Comments on: Patriots Defeated, 18-1

By: Chip Nicholas

Chip Nicholas — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 08:54:55 +0000

I know this is ‘after the fact,’ but still wanted to reply. I was around in 1972 and it was a very different time, with a set of rules of engagement that was unique to it’s time. It was also a time when many NFL players returned to their off season jobs, not out of fun, but often because of what would be more termed ‘nearer to necessity.’
I am a Dolphin fan, have been since 1970. There is no doubt in my mind of the better level of atheleticism in terms of strength, size and speed – in the NFL today. No doubt the level of complexity existing in today’s game is greater. Given this, I think there is NO DOUBT that given a ‘majical match game’ the Patriot’s of today would best the Dolphins of ‘then.’ Nevertheless, I don’t think it would be the ‘BIG blow-out’ many assume. Especially given the struggles of the Patriot Defense this past year. But like one of the 72′ Dolphin veterans said, by half-time your NE Pats would no doubt be up. Having said that, I hope my respect for the players and organization of the Patriots is registered – despite allegations which over shadow the organization. They ARE a great team, amongst the great franchises.
What I don’t believe, though, is that the players ‘back then’ were so much slower, hit with less enthusiasm, and expended themselves less than those of today. The rules in those days clearly advantaged the defenses. There was a simplicity then, granted in comparison to today, but a grittiness that today’s game lack.
I don’t think I’m too far off the mark in stating that by the time one saw the rise of the Dolphins in the early 70’s – what may be termed as ‘modern football’ was clearly established; a modern, more sophisticated (yet gutty) approach to the game that also began to use specialists; a time which gave rise to the vaunted (sp?) Stealers and the Raiders (both of whom barely escaped a re-built Miami program on two occasions to make it to their Super Bowls. By the eighties, a definite new level to the game was being established.
I guess at the age of 48, I’ve come to appreciate the ones whose contributions have clearly paved the way for players today. And I am saddened by those who on the one hand loath the 72′ Dolphins with verbage one day, while exclaiming the greatness of players who played ‘back then’ – the very same players and teams those Dolphins defeated – on many occasions.
Although most of the 72 Dolphins were from various places, the idea of a Championship team in South Florida didn’t take well with football traditionalists.
And I think such attitudes perssist today – though not as much as then. Sure, some of the 72′ Dlophins appear to be bragging to the point of whinning. Even ‘then,’ people were making excuses – explaning away the reasons for their dominance – as if the players themselves didn’t deserve the congratulations and admiration for what they acheived in 71-73. Sad, to me, because I remember in the 70’s my Steeler friends boasting about how championships had returned to where football belongs – in places where it snows.
Perhaps I sense a rabid anger from NE area fans towards the ‘72 Dophins because the Pats and the Fins have really established a competitive rivalry since the 1970s which have made both clubs better. Isn’t it interesting that the only undefeated team in NFL history and the 18-1 Pats both came from the same division which molded them both, hmmm.
All this said, I close with a couple points. First, the 72′ Dolphins has some advantages your Patriot’s didn’t. First, they didn’t have a press of today hounding their every move. Second, the Patriot’s had been winners in their previous 3 Super Bowl victories. Although there was talk and pressure about completing an undefeated season – the truth was that the 72′ Fins HAD SOMETHING TO PROOF over and against a previous humiliating Super Bowl loss to the Cowboys. Which leads to the last point: There was no pressure on the 72 Fins to equal, or surpass, a previous perfect modern football season.
And so, I give personal permission of some old men to celebrate what they acheived. I HAD TOO, because if not, then why would anyone have a basis to defend some old ‘has-been’ PATS in the year 2029 bragg about their accomplishments – had they won against the Giants.
But in many more ways the PATs are winners – and I think the PAT fans still are proud of their team regardless of the Super Bowl loss or any clouds of allegations of taping. The very same way, many old fans are proud of a team from which very few names are remembered – or known, long ago in South Florida; even un-known then, when those 72′ Fins were young, fast, and strong too.
Allow the PATs and their fans the respect to enjoy their accomplishments.

By: Drew Bledsoe

Drew Bledsoe — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:55:13 +0000

Hey Pats Blog Admin: Thanks for changing my posting to something stupid and gay. Is that what you do when you get offended??? Kind of like cheating, huh??? ohhhhhhhhh shit!!!

