I’ll be damned if I think anybody ought to be cowed by the New York Jets.
They are a center less, soulless organization, bereft of any substance, accomplishing nothing, representing nothing. They exist only to twist in whichever breeze happens to be blowing at the moment; a silly tabloid team in a silly tabloid town, every bit as vapid and temporary as the freaks and miscreants they share screaming headlines and column inches with. For almost fifty years, they have rarely stood for anything, and often fallen for everything.
So I’m not going to lose any sleep over their win here last night, or their one game lead with six to play.
Make no mistake – I went to bed last night just sick over the Patriots’ overtime loss to these coreless pretenders, sick over a defense that helped turn a 24-6 deficit into a 24-24 ballgame only to fade when presented with every opportunity to complete the comeback. Sick over Ben Watson’s fumble and Dan Koppen’s snap, sick over Mike Vrabel’s hold, sick over the coverage that could not protect the middle of the field on 3rd and 15.
But I’m feeling better now. Here’s why.
I think the Patriots proved once again last night that nothing – nothing – will make them fold their tents and go home. Their comeback, however incomplete, proved to me that they will be there at the end again this year, even after everything that has happened.
About that – call it an excuse if you want, but it’s a fact. They lost the reigning league MVP and best quarterback in the world fifteen plays into the season. Since then, their defensive leader has joined him on the sidelines, followed soon after by their most complete linebacker. Last night, they took the field without any of them, and for good measure, without a defensive lineman that routinely occupies two blockers on every play.
The Jets, on the other hand, went into the game without David Harris and Brad Kassell.
The point is that it would be a mistake to take this sort of thing for granted. I know we’re supposed to deadpan all this, and talk only about “the players that are here.” We’re supposed to say that it’s simply up to the next guy to come in and make the same plays that Tom Brady, Rodney Harrison, Adalius Thomas and Ty Warren make. We’re supposed to maintain expectations regardless.
You know something? That’s insane. That’s for players and coaches that have to have that mindset just to keep their heads above water. But I’m sitting over here on the couch, and I’m thinking they could have evaporated when Brady disappeared down the stairs behind their bench, and they didn’t. They could have spiraled downward when Harrison was lost, and they didn’t. They could have thrown their hands up when Thomas broke him arm, and they didn’t. They could have disappeared last night, down 18 points as halftime approached, and they didn’t.
Are we so jaded by this remarkable decade that we can’t see that? Are we so entitled in our ‘expectations’ that we see what’s happening with the Patriots this season as a failure?
I tell you, I just don’t see it. They could have faded away the moment that the shit hit the fan in the Chiefs game, just like the litany of hungover Super Bowl losers before them. Instead, they stayed upright, where they remain, even after last night’s hurtful loss. Nothing gets decided on November 13th, just like nothing was decided on September 7th, and it’s to their credit, not debit, that this is so.
Yeah, they lost the battle last night, but the war will rage on for another month and a half at least. If you doubt after last night that the Patriots will remain in the thick of it, just remember my earlier question of substance. Which organization has proven beyond all shadow of a doubt to have it, and which one has yet to prove anything in almost forty years?
As long as that’s true, you can’t count even this most hobbled of Patriots teams out of anything, least of all the AFC East.
Scott Benson is the Editor and Co-Founder of Patriots Daily. He can be reached at scott@patriotsdaily.com.
Well said, Scott. It hurts to lose to a division rival, the &^%ing Jets no less, at home with first place at stake. But I come away from the game with more hope for their chances than I have all year. How weird is that?
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I love this blog, but rarely respond on the site. It's a must read for me, a Jets fan, but wow no credit to a team that bested you no matter the excuses or situations? That's pretty petty.
"Are we so jaded by this remarkable decade that we can’t see that? Are we so entitled in our ‘expectations’ that we see what’s happening with the Patriots this season as a failure?"
I live here in MA, and I KNOW this is true .. for a fact. This is the central part of it. Lets face it … most Pats fans didn't exist before they got good. So now that they ARE good, it's a foregone conclusion they will continue to BE good .. same thing happened with many Yankees fans. They didn't remember the dark days. I was part of the Yankees dark days, so 2004 was tough, but I was begrudgingly happy for the Sox day in the sun once it came …
I'm not counting this Patriots team out of anything. And they are going to come back next year bigger and badder. I didn't call losing Pennington every other season an excuse, it's unfortunate but it's part of the game injuries happen to every team and the fact that the Patriots are still in contention with so many is very impressive.
Hat tip to the Patriots, they played a hell of a game, and I think with more healthy bodies they win this game, but let's not be total douches about another team when they best ours? Fair?
