Does it bother anyone else...

by Ironman63 on Jan 4, 2008 2:43 AM EST

... or just me? All season I have had to listen and read how the "Spygate" incident was the motivation for what the Patriots have done this year.
No one talks about the fact they lost the AFC championship game last year, and that is the reason for their motivation.
It seems that the media have forgotten the aggressive aquisitions(Moss, Welker, Thomas, Stallworth) this team got in the offseason in trades and free agency preparing for this year.
Before the first game of the year, I heard a couple of "experts" on TV predict that the Pats had the ability to run the table because of the upgrades on both sides of the ball.
Then comes the opening game against the Jets. Everyone forgot about what happened in the offseason and then said the Pats motivation was Belichick thumbing his nose at the league for getting caught cheating.
Horsepuckey!!
This team was a few seconds from going to the Super Bowl last year with suspect receivers.
Am I the only person who is not really surprised that they have won all 16 games this season?
I am thrilled to be a fan of this team and I am enjoying the ride.
With all the records being set, I personally don't believe the videotape incident had anything to do with how they played.
I believe that loss against Indy is what set everything in motion and kept it going this year.
It awoke the hunger for another Super Bowl trophy.

Anyone else feel this way, or am I way off base?

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I think you're very close to the mark

But that's not a good story that appeals to the lowest common denominator. More on this later.

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by tommasse on Jan 4, 2008 8:12 AM EST reply actions

You're not off base

Pioli is one of the best football execs in the business. He's a master, along with BB, at analyzing and acquiring talent. I'm sure the wheels were turning the minute the Pats walked off the field after the Indy loss, if not sooner.

All opposing teams and their fanbases need something to latch onto and Spygate provides that. They reach for anything to detract from the real truth: the Patriots are one of the greatest teams in modern day football. And it's not simply luck that they're in that position. We all know about the "Belichick System" or Humble Pie as I like to call it. The Patriots' success over the last several years is not about star players, but about that system. I read a great article (which I can't seem to find) posing that is the reason Belichick is so driven to win. That proving his system is successful beyond a reasonable doubt is what's driving him and, through association, everyone around him.

by MaPatsFan on Jan 4, 2008 8:23 AM EST reply actions

Agreed

No, 'spygate' was not the SOLE motivation and the media is just saying that because they are lazy and that's the easy angle. However, it has been one source of motivation, and there is no way that can be denied.

I believe their off-season moves were inspired by that Colts loss. I believe their early season motivation was clearly 'spygate'. And I believe their late season motivation was history. After 11 or 12-0, they knew that based on the schedule it could be done and they went for it.

What helped of course, was the other teams played the games of their lives to try to beat them and it made what we thought was an inevitable let-down, impossible.

by tmcn33 on Jan 4, 2008 8:23 AM EST reply actions

yea

I agree 95%. My only caveat is that from interviews with Brady and Bruschi, I think that some of the veterans were so offended by the 'taint' accusations that if they had any more to give to Belichick's humble pie program, they gave it.

I don't think Belichick gives a hoot except that he lost a draft pick.

by Mainiac on Jan 4, 2008 10:16 AM EST reply actions