Steve
Mostly Harmless
Spoken like a true fan. regarding Goodell, I agree. Regarding the Pats' chances, I think they have a good chance, but the Seahawks are the stronger team all the way around.I lieu of such interesting statistics, allow me to retort.
More than eighty percent of players who leave the New England Patriots do so disgruntled and downright so pissed off you could fry an egg on their head. Why? Because the Patriots are the cheapest, most financially cold blooded sports team that there ever was. It doesn't matter who you are, how much of your life and health has been impacted, how much blood you've left on the field, or how well you played. Kraft doesn't care. If he can save a buck, and I'm talking real chump change in the scope of NFL salaries, you, sir, are history. (and it's going to happen to Brady, too, but he knows that.)
So...with all the players that this has happened to over the years, all that have been back stabbed, you would think one of them, any of them, would come forward if there were any shenanigans going on. Yet, you do not hear a word other than "cheap, no good Mother Fr's". Not one word about any kind of cheating.
There's two things Belichick will not tolerate. Fumbling, and being late for practice.
On Nov. 16 the Patriots went to Indy to play the Colts. NFL unknown, running back Jonas Gray got the start. By game's end the Patriots had snapped the ball 74 times. Gray ran 37 times for 201 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-20 Patriots rout. He was named NFL Player of the Week and was the cover boy for Sports Illustrated the next day. Day after that his alarm clock malfunctioned, he was late for practice. He was screwed. Since that time, he's gained 80 yards, not playing in most of the games, and when he did, it was for about one minute.
The same thing happens when you fumble. You are shunned like a Quaker and won't play again for weeks, maybe a month or more. This has always happened and always will under Belichick. We've watched this for 15 years, it ain't about to change.
That's why those stats aren't surprising to me. They tell me that a player will perform better when he's on a great team under a great coach.... especially when he has so much playing time to lose. And when he leaves said team, he won't play as well with a weaker organization under a lesser coach.
It's kind of like fighting out of a great dojo.
Everyone says the Pats cheat. They jump up and down like puppies and yell Spygate! Spygate! But if you ask them what Spygate actually was, what the Pats were actually punished for.....they'll get it wrong. Every single time. Especially here in New England (I know, go figure)
But.....here's the bottom line. As much as it pains me....the Patriots have no chance of winning this Sunday. Not chance one.(I nearly puke when I say that, but alas, that's the way it is)
One other footnote. I think Roger Goodell is going to lose his job over this ball nonsense. You'll see.