Give Pat's their rings now.....

[tiger8mush]

I hate the Patriots more than any professional sports team. But they are clearly the best team in the NFL right now.

While I do think Brady is great, I think Belichick is what makes the team click. Look at what they did in 2008 when rookie QB Matt Cassel took over when Brady got injured in the first game and got the team to 11-5. Ever since Logan Mankins came back this season, they've been dominating. Give Brady 5 seconds in the pocket (sometimes he gets 10) and SOMEONE will be open. Brady will find him. They need to put pressure on Brady, like the Ravens did on 2009 playoffs and like the Giants did in 2007 Super Bowl.

ANY team but the Pats is who I'm rooting for ) And the Jets, hee hee.

[steve B]

I'm a Pats fan, but I can understand people hating them. I also think I'm starting to know how Yankees fans feel. Weird experience for a Boston guy.

I also have a friend who's a Packer fan, so there's at least two around here. There's lots of worse teams to root for. Gotta love the old fashioned small town team that's publicly owned. A great connection to the roots of the NFL.

I also have to root for the Redskins.... Wife's from DC, so I get two teams. Besides, they're really a Boston team, so it's ok.

Even as a fan, I'm not expecting a superbowl win. They've got a huge advantage with Brady and Bellichick, but the defense has a lot of inexperienced guys, and the no interception streak has to end sometime.

Steve B

[sox1903wschamp]

Originally Posted by tiger8mush

I hate the Patriots more than any professional sports team.

This is a great compliment for this lifetime Pats fan. Some good teams over the years. Sometimes long on talent but finding a way to lose in the end. I have been a fan since I was kid in the mid 60's.

Not taken seriously till 2001( like the Jets now) and now hated. That is the ultimate compliment. But boy to I hate the title to this thread. Not counting chickens before........ Stuff can happen.

[tiger8mush]

Originally Posted by sox1903wschamp

This is a great compliment for this lifetime Pats fan.

I mostly hate them cuz I live in Connecticut and in the 90s Kraft wanted a new stadium but Mass wouldn't help fund it so he signed an agreement with Hartford to move the team there, and then Mass agreed to help Kraft with a new stadium (Gillette) so Kraft backed out of the deal. I was young (and nieve, apparantly) and thought Connecticut was getting an NFL team. Have hated them ever since.

I do respect what they've done as an organization. One of the best dynasties ever. I will root for whichever team plays against them

[ChiefBenderForever]

It's just one of those years like when you knew the 49ers were gonna win, or you knew the Cowboys were gonna win, and this year you just know the Patriots are gonna win. The only question is what will the spread be in Vegas and who will win what.

[pgellis]

Hey Johnny,

I don't see it. I know that they are one of the hottest teams right now, but if there was ever a year that you thought a team would win the Super Bowl it had to be 2008 when the Patriots were undefeated and playing the NFC #5 seed NYG in the Super Bowl..............and we all know what happened that time!

[nolemmings]

It's going to be an all birds Super Bowl. Falcons v. Ravens. You heard it here first

[ChiefBenderForever]

Originally Posted by pgellis

Hey Johnny,

I don't see it. I know that they are one of the hottest teams right now, but if there was ever a year that you thought a team would win the Super Bowl it had to be 2008 when the Patriots were undefeated and playing the NFC #5 seed NYG in the Super Bowl..............and we all know what happened that time!

Yeah the greatest upset in sports because of a lucky catch, that is why the Pat's wont lose they will not let this one slip away. Only way they lose is if Brady gets hurt and can't play. Atlanta will be lucky to get past game one.

[GoldenAge50s]

I mostly hate them cuz I live in Connecticut and in the 90s Kraft wanted a new stadium but Mass wouldn't help fund it so he signed an agreement with Hartford to move the team there, and then Mass agreed to help Kraft with a new stadium (Gillette) so Kraft backed out of the deal.

Rob---

I hope you know that Kraft never REALLY intended to move the team---He was just using some "smarts" to gain some leverage to stay home--and it worked!

As it is, he still used mostly his money to build the stadium. Mass contributed less of State & taxpayer money to the project than any stadium that's ever been built!

[Ladder7]

Originally Posted by tiger8mush

*snip* I was young (and nieve, apparantly) and thought Connecticut was getting an NFL team. Have hated them ever since.

I understand your bitterness. This town was ripping mad when the team drove out of town on Route 1... But Patriots in Connecticut? C'mon man, There was no Tea Party, Massacre, One if by land-two if by sea, Midnight ride, Shot heard round the world, Bunker Hill, Evacuation Day etc etc. Not to mention, a Sam Adams brewery

Ok, Im done... Back on track;

[sox1903wschamp]

Originally Posted by tiger8mush

I mostly hate them cuz I live in Connecticut and in the 90s Kraft wanted a new stadium but Mass wouldn't help fund it so he signed an agreement with Hartford to move the team there, and then Mass agreed to help Kraft with a new stadium (Gillette) so Kraft backed out of the deal. I was young (and nieve, apparantly) and thought Connecticut was getting an NFL team. Have hated them ever since.

I do respect what they've done as an organization. One of the best dynasties ever. I will root for whichever team plays against them

I see your point. It sucks to be a pawn in a leverage game. When it was happening, I was deciding if I was going to keep being a fan if they moved to Connecticut. I am deeply attached to the Boston area.

[ChiefBenderForever]

They are called the New England Patriots, but around here in the Hartford area seems like more Giants and Jets fans. Who needs a football team here when you have the Rock Cats and the Sun ?

[ibuysportsephemera]

I guess that is why they play the games. Although I am a Giants fan...it is still good to be a NY fan.

[ChiefBenderForever]

Any given Sunday, and the Pats defense isn't that good but today is all Bradys fault he played like garbage. So does this mean Randy Moss gets the last laugh and was right all along for once in his life ?