The Redeem Team Cannot Be Stopped
by Richard Hill on Jan 23, 2012 1:00 AM EST
in Opinion/Analysis
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PrintPeople have called the Patriots team the "Redeem Team." The franchise has suffered from some rather inglorious exits since their last Super Bowl victory in 2004.
2005: Denver Broncos shellack the Patriots.
2006: Indianapolis Colts successfully complete the greatest comeback in post-season histroy.
2007: New York Giants end the Patriots bid to go 19-0.
2008: Kansas City Chiefs and safety Bernard Pollard end Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's season.
2009: Baltimore Ravens embarrass the Patriots at home.
2010: New York Jets defeat the Patriots for a second consecutive one-and-done season.
The Patriots now have the chance to right all that has been wrong in the football world. This season is for redemption. This team cannot be stopped.
The Patriots destroyed the Broncos twice and wrecked the Tebow Train in the playoffs. '05 Redeemed.
The Patriots beat the Colts and overcame a last quarter comeback. Oh, and the Super Bowl is in Indianapolis- consider it a potential double whammy to the Patriots main rival of the past decade. '06 Redeemed.
The Patriots have the chance to exact revenge on the 2007 team as the squad prepares to face the Giants in the Super Bowl. '07 Redemption Pending.
The Patriots crushed the Chiefs and also eliminated Pollard's current team from the playoffs. '08 Redeemed.
The Patriots beat the Ravens in the AFC Championship game to head to the Super Bowl. '09 Redeemed.
The Patriots swept the Jets in the regular season and watched the Jets fragile locker room implode. '10 Redeemed.
---
There is one more step to go. The Patriots have a chance to fix everything that has gone wrong over the past few years and can make everything right with one successful 60 minute performance.
This is the team to do it because the 2011 New England Patriots are playing for one another. They're playing for Dan Koppen, lost at the beginning of the season. They're playing for Andre Carter, the Patriots best defensive player on a forgettable defense, who was lost at the end of the season.
They're playing for Brian Waters, one of the best guards in the history of the game, who just wants to end his career on a positive note. They're playing for Chad Ochocinco, one of the best receivers of the past decade; a player who bought into the system and is giving the team everything he has, even if it doesn't seem like enough. They're playing for Marcus Cannon, the rookie who beat cancer and came back to the field to help the team to victory.
They're playing for the 53 active players. They're playing for the 12 players on the injured reserve. They're playing for the 8 players on the practice squad.
They're playing for Bob Kraft and his departed Myra, for whom this season is dedicated.
They're playing for each other. One game at a time. And they cannot be stopped.
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This is the one reason I expect the Patriots to win
The matchup against the Giants is a NIGHTMARE, schematically, talentally, however you want to look at it. But this is the first time since 2007-08 that I’ve seen the Patriots with this “IT” factor. That attitude you described that so embodied the Patriot Way over the years. You just described exactly how this team will win the Super Bowl and I applaud you for it.
by The Burning Scheyer Jersey on Jan 23, 2012 1:46 AM EST reply actions
Please tell me,
what the matchup nightmares are.
I’m a little surprised that someone has already figured them out when the coaches have only begun to put together gameplans.
I’m being a little bit snarky yes, forgive me, but I want to hear what you have to say nontheless.
"We borrowed golf from the Scottish as we borrowed whiskey. Not because it is Scottish, but because it is good." Horace Hutchinson
No more score predictions...
Any team with ferocious wide receivers like Cruz are a difficulty for the defense.
That alone is a nightmare. Add in the absurd pressure the Giants can generate with their front 4, and it’s a perfect disaster for the Patriots.
by Richard Hill on Jan 23, 2012 2:07 AM EST up reply actions
By the way Richard
I wonder if you will post about one of the coolest plays of the day. Happened at least twice, when B the classic Brady QB sneak was given a twist, and he did an end around sneak, one almost for TD. I was thinking about it before the game because the Ravens are about the only team I can remember who have stopped Brady on the sneak(the Rex Ryan timeout in ’07), and was wondering what would happen if ti came up in this game. Brilliant!
I'm not sure if you misinterpreted it
But he’s saying the Giants are a matchup nightmare against the Pats, even better than the Ravens.
- Strong pass rush, looks like 2007, against a pass-first team, with an OL that isn’t really at full strength (though has done very well in the playoffs)
- Eli is playing better than 2007 with two explosive receivers in Nicks and Cruz against a team that, while better in the postseason, still shows vulnerability to big outside receivers
But as for why he feels confident in the Pats despite these issues, it’s probably because the Pats have gone through a lot of adversity this season and have pulled through.
