Congratulations to the Colts. What a hell of a game. During the 1st half I told a friend that the game couldn't be going any better for us. I was even close to feeling sorry for Peyton as the fans were really statrting to get on him. To start the 2nd half w/ those 2 drives took a lot out of our defense. The DL couldn't get to Manning or fill the gaps when they ran the ball. The DBs played terrific all day, but in the end the Colts success with the running game was what did us in. The officiating was excellent with the exceptin of maybe 1 or 2 calls. Brady gave it everything he had. I know Reche had a couple wide open dropped balls, but neither would have made a big difference. I would have liked to see them run the ball a little more in the 2nd half, but I can't argue with the aggressive play calling. Getting that 1st down with 2:30 to go in the game would have probably put the game away, but it wasn't mean to be. The game winning TD was indicative of how the 2nd half was going. Vince Wilfork got leveled by Saturday leaving a huge hole for Addai to walk right in for the score. The DL which was the strenth of the team all year was beatup & exhausted. The Colts played great & earned a well deserved trip to Miami. I'm stunned & disappointed we didn't get it done, but at the same time I'm happy for Peyton & his team. I will definitely be rooting for them in 2 weeks.
Not an excuse why the pats didnt run the ball, but to me Corey Dillion looked very sick. Right after Steven made that FG. Hey that was the best game ever. I hope Peyton take it all the way. He has been in the league about 9 years now, and deserve a Ring. If he cannot win this BIG GAME. He will join Marino, but if he take this BIG GAME. Maybe he try out for one more year, follow John Elway.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (porky88)</div><div class='quotemain'>What a Game!! This was the best NFL game I've watched in years. Probably since the Tuck Rule game. I'm happy for Manning and Tony Dungy. New England will be back next year no doubt but this year the Colts got the best of them. The Best teams in each respective conference is playing for the Super Bowl. I can hardly wait.</div> You're Right. Even though the Pats lost, but it was the best show on turf. Defense were great. Offense special teams, touchdown by both offensives line, Peyton came back, Gaffney tremendous TD catch, Asaunte INT for a TD, Dallas Clark wonderful catch, Ellis Hobbs kickreturn & and save a touchdown to Reggie Wayne, Etc. There's alot more. I hope Peyton take it all the way. Sorry Chicago. Indy playoff. A. Stop LJ from KC. High scoring team. B. Peyton drove their offense on down field on a NUMBER 1 defense(Raven) C. After the AFC against Pats, they have more Confidence. D. Chicago (rex) alot young players.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (porky88)</div><div class='quotemain'>What a Game!! This was the best NFL game I've watched in years. Probably since the Tuck Rule game. I'm happy for Manning and Tony Dungy. New England will be back next year no doubt but this year the Colts got the best of them. The Best teams in each respective conference is playing for the Super Bowl. I can hardly wait.</div> I doubt we'll be back next season. We're getting old and tired in a lot of positions and we have a pretty tough schedule. I'm thinking no better than 9-7 for the Pats in '07. Hey, I'm just calling it like I see it now. Our 2007 schedule: Home - Dolphins, Bills, Jets, Browns, Steelers, Eagles, Redskins, TBD AFC West team (Denver or SD, me thinks) Away - Dolphins, Bills, Jets, Ravens, Bengals, Cowboys, Giants, TBD AFC South team (HAS to be Indy)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TheBeef)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pats_Fan420)</div><div class='quotemain'>However, I can guarantee you that if Tomlinson became a free agent tomorrow, and that "classless" Bill Belichick called him and offered him a boatload of money and a chance to play for a Super Bowl championship with the Patriots, there would be a press conference in Foxboro the next day. .</div> Wow, you broke Bakes record....now you have the title for "saying the stupidest thing ever on these forums"....congrats....will you be having a press conference?</div> LOL, thanks for the crow. It tastes GREAT. uke:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (bakes781)</div><div class='quotemain'>I'm stunned & disappointed we didn't get it done, but at the same time I'm happy for Peyton & his team. I will definitely be rooting for them in 2 weeks.</div> In Jim Mora's Coors Light voice, "You kiddin' me?" I'm a DIE HARD Bears fan for the next few weeks. I can't stand the thought of thousands of Manning commercials for the next decade. I'm sure we'll see them anyway just because he got to the big game but if he wins all hell will break loose and the entire NFL community will be flooded with nothing but Manning this and Manning that.