Proof that God is a Pats fan in the skies tonight.
https://mobile.twitter.com/NBC10/status/659804859043028992
https://mobile.twitter.com/NBC10/status/659804859043028992
Kraft tried to lure NZ rugby great Dan Carter to the NFL. It seems they've been trying hard to gain an edge by recruiting from that sport.
http://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/dan-carter-reveals-he-was-tempted-to-quit-the-all-blacks-by-an-offer-from-america/49634
http://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/dan-carter-reveals-he-was-tempted-to-quit-the-all-blacks-by-an-offer-from-america/49634
Tonight's Giants win is definitely one for the "celebrating" folder. Injuries, bad calls... but the Pats' Ghost trumped the ghosts in blue.
And if that wasn't enough, the contrast between record-setting/benched PM and nails in the final 1:47 TB12 puts a cherry on top of a Sunday sundae...
And if that wasn't enough, the contrast between record-setting/benched PM and nails in the final 1:47 TB12 puts a cherry on top of a Sunday sundae...
After yesterday, Tom Brady passed Peyton in career passer rating. I don't expect that lead will change hands again.
Manning has thrown 53 interceptions in his 57 games in Denver - 3.5 seasons.
Since Brady has come back from his knee injury, he has thrown 60 picks in 105 games - that dates back to 2009.
Since Brady has come back from his knee injury, he has thrown 60 picks in 105 games - that dates back to 2009.
Re JetBlue flight video, that was me except I didn't have a seat belt on so I could jump up and down. When was the last regular season game with such an exhilarating finish? Brady's last second pass to Kenbrell Thompkins with about 5 seconds left to beat New Orleans in 2013 maybe?
I just posted about this in the Game Ball thread, but the Cleveland game in 2013 was insane. It was overshadowed by the Gronk injury, but the Pats went down 26-14 with 2:30 to go and scored a TD recovered the onside kick, and scored another TD to win it.... Except they scored so fast that the Browns actually moved the ball and had a 58-yard FG attempt at the end to win it but missed. Not as big a game from a undefeated/Giants perspective, but maybe the craziest finish I've ever seen in a Pats game -- 02 Bears and 07 Ravens and 98 Bills are up there as well.
http://www.patriots.com/news/2013/12/08/game-recap-patriots-27-browns-26
Edit: and in terms of sheer drama, the OT comeback against the Broncos in 2013 was just epic. I couldn't sleep after that game until like 2 or 3 am.
I was at that Browns game, brought my then 17 year old son to his first Pats game. The Pats were playing so poorly up to that point that I actually told him I wanted to leave to get ahead of traffic. Yes, I was being a little spoiled brat. He told me he wanted to stay to the end, so we did. And after the game, I thanked him profusely for making me stay. We were sitting on the end of the field where the Pats scored their last 2 TDs. It was very memorable for both of us.
Totally off topic, but just watching that I'm reminded of the Louis CK bit about people watching their kids perform through an iPhone instead of actually watching it. I can't even grasp the concept of paying hundreds of dollars for a Super Bowl ticket and then watching it on the four inch screen of my phone to make sure I got good FB material. And half the other people in screen shots were also doing it.
I appreciate being able to view it, I just don't understand it.
I appreciate being able to view it, I just don't understand it.
Patriots, 13 consecutive seasons of 10+ wins (2nd all time to SF's 16)
Belichick, 15 consecutive winning seasons as HC with one team (2nd all time to Landry's 20)
Belichick, 15 consecutive winning seasons as HC with one team (2nd all time to Landry's 20)
This article - highlighted in another thread - talks about dynasty near-misses. Most times, teams peak and then fade - witness the recent Celtics and Bruins championship teams, or the Rice/Lynn/etc. Sox of the 70s, which didn't win but were damn good.
Belichick has managed to avoid the flame-outs that the teams in the article (Rams, Pack, Bucs - and now maybe Seattle?) went through. A big part of that is TB12, but BB himself is likely the biggest factor. One of the comments wonders whether turning over the roster rather than keeping the band together is a better approach, and I think there's something to that...and it's certainly consistent with BB's 'a year too early rather than a year too late' approach to roster construction.
