If you ask any Patriots fan, they’ll tell you that it’s good to be back on top, and they’re right, it absolutely is. As good as it is to be back in the Super Bowl, however, the real truth is that it’s good to be back to relevance.
What I didn’t realize, in the world of 24/7 media consumption and the growing of the internet and draft sites, was just how different life was as a team with a top-10 pick. It’s a lonely few months, spent mostly watching college football tape, refreshing Tankathon, and reading or creating mock drafts. By this time last year, I had written multiple seven-round mock drafts, and I spent significantly more time thinking about the Senior Bowl than the Super Bowl.
Be honest, how many times have you been to Tankathon this year? How many mock drafts have you read or made? My guess is not many, and that’s a welcome change from the last few years.
What the Patriots’ scouting and coaching staffs, both of which have been masterfully led by Mike Vrabel, have been able to accomplish in just one year is nothing short of incredible. They took a roster that went 4-13 last season and turned it into a machine that went 14-3 and is in the Super Bowl.
(Also, spare me with the schedule talk. They played basically the same schedule as the Bills, outside of three games: the Chiefs, who stunk this year, even when Patrick Mahomes was healthy; the Texans, who we’ve been told have a terrible offense and don’t count as a tough opponent; and the Eagles, who limped into the playoffs and were a first-round exit.)
Regardless of how things broke for them in the playoffs, they could be the first team in NFL history to take down four of the top six defenses in the same playoff run. I don’t care what the offense looks like, that’s as difficult of a road that you’ll find for a Super Bowl team.
This season has been such a delight, and the Patriots are so likable. From the Will Campbell Weekend Update, to the Thursday night offensive line dinners, to BakeMas, to Mack Hollins being an absolute weirdo, it’s fun to be a Patriots fan again.
I know the only thing that matters around here is Super Bowls, and that some will ultimately consider it a failure if they lose on Sunday, but that’s just not the case. This season has been a huge success, and has kick-started the rebuild in ways that we couldn’t have expected a year ago.
When the trade deadline came and passed, many were upset that the Patriots didn’t do anything. Instead, their patience paid off and they got big contributions from UDFA Elijah Ponder, free agent pickup Cory Durden (whose nickname should be Tyler, because he plays with the same anger as the character from Fight Club), and even waiver claim Leonard Taylor, all while not giving up a single asset. Every free agency and draft move has seemingly paid dividends for them this year, and, with another class like this one, they’ll be legit contenders for the foreseeable future.
It’s for those reasons, as well as others — we don’t have all day here — that a loss on Sunday wouldn’t be a failure. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be disappointed if they don’t win and you’ll probably be too. You need to try to win when you get here since there is no guarantee that you’ll ever get back.
This year, however, is already a resounding success. Let’s hope that we’re all watching Drake Maye and Co. lift the Lombardi tonight, but, if for some reason they are not, let’s keep it in perspective. Be disappointed, yes, but look at all the growth from this year, and how well they are positioned for the future. Vrabel, Eliot Wolf, Ryan Cowden, John Stricher, Josh McDaniels, Drake Maye, Christian Gonzalez, Milton Williams and many others will have them back in contention in short order.
For the meantime, let’s all make sure to do our part. Get your food ready, make sure everyone has the correct seat arrangements, and let’s all hunker down and watch some Patriots hype videos before kickoff.
It’s good to be back.
