End of a Glorious Era

I know that this may have been said way too often throughout the season. It made have been said too much since yesterday. From 2001-2007, it was easy to say that the New England Patriots were royalty throughout that time. But yesterday emphasized that the Patriots are not the best anymore. You saw it from game 2 on this year that the Pats were unable to surmount a comeback or make a big stop on defense. It seemed like yesterday put the icing on the cake. Once the Patriots gave up a touchdown on an 83-yard run from Ray Rice (which was the first play of the game), you knew the New England gridiron gang lost their swagger. In years past, that play may not have happened. But, in years past, if they were behind, they always had an answer. Once the Patriots had the ball, you would think that they would sustain a drive that would produce either a lot of first downs or produce points. On the third play of the drive, Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs stripped the ball from Tom Brady and the Ravens recovered it. Once you leave the room to go to the bathroom, the visitors scored a touchdown to make it 14-0. That was when I felt the game was over.
The game ended because they did not have enough players that had the ability to make a big play to turn the game around. The Pats tried, but when they did, they would throw it in the towel. In the past, if the score was 14-0 in the first quarter, you know that Tedy Bruschi, Richard Seymour, Rodney Harrison or Mike Vrabel would make a play. But guess what? They are all gone. By the end of the first quarter, it was 24-0, the most points a Belichick defense has ever given up in the first quarter.
The Patriots played like they were vulnerable. Brady has not been healthy all season (rumors of a shoulder strain, some cracked ribs, and a broken finger), they refused to use their running game at critical times of the game and their defense could not play with good offenses. Those three things were the most important elements of success and they fell short in all of them.
Since the 2007 season, the Pats are all about numbers. They achieved the perfect 16-0 season, but failed to win the Super Bowl, which made them the worst 18-1 squad ever. Patriots did not have a 1,000 yard receiver since their first Super Bowl in 2001 (Troy Brown had 1,199 yards that year) and they won two Super Bowls. Since 2007, the Patriots have had six 1,000 yard seasons combining Welker and Randy Moss, which equals to ZERO Super Bowls. Before 2007, Brady did not throw for more than 28 passing touchdowns. In 2007, he had steroid numbers with 50 touchdown passes. I can go on.
I felt like they never had their swagger this year. Since former player personnel Scott Pioli jettisoned to the Kansas City Cheifs, the Pats have not made Patriot moves like getting guys to help the team in a certain area. They have not drafted well since 2005 (Chad Jackson, Jonathan Wilhite, Terrence Wheatley, Laurence Maroney please stand up).
The hardest thing to do in sports is not only get to the playoffs every year, but to WIN the Super Bowl every year. From 2001-2009, the Pats have had seven playoff appearances, five AFC Championship games and four Super Bowl appearances. That is quite a feat. Not even the Indianapolis Colts or the Pittsburgh Steelers has amassed that kind of success. It was quite a dynasty when it last. I am still proud to be a Patriots fans, but I don't expect them to win it all for quite a while if they have what they have right now. Keep trying Pats. I hope I'm wrong.