I'm unwilling to accept this as an 'end' to the Pats run. Nobody has won it every year, have they? There were lots of people who didn't think the Pats had a chance to make it to the playoffs before the season started, what with the loss of both their O and D coordinators, etc. They were an improving team in the last half, made the playoffs and came up short this year. Coulda been a lot worse. They're still the toughest team in their division.
This is true, but they've won zero SBs without Ty Law, Charlie Weis and Joe Andruzzi. Mangini, Bruschi and Givens might be gone after this year. McGinest will be 35, Dillon is just about done and and the heart of the Patriots the last few years -- Troy Brown and Rodney Harrison - will be 35 and 34 (and coming off season-ending surgery).The Pats of 2006 will be significantly different than the Pats of 2004.
They'll also have an offensive line and defensive backfield that's healthy, with playoff tested backups. As well as a healthy cap situation to fill gaps.Are you going to suggest that the Pats are in worse shape than the other AFC contenders for 2006?
Your anti-Pats schtick is cute, but don't lose TOTAL credibility tonight.
It remains to be seen whether or not the Pats will be a better or worse team next year (duh). But they are going to be a different team than the one that won a SB. Both coordinators gone (and perhaps a third coordinator), and key members of that team are in the twilight of their careers: Rodney Harrison, Tedy Bruschi, Troy Brown, Corey Dillon, Ty Law (at best, he may not return to NE obviously).You'd be foolish to question the Pats ability to rebuild, but if they win they'll be winning with new guys. That's all I'm saying.
The Pats also have a lot of young players that are just starting to come into their own:Ben Watson, Ellis Hobbs, Logan Mankins, Nick Kazcur, Asante Samuel, Ty Warren, etc...
Fact is: Many of the guys you mentioned contributed very little to THIS year's team anyways. A team that needs a bit of tweaking to be an AFC contender again.