Top 10 reasons Patriots are 18 – 0
January 28, 2008 by James Edwards
Filed under Sports
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Tom Brady looking for the Top 10 reasons the Patriots are 18 – 0
Today the discussion will center on the Top 10 reasons the Patriots are 18 – 0 going into the Super Bowl.
Think about that, 18 – 0. Amazing!
It is still regrettable that they did not face Indianapolis and Peyton Manning, they did not face a healthy San Diego Chargers and a healthy Philip Rivers or even just a healthy LT, and they did not face 38 year old rejuvenated Brett Favre and his young aggressive Green Bay Packer defense, or even the battle tested Tony Romo with Jessica Simpson and the Dallas Cowboys.
None the less, they did play the schedule handed to them and they did go 18 – 0. Other teams have received similar breaks and did not go 18 – 0.
For our guidance in this expose, you will be turned over to Tom Pedulla, USA TODAY.
Tom brings us his Eighteen reasons why the Patriots are 18 – 0, but that is way too high a number for us to contemplate, we will just pick out 10 of them.
Your intrepid author’s comments will be in italics.
1. Ownership: Success always starts at the top. Robert Kraft rolled the dice when he hired Bill Belichick before the 2000 season after the former defensive coordinator went 36-44 with the Cleveland Browns from 1991-95 in his only previous head coaching stint. Kraft is a supportive owner who wants to win but doesn’t meddle.
As a Lions fan, it is easy to see that it all starts (or does not start) at the top.
2. Coaching: Belichick can tie former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Chuck Noll by winning his fourth Super Bowl. His .833 postseason winning percentage (15-3) trails only Green Bay Packers legend Vince Lombardi (.900, 9-1). Belichick might not win any popularity contests in the NFL, but he gets results.
So why did he have to cheat? Oops, did that slip out? Really, the man seems to make all the right calls and somehow keeps everyone on an even keel.
3. Quarterbacking: More than a GQ cover boy and the boyfriend of supermodels, Tom Brady is putting up Hall of Fame numbers. He set an NFL single-season record with 50 touchdown passes and franchise marks for passing yards (4,806), completion percentage (68.9) and passer rating (117.2).
If you told me coming out of UM that this guy would go into the Hall of Fame, then you would have had to be committed, as in straight jacket. True, you could see the consistency and the short pass accuracy that was phenomenal, but… Come on? Tom Brady has become nothing short of amazing.
Put it another way. Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, and Tom Brady all come to your football camp before starting their careers. Who do you draft?
4. Leadership: New England is loaded with veterans who buy into Belichick’s insistence on an unwavering next-game focus and who refuse to allow a letdown. Brady, safety Rodney Harrison, running back Kevin Faulk and linebackers Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel and Junior Seau are all praised as exceptional leaders.
Leadership at ownership, coaching, QB, and veterans. How can it get any better?
5. Ball security: The Patriots set a franchise record by committing only 15 turnovers — nine interceptions and six fumbles. Belichick regards turnovers as the most important number after the score.
Are you kidding me? That is about a two game total for my Lions.
6. Record-setting Moss
As opposed to a upsetting the locker room Moss.
7. Record-setting Welker
112 catches says it all. Pay attention to Moss, Stallworth, etc and pay the price.
8. Outstanding offensive line
Three pro bowlers and always seem to protect Tom Brady. Only 21 sacks. A 3 game total for my Lions.
9. Outstanding defensive line
Ouch, Seymour, Warren, and Wilfork all came as 1st round draft picks.
12. Maroney’s surge
Yes, we go from 9 to 12. My personal choice. Maroney makes them much more viable in the bad weather games where passes are not so easy.
There you have it. The Top 10 reasons the Patriots are 18 – 0 and ready to face the New York Giants and Eli Manning in the Super Bowl.
NFL Football Fan Question How good can an NFL franchise be?
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As always, any NFL Football related comments are welcome.
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There offense just has too many options. I honestly don’t think the defense is anything but slightly better then average. As you can see in your top 10 (12), you never mentioned anything about the defense.
What happens is that the offense scores on almost all drives that the other team must try to do the same. Eventually they are forced to just throw from behind, which causes many turnovers for the defense.
A post after my very own pro-Patriots heart!