Success

I agree. But 42 is 42, and he has played a few more seasons than that with all of the playoff games. He is not a myth, and all of the stuff with pliability and avocado ice cream can only go so far. I think Pats fans who are counting on 2-3 more peak years are delusional.

Brady chucks it when he has a deep guy he trusts. I’ve rarely seen a QB for whom trust is such a huge priority. Moss was really that guy. He’d throw into all kinds of coverage for that him. As long as it was in the vicinity, he’d get it. No one really like that these days. He fully trusts Edelman, but most of their routes are shorter and more precise. And I do think he’s losing that range, regardless. So does BB, given how he is building that team.

Either this year or next at the latest, the Bills and Jets will be battling it out for the division title. Both teams have turned the corner, imo. Who prevails depends largely on who you think will be the better QB. I’m an Allen guy.

This is what keeps me from getting too optimistic. I believe BB could take any roster in the league and make them competitive, at minimum. He’s scary good. Brady leaving will probably only mean that they go from guaranteed AFCCG’s and Superbowls to guaranteed playoff berths. I need more than that. I need that team to go 4-12 for at least 20 years.

It’s weird that some fans think a team can be built in a year. Beane has a clear vision, imo. We don’t know if it’s a successful one yet, but giving him 2 years is hardly giving too much “slack.” I like Ike the way he’s building the team. Whaley was splashier and more top heavy. Beane is all about building strong depth, which has clearly been a successful formula in the league.

People often cite the 11-5 Cassell record - but we really enabled that. 2 of the most winnable games ever that we just Billsed to the max.

Pats finish 3rd. Not sure how the rest shakes out.

I really don’t like the New England Patriots.

It’s close. But yeah - that would have been worse.

Love the OP. While I tend to veer homer, I do think there is a strong foundation for optimism this season. A lot of it comes down to how much trust any of us put into Beane and his vision. This season is a sort of early culmination of the work he has put in - dumping bloated contracts, trading players, investing in a top QB prospect, etc. I believe in Beane. The table is now set, and it’s coinciding nicely with what I anticipate will be at least a slight decline in the biggest obstacle we’ve had over the years in the Patriots. Anything less than 10 wins would be a big surprise to me, and obviously disappointing.

Beer is much to important in my life to trifle with novelty ideas and gimmicks.

As soon as Allen hurdled that guy to get a 1st down, I knew we had our QB. He’s just a first rate competitor - no ego, just win. I have very high expectations this season,

Darn.

As long as he knows what’s going on with the Bills, I’m good. I think he does a great job.

That kind of talk is pure ignorance. I’ve been all over the country. Western NY is one of the most beautiful areas out there. I get that the winters can be rough, but I’ll take Buffalo over Miami any ol’ day.

I wonder how the search for the “real killers” is going?

Yeah - well, that morphed quickly into your usual tired “rainbows and unicorns” schtick. I know you’d prefer us all to post “woe is us” pessimism year round. We have very good reason to be excited about the upcoming season. Oh, and we’re Bills fans - and you’re on a Bills fan board.

Ah, yes - our resident “hope police” chimes in. Bills fans are rightfully excited for this season. Sorry if it bugs ya. Brady will be 42, btw.

Amen.

Whenever I mention to Pats fans that he was declining last year, they just say sarcastically that he declined so much that he won #6. He was terrible in that SB. One TD drive. They should have been blown out if LA wasn’t overwhelmed by the moment.

Also, I’m not sure if I’ve shared this with everyone - I really don’t like that team.

Not a chance.

The Pats are like the Warriors. So much aura - they’ve won for so long that pundits are terrified to pick anything that isn’t their continued dominance. No one gave the Raptors a shot in this finals. Not a ghost of a chance. And they’re up 3-1. Sure, GS has had injuries, but is it really surprising for an older team to have those? Look at the age of key positions on the Pats. I’m convinced that #6 was their swan song. I don’t think they make the playoffs this year. I think the division comes down to us or the Jets.

They looked deliberately over the top. Every thing that team does is an eff you to the league and other fan bases. Who knows if they’ll ever have down years again. But if they do, I’ll relish every loss and blowout just as much as Bills wins.

I’m glad he’s sticking around. He’s not a myth. If his line doesn’t hold up this year, it will be a long one for him.