My humble opinion on the Patriots

[wayne1218]

But going for it on 4th and 1 inside the 10 late? I know it's a damned if you do or damned if you don't, b/c if they kick the fg, people will complain. But that is the lesser of 2 evils then punching it in for 7. Can't they practice fg's!!!!!

I heard a few talk about that today too. They said kicking a meaningless FG is just as bad and taking a knee in the 3rd qtr or early 4th would downright embarrass the opponent worse. They said you hand off and if the 3rd string FB gets a yard, that's the defense's fault and if he doesn't, New England sets the defense up nicely with a 93 yard field. Guys like freakin' Kyle Eckyll were running wild in the 4th qtr. Who the hell is he? It's ridiculous listening to people whine about it.

[tonynico]

I heard a few talk about that today too. They said kicking a meaningless FG is just as bad and taking a knee in the 3rd qtr or early 4th would downright embarrass the opponent worse. They said you hand off and if the 3rd string FB gets a yard, that's the defense's fault and if he doesn't, New England sets the defense up nicely with a 93 yard field. Guys like freakin' Kyle Eckyll were running wild in the 4th qtr. Who the hell is he? It's ridiculous listening to people whine about it.

Damned if you kick, damned if you go for it. Nice position to be in though!

[roccodean]

I see what you mean Rocks...but I just dont think a few rushes a game skews the stats that much. But you make good points.

[littlewager]

I'm still feeling the sting from the 85 Superbowl when they sent in a fat ass defensive lineman (Perry) to rush for a touchdown. The 46 - 10 loss turned that great season into nothing but a Bears memory. I don't care if they win by 1 or 50, as long as they finish the job. An undefeated season would be worthless without the rings!

[dave T]

I don't care if the line is 35 against the J-E-T-S...Belichick is going to lay major wood to Mangini athat it will make the 56-10 beating they laid down on Buffalo look like a close game!

I understand. That is a technical aspect of the game that must be considered as well as the Don Shula comments when they play the Dolphins.

dt

[KINGNEIL]

The 1972 Dolphins were the best team in history. They went undefeated. NE hasn't done that yet. And even if they do, they have been caught cheating. Miami did not. NE cannot be considered above them because of this. Like it or not, that's the way it is. If you don't like it, blame Bellicheck. He tarnished it. Even though they aren't doing it anymore, they DID earlier this season. They got caught red-handed. Miami never had to do that. Also, this NE team could never win all of their games w/o Brady. Miami lost their QB and STILL WON over half the season, and all of the post-season with a 2ND STRING QB. WOW! That was the greatest team ever.

Now, speaking in the present only, I believe NE to be the best this season. Indi lost key players and I don't believe they can do it without them. NE can go ahead and win their championship now that injuries have decimated Indi. There is no more competition.

[KINGNEIL]

p.s. Bellicheck wants all of the records. That's why he doesn't let up. Manning and the Colts let up and didn't go for it on 4th and bomb it 30 yards. Also, Manning allowed his RB's to run the ball in instead of throw the ball selfishly on tds. And he didn't run it up just to add tds for the record. Records are meaningless to Manning. He and the Colts played with plenty of class.

[KINGNEIL]

....And NE had to play late catch-up against an INJURED Indi team without it's #1 receiver (and more). NE still only squeaked by. Do not forget that!

[littlewager]

It was confirmed that they did not cheat in the Jets game. Unless your investagation came up with something the leagues did not. The Dolphin team beat everone they faced but it was a very weak schedule. The greatest teams in my opinion was the 82 49er's and the 85 Bears. Both were only 15 - 1 but they had tougher competition.

[3ebRocks]

The 1972 Dolphins were the best team in history. They went undefeated. NE hasn't done that yet. And even if they do, they have been caught cheating. Miami did not. NE cannot be considered above them because of this. Like it or not, that's the way it is. If you don't like it, blame Bellicheck. He tarnished it. Even though they aren't doing it anymore, they DID earlier this season. They got caught red-handed. Miami never had to do that. Also, this NE team could never win all of their games w/o Brady. Miami lost their QB and STILL WON over half the season, and all of the post-season with a 2ND STRING QB. WOW! That was the greatest team ever.

Now, speaking in the present only, I believe NE to be the best this season. Indi lost key players and I don't believe they can do it without them. NE can go ahead and win their championship now that injuries have decimated Indi. There is no more competition.