While it’s merely nitpicking, Cruz usually plays the slot
by quadruple option on Jan 23, 2012 2:15 AM EST up reply actions
Gotcha, thanks.
And of course the whole league is trying to figure out how to stop, or slow down, Gronk and Hernandez.
The truth. The REAL voice of reason
I said some pretty...bad things yesterday about Pollard.
#WinItForMyra
"There's no place like it, and it's ours." - Stephen King on Fenway Park
by 808BostonSportsFan on Jan 23, 2012 6:14 PM EST up reply actions
tommy d.
I’m not sure what the “nightmares” are, but I will say that the only reason the game was close tonight was the somewhat uncharacteristic turnovers from the Pats, and more importantly, the lack of red zone execution. All year we scored TD’s, but the Ravens held us to fieldgoals on 3 of 5 trips, and one of those was a 4th down Brady channeling his inner Walter Payton flying over the pile that turned out to be the game winning drive. I have nothing but respect for the Giants d, especially here in the postseason they have been stellar, but can they keep us to field goals? If so, you probably win.
I understand.
When Lee had that ball in his hands in the end zone there at the end, those Pats FG’s was exactly what went through my mind.
Brady missing Gronk on that one play is normally a walk-in TD for your boys. But as tossin pointed out above, the Pats have overcome adversity and come out on top. They did it once again yesterday in a great, entertaining game.
I can say the same about the Giants. The fact that the team did not fall apart after a 4 game losing streak, did not crumble defensively after getting torched for big plays all year, or picked apart in their soft zones by superstars like Rex Grossman, is remarkable to me.
To see such a dramatically different team after seeing the same bad defensive football for 15 weeks…. it just didn’t seem possible to me to have this type of turnaround.
The truth. The REAL voice of reason
As optimus said at the end of this day one shall fall and one shall rise I am ready for it lets get it
by alweezy61 on Jan 23, 2012 1:57 AM EST via Android app reply actions
Here’s my take: I think we can bully the Giants
I honestly think we can come out and smash that (relatively) light defensive line of theirs around. I think our D-line can close down their O-line.
I think we will give up our share of yards, but if we keep their WRs in front of us, we can absorb a lot of distance without surrendering points.
And, more than anything, I think BB will have the most creative, intriguing game plan we have ever seen.
by quadruple option on Jan 23, 2012 2:16 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
In '07
we were undefeated and polished. Had a target on us.
Now we’re back and we’re dirty and gritty, and Tom’s older and angrier. Target’s on them.
"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters."- Bill Belichick
Pats were pretty much sucker punched in 2007
Pretty sure now after losing to Giants in regular season and know about 2007, they’ll be better prepared.
Let’s not forget the Giants have lost SEVEN games this season
the 72 dolphins they are not
by quadruple option on Jan 23, 2012 2:44 AM EST reply actions
Patriots lost ZERO games in 2007.
Until the Giants.
by Richard Hill on Jan 23, 2012 3:02 AM EST up reply actions
Responding to your post about keeping the recievers in front of us
there’s no doubt that is important, but that’s what worried me tonight. We had to go into that game with the plan of keeping Torrey Smith in front of us, at all costs, because other than Ray picking up chunks, it was the only quick strike the Ravens had, their biggest down field threat. Well, he got us twice, and not the missed tackle from Moore, but twice he burned us down field. Once, Flacco under threw him on what would have been a touchdown, but resulted in a 40 some-odd completion that ignited the Ravens passing offense, and again, he was wide open on what could have been a TD had not Nink and BIG VINCE!!!!!!! pressured him into a bad throw. But dang, that’s twice that the gameplan(assuming that was the gameplan) brokedown, and we were lucky it didn’t hurt us more.
So, new game, but not happy that that happened, and Giants can throw deep to at least 3 receivers, not just one like the Ravens.
Safety bit on play action
This has been an achilles heel for our safeties, and as dangerous as Ray Rice is, the front seven was doing an outstanding job containing him. The first deep throw to Torrey Smith was particularly bad because McCourty was playing outside technique to take away the out and comeback patterns, and he was expecting to have safety help over the top. When the safety went a few yards toward the line of scrimmage, Smith was gone.
The Giants don’t have a great running game, so I’m hoping the safeties can think pass first for the majority of this upcoming game. Gotta stay in good position or Cruz and Nicks can really burn you.
by Aluminum Penguin on Jan 23, 2012 4:04 AM EST up reply actions
That's an achilles heel for a lot of safeties...
