What's Next? 2013 Journey Begins Now.

Somehow, this loss is humbling as a fan. Despite the fact that we all knew that we were "the most hated team in football," I think we are finally seeing it in action. People have always been psyched when The Patriots lose, but now it's obvious that their hatred is personal. These people honestly hate Tom Brady in a way that just isn't comprehensible to us as Pats fans.

"We need some help!!"

We dare not compare our precious Patriots with the much-loathed Yankees, but the comparison is the closest that I can come up with. Tom Brady has personally dismantled almost every NFL team multiple times. Tom Brady has spiked it in their endzones. Bill Belichick has dashed their hopes at Superbowl after Superbowl. The Patriots have sowed the seeds of victory from San Diego to London, and now all those fans are feeling vindicated. It's the same feeling we got when the Yankees lost in the ALCS while our Red Sox were...well...let's not talk about The Red Sox.

I think we are finally realizing how spoiled we have been lately. We hit the Quad-fecta! All 4 major teams won a championship within 10 years. We've got nowhere to go but down, but we've got to be happy that we are in this position. Talk to a Jets fan, I am sure they would love to make it to the AFC Championship game. How about a Bills fan? Dare I mention those Dolphins fans?

We lost to The Ravens. They outplayed us, and it's a damn shame. Still, somehow that makes it easier to swallow. This one didn't come down to a helmet catch or a critical dropped pass. We were not effective because The Ravens played a great game plan perfectly.

Nevertheless, we can't just keep drinking the Kool-Aid blindly in the Cult of Belichick. You are crazy if you think BB is part of the problem, but you are also crazy if you can't admit that he got outcoached. Belichick wasn't aggressive enough, and he didn't seem to make any effective adjustments. Likewise, you are insane if you think Brady should retire, but you are just stupid if you thought Brady played well enough.

Brady wants him back, but Brady doesn't play Defense

Brady is still going to be the QB, and Belichick is still going to be the coach.  But what do you do when your two biggest assets come up short? Do you build more pieces around Brady? OR do you re-allocate resources for offense back to the defense?

The big question for everyone is Wes Welker. In my honest opinion, I don't think he is worth $10 Million. I don't think he was worth $9 Million this year. He is one heck of a player, and his stats dictate that he should make that money, but he is NOT the piece that will take us over the top. Welker has had chances to make championship plays, but he has not made them. I think Brady can still operate at a high level without Welker, but the team needs to use more money on Defense. I love the guy, but those are the facts. Unless he wants to take a huge discount, I think he is gone.

How will we use the extra $9.5 Million? More to come tomorrow... The Celtics game is about to start (and by game, I mean season). Oh yeah, hockey is back too... Smile, because there's so much more than those 3 Lombardi Trophies to be thankful for.