"What if" Brady stayed in NE 2020-thru-2022?
Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2023 1:02 pm
I'm thinking they don't win another Lombardi anyway. 2019's one-and-done to 9-7 Titans, to me, signals such.
FWIW, last year and the year before the Pats weren't far at all from making the playoffs. Even in 2020 they were at 6-6 down the stretch. Keep TB plugged in for three more seasons, and I think playoffs each year with '21 likely being better than the 10-7 one-and-done which it was. Likely enough a division title for, remember, the Bills were actually 'only' 11-6 that year! Just mere playoff caliber the Pats would be '20-thru-'22, but playoff caliber just the same, at least.
This 2023 campaign of Belichick, thus far, is reminding me of '88 with Landry. Yes, the last few seasons leading up for both were obviously not up to par (decline apparent), but this season and '88 being their first real bad season in a long time for each respectively!
In a Noll-vs-Belichick debate, Chuck has sure gained some artillery these past few seasons. His first two years after Bradshaw (and, of course, you may as well say that '83 counts as, really, the first w/out him) he starts out 9-2 en route to a division title with Cliff Stoudt, and then the following year - with Mark Malone - propels them to an AFCCG berth; but not before beating Champs-to-be San Fran, defending-Champs Raiders, and 13-3 Broncos all on the road! And then doing what he did in '89 and then the following year - without Tom Moore, mind you - going into the finale with the #1 defense and chance to win their division!
Then, of course there's Paul Brown who fielded numerous winners after Otto Graham, most notably returning to the League Championship Game in '57!
But back to the original topic/hypothetical at-hand, I guess Bruce Arians never wins that Lombardi. Mahomes with three Rings already (yet to experience a Super Bowl defeat)? Andy Reid already a Canton lock!
Thoughts?
FWIW, last year and the year before the Pats weren't far at all from making the playoffs. Even in 2020 they were at 6-6 down the stretch. Keep TB plugged in for three more seasons, and I think playoffs each year with '21 likely being better than the 10-7 one-and-done which it was. Likely enough a division title for, remember, the Bills were actually 'only' 11-6 that year! Just mere playoff caliber the Pats would be '20-thru-'22, but playoff caliber just the same, at least.
This 2023 campaign of Belichick, thus far, is reminding me of '88 with Landry. Yes, the last few seasons leading up for both were obviously not up to par (decline apparent), but this season and '88 being their first real bad season in a long time for each respectively!
In a Noll-vs-Belichick debate, Chuck has sure gained some artillery these past few seasons. His first two years after Bradshaw (and, of course, you may as well say that '83 counts as, really, the first w/out him) he starts out 9-2 en route to a division title with Cliff Stoudt, and then the following year - with Mark Malone - propels them to an AFCCG berth; but not before beating Champs-to-be San Fran, defending-Champs Raiders, and 13-3 Broncos all on the road! And then doing what he did in '89 and then the following year - without Tom Moore, mind you - going into the finale with the #1 defense and chance to win their division!
Then, of course there's Paul Brown who fielded numerous winners after Otto Graham, most notably returning to the League Championship Game in '57!
But back to the original topic/hypothetical at-hand, I guess Bruce Arians never wins that Lombardi. Mahomes with three Rings already (yet to experience a Super Bowl defeat)? Andy Reid already a Canton lock!
Thoughts?