Even Polamalu got torched by Tebow (!!!) on a few occasions, biting on play action. It’s forgivable in my opinion, as it was obvious they gameplanned very intensely to completely take Ray Rice out of the game. The safeties would generally have a tendency to overcommit to the possibility of a run.
Can I Scream?
don't underestimate
Bradshaw, he may not be Rice or Gore or Forte, but he was very effective yesterday running and catching passes out of the backfield.
by poindexterregan on Jan 23, 2012 11:06 PM EST up reply actions
He is
But he doesn’t look right after sustaining that injury towards the back-half of the season. He still looks effective, but he doesn’t have that quick burst I was accustomed to seeing from him. His foot has been hampering him, and holding him out of practices all week allows it to get just good enough to go out there and play.
Can I Scream?
I just want to say,
in all sincerity, that you cannot view the Giants through the 9-7 prism.
Those loses from Sep to early Dec have no baring now. The team changed on defense dramatically in late Dec. There was a seismic shift in health, scheme, and confidence.
I can explain more in detail if you like.
The truth. The REAL voice of reason
I couldn't agree more.
A totally different team. Healthier, more internally committed and playing at a higher level on both sides of the ball — this is the team NY thought they would have from the beginning of the year.
"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."
"The longer they play, the more they lose. In the end, we get it all."
by JohnHannahRules on Jan 23, 2012 10:16 AM EST up reply actions
I couldn't have said it better than that.
And I say it every year to more reasctionary fans; The team you are in Sep is not the team you are in the middle of Oct. The team you are in the middle of Oct is not the team you are in Dec, etc, etc. teams evolve over the coarse of a season.
The truth. The REAL voice of reason
Exactly
That’s why I find it annoying when people talk about how the Giants already beat us this year, and especially when they reference 07. ‘07 was almost an entire different team than the current Pats, and I don’t know too much about the Giants but I know they’re missing Strahan (who should’ve been MVP of that SB that never really happened) and have different receivers now too, so I think it’s safe to say that’s a different team as well.
by indy pats fan on Jan 23, 2012 12:35 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah 2007 obviously only comes in to play
in the context of certain players playing each other on the biggest stage and having that experience together. Week 9 is relevant only in the film room and preparation. As we are saying, both teams have evolved, both teams are better.
I’m so glad this is the matchup we as Giants and Pats fans have gotten. We are each the most exciting opponent that the other could have gotten, and I think football fans and the public in general will be treated to a better game than either NE SF, or NYG BAL could have provided.
The truth. The REAL voice of reason
Just for the hell of it, because I am overly hydrated and feeling victorious
The Pats have the highest winning percentage of any team who has been to the AFC Championship game more than twice at .857(7-1), while the Steelers and Raiders are tied for most losses i the game (7).
The Giants have never lost an NFC championship game.
"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."
"The longer they play, the more they lose. In the end, we get it all."
by JohnHannahRules on Jan 23, 2012 9:37 AM EST up reply actions
Belichick helped with a couple of those.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
Belichick is looking for a new name for his boat: VI Rings sounds pretty good.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 23, 2012 4:02 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Let's not give Eli TOO much credit.
He played a terrific game against the 49ers, but he also got lucky. He threw at least 2 should-be interceptions that were broken up by 49ers colliding into one another, one of which was in Giants territory. Giants also got a ridiculously quick whistle on what would’ve been a fumble in their own territory.
Full credit to New York, but they got some real breaks. And Manning easily could’ve thrown away the game if not for some lucky (unlucky for the 49ers) timing.
by CanadianPatriotsFan on Jan 23, 2012 8:33 AM EST reply actions
OK, but is any one of those breaks (or all of them together) bigger than a good kicker shanking a 32-yard FG?
"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."
"The longer they play, the more they lose. In the end, we get it all."
by JohnHannahRules on Jan 23, 2012 9:38 AM EST up reply actions
Kyle Williams muffed a punt deep within his territory in OT and and another in the 4th quarter.
Pedey: Dear Playstation, So MLB the Show '09 says I can't hit the high and inside, huh? That's ridiculous, ask Ramon.
Ramon: Yeah, he can hit it. In fact, if I were to die today and went to some weird...(grabs script) some weird limbo afterlife, where I can gaze at one thing for eternity. Dustin's swing, or my daggers? (DAUGHTERS!) daughter's first steps, I would choose that swing.
Lazer Show: I can hit that pitch!
by BrokenbatGrandSlam on Jan 23, 2012 10:03 AM EST up reply actions
I watched the game.
Flacco wildly underthrew a sure touchdown. Evans failed to cover up a sure touchdown. My point is, the Giants relied no more on “luck” than the Patriots did.
"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."
