Tom "Iceman" Brady

[GTripp0012]

One more point:

2002 NE was a better team (better ranked) than 2001 NE in all three phases of the game; offense, defense, and special teams...thus a bettter football team. However, 2001 NE won the super bowl, and 2002 NE missed the playoffs.

A last place schedule, a tuck rule, and the Steelers and Rams, teams far better than the Patriots, both laying respective eggs in championship games was all it took to turn Tom Brady into a legend.

Maybe Manning IS due this year.

Disclaimer: The 2003 Patriots and 2004 Patriots were both the leagues' best teams in their respective years. Both teams were most deserving of a Championship. All I'm saying is that the 2001 Patriots were lucky SOBs. The same source that has the 03 and 04 Pats as the leagues best team has 01 NE as the leagues 12th best team.

Source: Football Outsiders