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WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
freakin cry babies….
Nobody cares what you about the win or the loss….bottom line is, you're in second place
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haha, you mad bitch.
7-3, first place, deal with it.
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Let me summarize this article:
Jets won, Pats lost and because I feel so bad im going to write an article about NY'ers and how much they suck
When I can't validate my pathetic existence with a Pats win….I'll throw a temper tantrum
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souless organization LOL
need a tissue, pussy?
Massholes are commiting suicide today….must suck when the only thing in life that gives you joy…..fails miserably
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Anyone who thinks this pussy pats fan will leave these posts up….is probably the same person that thinks the Patriots can win without cheating
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Soulless? Just how retahded are you? Enjoy 2nd place and try not to lose again to Noodle Arm Pennington.
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Geez. Was it the SuperBowl last night? Apparently Jets fans think it was. I guess when your team has sucked for most of its existence, you take pleasure in a regular season win over the team that almost ALWAYS gets the better of you. Enjoy it, losers, because the season ain't over yet.
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Oh, I'll leave them right here. They are beatiful in their own way.
Brian, I enjoy your site. But these are your guys following you over here. So don't talk to me about pettiness.
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Bloomberg just announced the route for tickertape parade. They promised to drive really slow so you guys can have time to read the J-E-T-S on the side of the flatbed.
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actually check your referral stat traffic and you'll see i've not posted a link … i've yet to post a link to this post — and believe me I won't … you're right that would be petty. someone else is linking here, if they are … it aint me. I link to your site's good stuff from time to time … and this ain't one of them …
it's 100% not me.
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Considering that most of those came from the same IP Address, I think it's the work of a single madman, rather than a flock of Jets fans…(so far)
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No, you didn't post a link. Your commenters evidently did, according to my referral stat traffic. I was referring to their pettiness, not yours. The same pettiness that gave us asterisks, Belicheat and Cheatriots. The idea that you would expect anything different in return is laughable.
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Whatever the case, I think blogs arguing with other blogs is even less interesting then our guest(s) from the Meadowlands Mensa chapter have been this afternoon. Moving on.
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Wow- talk about sore loser. Doubtful you would have said this was just ONE game if the Pats won….
I wonder if this will even be posted. I tried posting on Bruce's web site and he blocks my dissenting opinion about the coverage of the Pats cheating scandal last year vs. the allegations against Favre this year (having video tape is a bit different then simple allegations). I love reading both sites for your fan based opinions, but shouldn't you post the opposing view from time to time? Like today on this site? I rarely see it though…..
Keep up the (mostly) good work guys……
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Awesome. Now we have NY's worst and dimmest on the BSM site. Sigh. Enjoy the view from your Moms' basements, Hateriot Losers.
The Jets are pretty good in November. It's the months afterwards that kind of suck.
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You go to BSMW just to troll. You add nothing to the conversation. Don't tell me you "love reading both sites'. There's plenty of "opposing view" comments allowed, just not yours, which are the same thing every time.
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Yeah, that's exactly what he would have posted. Because it is one game, win or lose. Why would be hard up for a dissenting view when ESPN was driving the Spygate bandwagon all last year (right over a cliff, if I remember.)?
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The Internet has taken a grave toll on the reputations of Mom's basements everywhere.
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Dan, the last thing I'm ever going to do is to pander to that portion of the populace that takes some sick satisfaction in the losses of the home team. They can go screw. That hasn't changed since the last time we had this conversation, and it won't change at any point in the future.
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Just searched all comments from today in my dashboard … not even a mention of your site in comments since Week 2… hmm funny that you blame me for sending slime, then I call you out and then you blame my commenters … blame the refs, blame the injuries … ad nauseum ..
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Scott … you can't throw bombs and act totally ingracious on the web, talk about how everything new york is soulless and then expect to just move on without getting called out for it. You knew what you were doing. If you don't want the discussion then delete your post.
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I hate it when the discussion gets mired and deafened out by the roar of idiots too. Believe me, my site has their fair share of them lol … i'll be the first to admit it!!!! (which is why I wouldn't subject you guys to them! they're my "family" and I love them but every family has their fair share of yahoos)
I had to deal with them everyday. The only way to beat immature posters is to ignore it and participate in the valid and valuable discussion and have good commenters who help you do the same! 🙂
Again, I love this site and 99% of what I read here. It's one of the best on the web, hands down.