"The longer they play, the more they lose. In the end, we get it all."
by JohnHannahRules on Jan 23, 2012 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
LUCK
One of my two biggest pet peaves with fans analyzing teams.
I learned long ago, when you are good, and only when you are good, do you get “lucky.”
The truth. The REAL voice of reason
All teams have luck.
Good teams are able to capitalize on it.
by Richard Hill on Jan 23, 2012 11:07 AM EST up reply actions
My first fanpost ever and it gets "frontpaged" xD
Thanks. I feel like this is destiny. We are writing a new Hollywood movie. The loss in 2007, the years of failure. The revenge over all our nemeses. The Drop. The Shank. New Patriots heroes. Wilfork, Spikes, Mayo, Moore.
Lakers and Patriots forever.
New Patriots legends too.
Welker. Gronkowski, Hernandez, BJGE, Woodhead.
All will get a chance to be Super Bowl Heroes.
Even Ocho can theoretically redeem himself.
IF we had lost the Baltimore game, Woodhead would have been one of the Goats. That fumble was a killer.
Lakers and Patriots forever.
Congrats on the Win!
Some will say they were lucky it that the Field goal was missed, Brady did not have his best game…BUT good team put themselves in the position for fortunate things to happen…should be a Good Superbowl…hopefully Miami will start to turn things around with Philbin!
You just hired one of the best men in the business.
I have no idea how he will perform as a head coach, but I can tell you he’s a genuinely excellent person. I wish him and the Dolphins all the luck in the world except twice per season.
"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."
"The longer they play, the more they lose. In the end, we get it all."
by JohnHannahRules on Jan 23, 2012 9:39 AM EST up reply actions
Thanks...
#WinItForMyra
"There's no place like it, and it's ours." - Stephen King on Fenway Park
by 808BostonSportsFan on Jan 23, 2012 6:17 PM EST up reply actions
Thank you.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
Belichick is looking for a new name for his boat: VI Rings sounds pretty good.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 23, 2012 6:35 PM EST up reply actions
(King Leonidas voice) Patriots.... WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSION?!
Ah-ooh! AH-OOH! AH-OOH!!!
To me, one series of events from last night can encapsulate this teams heart and soul perfectly: when woody fumbled on his KR, the defense, instead of lying on their backs and moping over the fact that they had to come back on to the field, played valiantly, and held em to a FG. And then when cundiff kocked the ball deep into our endzone? Instead of taking the touchback, Woody had his finest KR of the season. Thats resilience. Thats heart. Those guys… thats our team.
#Bradyismymancrush
by The Talented Mr. Dickey on Jan 23, 2012 9:26 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Resilency is the one word that perfectly dfine
this team. The 2011 pats have fought through so much adversity, in the season and in games. This might be the most mentally tough pats team we’ve had in the BB era
Rex Ryan: "There’s no way that we’re looking to replace Mark Sanchez"
Patriots Nation: "Thank God"
Giants Fans: "FOUR MORE YEARS!! FOUR MORE YEARS!!"
AND he put both hands on the ball in traffic the second time.
I was most happy that he took care of the ball when the play was close to over.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
Belichick is looking for a new name for his boat: VI Rings sounds pretty good.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 23, 2012 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
careful
no jinxes. you better knock on wood if you say a guarantee like that (the pats can’t be stopped. personally, i think the pats best is better than the giants best, so the pats play their game and execute well, i like their chances
I think this time
Whoever wins the turnover battle prevails To think the Pats turned the ball over 3 times and still won against the Ravens is a testament on how much tougher this team is when facing adversity. It’s not the team that lost to the Jets and Ravens in playoffs past. It’s also not the team that went 16-0. They seemed to be cocky and entitled against the Giants.
But Tommy can’t be throwing ints and can’t be missing wide open guys. His eyes looked worried/scared when the cameras showed him. He needs to be the cool, unflappable guy he was the first 3 SBs. The Giants will bring it. They know they have to. TB has to handle it. It can’t be pinned on the O-line if he gets pressured. He has to make it happen. I like how he picked up some yards on the ground vs. the Ravens instead of forcing a throw or throwing incomplete with 5 yards free in front of him.
Time to show you are the best all time Tommy!
Seriously
It’s time for Brady and the offense to carry this team. This is going to be a high scoring game and we need all the offense has to offer. And COACHING needs to be on point. I’m referring to Belicheck making smart decisions. He made 2 very questionable decisions last game. 1: Not challenging the Gronk sideline catch (that would have been a huge play of it was overturned) 2: Not trying to score with just under a minute left and 2 TOs in your back pocket. Tom Brady isn’t Mark Sanchez, he understands situational football, and understands he can’t turn the ball over in a 2 min drill before the half, give him that chance.