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pats_Fan420)</div><div class='quotemain'>Our 2007 schedule: Home - Dolphins, Bills, Jets, Browns, Steelers, Eagles, Redskins, TBD AFC West team (Denver or SD, me thinks) Away - Dolphins, Bills, Jets, Ravens, Bengals, Cowboys, Giants, TBD AFC South team (HAS to be Indy)</div> It is SD & Indy. They matchup all the division winners. It's not going to be easy, but with a solid draft & some key FA signings we can actually improve despite the almost certain loss of Samuels. The record may be worse, but the team could very well be right back in the AFC title game again. I think they've proven to belong amongst the elite.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (bakes781)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pats_Fan420)</div><div class='quotemain'>Our 2007 schedule: Home - Dolphins, Bills, Jets, Browns, Steelers, Eagles, Redskins, TBD AFC West team (Denver or SD, me thinks) Away - Dolphins, Bills, Jets, Ravens, Bengals, Cowboys, Giants, TBD AFC South team (HAS to be Indy)</div> It is SD & Indy. They matchup all the division winners. It's not going to be easy, but with a solid draft & some key FA signings we can actually improve despite the almost certain loss of Samuels. The record may be worse, but the team could very well be right back in the AFC title game again. I think they've proven to belong amongst the elite.</div> I don't know about you but I feel like the Pats have lost some steam because of players, coaching, or both in the past few years. I watched Super Bowl XXXVI as well as the previous playoff games against the Colts this weekend and those Pats teams were beasts. They really were. They had talented, smash-mouth players and coaches that were second to none. Weis and Crennel were Gods during their time here. I think we're a team that can "reload" instead of having to "rebuild" but I think it will take at least a season or two to do it. I do predict ring #4 within the next 5 seasons though.
The foundation of any successful team is at the offensive & defensive line. And for the Pats they have a solid young group that is pretty much all tied up for the long term on both sides. You add Brady & Belichick & the foundation is very much secure. They do need to add some serious youth to the LB core. And with the disappointment of Chad Jackson they'll probably need to add depth at WR. Trying to replace Samuels will be difficult, but I felt Hobbs showed signs that he can be a consistent shutdown corner.
Samuels had a teriffic game yesterday. He took on Marvin H, and battle back and fourth. Everybody know that Harrison is going to the Hall of Fame, and Samuel learned alot playing against one of the top WR. He's still learning. But lets hope that he doesnt ask for too much MONEY since his contract is due. I dont think Troy Brown is coming back, Teddy Brucski getting old. So this Pats Rookie need to step up, and hopefully draft the perfect guy for their system. Smart player, not talent player.
[quote name='bakes781']The foundation of any successful team is at the offensive & defensive line. And for the Pats they have a solid young group that is pretty much all tied up for the long term on both sides. You add Brady & Belichick & the foundation is very much secure.[/quote] I agree. We have a hell of a line on both O and D and I think they will be better next season than they were this season. if so, we'll be a good team. YES they do. Bruschi simply won't cut it anymore in a full time, every down role. Vrabel and Colvin need to be outside full time but even Vrabel seems to be struggling lately. Maybe he just needs an offseason to rest and he'll be ready to go again. Banta-Cain showed some signs of potential but I have my doubts about him in a full time role. The only LB I feel fully confident about right now is Colvin. Picking up Briggs from Chicago would be a plus because he is a great player and he will be 27 in November but his price tag is extremely high. Maybe Seau will be back but I don't think he can last a full season, injured or not. He was busting his ass for us but he may have been dogging it like the rest of the guys if he hadn't been injured. I also think the D as a whole needs to work on conditioning this offseason. This is irritating me. Why the hell did Jackson turn out to be such a bust this season? I thought he was supposed to be the next Steve Smith or Marvin Harrison. I hope we keep Samuel but I think it is unlikely. We do need help in the secondary though so you never know. Samuel has said that he wants to stay if the situation is right. We need to get used to the fact that Harrison will never be as bad ass as he used to be and he may retire soon.
