NFL 2012 Conference Week Thread

I know a lot has been said about the Brady/Belichick legacy, not having won a Super Bowl since 2005, but if they go again this year, win or lose, they will have gone to 6 Super Bowls in 12 years. Since when does losing a Super Bowl become a bad thing? Only 2 teams make it every year, and while it's not winning the Super Bowl, shouldn't it be viewed as a tremendous achievement? Bills lose 4 Super Bowls in a row, why does that make them a bad team? I think Levy was a hell of a coach and Kelly was a hell of a QB just to make it to 4.

So with that said, if Brady and Belichick go (3-3) in the Super Bowl, how does this "tarnish" their legacy? What other QB/coach combo has gone to 6 Super Bowls? For that matter, what other coach/QB combo has made it to 5, which they have already accomplished? I think they're already an elite tandem.

Since when does losing a Super Bowl become a bad thing?

Ask Bills fans.

EDIT: Heh, posted before I even finished reading. When I saw that question, immediately the Bills pop to mind. I think they would have traded 1 win for all the other appearances.

Stele wrote:
Since when does losing a Super Bowl become a bad thing?

Ask Bills fans.

EDIT: Heh, posted before I even finished reading. When I saw that question, immediately the Bills pop to mind. I think they would have traded 1 win for all the other appearances.

I don't disagree with that, but I'm referring to a player/coach/team's legacy. I think the Bills legacy during the early 90s should still be considered dominant, even though they don't have that Super Bowl win.

As a Giants fan, I know and can admit that the Bills should not have lost Super Bowl XXV, but thanks to one Scott Norwood, their Super Bowl trophy shelf remains empty.

Winning it all is best. But as a fan, I really want my team to be built to compete each year. I would never trade one year of dominance over multiple years of excellence.

But the reality is, once the playoffs start, anyone can win, and it is far more crapshoot than test of greatness. The best position to be in is to have several shots.

49ers
Patriots

Which, frankly, would make for a really entertaining Super Bowl.

Okay. Not the game I was expecting.

Football is a long long game. No time for concern yet. As long as the 49ers get a TD this quarter, right back in it.

Needs to be a more sustained drive maybe and give the defense some rest though.

Paleocon wrote:

Okay. Not the game I was expecting.

And if I had the guts to predict it, would have won me the pick'em for the season.

But seeing Tony Gonzalez in the Super Bowl great, if they can hold this lead.

Stele wrote:
Since when does losing a Super Bowl become a bad thing?

Ask Bills fans.

EDIT: Heh, posted before I even finished reading. When I saw that question, immediately the Bills pop to mind. I think they would have traded 1 win for all the other appearances.

Ask the Vikings, too, while you're at it.

Brady and Belichick are both first-ballot HoFers. But Brady noses ahead in the Best Ever sweepstakes.

Falcons came prepared. 49ers starting to wake up after sleeping through the first quarter.

Stele wrote:

Football is a long long game. No time for concern yet. As long as the 49ers get a TD this quarter, right back in it.

Needs to be a more sustained drive maybe and give the defense some rest though.

Yeah... exactly like that drive.

7 minutes, TD. Game on.

I mocked the Falcons for trading so much to go up and get Julio Jones. Currently writing "IDIOT" on my forehead in permanent marker.

And Vernon Davis came to play today.

Wow, a defensive battle!

MilkmanDanimal wrote:

I mocked the Falcons for trading so much to go up and get Julio Jones. Currently writing "IDIOT" on my forehead in permanent marker.

Same here. Julio Jones is the legit pro-bowl receiver that they paid for.

Stele wrote:

And Vernon Davis came to play today. :cool:

More like the Falcons decided not to cover him. Weird.

Enix wrote:
Stele wrote:

And Vernon Davis came to play today. :cool:

More like the Falcons decided not to cover him. Weird.

Maybe they saw Crabtree tear it up last week and decided to focus on him?

Maybe they're covering Vernon with a LB? There aren't many in the league that are up to that task.

There's the Matt Ryan we all know and love!

Oh my.

BOINK!

So many kickers out there, and the best the 49ers could do to challenge a shaky Akers was Billy Cundiff? There honestly weren't any other options?

David akers needs to retire

Oh my!

Damn I can't believe Akers is still there.

Finally Crabtree gets open! Need a TD here!

Oh my, again!

DAMMIT

Wow. One. Foot. Line.

Good return, moving again. Got to get the lead this time.

EDIT: Yes, Gore!

The Falcons don't make it easy on themselves.

Edit: Good lord how does Douglas muff that one.

Harbaugh finally made a good challenge I think.

Better be incomplete.

EDIT: Unbelievable. Ball slides out and hits the ground, but complete...

Should have known. Jim has to have the worst % of successful challenges of any coach ever.