In this era of NFL parity - how can the Pats be so good?

[450knotOffice]

I'm watching the Patriots absolutely dismantle the Miami Dolphins, just like they've dismantled just about every other team they've played this year. I'm not a fan of NE at all, but holy cow, how can these guys be so damn good in this era of free agency and salary caps? For that matter, the reverse can be said of my Dolphins! Ugh. They are simply awful; he11, I've got to admit that they might just be about the worst team to ever play pro football in the modern era.

NE is unstoppable this year and the Dolphins are the definition of ineptness.

Talk amongst yourselves...

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by 450knotOffice

..... I'm not a fan of NE at all, but holy cow, how can these guys be so damn good

Simple, they cheat.

[the]

IMO, it's their front office/whoever is in charge of personnel.

They were a very good team last year, but the people they managed to acquire this year, on both side of the ball, put them way over the top.

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by the

IMO, it's their front office/whoever is in charge of personnel.

They were a very good team last year, but the people they managed to acquire this year, on both side of the ball, put them way over the top.

That has a lot to do with it. The Niners fall from grace has less to do with salary caps, and more to do with the inept managing by Eddie D's sister and her hubby. NE has proven that.

Tom Brady has a lot to do with NE's success. A QB who can lead his troops and instill confidence in them is invaluable.

[CJFusco]

All the teams cheat.

It comes down to the front of the house. When the Kraft family took over, it represented a dramatic turnaround for the Pats franchise. Likewise when the John Henry group bought the Red Sox in 2003.

[Jim Garfield]

I think that they have the best quarterback, the best coach,and the best owner. Not to mention Scott Pioli who has picked up some amazing players in the bargain basement bin, for a song. Wes Welker for round two and seven picks, Randy Moss for a fourth round pick , Tom Brady in the sixth round in 2000 . Besides Moss and Welker, this year they picked up Adalius Thomas, Sammy morris, Dante Stallworth, and Kyle Brady. He also lured Junior Seau out of retirement. He definitely has an eye for under appreciated talent.

The Patriots are just a smart team from top to bottom. Although they didn't look so great in the second half today did they?
__________________

[Porsche-O-Phile]

They simply define themselves through winning as a TEAM whereas most other teams in the league try to define themselves through not losing or through having a few superstars on the squad to try and sell more jerseys and tickets to fans.

The team concept is harder to justify from a merchandise sales standpoint, but I give a lot of credit to Kraft for being so much more visionary and thinking more long-term/big picture than that. Where a lot of teams will opt for a couple of flamboyant, showboating "supah-stahs", the Patriots are the consummate example of "team play". Egos don't go far in that organization.

[JCF]

Starts at the top.
Bob Kraft and Scott Piolli.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by JCF

Starts at the top.
Bob Kraft and Scott Piolli.

Having lived in New England for 7 of the last 8 years, I'd have to agree with that. I've never heard anyone have anything bad to say about the Kraft family (and in provincial New England, everyone seems to be about 1 or 2 degrees of separation from everyone else). Total class organization, due to a total class leader.

That doesn't guarantee success on the football field. But it does explain why so many of the key players stick around, instead of jumping off to free agency at every dollar sign waved in their direction.

[ZOA NOM]

Tom Brady's uncle is Brother Christopher Brady, Principal of De La Salle High School in Concord, Ca. If the Patriots go undefeated this year, they will fall 132 games short of De La Salle's record 151 game win streak that lasted 12 consecutive undefeated seasons from 1992-2003. The only way a team can achieve that sort of success, even at the NFL level, is to be selfless participants in a sport that demands individual superstars. I guarantee you that the Patriots have dedicated themselves to each other as teammates against the grain of the NFL to achieve the success you now see. The 3rd string quarterback is a graduate of De La Salle, who I'm sure brings some of the Spartan dedication with him.

For insight into the De La Salle Spartan story, see a book called "When The Game Stands Tall" written by Neil Hayes. It will give a glimpse of how players can rise to a level of performance even they don't believe is possible.

[PatrickB]

Originally Posted by 450knotOffice

For that matter, the reverse can be said of my Dolphins! Ugh. They are simply awful; he11, I've got to admit that they might just be about the worst team to ever play pro football in the modern era.
)

No, I might have to disagree with you on that Scott... I think that title belongs to the Oakland Traders!

