I've always liked this logo. It's not that I DON'T like the new one, but this one just seems to capture everything about the team and their homebase, New England. Granted, much of the recent success has come with helmets sporting the newer logo, but it's fun to think Mr. Patriot above might make a resurgence. At least, that's the logo I wear on my hat.
As you know, I try real hard to make Pats Pulpit a place where everyone can come and discuss football, primarily as it relates to our New England Patriots. No matter what the laundry, it's good to hear other folk's opinions; I believe that's how we learn. But, every so often, I like to dive so far into the homerism end of the pool that one may try to whistle the lifeguard. Don't despair; I will emerge, but it's fun while it lasts.
- 2003 Patriots - If you're a believer in what Cold, Hard Football Facts scribes, the 2003 New England Patriots were one of the greatest Super Bowl Champions of all time. CHFF puts a lot of credence in quality wins or how a team performs against teams with a winning record. The Pats were 10-0 meaning they had to beat 10 quality teams on their road to the Super Bowl, one of which was the Colts for the 2003 AFCCG. In contrast, the 2006 Colts went 8-1 against quality teams. They played 9 quality opponents vs. the Pats' 10 and lost against one of them. Unfortunately, one of the wins was against the Pats in the 2006 AFCCG - aarrgghh!!
- 2004 Patriots - Yet again, using Cold, Hard Football Facts, the 2004 Patriots went 10-1 against quality opponents on their way to winning Super Bowl XXXIX. 2 of those 10 wins were postseason victories against the Colts and Steelers, satisfying due to the quality of these teams and our intense rivalries.
- 2003 and 2004 Patriots - along with the 1979 Steelers, the 2003 and 2004 Patriots are the only teams in history to win 10 games in a season against quality opponents.
- 2007 Patriots - Sure, having an NFL MVP quarterback who holds the record for most TD passes with 50, is cool. Or, how about a wide receiver breaking the record with 23 TD grabs? Cherry on top. But, the most interesting stat of this 2007 team was their pure dominance over opponents. With a +19.7 average point differential, last season's team absolutely decimated their opponents, coming within a hair's breadth of unequivocally standing as the greatest team of all time, rivaled only by the 1942 Bears.
How do you like THEM apples? What? Do I hear the lifeguard's whistle blowing?