Top dogs

Page 6 of 18 -- A: Great point, Rob. It's not often you get into this position where you're the top-seeded team and completely in the driver's seat. You have to take advantage of that.

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Is Antowain Smith going to play anymore this season?
Larry Cummings, Petoskey, Mich.

A: In situations, yes.

Nick, how can we ask what's a "satisfying" season until after it is complete? After all, last year's supposed disappointment, in hindsight with the struggles of Tampa Bay, must now be viewed at least as a partial success. Nothing short of a Super Bowl victory should be everyone'expectation at the beginning of the season for all teams. Not an expectation born of building momentum during the year. I prayed for a Super Bowl under Fairbanks. In '83, I thought Ron Meyer was the best thing ever for the Pats. Even with Rod Rust you still hoped, did you not? Expectations should always be for a championship. Otherwise, a "successful" season can't be quantified until it's over.
Alex MacPhail, Shapleigh, Maine

A: Right. But I asked the question right now. Given the situation where they're the top team, what would be successful and what would be disappointing?

Define success: I think the question of defining success for the Pats this season is a bit of a red herring. I know it's fun to make predictions, but looking to the future and setting expectations for success (or disappointment) seems besides the point this season. The Pats have accomplished so much this year, overcoming the injuries and the Buffalo/Milloy fiasco, beating the Fish in Miami, beating the Broncos in Denver, and beating the Titans and the Colts. I'm just so pleased with the resilience and fight and smarts of this team that I look forward to see what they come up with each week. Of course, the goal on the horizon is winning the Super Bowl, but there are so many hurdles and contingencies between where the team is now and getting to that goal that I don't want to lose the pleasure of the real, weekly accomplishments of this team speculating too hard about future accomplishments. Thanks for the great column, it keeps us connected back to home from out here in the wilds of Idaho.
Scott MacPhail, Moscow, Idaho

A: And I think that's an acceptable answer. For some people, over coming the odds of all the injuries, and winning big games against the iron of the AFC and the league, is quite enough.

Nick, non-Patriots related question, but your a knowledgeable guy and I couldn't find anyone else to ask this to, so here it goes: Why in the A-Rod for Manny discussions hasn't it been brought up to move A-Rod to third, keep Nomar at short and move Mueller to second? I haven't heard anyone mention it, maybe I'm just missing the boat here, but I do remember when A-Rod first came up, people talked about him out growing the shortstop position and eventually moving to third. Why not now? Also, corner outfielders are much easier to come by than a top third basemen, which if he could make the switch, he would clearly be. I would love an answer, thank you very much. I enjoy reading your articles as well as your Internet answers.
Matthew Cohen, Boston   Continued...