By: Dolphins Fan

Dolphins Fan — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:20:55 +0000

Did you hear about Pats Willie Andrews? Go to ESPN.com…LOL…HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
This just keeps getting better….LOL

By: what a game!!

what a game!! — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:34:58 +0000

pats girl you don’t know a thing!! 14-6 is always better than 18-1 winning the superbowl is always everyone’s number one goal!!!!! 18-1 you may as well of lost 5 games this year. only a chick would think like you!!!!! the pats are like every other team except the GIANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: PatsGirl

PatsGirl — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:15:16 +0000

ARE YOU SERIOUS N.Y SHOULD BE THE LAST TO TALK ABOUT CHEATERS AND LOW CLASS…LETS NOT GET INTO THE YANKESS=STERIODS……YOU GUYS ARE JUST HATERS!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…YOU PEOPLE ARE SO LAME USING THAT CHEATING EXUSE THAT HAPPENED IN ONE GAME….GROW UP!!!!!!!…IF ANY OTHER TEM WAS 18-0 EVERYBODY AND THEIR MOTHER WOULD HATE THEM TOO AND FIND ANY LIL REASON TO TALK SHIT ABOUT THEM…PLEASE YOU GIANT FANS ARE PATHETIC…..YOU MAY HAVE BEEN BETTER THAT 1 SINGLE NIGHT…..OOOOOO WOW!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA BUT WE THE BEST ALL SEASON HAHAHAHAHAH…….CHEATERS THIS CHEATERS THAT YOU GUYS ARE THE DAMN BABIES CRYING ABOUT IT ALL SEASON AND AT THAT YOU ARE ALLOWED TO FILM THE OTHER TEAM JUST NOT IN CERTAIN AREA…..AND THE DOLPHINS PLAYED ONLY 16 GAMES AND WE DID 18…SO YEA WE ARE BETTER THEN THEM JUST CUZ WE DIDNT WIN THE LAST ONE BUT YET WE STILL WON MORE AND BROKE A LOT OF RECORDS HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA DONT BE MADD CUZ YOUR TEAMS WILL NEVER DO THAT SUCKERS KEEP CRYING ABOUT HOW WE ARE CHEATERS DAMN CRY BABIES HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

By: 17-0 Forever

17-0 Forever — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 06:16:24 +0000

It’s not easy to go for it on 4th and goal and run it up on your opponent when your getting your butt handed to you, is it? I was hoping somebody would break Brady’s knee or Bill’s head as some bad karma for their arrogance and unethical methods of play. I guess this is even sweeter! You got yours, now! Last game of the year, the one that counted, and you lost! LOL! 17-0 forever!

By: Dolphins Fan

Dolphins Fan — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:14:36 +0000

You can also say where oh where will Tom Brady and Randy Moss be during the Pro bowl? Oh yeah, they opted out. I’m sure they would have been happy to showcase their skills had they won. I guess their coaches behavior is rubbing off on them.

By: Dolphins Fan

Dolphins Fan — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:19:58 +0000

Where o where have the cheater fans gone. they were all hi and mighty over their cheaters all year long. I guess any team can go 18-1 when they cheat in every game but only one team can go 17-0 and wint th ebig game…without cheating.

By: SteelerFan

SteelerFan — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:25:12 +0000

The “Pats” (a crappy name by the way, real manly) are the BEANTOWN BABIES! Cheaters NEVER win, losers! Rodney Harrison is one of the dirtiest players in the NFL! And the 72′ dolphins are better than you ever will be! 1. They went all the way with class 2. they didn’t have to cheat 3. they aren’t sore losers like you and ur dumb coach! I guess you had to cheat to make up for your “young” team Tom Brady is practicaly the worst out of all of you! What a trash talker! The patriots are overated! YOUR TEAM IS SO OLD, IM SURPRISED YOU DIDN’T PLAY AGAINST THE 72 DOLPHINS!! If the 72 dolphins played you today, they’d probably still beat you! You guys suck, come back next year without the cheating, with out the crybabying, and without the cockiness! LOSERS! good job giants!

By: what a game!!

what a game!! — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:20:22 +0000

AG from what i’m reading you got to be a chick.