So you can probably feel the universal glee from all those who cover the NFL and loathe the Patriots that SI's Team of the Decade is struggling right now. As impressive as the 2007 Patriots were it has set an unattainable precedent that will not (and should not) be met again.
And that's fine. We can talk about turnover on the defense... a lack of leadership, pass rush, or pass coverage.. Tom Brady's rust... the lack of a viable third receiving threat. Look, you can pick any excuse you want, and there are plenty of them to choose from. But that's not the Patriot way.
This morning Randy Moss, Adalius Thomas, Derrick Burgess and Gary Guyton were late for an 8am meeting at Gillette due to snowy conditions and Belichick sent them home. It's not like BB wouldn't have done the same thing in the middle of September, but right now, in mid-December, after losing 3 of 4, it was the right chance for Bill to turn the screws on this Patriots team a bit.
Personally I've never enjoyed being a fan more than right now. The reality is that it's not unheard of for a team like the 2009 Patriots to fix their problems and make a run in the playoffs. The 2006 Colts couldn't stop anyone on the ground before the playoffs. But somehow they put it together and won the Super Bowl.
Not saying that's what should be expected of the Patriots. But if any coach can pull a team together and make them play great it's Bill Belichick. Turmoil and losses are what forge great teams and great players. Tedy Bruschi and Willie McGinest had to lose to Brett Favre and the Packers in the Super Bowl before they became the great leaders and players they were.
People have been harsh on Jerod Mayo, Jonthan Wilhite, Darius Butler and Brandon Meriweather. Let's hope we see similar growth and development from them.
Four games left. One game division lead. Let's close this thing out strong and make some noise in the playoffs!
