Commentary: Pats are still the beasts of the East

[lazareth]

http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=19404&pcid=41

If you listen to some in the media, there are rumblings the Patriots stranglehold on the AFC East may come to an end this season. Some have even suggested that the Miami Dolphins are the team to beat in the division. While there’s no doubt the Dolphins are headed in the right direction under Nick Saban, I’m going to steal a phrase from ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso and say, “Not so fast my friend.â€Â

Now we get to the team most people think will challenge the Patriots for AFC East supremacy: the Miami Dolphins. First let me say that I think Saban is an excellent coach. He took over the wasteland left by Dave Wannstedt and won nine games during his first season after beginning the year 3-7. A lot of New England fans like to point to the Dolphins weak schedule late in the year but the same thing can be said about the Patriots. The bottom line is the Dolphins were a much-improved team as the season went on last year and Saban deserves a lot of credit for the effort Miami showed on the field every week.
Having said that, I still think the Dolphins are a year away from really pushing the Patriots in the AFC East. Sure, they went out and signed Daunte Culpepper and while that looks good on paper, I see two major problems with the signing.
First – and I don’t care what anyone says – Culpepper isn’t going to play during the first month of the season. That means the Dolphins will have to face their difficult early season schedule with Joey Harrington behind center. Have fun with that.
The other thing that bothers me about the Culpepper signing is I believe the team really wanted Drew Brees instead and ended up settling for Culpepper. There’s no question the former Vikings quarterback is talented but it’s hard to just discard his less than impressive career numbers when he’s not playing with Randy Moss. Culpepper is a definite upgrade over Gus Frerotte and he makes the Dolphins offense more dangerous but unfortunately for Miami fans, I don’t think they’ll get to see the full extent of his impact until 2007.
Saban is doing a good job of rebuilding the Dolphins but much like Bill Parcells in Dallas, I think his first season was a bit of a fluke just because he was able to outcoach some people. Look for Miami to possibly take a step back this year before they really challenge New England next season. Make no mistake about it, the Dolphins are going to be a thorn in the Patriots side, it just won’t be this year.

 

[woolhoss]

There is a huge problem with this article and it is summed up in two words. LEE CORSO. It might as well be an MLS column written by John Kruk

 

[fishfan34]

http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=19404&pcid=41

First – and I don’t care what anyone says – Culpepper isn’t going to play during the first month of the season.

Did Dr. James Andrews write this? :shakeno:

Sure, it's a good speculation and he might even be right, but i'm tired of people putting this information out there as if it's gospel.

Yeah, we might take a step back, but doubtful. I believe this team is building something that goes beyond just having skilled players that can make plays. They are building a chemistry and a belief in this system. They are following Nick word for word and Nick has their ear and together, I think there is a confidence and belief of being unstopable. Zach said it a couple of weeks ago, that before, they would point to game A or B and say, we can win this one or this one will be tough, but, I think now, each and every time they step on the field, they believe they are the better team and the better prepared team, and when you can do that, you've won half the battle on game day. Sometimes it's the mindset of the team, as much as it's the ability of it's players. So sure, it might be a year before we challenge them, I sure can wait one more year, but, I know that we should have beat them BOTH times we played them, and that was with a team that was in it's first year of the Saban system and a team that didn't have nearly the player personnel this years team does. From Culpepper to Beasley, to adding depth at WR and getting younger, faster, and more athletic in the secondary. Patriots fans can believe all they want that we're a year a way, and sure, we might be, but, Chowder heads, don't let your jaws hit the ground too hard if we're a year ahead of your schedule, and you find yourself looking upwards at us this season.

 

[lazareth]

There is a huge problem with this article and it is summed up in two words. LEE CORSO. It might as well be an MLS column written by John Kruk

:dunno: a link to it just showed up on my radar screen (any news article with miami dolphins in it is forwarded to my inbox) and thought i'd pass it on...