Rex Ryan: "There’s no way that we’re looking to replace Mark Sanchez"
Patriots Nation: "Thank God"
Giants Fans: "FOUR MORE YEARS!! FOUR MORE YEARS!!"
Agree on coaching
A bad coaching decision is almost equal to a turnover in my mind on important plays. The Gronk challenge would be grasping at straws in my opinion though.
But not trusting Brady to take the ball down for at least a field goal before the half was horrible. You know the Ravens would be in prevent. The perfect time to get it in the hands of either TE and let them pick up extra yards. Then time out. Then do it again. Then time out. Now you are on as least the 50 with a minimum of 35 seconds. Something along those lines. Better than “I’m happy to be in the lead”. I wonder what Brady was thinking there. “My coach doesn’t have faith in me?”.
The coaching was mind-boggling...
Overall I like the decision to test the Ravens deep when the offense hasn’t really pushed it all game—or all season, for that matter—but the play following a rare Flacco INT where the momentum seemed to be locked in our favor? Dumb, dumb, dumb.
Stay on the attack and stick to your bread and butter, but give the rock to an effective BJGE and try some quick passes to Welker and the TEs. Stay inbounds. Even if the drive doesn’t produce any points, you’ve taken a few minutes off the clock and give the Ravens some horrendous field position.
Can I Scream?
I agree
Your running game is working, the short passing game is working, pound the ball down their throats, eat up the clock, wear their defense out, give your defense time to rest. Sooner or later their secondary has to come up to try to stop the short game, then you get single coverage or perhaps even a blown coverage, that’s when you air it out. Some very questionable calls by BoB.
by poindexterregan on Jan 23, 2012 11:02 PM EST up reply actions
I respect Eli
The guy gets so much flack for all sorts of reasons but the guy is a winner. You ask him if he’s up there with Brady and he says yes. People jump all over him for it. Then he puts up a great regular season and pulls off great 4th quarter comebacks throughout. He goes into Green Bay and wins. He goes into San Fran in the rain and wins. He keeps plays alive and makes some incredible throws under duress. I never thought I would ever start thinking he was better than Payton. If he wins in two weeks, I would feel comfortable debating it. Stats don’t mean as much as rings – especially when you are the one leading your team.
Yeah Eli has, and is, carving out his own great legacy in this league.
If you like, go over to Big Blue View and check out a Fanpost entitled “Measure of Greatness.” It is a comparison of stats between Eli, Peyton, and Brady all during their career years 4-8. It is amazing how close these guys are.
And it’s not a piece to sensationalize Eli or make him sound like he is better than the other two.
It’s just an interesting read, IMO. Good fodder as part of the build-up before the great game.
The truth. The REAL voice of reason
I'm actually scared of him
Lately our defense tends to have lots of energy early but they get tired by the 4th. They fought through it yesterday but it will be trouble in the SB if it comes down to the end. With Cruz and Eli playing at their level, if we can’t pressure Eli when we need to – me might be toast. But I’m not going to harp on the negative. Both teams and most fans know the strengths, weaknesses and matchups for the SB. It goes both ways. It will come down to which team executes better, plain and simple.
I've been pleased
with the Patriots’ pass rush in the playoffs. They’re getting there, they’re getting the sacks, and it’s been incredibly effective. I have no doubt they’ll be able to do the same against Eli, but just pressuring won’t cut it; he makes some of the strangest, wildest, most improbable throws I’ve ever seen under duress.
Can I Scream?
Hve to admit, there was a play yesterday
in the 4th quarter, or maybe overtime, where Eli drifted out of the pocket left, and waited for AHmad Bradshaw to get open, waited, knowing full well he was about to get hit, and he dropped it in there, and got crushed. Pretty ballsy play right there.
this
His jersey was filthy by the end of the game. I was impressed.
#WinItForMyra
"There's no place like it, and it's ours." - Stephen King on Fenway Park
by 808BostonSportsFan on Jan 23, 2012 6:21 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, I remember that one.
Ernie Accorsi, who (drafted) traded for Eli compard him to Johnny U once in that he said what seperates guys like them from other QB’s is two things: Their right testicle, and their left testicle. I thought that was pretty funny and also true.
And I would just like to point out that the vast majority of Giants fans gained a huge amount of respect for Brady in SB 42. He was pummeled in that game repeatedly and never quit. He even had enough left in the tank and the hangin’ sack to lead the Pats on what was almost a late game winning drive.
The truth. The REAL voice of reason
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