Not defending them this time

guppy wrote:My team, the Patriots, deserved what they got this time. Totally shit the bed in the second half (and really at the end of the first half when they completely screwed up the time management and were forced to settle for a FG, without even giving themselves a shot at the end zone, and seriously, the game was probably lost right there when they came out of the half with only a six point lead, and I'm sure the Ravens feel really good going into the half). Probably the worst half of Patriots football I've seen since Tony Eason was QB. Its mind boggling how bad they were in the second half. Think of it this way. They were 67-0 at Gillette when leading at the half. Now they're 67-1. Absolutely crazy.

I'm not defending them this time with regard to their overall performance in this game -- both halfs, so if any of you want to have at a Patriots fan (it has to me since I'm the only one on this board), go ahead, take your shot, I don't mind. The Pats are good. Just not good enough; I certainly get that. What changes they need for next year is another discussion. Were they overrated this year with that point spread? Obviously, yes. But thats not their fault, they don't set the spread. I hope they are never favored in any game ever again. Being the underdog is the way to go, and produces the best attitude in players' heads going into a game. I'm not hiding, and I'm not hiding the fact that this loss sucks. So go ahead fans, fire away.

guppy wrote:My team, the Patriots, deserved what they got this time. Totally shit the bed in the second half (and really at the end of the first half when they completely screwed up the time management and were forced to settle for a FG, without even giving themselves a shot at the end zone, and seriously, the game was probably lost right there when they came out of the half with only a six point lead, and I'm sure the Ravens feel really good going into the half). Probably the worst half of Patriots football I've seen since Tony Eason was QB. Its mind boggling how bad they were in the second half. Think of it this way. They were 67-0 at Gillette when leading at the half. Now they're 67-1. Absolutely crazy.

I'm not defending them this time with regard to their overall performance in this game -- both halfs, so if any of you want to have at a Patriots fan (it has to me since I'm the only one on this board), go ahead, take your shot, I don't mind. The Pats are good. Just not good enough; I certainly get that. What changes they need for next year is another discussion. Were they overrated this year with that point spread? Obviously, yes. But thats not their fault, they don't set the spread. I hope they are never favored in any game ever again. Being the underdog is the way to go, and produces the best attitude in players' heads going into a game. I'm not hiding, and I'm not hiding the fact that this loss sucks. So go ahead fans, fire away.

LRJets wrote:They're soft Gup. As a team, they're just soft. They pride themselves on being tough and aggressive when they're smacking around the Colts and Bills and Texans of the world, but when they start getting smacked back, or smacked first, they wilt.

George you left out dirty....



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guppy wrote:George, they are soft. They were out physicaled, no doubt. When Talib went out, that did change things. They sucked in the Red Zone without Gronk, who is the biggest red zone threat. Still, they need more physical players next year. This year, the bottom line is, a pretty darn good year got exposed and wiped away in merely 2 quarters of football.

I don't know how intentional Brady's high leg was or not. Didn't look good though. I said I'm not defending them, and I'm not defending that move either. If he gets fined, so be it, I won't argue it. That play pissed me off as much as any in the game. I know -- everybody knows -- he can't run. But, to me, in that spot, he's got to at least try. Try for the first, or try for the sideline to stop the clock and save the timeout. It was both a horrible decision to slide, and a horrible slide itself. Screw it. Fine the fucker. Grrrrrrr. Excuse me, I'm going to go punch a wall now.

~Sheila~ wrote:

guppy wrote:My team, the Patriots, deserved what they got this time. Totally shit the bed in the second half (and really at the end of the first half when they completely screwed up the time management and were forced to settle for a FG, without even giving themselves a shot at the end zone, and seriously, the game was probably lost right there when they came out of the half with only a six point lead, and I'm sure the Ravens feel really good going into the half). Probably the worst half of Patriots football I've seen since Tony Eason was QB. Its mind boggling how bad they were in the second half. Think of it this way. They were 67-0 at Gillette when leading at the half. Now they're 67-1. Absolutely crazy.

I'm not defending them this time with regard to their overall performance in this game -- both halfs, so if any of you want to have at a Patriots fan (it has to me since I'm the only one on this board), go ahead, take your shot, I don't mind. The Pats are good. Just not good enough; I certainly get that. What changes they need for next year is another discussion. Were they overrated this year with that point spread? Obviously, yes. But thats not their fault, they don't set the spread. I hope they are never favored in any game ever again. Being the underdog is the way to go, and produces the best attitude in players' heads going into a game. I'm not hiding, and I'm not hiding the fact that this loss sucks. So go ahead fans, fire away.

Yes, it does suck when your team loses, sorry for you that they lost. I do agree though, a game is always more exciting when your team is the underdog! Sometimes, the expectations are just too great from the top dog team.

LRJets wrote:Hey Gup....you've always been a good sport in good and bad times re: NE. This entire season when I read something Jets by PFT (Florio and crew), they seem to instigate the troops and there are more comments from Jets haters than any other team. From Feet to Buttfumbles, to tattoos, to new GMs to Tebow, etc. etc. Count NE fans as major contributors.

I always reply that "you assistant shipping and receiving clerks get a lot of coffee breaks" (and other things) and yes many come from Pats fans.

You are a shining example of fairness.........so.........I have to tell ya..

NE has not won a thing since Eric Mangini has departed.



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George1963 wrote:I think the Pats threw the game so James Ihedigbo could have another shot at a ring.