Writing about the Patriots today, Michael Smith says:
So you go right on ahead and write them off if you want. I’ll admit it certainly is tempting right about now. But even with injuries to such key performers Kevin Faulk, Rodney Harrison and Matt Light, along with the players the champs lost during the offseason, I’m not ready to do so. You have to be strong up the middle, and after the tackles, New England’s defense isn’t. But I’ve seen this team recover too many times. They’re like the Yankees.
I’ve been ribbing a coworker who is a huge Pats fan about this same thing. While the salary cap does make comparing any NFL franchise to the big spending Yankees difficult, the similarities are undeniable. The modern Patriots dynasty is the NFL version of the Yankees 1996-2000 dynasty. For one thing, the swagger is starting to show up. They were uncharacteristically obnoxious during the Super Bowl (and no, I’m not just saying that because I’m an Eagles fan). The players are also starting to believe in their own invincibility. I mean, you win three championships and keep hearing how good you are, it’s only reasonable that you might start believing it.
There are also other things. The Tom Brady/Derek Jeter similarities, for example. Or, the tuck rule and Jeffrey Maier (both critical for the first championship). You need those kind of breaks to build dynasties but players don’t remember the break. It’s part of the story players build up about themselves, that they won the game by skill rather than a combination of skill and luck.
I just think it’s funny, anyway, because it is a Boston team. That’s pretty much it. 
