Stats on Pats Weekly Article by Joshua Bonneau, southcoast247.com correspondent
The Road to Three Straight ends in Denver
Yes, it’s the end of the line for the New England Patriots, but before I bow out I want to say a few things, dammit. As I sat in a packed-to-capacity sports bar in the Back Bay area of Boston Saturday night, and as the final seconds of a very heart wrenching game ticked away on the ten plasma screens that surrounded me, I felt strangely calm.
Now I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t angry at the way they lost, uncharacteristically beating themselves with countless turnovers, penalties and missed opportunities. But as I sat there stewing in disappointment, which was only accented by thoughts of the Bruins, Celtics, and the unraveling Red Sox (which is a separate issue), I couldn’t help but think of how the Patriots helped to galvanize the nickname “City of Champions.” For that matter, they don’t have a godamn thing to prove to anyone. What’s more is that the Patriots dominated, a word that doesn’t get thrown around very often in the age of free agency and salary caps. And how did the Patriots make everybody bow down again and again for the past three (a conservative estimate) years? Quietly and graciously.
Belichick said yesterday on WEEI sports radio, in his last on air sit-down of the season that the Broncos deserved all the credit. “They made more plays than us…I give them credit for the way they performed.” Never once was an excuse made, or a finger pointed in any direction other than towards himself. In a post game press conference, Brady also applauded the Broncos for the way they picked up on the Patriot’s mistakes and said they were a strong team.
Contrast that with the Bronco’s “Enjoy the off-season, Tom,” comment in the closing seconds and you see what I mean. In a league of cheap punks, blame placers and bush league loud mouths, the Patriots are a stand up, well disciplined organization. That holds true from the top on down, and is evident in the way they scout their players, taking into account not just a prospective acquisition’s on field capabilities but also the intangibles such as sportsmanship, ability to be a team player and so on.
So what can we expect of the Patriots next year? In all likelihood the Pats will be restored to the high caliber they were before this past season’s injury meltdown, with the projected return of safety Rodney Harrison being integral. WEEI’s Glen Ordway put it nicely when he said “The Patriots have a good shelf life,” meaning with a young QB, a solid and committed ownership and most importantly a coach who is better than anybody at getting the most for the money, the Patriots are going to be strong down the road. I say this knowing full well that the defensive coordinator Eric Mangini will be leaving to fill the N.Y. Jets position as head coach, which I don’t think will have as big of an effect on the Patriots as most people think it will. Barring any other big changes, the Pats will be back in force.
Adios Pats fans. Denver, lick my balls. And I leave you with that. Now fade to black.
Yes, it’s the end of the line for the New England Patriots, but before I bow out I want to say a few things, dammit. As I sat in a packed-to-capacity sports bar in the Back Bay area of Boston Saturday night, and as the final seconds of a very heart wrenching game ticked away on the ten plasma screens that surrounded me, I felt strangely calm.
