the next quarterback since Doug Williams to play in the superbowl.

Funny, both quarterbacks came from NFC teams. What's up with the AFC, huh? There's a topic for general discussion!

Actually Kis, when the Tennessee Titans played the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV, Steve McNair was their starting quarterback, and he almost beat the Rams, had it not been for the wide receiver Dyson being held about six inches or so from the goal line.

 

[tickletoy3]

And this isn't superbowl related - but don't forget Michael Vick just became the highest paid player in the NFL. Over-rated in my opinion, but that's just me.

 

[kis123]

Actually Kis, when the Tennessee Titans played the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV, Steve McNair was their starting quarterback, and he almost beat the Rams, had it not been for the wide receiver Dyson being held about six inches or so from the goal line.

Maybe that was my football boycott year or something, because I totally missed that one. So the AFC isn't cursed after all. Thank you for the info! I would love to see Donovan McNabb beat the hell out of the Pats-although I think they may end up with their butts handed over to them. A girl can dream, can't she???????🙄

 

[MAJ0718]

Maybe that was my football boycott year or something, because I totally missed that one. So the AFC isn't cursed after all. Thank you for the info! I would love to see Donovan McNabb beat the hell out of the Pats-although I think they may end up with their butts handed over to them. A girl can dream, can't she???????🙄

Well, I'm dreaming right along with you, Kis...😉

From a quiet Eagles fan...

 

[kis123]

And this isn't superbowl related - but don't forget Michael Vick just became the highest paid player in the NFL. Over-rated in my opinion, but that's just me.

I'm inclined to agree, especially since he's shown on national TV that he has the intelligence level of a split-pea! He was interviewed on ESPN about his throwing ability. I can't quote him verbatim, but here's a paraphrased response:

Sometimes, I throw left-handed
Sometimes, I throw right-handed
Huh, I guess I'm both-handed!

That, to me ranks real high in the ranks of the stupid commentary!

Seriously speaking, no one on this earth should be paid that kind of money to play sports when we have teachers striving to pay their bills and doctors paying six-figured student loans for ten years before they can even take care of themselves or their families. Our society is twisted backwards, if you ask me ! We'll pay big bucks to be entertained, but will not improve our schools or provide our children places to go besides the gangs and the crack houses. Then we piss and moan when the kids get into trouble and get mad when our chidren won't enter other careers because they want to make the big money and "bling".

Please don't get me started with this one....I could go on this tangent for hours!!!😡

 

[venray]

Peyton Manning, after living a full life, died. When he got to heaven, God was showing him around. They came to a modest little house with a faded Colts flag in the window. "This house is yours for eternity, Peyton," said God.

"This is very special; not everyone gets a house up here." Peyton felt special, indeed, and walked up to his house. On his way up the porch, he noticed another house just around the corner. It was a 3-story mansion with a blue and red sidewalk, a 50 foot tall flagpole with an enormous Patriots logo flag, and in every window, a Patriot towel.

Peyton looked at God and said "God, I'm not trying to be ungrateful, but I have a question. I was an all-pro QB, I hold many NFL records, and I even went to the Hall of Fame."

God said "So what's your point Peyton?"

"Well, why does Tom Brady get a better house than me?"


God chuckled, and said ...........










"Peyton, that's not Tom's house, it's mine."

 

[tickletoy3]

There is an article at Superbowl.com that compares the Patriots to the other great teams of the past. Right along the lines of this post and good reading.