[Sonic dB]

Combination of great coaching, keeping the team focused and eating humble pie, great game planning and scheming, putting the right players in the right situations, all are talented and intelligent players, having one of the very few QBs that has the ability to be a leader as well as drive the team with his skill... it all adds up. 99% of teams never get even this close to greatness as the Pats have achieved since 2001. Remember that this is a team that won 21 consecutive games back in 03 and 04, including the SuperBowl...so this is not unfamiliar territory to them.

[Sonic dB]

Tom Brady's uncle is Brother Christopher Brady, Principal of De La Salle High School in Concord, Ca. If the Patriots go undefeated this year, they will fall 132 games short of De La Salle's record 151 game win streak that lasted 12 consecutive undefeated seasons from 1992-2003.

Matt Gutierrez, Brady's backup QB is a former DeLasalle, Michigan and Idaho State QB.

[ZOA NOM]

Originally Posted by Sonic dB

Matt Gutierrez, Brady's backup QB is a former DeLasalle, Michigan and Idaho State QB.

Good knowledge, Sonic. Can you name his successor at De La Salle?

[baldman]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Total class organization, due to a total class leader.

I used to believe that. Then I saw the Pats acting like idiots after they beat the Chargers in the playoffs last year. And they brought in Randy "I play when I want to play" Moss - who defines low class.
Before that I saw the Chargers beat the Pats and Brady jogged off the field without the traditional "meeting at midfield". Yes, they don't have to do that, but a classy player will.

I know most people will say "sour grapes" due to the fact I am a Chargers fan, but I honestly liked that Pats until that game. The post game antics, and then the offseason Moss deal really lowered them in my eyes.

I think they sacrificed class for a return to glory.

[hytem]

The Patriots have a great organization--coaches and front office. They finally opened their pursestrings before the season to sign a bunch of free agents. There is nothing like a few top receivers to make the QB look better. And they are able to attract top free agents because of their track record. The big difference is in the offense with Moss. He is almost unstoppable.
But Brady still has to learn how to use him as a decoy when he is double-covered. He has been forcing too many passes to Moss lately. And not replacing Morris at RB could be a mistake in the playoffs. Maroney isn't that durable. Brady is much more effective in his passing with a running game, as the first half against the Dolphins showed yesterday.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by baldman

I used to believe that. Then I saw the Pats acting like idiots after they beat the Chargers in the playoffs last year. And they brought in Randy "I play when I want to play" Moss - who defines low class.
Before that I saw the Chargers beat the Pats and Brady jogged off the field without the traditional "meeting at midfield". Yes, they don't have to do that, but a classy player will.

I know most people will say "sour grapes" due to the fact I am a Chargers fan, but I honestly liked that Pats until that game. The post game antics, and then the offseason Moss deal really lowered them in my eyes.

I think they sacrificed class for a return to glory.

Sour grapes

[JCF]

Originally Posted by baldman

I used to believe that. Then I saw the Pats acting like idiots after they beat the Chargers in the playoffs last year. And they brought in Randy "I play when I want to play" Moss - who defines low class.
Before that I saw the Chargers beat the Pats and Brady jogged off the field without the traditional "meeting at midfield". Yes, they don't have to do that, but a classy player will.

I know most people will say "sour grapes" due to the fact I am a Chargers fan, but I honestly liked that Pats until that game. The post game antics, and then the offseason Moss deal really lowered them in my eyes.

I think they sacrificed class for a return to glory.

And your feelings sir of the crap that the Chargers players were spewing before the game (and LT's crying after) ?

Brady is driving me crazy the way he has been playing .
He really is only looking for Moss and then just closing his eyes and letting it go .
Far cry from the first half of the season. I'm surprised the coaches let him continue to do it.

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Total class organization, due to a total class leader.

How would you explain them getting caught cheating then???

Yeah, yeah -- all teams cheat. Whatever. If New England is so good, then why did they have to cheat? Hmmm - maybe they aren't as good as folks believe they are -- maybe they are just terrific cheaters...

-Z

[Buckterrier]

I like the class they show running a no huddle offense with the score 32-13 with 7 minutes left in a game. Someone is going to take a cheap shot, (or just a plan old-fashion HARD hit), to Brady and or Moss. And Brady especially is a wimp. The coaches ego is what's spurring the team on. "I got caught cheating, whaa so I'm going to run up the score on everyone, whaa and show them, whaa whaa whaa. Yes this is a Steeler fan replying . If the Steelers don't make the Super Bowl I'll be rooting for the Patsys to make it. Nothing better for them to go 18-0 only to lose in the SB. Hell, I'd even root for the Cowboys then