Problem is the pats are the same team they were in 2006, minus a LOT of key players.Tom Brady isn't the same player, Moss is getting old and Welker won't be the same guy... Jarrod mayo is the only real new star the pats have developed.
For a LOOOOONG time the pats could do no wrong,like the Niners back in the day...but nothing lasts forever
I like the Jets. I think they are a great contrast to how the Patriots do things, and they show that their is more than one way to skin a cat.
I'll tell you why the Patriots are not done. Aside from the obvious (their system has set records for winning over the last decade) and they have the ability to completely retool their team in a short period of time. Look at the team in 2001...it was full of free agents and one of the worst teams to ever win the sb. Fast forward two years; they used the draft to create the 2003 - 2004 teams, which gave them back to back titles, and carried them all the way until 2006 (when they retooled again via free agency and the draft).
Here we are in 2010, coming of a winning season, with three second round draft choices, a first round pick, no salary cap and the cap space to add whomever they want. In 2011, they have the Raiders 1st rounder (which will be a top ten pick) + all their picks. They also have a very young defense with some very good players that have shown promise. Vince Wilfork (best NT in the game), Meriweather (pro bowl SS), Bodden (very good corner), Ty Warren (Very good DT) - etc. The problem last year was the lack of a pass rusher and their youth in the secondary.
As for Brady, if "losing his mojo" = the third best QB in the NFL last year + a pro bowl, I bet 29 other QB's would love to lose their mojo. Brady put up big numbers last year coming off major surgery. He's going to be better in 2010, bet on it. Did you look at his numbers last year? He was better than all but Manning and Brees.
The Patriots have everything they need to create another dominant team. You might want to wait for the draft before writing them off, they could pull a 2006 and add two all pro wr's via trade. Also, I'd argue the 2006 team was worse than what they have now.
As for not adding homegrown star players, I disagree. Last years draft produced 6 starters and the Patriots have a slew of young players who are emerging. They are a young team in need of a pass rusher. Without that, the defense couldn't function last year.
We'll see how it goes.
