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My favorite team, the three-time Super Bowl Champions.
Led by cerebral coach Bill Belichick, Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady, and the hard-working Tedy Bruschi, the New England Patriots have achieved an unprecendented level of excellence, winning three Super Bowl titles and shattering numerous NFL records. As a tribute to the New England Patriots, I have decided to chronicle the incredible journey that the team has allowed me to take over the past several years as one of their fans. I hope that you will find these wonderful stories about this team to be an true inspiration.
*** The New England Patriots Bunker at www.DeROK.Net is a not-for-profit fan web site and is in no way affiliated with the NFL, NFL Properties, or the New England Patriots NFL football organization. This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only. www.DeROK.Net is not an official web site for the New England Patriots or the NFL! *** Full Disclaimer
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS BUNKER ARCHIVES
New England Patriots 2007 Archive
After suffering the most painful loss imaginable to end the 2006 season, the Patriots armed themselves with what may be the most impressive roster in NFL history. Any team with Tom Brady at the helm has a chance to win the Super Bowl, but when that team's roster includes stand-outs such as Randy Moss, Donte' Stallworth, Laurence Maroney, Tedy Bruschi, Adalius Thomas, and Asante Samuel, they have more than just a chance. The New England Patriots 2007 season should be defined by pure domination, and anything less than a fourth Super Bowl title will be unacceptable. Enjoy the ride Pats fans, this should be a good one!
With their dynasty lying in ruins, the Patriots banded together and overcame the odds once again. A slew of off-season departures had left the Patriots' roster with many gaping holes. Thanks to the leadership of Bill Belichick, the Patriots earned a heated playoff battle with their division rival New York Jets. They then went on to San Diego where Tom Brady pulled off yet another one of his patented comebacks. The season ended in Indianapolis, where the hated Colts finally defeated the Patriots.
Coming off their third Super Bowl Title in four years, the only question left to answer was if the New England Patriots would be able to claim a record-breaking fourth. However, an early-season injury to safety Rodney Harrison, put those plans in jeopardy. Despite several courageous performances by Tom Brady and the return of Tedy Bruschi, the Patriots fell short of the goal.
Was becoming a Dynasty the New England Patriots Destiny? Judging by the way Bill Belichick's team steamrolled the competition, the answer had to be "yes". With new running back Corey Dillon on board, Tom Brady lead the Patriots to a Super Bowl victory over the Phildadelphia Eagles, another 17-2 record,and an NFL-record 21 game winning streak.
For an entire year, all the New England Patriots heard was that their first Super Bowl title was a fluke. As the 2003 season began, Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, Tedy Bruschi, and the rest of the New England Patriots were dead-set on proving everybody wrong. Although the team struggled to a 2-2 start, they would not lose the rest of the season. And in the end, history was recreated as Adam Vinatieri kicked another Super Bowl winning field goal to defeat the Carolina Panthers.
Coming off of their amazing upset of the St. Louis Rams, the New England Patriots had a lot to prove. Everyone was calling Tom Brady and the Patriots a fluke. Despite great coaching by Bill Belichick, the New England Patriots struggled to cope with the pressures of being the world champions, and ultimately failed to make the playoffs. But that didn't mean Adam Vinatieri couldn't recreate some Super Bowl magic in the season finale...