Belichick has managed to avoid the flame-outs that the teams in the article (Rams, Pack, Bucs - and now maybe Seattle?) went through. A big part of that is TB12, but BB himself is likely the biggest factor. One of the comments wonders whether turning over the roster rather than keeping the band together is a better approach, and I think there's something to that...and it's certainly consistent with BB's 'a year too early rather than a year too late' approach to roster construction.
I think that is a valid comment, but I would argue that it is mostly about salary management. NFL rosters have significantly more players than those of other sports. Belichick really puts an emphasis on depth and special teams and less emphasis on splashy free agent signings and big contracts for 'star' players.
I feel like Belichick has an advantage in that his owner has total confidence in Belichick's player evaluations. This gives Belichick the ability to construct his team for long-term goals. In addition, I think that Belichick respects the trust Kraft has given him enough to 'make the tough choices' when it comes time to let a valuable player go - when the player becomes too expensive. I'm sure it is always a tough decision - Vrabel, Wilfork, McGinest, etc.
In addition, Belichick tries to maximize the value of players on rookie deals. Under the old CBA, he had the tendency to trade back in drafts. Under the current CBA he seems to be borrowing the Ravens approach of stock piling veteran players who will sign else where to increase the Patriots numbers of compensatory draft picks. This goes back to the idea of managing the salary as effectively as possible for the entire roster including special teams players and third string players.
If you watch Do Your Job, the 2014 season again, tell me if Dave DeGuglielmo doesn't sound like Clemenza in the Godfather.
From yesterday's BB press conference transcript, in response to the question "With the injuries you've had, do you pull a guy aside and talk to him about the next-man-up mentality or is that something that is expected with the Patriots?" - a great illustration of why Belichick is a great coach:
"Look, every player that's in that room has a job to do and they have a role on the team and they're all important and they know that. They know that from day one. There's no grey area there. It's black and white. We all have a job to do. That's why we're here. We're not fans. We all have something to contribute to the team. That's being ready to go to do whatever it is that the team needs you to do. It could be something on Wednesday. It could be something on Thursday. It could be something on Sunday. Whatever it is we all need to be ready to do that. Those things may change from week to week, they may change from day to day and that's part of being prepared and being ready. That's everybody. There is nobody that's not in the category – nobody."
Edit - sorry, forgot the link: http://www.patriots.com/news/2015/11/25/bill-belichick-press-conference-transcript-1125
"Look, every player that's in that room has a job to do and they have a role on the team and they're all important and they know that. They know that from day one. There's no grey area there. It's black and white. We all have a job to do. That's why we're here. We're not fans. We all have something to contribute to the team. That's being ready to go to do whatever it is that the team needs you to do. It could be something on Wednesday. It could be something on Thursday. It could be something on Sunday. Whatever it is we all need to be ready to do that. Those things may change from week to week, they may change from day to day and that's part of being prepared and being ready. That's everybody. There is nobody that's not in the category – nobody."
Edit - sorry, forgot the link: http://www.patriots.com/news/2015/11/25/bill-belichick-press-conference-transcript-1125
If I didn't just polish off an entire plate of snickerdoodles id be ready to run through a wall for that man.
"It could be something on Wednesday. It could be something on Thursday. It could be something on Sunday."
I love that part.
I love that part.
I have a lot of concert footage, and it annoys me when people say negative things about it. If you have good hand-eye coordination, you can get fairly steady, centered video without having to watch the screen.
Having said that, I do admit that when you look around, most people who are filming are indeed watching through their phones.
It's crazy to me that I learn learn so much from a man who never spoke to me or even thought about me. Outstanding.
QFT. I had a whole file built around quotes from preseason press conferences 10 or so years ago - it was more like philosophy than football.
How good was the drive to set up the game-tying field goal last night? The Patriots, fighting attrition and (arguably) the refs, displayed incredible poise and precision that would be remarkable for most teams but was just "ho hum" among the best game-tying-or-winning drives that Brady has led. I can't know how the Pats felt, but I felt jobbed by the ticky-tack holding call on Branch's sack that set up the TD. Then the debacle with the excess time out and winding the clock. I loved the cut to the sideline in time to see Belichick shout WTF after talking to the ref... and yet, Brady and company (down several key skill players on offense) just did their jobs, tied the game, and had a shot to win it. The circumstances would've crushed most teams, but not the Pats.