...its not like i actually went to the patsy's website on purpose

 

[SuperMarksBros.]

whil i believe the pats are kings of the east until someone knocks them off, the article was written by a patriots fan(corso didnt write it, the guy just quoted him).

 

[GoonBoss]

I think it may well be likely true, overall...Lee Corso notwithstanding.

I think the first year's draft will be makeing the real impact, and,
then, the second years draft will just be matureing by the third year.

I'll take the SB this year.....I mean, sure....

But at the same time I think it's unreasonable to expect a SB
this year.

Until the Pats are knocked off, they rule.

Bill B. is still a heck of a coach last time I checked.

 

[lazareth]

Did Dr. James Andrews write this? :shakeno:

Sure, it's a good speculation and he might even be right, but i'm tired of people putting this information out there as if it's gospel.

i hope by 'people' you meant the writer

Yeah, we might take a step back, but doubtful. I believe this team is building something that goes beyond just having skilled players that can make plays. They are building a chemistry and a belief in this system. They are following Nick word for word and Nick has their ear and together, I think there is a confidence and belief of being unstopable. Zach said it a couple of weeks ago, that before, they would point to game A or B and say, we can win this one or this one will be tough, but, I think now, each and every time they step on the field, they believe they are the better team and the better prepared team, and when you can do that, you've won half the battle on game day. Sometimes it's the mindset of the team, as much as it's the ability of it's players. So sure, it might be a year before we challenge them, I sure can wait one more year, but, I know that we should have beat them BOTH times we played them, and that was with a team that was in it's first year of the Saban system and a team that didn't have nearly the player personnel this years team does. From Culpepper to Beasley, to adding depth at WR and getting younger, faster, and more athletic in the secondary. Patriots fans can believe all they want that we're a year a way, and sure, we might be, but, Chowder heads, don't let your jaws hit the ground too hard if we're a year ahead of your schedule, and you find yourself looking upwards at us this season.

amen!

 

[woolhoss]

Still. anything with Lee Corso's name in or on it I throw away. Being as he hates us WVU Mountaineers like we knocked up his daughter and left her in a trailer park.

 

[CitizenSnips]

sounds like a fight for the division. I wouldn't want it any other way.

 

[biggfish72]

AFC EAST CHAMP"S ,until he put's on da pat's UNI'& paly some ball, 4get dat bull s.ht,nick has this team in da right direction

 

[saves]

He makes quite a bit of unsupported assumptions in that article.

 

[PhinGeneral]

Still. anything with Lee Corso's name in or on it I throw away. Being as he hates us WVU Mountaineers like we knocked up his daughter and left her in a trailer park.

Well, did you??

 

[woolhoss]

maaaaaaaybe

 

[HybridPHIN 23]

Whatever, everyone keeps trying to come upwith lame reasons why they think were not all that good. Its like last offseason when boneheads tried convincing us that our team would be as bad as the year before when it was obvious we went 4-12 cuz of Ricky, Wanny, and a shatstorm of injuries.. If you want to judge the Dolphins based on their Qbs health.. do that for every other team. ( Sure the pats are a very good team, IF Brady stays healthy, The Steelers could repeat IF Big Ben plays, The Colts will get over the hump, IF Manning is on the field ) BLA BLA BLA

Even if Harrington starts the first month or so thats NOT the toughest part of our schedule. After week 1, we have the easiest 3 game stretch ever, consisting of Houston, Buffalo, and Tennessee. They may be the 3 worst teams in the AFC. Also, Joey threw 3 tds against pittsburg during their superbowl run, and that was with the Lions. I can't wait for September!

 

[GoonBoss]

Even if Harrington starts the first month or so thats NOT the toughest part of our schedule. After week 1, we have the easiest 3 game stretch ever, consisting of Houston, Buffalo, and Tennessee. They may be the 3 worst teams in the AFC. Also, Joey threw 3 tds against pittsburg during their superbowl run, and that was with the Lions. I can't wait for September!

Watch overlooking opponants.

Last matchup with Houston kinda sucked.:wink: