How good are the Patriots?

[Tub(a)]

If you get pressure on Brady, he folds and makes stupid plays (see: Miami Monday Night game).

If the Eagles can find a way to penetrate the Pats' fantastic O-Line, they can win the game.

[Red Man]

You sound like a jealous Eagles fan and an angry Yankees fan.  Weak response

[Nate 04]

I don't think the Miami game was typical of Brady, in fact I know it wasn't.  While, I'm rooting for the Eagles and will stand up to anyone who says that the Pats are a for sure winner, I'm not going to deny the fact that Brady is one of the best decision makers in the league.  Not to mention the fact that the Pats have got the best coaching staff.  Belichek alone makes it great, but Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis (both will be head coaches next year) are amazing.  Of course Andy Reid is probably the second best and they have put together a great season and team.  They are constantly adapting to make themselves better (see putting Trotter at MLB and moving Simoneau to the outside improved their run defense).  TO is one of the best receivers and Reid found a way to embrace him and accept that behind the antics there is a talented and most importantly dedicated player - did you see him on the sidelines during the NFC Champ game.

I was disappointed that the league championship games weren't as exciting as I'd expected.  I hope this SB won't disappoint and I don't think it will.

[Nate 04]

Aren't most yankee fans angry nowadays?

20-04.....20-04....20-04

[dss28]

"T.O play or not T.O. play, that is the question" has been the sportsradio subject of late... To steal another Bill Simmons-ism, I'm thinking the Ewing Theory can come into play for the Eagles.  You never know what can happen -- maybe they can come together as a team and upset the favorite... But, don't the Eagles have enough to worry about without the added T.O. drama?

That said, I'm a Pats fan and am sticking behind Belichick, the Master of Understatement.

[Jacob 03]

wow...definitely coming too late to this very OT sports discussion (and am honestly surprised the gestapo hasn't jumped on red man for not putting the "OT" in original subject line).  

first, i'm surprised you included the 1988 world series loss but not the even more insane 1990 loss-by-sweep, rich.  but that's neither here nor there.  

second, not "everyone" thought that the pats were going to lose to indy or pittsburgh (not even a statistically comparable level to some of the other examples listed by nate 04).  again...that's not really the point.  

while culater's original statement of pats-eagles comparison wasn't too specific, it was followed by specific examples in which they were (at the very least) arguably comparable.  and yet red man not only replies by bringing up subjects unrelated to any of these points, but also misuses the word "blasphemy"  (no football team is sacred or invioable to anyone outside its own fan base).  the ad hom attack at culater was also most impressive.  

[Greg Berge]

and a Hockey East Thread broke out.

[bobby]

they suck

[KenP]

[Q]Nate 04 Wrote:

 Aren't most yankee fans angry nowadays?[/q]

Nah, we leave the anger to the Red Sox fans.  Losing a close series is frustrating, but it would take years and years of futility before it even approaches the size of the chip that's still on many Sox fan's shoulder.

Also, you can't just look at MLB salaries to understand the imbalance Steinbrenner has introduced to professional baseball.  The Yanks have the money to bring in and develop the best talent.  Soriano came to the Yankees system because of a huge signing bonus.  So did Drew Henson, Deion Sanders, and whatzisname kid who broke his shoulder in a fight in NC.  That's one place where most Yankee fans and Red Sox fans agree -- few tears would be shed if a lightning bolt were to fry his ass.

[cornelldavy]

[Q]Red Man Wrote:
They might be trying to become the Patriots but they are not there. Not even close.
[/q]

Um, wouldn't the fact that they're playing the Patriots in the Super Bowl indicate that they are at least close?

And say what you will about end zone celebrations, but the Eagles have exhibited great team football all season. Terrell Owens hasn't created any locker room division like many people predicted. Players (Trotter, Simoneau, Sheppard, to name three) have stepped into new roles and it has helped the defense tremendously. Even First Down Freddie Mitchell stepped up his game against the Vikings a couple of weeks ago. The Eagles lost one meaningful game all season (a game in which they didn't have a healthy Brian Westbrook), and they rebounded from that loss with four straight wins by at least three touchdowns each. Speaking of Westbrook, he's perhaps the most underrated player in football. The Eagles are 14-0 this season (playoffs included) when he starts, and 21-2 in his 23 career regular season starts.

By the way, the best Eagles end zone celebration this season belongs to long snapper and third-string TE Mike Bartrum. After catching his first TD in three years, he got down in his stance and snapped the ball to the 20-yard line.

[Nate 04]

I think this would be a reach for the Ewing Theory, just because TO obviously made this team better when he played this season.  They've just found a way to recover the loss of him so far.  It'll be interesting to see how they play without him in the SB or with a gimpy TO if he decides that his doc is a crock and he's waited too long to play in the big game.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't played in the SB yet.  Think about the parallels of him and Corey Dillon.  Two guys stuck on teams going no where, finally getting to play in their big game.  Both were thought to be a distraction and not a helpful part of a team and both have showed they can have a huge impact on things.

[jeh25]

[Q]CowbellGuy Wrote:

 Dolphins 29 - Patriots 28
12/20/04[/q]

But was it ex-eagle AJ Feely under center or that bum from Dartmouth? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Facetimer]

[Q]Red Man Wrote:

Is there any doubt that they will dismantle the Eagles?   [/q]

No true Patriots fan would ever say they will definately win.  The organization has several core values: team first, respect your opponent, prepare, show up to play, go the extra mile, stay out of trouble and don't talk shit.  These values have trickled down from ownership to coaches to players to fans.

Do I have to read two more weeks worth of this pointless dribble?

I'd rather have a discussion about how CU Athletics are fucking with Age.  Maybe they are prejudice against Italians?

[ben03]

[Q]Facetimer Wrote:
Do I have to read two more weeks worth of this pointless dribble[/B]?

I'd rather have a discussion about how CU Athletics are fucking with Age.  Maybe they are prejudice against Italians?[/q]
Facetime, sorry to nit-pick but the word is drivel (n): as in silly or irrelevant talk.

... let the name calling begin ::popcorn::

[jeh25]

[Q]Red Man Wrote:

 You sound like a jealous Eagles fan and an angry Yankees fan.  Weak response [/q]

Huh? Since when is reasoned rebuttal to message board ass blather a weak response? Failing to win when you're not the favorite is not choking. Pointing that out is weak how?

As a long time Eagles fan, I'm hopeful, but I also fear this will end up like Superbowl XIX. Not in terms of the score but in that an excellent challenger will run headlong into the team of the decade on their unrelenting march into the history books.

Does TO's injury hurt the Eagles? Certainly. But Greg Lewis and Freddie Mitchell have both stepped up since then, Westbrook is always dangerous and then of course, you have to deal with McNabb.  If his arm doesn't get you, his feet will. Did you watch the game against Dallas? He alluded tacklers for over 14 seconds before throwing a 60 yard strike to Freddie Mitchell. Guy didn't exactly get to the Pro Bowl 5 times by being a bum, regardless of what Rush Limbaugh thinks.

Tom Brady is 8-0 in the postseason and Belichick has built an absolutely amazing organization in New England. But Andy Reid and Jim Johnson don't exactly ride the short bus.  In fact, Reid has a perfect record coming off the bye week.

So while the Pats certainly have the edge, it isn't a foregone conclusion come Feb 6th.