Yankee Fans Unite

Al are you kidding me? You met the man--so that means you know him now?
I bet he opened up like a book to you too?

Harry Carson not liking him doesn't hold much weight. Heck even Joe Torre had 3 or 4 players that didn't like him. Does that mean Joe Torre is all the things you said Bill Belichick is?

Chris the sun came up in New England today.
But I'm glad you still have your perfection--I mean that.

I'm just messin with John. I wouldn't have had any problem with the Pats moving into Perfectville. They are stiil a great team and what they did was incredible. I was probably rooting for the Giants more because they were my team before I moved to Florida. My dad and a couple of my brothers are lifelong Giant fans as well. Now, if the today's Fins ever beat New England again, I will gloat.

With Parcells in the front office, it might happen next year.

I wonder what this loss will do to the Pats? Will it create an internal mess or will they regroup and start again?

I think they need a whole new defense, personally. The linebackers are old and the secondary is very suspect.

I think the Pats will be fine, as long as they have Brady and Belechick. I would agree with you on the D though. Gotta keep it young.

It will be difficult for the Patriots to get back to the Superbowl next year, that's for sure. But they could very well make it in two years. Depends on who they keep and who they bring in.

I think part of the problem in sports with teams not achieving the same level of success as in the previous year is that they get worn down. I think the Colts suffered from that this year, which was part of the reason they lost to San Diego. The Giants and Patriots are obviously the two least rested teams right now and that will affect them by the end of next season.

You think the extra couple games will make a difference?
There does seem to be a problem with many of the SB teams--winners and losers even making the playoffs the following year. Yes, it happens and probably happens a lot, but for being at the top of the league, not making the playoffs the following year happens a lot too (Steelers last year).
Or if they do make the playoffs, they often fall short in the early rounds (like the Colts this year or the Pats after their repeat year).

I think the Giants aren't as good a team as they have showed in the last 6 weeks (5 games, including the season finale against NE). They got hot at the right time. Will they build off this, or will they plummet like some champions do (Steelers, Buccaneers)

Thing is, how much do the Patriots change?

The offense will look the same, I can't think of anything they need there.

Defensively, along the line, you don't get much better than Warren-Wilfork-Seymour. No moves there.

Vrabel is a great LB. Adalius Thomas, they made a big investment in him, he's not going anywhere. Bruschi and Seau, the only possibilities for change there, but did Bruschi really play poorly enough to lose his job?

Then you look at the secondary. Samuel is one of the 4 or 5 best CB's in football, he's locked in place. Now, the other 3 positions in the secondary, I could see them making some moves, sure. Maybe getting bigger and more athletic at corner by replacing Ellis Hobbs with the young Bradnon Meriweather.

But otherwise, I just don't see how New England's going to look all that different next year.

I dont know why they'd feel that way to be honest. They should thank the Patriots - the Patriots showed how very difficult what they achieved actually is.

I haven't liked how they've come across in interviews with them, they've come across as mean spirited. Of course, that could be selective editing too.

Rosevelt Colvin will be back from injury. He will replace Seau who will likely retire. Bruschi is nearly ready to retire.
Asante Samuel was I believe franchise tagged, I don't know if he will be back. But I wouldnt care--I dont like his attitude.
Hobbs and Gay are good, but they tend to get burned at times. And Rodney Harrison is older too.
The front D-line is good for now yes, Tip.

Maroney had a good second half after an injury plagued 1st half and a under utilized middle of the season. He could become a good back. I don't know if Moss will be back. Depends if they resign him. His attitude is fair but I like his talent. He was quick to judge after the SB--not cool.
I love Welker. He's small, but over achieves. And Gafney and Stallworth aren't bad options.
The offensive line may need some work. They certainly didn't show up yesterday.
Mostly though I think the linebackers and secondary need the most improvement. Having Colvin back will help, but they need 1 or 2 more LBs.

I have to wonder if getting to the SB leaves the teams with a let down, win or lose, that makes it tough to repeat. I think the Pats will be fine, but I think Belichick is going to have tons of criticism on him throughout the year, which can affect how he does. He appeared to have a chip on his shoulder and the one play where they went for it on 4th down instead of trying for a FG could have been over confidence.

I was surprised by that call at the time. 50 yarder.... hey even a pooch punt to bury NY inside the 10 would have been better.

It's a long off season---he should bounce back despite the criticism. We'll see.

I think all the talk that will go on will be taken hard by Belichick and the Pats, but it won't kill their franchise. I think they need to get their offensive line a little younger and quicker, but that isn't Belichick's style. I think the Giants kept up their level of play through the whole game, which caught the Pats by surprise. Every other team that put pressure on Brady this season faded by the end of the game. Maybe they were playing the averages, didn't count on the Giants keeping it up.

Anyway, the Pats will be talked of for better and for worse, about this magic season and what could have been. In fact it came pretty darn close. Without that one play - Eli slipping and Tyree gripping - I think the Pats would have completed the season undefeated.

Really?

Ask any NFL player who knew Carson if they agree.

I'll bet you to a man they disagree.

you still stuck back there Al?