Our writer has provided us with a preview of this Years Superbowl. My apologies in advance to all Patriots fans. You can find the article by clicking on the columnists link on the left hand side or by clicking here http://www.nfl-forums.com/articles/ Please feel free to leave your feedback.
Not bad. The panthers kicker is John Kasay not Karney but an honest mistake. He picked us so I'm not sure if that is good or bad but honestly I'm sick of hearing how this front four is going to manhandle us. That is an absolute joke. They will not sack brady. He will even at points have all night to find a receiver.
Nothing like good ole' fashion WICKED confidence. I hope you're right for your sake Pats. The New England fans I've talked to have been awfully cocky going into this game. For the record, I do think the Pats will win, but I thought the Rams were going to win in 2001 and I think they had the same attitude that most Patriot fans have now. Being humbled is never fun.
oh I understand totally and I have been cocky but 14 straight wins will do that to you. I have said all along that it will be a tough game and of course anything can happen but I'm just sick of reading about this front four. I mean I'm sorry but they are not much better than Kerse, Carter, Haynesworth, robaire smith and I know that they have two guys that rotate in that are all talented and what did they do to brady? Nothing. Nada . Zilch. No sacks at all in the playoffs. I may be exaggerating saying they won't sack brady but its just cause I'm sick of hearing the National media and anyone outside of New England proclaiming the matchup of our O-line against their front 4 a mismatch. I think that alone will propel our line to do more than hold its own against a very talanted but NOT unstoppable front four. Another thing is If I read another line saying they have the best FRONT 7 in football I'll explode. That is just rediculous. We stopped teh run and the pass better than those average at best LB's. Dan Morguen is a cripple and could be a really good LB should he stay healthy for a few season and Witherspoon and Favors are both solid players but hardly in the upper teir of outside LB's. The reason I feel so strongly about their overrated LB's is because I had the NFL Ticket and had their Defense all season on my big money fantay league. I'd say I watched 75% of their defensive snaps when they weren't at the same time as the Pats so they are hardly some noname group to me and I honestly wasn't overly impressed with their play against some very mediocre teams. The Pats have done it all year against the Brass of the NFL to the tune of 9-0 (counting playoffs) against teams with a winning record and all of them had 10 or more wins during the season. As for the panthers they were 1-4 against good teams during the season but have gotten it right when it really counts and of course are 3-0 in the playoffs. But they are the BEST FRONT 7 IN THE NFL. ha
Well, in my opinion, the media has to keep it interesting. I mean if the media didn't stir this up to be a competition then people wouldn't want to watch the game. Do you remember San Diego playing the 49ers in '94? That was hyped up, but I knew it wouldn't even be close. I bet the 49ers fans were tired of the media talking about Stan Humphries too. It's all perspective.
Ya I here ya on that aspect but being a fan of the Pats it just gets tiresome hearing about their front seven and when the media gives all the credit to belichick instead of some of the great players we have. Also some in the media (ex. marino) refuse to admit if the pats win it will be one of the best single seasons ever by a team compareable to the bears of 85 and teh closest to the dolphins undefeatd season in terms of consecutaive wins . Which should make this patriot team one of the best of all time. Of course again this is all IF they win. Somehow though it will be the stars aligned or Madam whatever put a curse on the NFL or some stupid reason that keeps us from being compared to even the 2000 ravens who in my mind we would have blown that team away.
It seems like Marino never really has too many good things to say about the Pats. I remember when the playoffs were starting he claimed that there were 2 teams above the rest in the NFC, Eagles and Rams and it would be very hard to beat either one at home. He also said ANYONE can go up into New England and win.
I'm not sure I see the comparison of the 2003 Pats & 2000 Ravens. I don't think your defense is as dominant. It's just not the same kind of defense. This team doesn't have a Jamal Lewis type back. And I would take Brady over Dilfer any day. So there really isn't much as far as similarities go. As for this Pats beating that Ravens team, I think you're getting a bit zealous with the "blown away" comment. Nobody blew the Ravens away that year. As far as the Pats getting their props, they will be remember as a great team because of winning 2 out of 3 years. And who knows, maybe they'll repeat next year as well (if they win Sunday). I think it's a bit early to assume what people will think of this Patriots team in 5 or 10 years. It's hard to ever think of any team as a dynasty team now that the NFL has changed so much Free Agency has all but taken the ability to win back-to-back championships. The times have changed my friend.
The 49ers weren't winning back to back championships and they were a dynasty. It's just about consistency not neccessarily back to back. I was exaggerating with the blown away comment but I just get pissed when the same guys that were ballwashing the tampa bay defense last year are not willing to give new england the same credit they deserve and say they think Carolina has a better defense.
The Bucs defense was good last year. I don't know if you've been paying attention, but the Bucs have had a great defense for the last 5 years under Dungy as well as Gruden. This year was the first year that the defense hadn't played up to par. I think being that it was one year, that this year was the odd year, not the last 5. They just finally put it all together and won a championship. But once again, no one will confuse them as a dynasty type team. I will say one thing. Carolina's defense has less talent per player and they get more out of their talent. Del Rio knew what he was doing and so does Fox. But are they better? No, absolutely not.
I know about the bucs and the great job Dungy lovie smith and kiffin did with that defense. Gruden just walked into a good situation on that side of the ball. I wans't taking anything away from them last season they were amazing. I agree that if you matched it up our D would have more proven players but I wouldn't say the talent level is that much different. We do have two rookies playing alot and a tyrone pool who rose from the ashes it seems to finally relize his potential. Also I don't think you can say anyone ges more out of their talant than the pats just because of the number of players we rotate in and out of the lineup. Don't forget the 40+ starters we had this season and all of them had 1 game where they made a huge play. One ex is special teamer Matt Chatam. He had been in the league for 3 or 4 years never playing a down on defense then starts at OLB for a few weeks and has a solid game vs tenn then scores a touchdown in the rain on a fumble recovery against the Giants the following week that was the difference in a sloppy game. Asante Samuel had a pick for a touchdown as well that won a game. Fox is a great coach and I'm scared to see how much better carolina will get since they are young and are very talented on D. As for Del rio I didn't like some of his tactics with Brunell this year but man did that Defense get real good as the season went on. I give alot of credit as well for installing a very good system down there. I'm sure they will be giving Tenn and Indy a run for there money next year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pats37)</div><div class='quotemain'>They will not sack brady. He will even at points have all night to find a receiver.</div> I guess I wasn't overboard with my prediction huh steelerfan. Maybe Sapp will give our line credit now.
No, the offensive line did a great job protecting Brady. It was a great game. Of course you and I both know that I never once picked the Panthers to win the Super Bowl over your Pats.
I was just busting you cause I said it thats all. I know as much as it hurt you to do it you were with us. I think maybe next year Matt Light will make the probowl for the first time. He is one of the more underrated LT in the game. The guy shut's down anyone he faces.
