Here's an idea: maybe the Pats are struggling due to the fact that they have a young defense which is retooled because you can't play with guys who are 75 years old and still want wads of cash, have lost many of their coaching and management staff to other teams because they were so good at what they did, and have a QB who is in his first year back from missing a year off (look at the stats on QB's coming off of that injury - how did Palmer and McNabb do?...not so hot....).  I've read accusations on these boards against just about everybody in the organization blaming the Pats for their shortcomings this year.  The NFL is built on PARITY - the Pats lost 3 games this season which were within a touchdown....one play the other way and you're looking at a 10-2 team.  It happens, but it's amazing how little perspective and common sense people have when posting on here.  Next year the Patriots have a wealth of draft picks, will likely add some free agents and will have a QB who has a year post injury under his belt (as well as a more experienced, yet YOUNG!!!! defense).  OBVIOUSLY they need a pass rush and a third option at WR......but to think these things are going to appear out of thin air is assinine - show at least the patience of a five year old.  The blame game gets old - this is the time when as fans, you need to act like grown ups and have REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS for a team that has more than earned the benefit of the doubt over the long run.  Simply amazing that people on here even resorted to calling Bob Kraft 'cheap' after bringing this team a new stadium and 3 championships.......sometimes the stuff you read on here is simply mind-blowing......
Posted by jeffab

Definitely blame the Patriots fans. Without your terrible attitude there wouldn't be this much dissapointment.
Posted by SchwillyPete

Their secondary is better than last year's. Their CBs are better than Hobbs/O'Neal. TBC is their best pass rusher and he wasn't with the team last year. Merriweather is having a career year. McGowan beat out James Sanders, last year's starting strong safety. The Pats should have won the following games: @Denver @Indy @Miami Bottom Line: The Pats have no OC and Dean Pees is an incompetent DC.
Posted by CubanPete

I blame global warming and Tiger woods.
Posted by shenanigan

In Response to Re: Is there anyone who hasn't been blamed yet? : I'll see that and raise you a President Bush.
Posted by Philskiw

Here's an idea: maybe the Pats are struggling due to the fact that they have a young defense which is retooled because you can't play with guys who are 75 years old and still want wads of cash, have lost many of their coaching and management staff to other teams because they were so good at what they did, and have a QB who is in his first year back from missing a year off (look at the stats on QB's coming off of that injury - how did Palmer and McNabb do?...not so hot....).  I've read accusations on these boards against just about everybody in the organization blaming the Pats for their shortcomings this year.  The NFL is built on PARITY - the Pats lost 3 games this season which were within a touchdown....one play the other way and you're looking at a 10-2 team.  It happens, but it's amazing how little perspective and common sense people have when posting on here.  Next year the Patriots have a wealth of draft picks, will likely add some free agents and will have a QB who has a year post injury under his belt (as well as a more experienced, yet YOUNG!!!! defense).  OBVIOUSLY they need a pass rush and a third option at WR......but to think these things are going to appear out of thin air is assinine - show at least the patience of a five year old.  The blame game gets old - this is the time when as fans, you need to act like grown ups and have REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS for a team that has more than earned the benefit of the doubt over the long run.  Simply amazing that people on here even resorted to calling Bob Kraft 'cheap' after bringing this team a new stadium and 3 championships.......sometimes the stuff you read on here is simply mind-blowing......
Posted by jeffab

Here's an idea: maybe the Pats are struggling due to the fact that they have a young defense which is retooled because you can't play with guys who are 75 years old and still want wads of cash, have lost many of their coaching and management staff to other teams because they were so good at what they did, and have a QB who is in his first year back from missing a year off (look at the stats on QB's coming off of that injury - how did Palmer and McNabb do?...not so hot....).  I've read accusations on these boards against just about everybody in the organization blaming the Pats for their shortcomings this year.  The NFL is built on PARITY - the Pats lost 3 games this season which were within a touchdown....one play the other way and you're looking at a 10-2 team.  It happens, but it's amazing how little perspective and common sense people have when posting on here.  Next year the Patriots have a wealth of draft picks, will likely add some free agents and will have a QB who has a year post injury under his belt (as well as a more experienced, yet YOUNG!!!! defense).  OBVIOUSLY they need a pass rush and a third option at WR......but to think these things are going to appear out of thin air is assinine - show at least the patience of a five year old.  The blame game gets old - this is the time when as fans, you need to act like grown ups and have REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS for a team that has more than earned the benefit of the doubt over the long run.  Simply amazing that people on here even resorted to calling Bob Kraft 'cheap' after bringing this team a new stadium and 3 championships.......sometimes the stuff you read on here is simply mind-blowing......
Posted by jeffab