How does next year (and possibly beyond) look for the Patriots?

[bostonguy]

Discuss...

[J.T.]

They'll probably lose Moss and Samuel in free agency, but they'll still own the AFC East for another season or two until Parcells builds Miami into a contender. 13-3 next season, they have a pretty easy schedule.

As for beyond, their LBs are old so they may need to upgrade there. But with Vrabel and Colvin coming back, they should be okay there. They just have to go out there and make some good free agency moves. They've got a great draft pick this year to replace Moss or Samuel with a young player if they need to.

It's not doomsday for the Pats, they're just on the wrong side of one of the biggest upsets ever and blew an opportunity at NFL immortality.

The AFC has young teams on the rise, most specifically Indy with their young defense that's only going to get better the more they play together. And maybe SD if their Pro Bowl RB grows some nuts and stops ing and moaning, or sitting out conference championship games. But the top of the AFC, depending on FA moves and drafting, right now is probably NE, Indy, SD.

[bostonguy]

They'll probably lose Moss and Samuel in free agency, but they'll still own the AFC East for another season or two until Parcells builds Miami into a contender. 13-3 next season, they have a pretty easy schedule.

As for beyond, their LBs are old so they may need to upgrade there. But with Vrabel and Colvin coming back, they should be okay there. They just have to go out there and make some good free agency moves. They've got a great draft pick this year to replace Moss or Samuel with a young player if they need to.

It's not doomsday for the Pats, they're just on the wrong side of one of the biggest upsets ever and blew an opportunity at NFL immortality.

The AFC has young teams on the rise, most specifically Indy with their young defense that's only going to get better the more they play together. And maybe SD if their Pro Bowl RB grows some nuts and stops ing and moaning, or sitting out conference championship games. But the top of the AFC, depending on FA moves and drafting, right now is probably NE, Indy, SD.

Football fan to football fan...you really think Moss will go? Will it be due to $$$ issues or to a team who gives him a better chance? Also where could you see him going J.T?

[FlavoredIcecream]

Is this the Patriots forum or something?
Damn every thread is bout them.

But I see them going 16-0.
And then beating the Colts and Broncos in the playoffs next year.

Then losing in the Superbowl to the Seattle Seahawks who win the NFC West at 8-8.

So just another 18-1 seson

[J.T.]

Football fan to football fan...you really think Moss will go? Will it be due to $$$ issues or to a team who gives him a better chance? Also where could you see him going J.T?

It depends on the team mindset after this loss. Guys like Moss and Seau who were going after their first championship might want to give it another go, and teams that did well but lost in the playoffs have had good success in rebound years (Steelers, Colts). If enough money is promised to him, I think Moss would go. Maybe back to Minnesota now that they have Peterson, a defense that's pretty good against the run and just needs some improvements in the secondary. If he has the same at ude he had this year, a lot of teams might be willing to take a chance on him. But no one will want the old Randy.

I think the entire Patriots team just had an at ude this year, they wanted to score all those points and break all those records and send a big you to the league. I don't think they'll try to do that again next season, because as this season winded down, people figured them out and the games were a lot closer. If they pulled off 16-0 again next year I would be pretty ing impressed. But they'll play a healthy Indy team in Indy next year, healthy SD in SD. . . I think those could be losses. Both teams have played each other a lot the last few seasons, so they'll be able to game plan for each other a lot better.

[Fillmoe]

niners 09 champs

[J.T.]

Gotta be champs of their division first son.

[exstatic]

Football fan to football fan...you really think Moss will go? Will it be due to $$$ issues or to a team who gives him a better chance? Also where could you see him going J.T?

I think Moss will go, and it'll be for the $$$. This is probably his last chance to cash in for the rest of his career, and what better time than after you've just set the receiving TD's in one season record? Someone will pay him, and it won't be notoriously frugal NE. When he leaves, Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth turn back into...well, Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth. The team becomes ordinary and suc bs to the SB runner up curse.

[exstatic]

Gotta be champs of their division first son.

NY wasn't.

[ducks]

they need to get younger on d

[RonMexico]

I don't see the Pats becoming the Mavs, if that's what you're asking, but it will definitely leave a bad taste in their mouthes over the next few months. Brady is a better compe or than Dirk and has actually won before. I really think he was hurting last night because he floated a few short throws and underthrew some deep ones.

I see them continuing success because they all have a compe ive fire from the top down and know what it takes to win. Belicheck is more stoic than Avery Johnson.

[samikeyp]

If they keep the majority of their team intact and healthy, then they will contend again next year. Making the playoffs won't be a problem. Like J.T. said, they will still own their division next year.

[O-Factor]

This is probably Moss's last year to cash in on a big contract. He is the reason for the explosiveness the offense found this year. It all depends if he wants money or another go at a championship. Who knows, maybe NE will actually pay him. Either way, with our without Moss, I see the pats making the playoffs next year.

[703 Spurz]

NE will go 13-3 and be a force in the playoffs again. They will continue doing so until Brady's gone

[ancestron]

Kansas City Chiefs will beat the Patriots in next years AFC championship game. The Chiefs will then go on to beat the Cowboys in the Superbowl. Brody Croyle MVP.

[stretch]

They are an old team that just got their hearts ripped out of their chests. Next year will not be fun. They will still likely make the playoffs, but the class of the AFC next season will be the Chargers, Colts, and Jaguars. Keep an eye out for the ans too.

[Budkin]

No way in Moss leaves after that ending... he'll be back for another chance. Welker is a ing stud and after a few tweaks the Pats will be right back in the hunt.

[J.T.]

No way in Moss leaves after that ending... he'll be back for another chance. Welker is a ing stud and after a few tweaks the Pats will be right back in the hunt.

No one's disputing that the Pats will be out of the hunt, but they won't go 16-0 again.

[Thunder Dan]

nobody will remember Tom Brady, when people hear 'Brady' they will think Brady Quinn and the undfeated Cleveland Browns

[samikeyp]

nobody will remember Tom Brady, when people hear 'Brady' they will think Brady Quinn and the undfeated Cleveland Browns

Tossing away the Derek Anderson jerseys so soon?

[J.T.]

nobody will remember Tom Brady, when people hear 'Brady' they will think Brady Quinn and the undfeated Cleveland Browns

Yeah maybe by the time Quinn is the starting QB the Browns will build a team that's good enough to make the playoffs by winning enough games and not needing other teams to bail them out.

[Thunder Dan]

Yeah maybe by the time Quinn is the starting QB the Browns will build a team that's good enough to make the playoffs by winning enough games and not needing other teams to bail them out.

goodone.

Tossing away the Derek Anderson jerseys so soon?

D.A. wants Tony Romo money, so who knows if the Browns will pay him. I just see all the Brady Quinn commericals and know he will be the best QB ever; I mean Tim Couch never had any commericals!






btw, I'm joking for anyone that can't pick up on it. I doubt BQ will ever be that great, but he does a of a job doing Subway commericals

[RonMexico]

http://www.amazon.com/19-0-Historic-...2132706&sr=1-1

[samikeyp]

goodone.



D.A. wants Tony Romo money, so who knows if the Browns will pay him. I just see all the Brady Quinn commericals and know he will be the best QB ever; I mean Tim Couch never had any commericals!






btw, I'm joking for anyone that can't pick up on it. I doubt BQ will ever be that great, but he does a of a job doing Subway commericals

Don't forget those EAS ads!

[RonMexico]

Don't forget those EAS ads!

Now I'm done.