I just posted on another forum (multi-teams represented) that the Gronk injury and the realization of what that may mean to the longer term goal, stole the enjoyment of what was really an amazing clutch drive under highly adverse conditions.
Agree 100%. That drive showed a ton of heart and resolve. Now that the long term goal still appears to be in play, think the adversity will serve them well going forward. Love this effing team.
The last drive in regulation was clinical.
Last night's loss snapped a 13 game winning streak, which is the 5th streak of at least 10 wins in the BB/Brady era and 8th of at least 7 wins.
I believe 7 wins (in 1994) was the longest the franchise had in its previous four decades of existence.
Last night's loss snapped a 13 game winning streak, which is the 5th streak of at least 10 wins in the BB/Brady era and 8th of at least 7 wins.
I believe 7 wins (in 1994) was the longest the franchise had in its previous four decades of existence.
So, another division title. The 13th under BB, the 15th since Kraft bought the team, and the 17th overall for the Pats since 1970.
The Dolphins have won the 2nd most (13), followed by the Bills (7), Colts (6) and bringing up the rear, you guessed it, Gang Green with 2 division titles. So the Jets would have to win the next four in a row to tie the Colts who haven't been in the division in 13 seasons. The Pats more than three times as may division titles during the Obama administration as the Jets have since Nixon was in office.
But I digress . . .
The Pats had won the division 4 times in their history prior to 2000 ('78, '86, '96, '97).
Since BB arrived in Foxboro they have won 13 of 16 and two of the three times they didn't win they lost on tiebreakers.
Celebrate what is.
The Dolphins have won the 2nd most (13), followed by the Bills (7), Colts (6) and bringing up the rear, you guessed it, Gang Green with 2 division titles. So the Jets would have to win the next four in a row to tie the Colts who haven't been in the division in 13 seasons. The Pats more than three times as may division titles during the Obama administration as the Jets have since Nixon was in office.
But I digress . . .
The Pats had won the division 4 times in their history prior to 2000 ('78, '86, '96, '97).
Since BB arrived in Foxboro they have won 13 of 16 and two of the three times they didn't win they lost on tiebreakers.
Celebrate what is.
Seeing a bit on Comcast's show last night juxtaposing Dilfer's death rites last year after the Chiefs game and Bedard's whining after the recent Eagles loss was priceless.
Part of celebrating what is...seeing mediots going off the deep end about their prospects.
Now, yeah, Bedard isn't the national figure that Dilfer is, and he's actually pretty good. But still, that snippet has potential. The Pats have a lot of work still in front of them. But having that hysteria get replayed forever would be nice.
Part of celebrating what is...seeing mediots going off the deep end about their prospects.
Now, yeah, Bedard isn't the national figure that Dilfer is, and he's actually pretty good. But still, that snippet has potential. The Pats have a lot of work still in front of them. But having that hysteria get replayed forever would be nice.
We know about the four Super Bowl championships (which are more important than anything else here), but look at how consistently excellent the Patriots have been. Last six seasons' regular season records:
2010 - 14-2, lost divisional round
2011 - 13-3, lost Super Bowl
2012 - 12-4, lost AFCCG
2013 - 12-4, lost AFCCG
2014 - 12-4, won Super Bowl
2015 - 11-2
They'll finish with 12+ wins again this year, making it six years in a row with 12 or more victories. The great 49ers teams that had the great run in the 80s and 90s never had more than three straight seasons with 12+ wins. Only the Indianapolis Colts from 2003-2009 had a longer run (12-4, 12-4, 14-2, 12-4, 13-3, 12-4, 14-2).
And think about the turnover from the 2010 roster till now. Here are the players from 2010 that are still on the roster now:
Tom Brady
Rob Gronkowski
Julian Edelman
Sebastian Vollmer
Rob Ninkovich
Jerod Mayo
Devin McCourty
Patrick Chung
Stephen Gostkowski
Matthew Slater
Ryan Wendell
That's 11 of 65 players listed on pro-football-reference.com. They've turned over 54 players in a six year span (83%) and still maintained an incredibly high level of performance.
