How many more seasons will the Patriots be a contender?

[True Dough]

I realize I'm inviting bluedigger to chime in with "forever," but seriously?

I commend the organization for so many years of success. But Gronk seriously pondered retirement last season. He struggled with injuries this year. He's got a lot of miles on him.

Brady has now committed to play until he's Methuselah's equivalent in age. His stats were very good this season, but sub-par by Brady standards. I'll be damned if he and the Pats didn't find another gear in the playoffs today, as they usually seem to do, but Brady be 42 next season, which is ANCIENT in the NFL.

Edelman isn't who he used to be. The Josh Gordon experiment failed. Sony Michel has emerged as a capable running back, if his knee holds up. The defense was better than average for most of the season, but there are quite a few aging veterans there as well.

Belichick knows football, there's no denying it. But without his core, he can't work miracles.

So when do we see New England as a .500 team or worse? Next year? The season after that?

[Lotusflower70]

1. Good question

The football gods have been incredibly kind to Brady in regard to injury or lack thereof. I am hoping for some variety and competition for the title. It gets boring with the same teams. Plus the whole cheating thing taints them. They have an uncanny ability to grab players that are not successful elsewhere and get them to contribute. Time will tell. At some point Brady has to age.

[ProfessorGAC]

5. He Missed Nearly One Full Season

Then enough of another to make Garofalo a star.
How many games was he supposed to be hurt?

[Wellstone ruled]

2. Until Bellacheat

decides to walk away. You show up for work everyday or you are gone.

[Bennyboybama]

3. True Dough

Patriots fans have been playing “Brady Watch” for years now. What Brady thinks (he wants to play until he’s 45) isn’t relevant. He’ll play until his arm gives out and then no matter how Brady or the Patriots organization spins it, he’ll be gone.

The real issue for New England fans is what will life in Foxboro be like with a new quarterback leading the team. The Krafts will never get another quarterback to equal Brady.

[True Dough]

4. Welcome to the DU!

I'm honored to have your first post in this thread!

Now, analyzing your screen name, you're either a big fan of Barack Obama (bama) or Clemson (who defeated Alabama).

Am I getting warm?



And, yes, the "Brady Watch" is hard to abandon. Nobody wins the fight against Father Time, but Brady has won more than his share of battles to date.

[MLAA]

7. Welcome to DU! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

[bluedigger]

6. I would never say forever.

I used to assume B & B would ride off into the sunset together, but I no longer assume anything. I think Gronk is done after this season, though. Edelman has another year in him. If they can reweaponize the offence, they can make another run next year. It's not like anyone in the AFC East is going to challenge them anytime soon. Still pulling for the Quadrifecta - Red Sox (Done), Patriots (in progress), Celtics (meh), and Bruins (hmmm) all in a row.