Boston Red Pats
Boston Globe football writer Nick Cafardo answers your questions about the Patriots. Click here to submit a question for next week ...
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Don't know if you felt the same way but when the
Sox were down 3-0 in the ALCS I really felt like they could come back. I
think the Pats have changed the mindset of the New England fan base to where we
expect good things. In the past there was so much negativity and feeling
of impending doom surrounding the Sox I think the players believed they would
fold at the critical moments. I believe the Pats have changed that.
Your thoughts?
Mike Friedrich, Chicago, IL
A: I think you're right on the money Mike. But not only do I think
it's the mindset of the fans, but I think it's the mindset of the Red Sox as
well. Covering both teams, I've seen a tremendous amount of spillover from the
mindset the Patriots players have to the mindset of Sox players. They do it a
little bit differently in that Patriots players are more reserved while Red Sox
players are more expressive. I think there's been enough of an emphasis on the
Patriots and the way the Patriots do things, that Sox players have definitely
taken notice. Knowing I also cover the Patriots, Sox players have asked me about
the Patriots Way, and I've certainly explained it to them. So it's very much a
part of their daily thinking.
Nick, Its good to have you back. This team has been
so consistently amazing that we are becoming jaded. I don't think we will gain
perspective on the streak until a while after it has ended. I have an
observation that I would like to hear your comments on. It seems this teams'
only weakness (though its not hurt them) is an inability to put teams away. Some
would say that's due to not always producing in the red zone. (FG's instead of
TD's) But I heard one analyst say of Belichick, 'He is so methodical in managing his game
plan he may even have a final score in mind'. With that in mind, is it possible
that the reason the Pats don't win going away is
Jim D., Sarasota, FL
A: I don't think Belichick or the team are concerned about how big
the final score is. They are concerned with ways of decimating the other teams
top players with their strategies and they're concerned about the fourth quarter
and making certain they seal the win by playing 60 minutes of football. I think
we are jaded because we expect them to roll over every team. They beat everybody
and they do just enough to accomplish placing another "W" in the win
column every week. They play as well as they have to play. It's not always
pretty. It's not always exciting; which is probably why they don't draw a lot of
'oohs' and 'aahs' on any given week.