2010 - 14-2, lost divisional round
2011 - 13-3, lost Super Bowl
2012 - 12-4, lost AFCCG
2013 - 12-4, lost AFCCG
2014 - 12-4, won Super Bowl
2015 - 11-2
They'll finish with 12+ wins again this year, making it six years in a row with 12 or more victories. The great 49ers teams that had the great run in the 80s and 90s never had more than three straight seasons with 12+ wins. Only the Indianapolis Colts from 2003-2009 had a longer run (12-4, 12-4, 14-2, 12-4, 13-3, 12-4, 14-2).
And think about the turnover from the 2010 roster till now. Here are the players from 2010 that are still on the roster now:
Tom Brady
Rob Gronkowski
Julian Edelman
Sebastian Vollmer
Rob Ninkovich
Jerod Mayo
Devin McCourty
Patrick Chung
Stephen Gostkowski
Matthew Slater
Ryan Wendell
That's 11 of 65 players listed on pro-football-reference.com. They've turned over 54 players in a six year span (83%) and still maintained an incredibly high level of performance.
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I think that that level of turnover is not at all uncommon. A few years back, (maybe after 2007-2008?), I looked at the Pats turnover and it seemed like it was regularly about 1/3 (17/53) new faces each year just to start the season. Throw in in-season turnover as well as the low average career for an NFL player (something like 4 years IIRC) and an 83% turnover in six years actually seems almost low, especially when you consider that you are including the PS.
I don't think the point is the turnover itself. Its the remarkable fact that despite the high rate of player turnover that *every* team goes through, the Patriots run has continued unabated without the mediocrity interregnum that every team seems to have as they inevitably re-tool. Some are shorter than others (Pittsburgh, Baltimore), and some seem to go on forever (Buffalo) but 15-year runs like this are nearly unprecedented.
Agreed.
The two most important elements, of course, are two where the Patriots have fortunately been able to avoid any turnover: head coach and starting QB.
That's the point, joe dokes. Turnover is inevitable. But it was less so back in the day, when there was no free agency or salary caps. You could keep your core together longer, and the core would be bigger. In just six seasons (5, really, starting from the end of the 2010 season to the start of the 2015 season), turning over 83% of the roster may be normal for today's NFL. But doing so and maintaining the highest level of excellence in the league is not normal.
What the Patriots have done is just beyond incredible.
What the Patriots have done is just beyond incredible.
Yep. This is the key. Excellent and consistent management and coaching, and an all-time great QB. Excellence and stability at the two most important points of the organization.
Inside Malcolm Butler's Journey from 'Reject' Prospect to Revis Replacement
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2599007-inside-malcolm-butlers-journey-from-reject-prospect-to-revis-replacement
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2599007-inside-malcolm-butlers-journey-from-reject-prospect-to-revis-replacement
I'm going to go watch a couple SB49 reaction videos before bed. Because I can.
Giddy up
Still my fav:
I've been told my reaction was remarkably similar to the "ahhhhhhhhhh he fucking picked it, he fucking picked the ball! (Punches wall) ahhhhhh" guy who appears in a bunch of the compilation videos but isn't posted here (sans wall punch).
Edit: here he is up first
Giddy up
Still my fav:
I've been told my reaction was remarkably similar to the "ahhhhhhhhhh he fucking picked it, he fucking picked the ball! (Punches wall) ahhhhhh" guy who appears in a bunch of the compilation videos but isn't posted here (sans wall punch).
Edit: here he is up first
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6th straight season of 12 or more wins. Only the Colts with 7 straight seasons (2003 - 2009) have had a longer streak.
10th season overall with at least 12 wins. Only SF (13) and Dallas (11) have more since the Merger.
6th straight season with a bye, which extends their NFL record. Since the current 12 team playoff format was adopted in 1990 the Pats have earned a bye a record 10 times. No other team has more than 8.
10th season overall with at least 12 wins. Only SF (13) and Dallas (11) have more since the Merger.
6th straight season with a bye, which extends their NFL record. Since the current 12 team playoff format was adopted in 1990 the Pats have earned a bye a record 10 times. No other team has more than 8.
Cross-posting this from the "ref's" thread here because it deserves some love in this thread. Seriously, this is a great explanation of part of what makes me enjoy watching the Pats.
I want to fuck that post and have little post babies with it. We'd raise the post babies and live happily ever after to the end of days.