If by earlier in the season you mean less than one half of one game, then yes ur right that they did something, but the league did not deem it cheating and anybody on this planet that thinks that made any difference is lost. Not to mention it has come out since spygate that almost every team does stuff like that. And that was reported by former coaches and players such as Bill Parcells and Steve Young, to name just two. And if you are saying that NE hasnt gone undefeated YET so Miami is still the best, then making an arguement that IF Tom Brady got hurt then NE wouldnt go undefeated is a foolish argument. If we cant assume they will go undefeated because they are putting together a season like no other, then you cant assume they will be less successful if and when Brady gets hurt. Because, he hasnt gotten hurt YET and if he does then you, me or anybody else has no idea as to whether they can keep winning. Seems to me that Tom Brady is throwing to a lot of open receivers. Seems to be the offensive line provides amazing protection. Seems to me that their running game does enough to keep play action useful. And it seems to me they have the best receiver on the planet. All that doesnt go away if Brady gets hurt, as amazing as he is. Maybe instead of scoring 40 points a game, they score 30 or 28. That probably is still enough.

[wayne1218]

The 1972 Dolphins were the best team in history. They went undefeated. NE hasn't done that yet. And even if they do, they have been caught cheating. Miami did not. NE cannot be considered above them because of this. Like it or not, that's the way it is. If you don't like it, blame Bellicheck. He tarnished it. Even though they aren't doing it anymore, they DID earlier this season. They got caught red-handed. Miami never had to do that. Also, this NE team could never win all of their games w/o Brady. Miami lost their QB and STILL WON over half the season, and all of the post-season with a 2ND STRING QB. WOW! That was the greatest team ever.

Now, speaking in the present only, I believe NE to be the best this season. Indi lost key players and I don't believe they can do it without them. NE can go ahead and win their championship now that injuries have decimated Indi. There is no more competition.

N.E. was caught in the 2nd qtr. of game one Neil. Considering it is a 16 game season and not 14 like when Miami did it, your comments make absolutely no sense. Fine, they can go 15 1/2 - 0 and it still beats Miami's 14-0

Something else you seemed to have left out here and it happens to be the biggest point of all is the salary cap. Miami didn't have to play with one and it has been said that they beat many teams who spent very little money compared to them. In this day and age where everybody is equal and spends virtually the same, this is unheard of and most said it could never be done. When you compare teams you should really have all the facts because you always seem to leave very important ones out.

Miami didn't have to deal with Free Agency either. Yet another aspect you missed.

[wayne1218]

Every single person i have heard compare a undefeated team in this day and age to the '72 Dolphins has said doing it now is much harder and more impressive than the 1972 team that did it for the 3 main reasons mentioned above (More Games, Salary Cap, Free Agency). You are the 1st i've heard to make an argument for the '72 team Neil but then again, you did leave out 3 huge reasons why you are misled and you have proven time and time again that you simply hate the Patriots. I love sports conversations here but the ones done out of spite for a team are idiotic and i don't know why i keep correcting you with yours on New England.

[TwoTonTony]

best team i have ever seen....PERIOD.....hate em...but i have to call an ace an ace....

listened to peter king and he made some insightful comments:

1) bill belechik has drawn negative criticism around the league among coaches and fans....but he does not care

2) manning a few years ago in his quest for the record was launching the ball late in games that were blowouts but nothing was said

3) that whatever is said about the pats they embody teamwork and the meaning of team....He said many teams claim they are unselfish and team guys.....but if the coach said hey we are going to run the ball 80% of the time they would whine....whereas brady would say," whatever you say coach and MEAN it".....and that goes to a man down the roster.


***all that being said i am not a fan of BB and his demeanor but i respect the type of TEAM he has put together in this day of big egos and free agency

[TwoTonTony]

boy...if people say spygate will tarnish the teams accomplishment i mean really.....they were caught in the 1st half of the 1st game.......

you will always have detractors but the pats imho are much much better in every phase of the game....

plus i am sick of hearing this guys year after year break out the bubbly and have morris say don't come knocking
until they are on my street or some wierd shit

hell nick buonoccatti is not even as big as most NFL punters now

[KINGNEIL]

NE appears to be the best this season and I believe they will win it all with Indi being banged up. But nobody can say they are better than the '72 Dolphins. IF New england goes undefeated, they still have a scandal and Miami didn't.