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No fat ladies singing but plenty of massholes crying LOL
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I hate it when the discussion gets mired and deafened out by the roar of idiots too. Believe me, my site has their fair share of them lol … i'll be the first to admit it!!!! (which is why I wouldn't subject you guys to them! they're my "family" and I love them but every family has their fair share of yahoos)
I had to deal with them everyday. The only way to beat immature posters is to ignore it and participate in the valid and valuable discussion and have good commenters who help you do the same! 🙂
Again, I love this site and 99% of what I read here. It's one of the best on the web, hands down.
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bruce, you're showing more restraint than i would … i would have bounced him already by now. 🙂
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fucking babies!
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Delete my post? Kiss my ass. Run your own site and I'll run mine. Don't you have a monumental history-changing November win to celebrate? Why do you choose to spend your day over here complaining as though I set out to personally offend you?
And you call this discussion? Give me a break.
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Just out of morbid curiosity, where do you place the start date on when the Patriots 'got good?'
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Talk to Word Press about it. It has an entirely different version of events.
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Fat lady might not be singing but Pats fans are definately crying LOL
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Yes, we definately are. Most definately. LOL
I think Mangini's gum wad has more brain function than some of this.
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HA! Good one! You've got a bright future in sports radio, Jack.
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Since when did pointing out the low level of conversation we're getting from the twits who have chose to represent Gangrene constitute crying? Maybe you should try YouTube, jack? That would be more your speed. You don't even have to spell correctly! Troll away!
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Bombs? I don't get what's so offensive, Brian. How's this so out of place on a Patriots site? You never see similar commentary on your site about the Patriots or Boston? I'm positive Belichick has been called much worse than "soulless". For that matter, so has New York.
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Actually NO, I go there to enjoy the links, see what the local Boston writers are talking about (except the Herald which I purchase every morning), usually enjoy your analysis Bruce, but sometimes- I simply go there for a laugh or two. I don't "troll" and sorry that you feel that I add nothing to the conversation. I obviously disagree with that, but it is a matter of opinion. I think what you really mean is that you do not like a good debate or argument and since you don't like my opinion, you choose not to post it. Obviously your site- your rules. Just disappointing that someone as good as you with your writing skills, the quickness of the links, and everything that you do help promote (vendettas against Borges, Shaughnessy, etc not included of course) sports in Boston- it's just disappointing that you BLOCK people's opinions from posts. I do see opposing views from time to time, but I have also seen them removed. So much for "free speech." Not sure if you are turning in to Dennis or Callahan there Bruce…..
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I don't take sick satisfaction in the losses of the home team. I follow the Celtics and Bruins closely and was very excited about the Celtics championship last season. And the Bruins look awesome this year. Don't like the Red Sox, never did and never liked the Patriots and their smugness and arrogance. I enjoy the game and root for my teams, which so happen to not be the Red Sox and the Patriots. I know, we have exchanged emails and you are always good for a good, healthy debate. And I respect the fact that you post the opposing view (unlike Bruce). Have to think you knew that someone would post somethings that people wouldn't like with your article today though Scott.
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I actually have a house in Massachusetts, haven't lived with my parents in a long time. I am sure people who have had financial woes in this hard economic time and have had to move home OR people who have their elderly parents move in with the due to illness appreciate your smug comment about living in someone's mom's basement. Boy- did that joke get old quickly….
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My only complaint (other than not seeing the old gunslinger trying to prove that he can still throw into tight coverage) was the gawd-awful 3 and out stinkfest by the Pats with 3 and some change to go. If they put together the same type of drive that they did at the very end of the game, the Pats would've been going for the win instead of a tie. If wishes and buts, I guess…
And I wonder how much of a woodie Schlereth was sporting when he professed that this win was a "changing of the guard" in the AFC East. Nice kneejerk reaction, you football intellectual poseur.
Jets fans – good luck against those Titans. Hope you guys remember how slim a one-game lead is and that a win in Week #11 does clinch any kind of championship.
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Dan, be careful what you assume. The last thing I thought I'd be doing today is this. I think I've proven by now that I don't have the slightest idea how to drive traffic to a web site. I write what I'm thinking about as a fan at any given moment, post it because I can, and that's about as calculated as it gets. Don't think I get one iota of satisfaction from what has been a ridiculous waste of time this afternoon.
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Dan, if you ever offered something other than "Belichick is a CHEATER" and "The Patriots are ARROGANT", and "Tony MAZZ is AWESOME" I'd love to have you join in more. I appreciate your compliments, though backhanded they may be. Maybe I'm wrong about you, but I don't think so. Plenty of your comments have gotten through to the site, so don't play like you're a total victim here. You also said in a recent comment, which was posted on the site, btw, that you come to the site to laugh at what is said about the media.
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