Patriots Reports Week 16

The Patriots lost so to speak even though they finished with an 11-5 record -- something that's only happened to one other team since 1970. Most in New England predicted a collapse after Brady went down. They may have finished 16-0 once again with Tom Brady, but we will never know. All we know is that a second string quarterback did the unthinkable and they won 11 games with Matt Cassel and an injury depleted defense.

Unless the Dolphins go on to win some games in the post-season, there is no reason to rue the outcome. I leave you with Barack Abdul-Ali's brilliant analysis, which is mostly right except for the myth that I don't own a Patriots t-shirt. The Pats did better than anyone predicted -- except for a few sage experts -- as Barack points out here. In the meantime, he deserves to be excited about the Dolphins no matter what the outcome of the Raven's game in week 17.

Who knew Jay would be so right?

"11-5 that was my prediction at the beginning of the year when Brady went down." - Jay Rogers

It was uncanny. The Pats actually ended the season at 11-5. Good job, Jay!

Too bad you were wrong on your prediction for the Dolphins.

"They can't do better than 6-10 (and I'm being really generous)". - Jay Rogers

Sadly, you were wrong by 5 games. No doubt the number of sacks endured by Matt Cassel had you feeling a bit woozy this year, so I'll be nice about it.

Okay, no I won't.

The Dolphins single-handedly removed the stinkin' Jets and the Patriots from the playoffs yesterday in their masterful triumph over the stinkin NY Jets. A 2-for-1 Christmas gift for everyone in Miami. Even the Bills were thankful for the Fins this year as they didn't want to see the Pats take the AFC East title again.

Now, the Jets are in complete disarray as we own their prior quarterback who ended the season as the most accurate passer in the league and even surpassed Dan Marino's single-season accuracy rating to win a franchise record. They fired Mangini today (rightfully so). As did the Browns fire Crennel. Both were Belichick assistant coaches and got their jobs on Belichick's coat tails.

How much longer will the Pats hold onto video-gate Belichick who has done nothing since his cheatin' ways have been exposed? Hard to say. But when you look at the abysmal success his assistant coaches had as NFL head coaches, you wonder how much of the Pats prior success was Belichick's "inside information" and how much was just good coaching.

But we can all agree that there is a good chance that normalcy has returned to the AFC East this year. The Pats will slowly fade into a QB controversy and, eventually, oblivion. The Jets are falling back to their healthy 3rd place as they usually have.

And the Bills stand every chance of being a major contender next year - with the Fins too of course.

As Matt would say, "I await your pathetic sophomoric reply", but in actuality, I don't. I'm patiently awaiting next week's playoff game against the Ravens in Miami instead. I hold no illusions, but I'm hopeful.

As for Jay and his beloved Pats, for which he owns no clothing for, the good news is he can stock up this year as there could very well be bargain-bin prices on Patriots jerseys right now. Stock up, Jay. That's what I did last year when the Fins were 1-15 last year before they accomplished the greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history this year and possibly all of sports. Not counting, of course, the lame Red Sox who did a pretty good job of finally winning a championship after losing 87 years in a row.

The other good news for the Pats is that they "can rest," as Belichick said yesterday. Yes, resting ... that's what football is all about, right? Relaxing, kicking back, watching the tide roll in. Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't that the very attitude that created the situation in which Brady didn't have to practice or play in pre-season this year and which quite likely contributed to his injury??? Oh well ... no use in crying over spilt quarterbacks. The Pats have a star quartersack, er, I mean back, in Matt Cassel now so they don't need that old washed up Brady anymore anyway. Or do they? Last I heard this morning there is a chance Brady might not be well into middle of next season!

So, go ahead Jay ... vote for the Ravens next week. I won't mind. But just remember how far you've fallen when you find yourself, a purebred Bostonian, supporting the filthy Baltimore thugs. Even I would be supporting the Pats (and my beloved AFC East) if the Fins weren't in - unless of course the Jets were the division leader. I haven't lost all my marbles!

And be happy the Pats won an NFL record at least.... First team in NFL history to win 11 games and NOT make the playoffs! You can thank your lovely inner-conference record for that choke.

Have a nice off-season!

- Barack