Stewart: Patriots Can Become Greatest Dynasty In NFL History
BOSTON (CBS) -- New England Patriots: Greatest dynasty in NFL history.
They're not yet ... but they can be!
With a win in Arizona against the Seattle Seahawks, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady will be the on-field faces of the greatest dynasty in NFL history. Robert and Jonathan Kraft will be the owners of the NFL's greatest dynasty.
Consistency has been preached down at 1 Patriots Place since Belichick took over the football operations on Jan. 28, 2000.
"The chemistry of this team and the quality of great people is very special," Robert Kraft said during the presentation of the Lamar Hunt Trophy. "We have the best coaching staff, I believe, in the NFL, and the character and quality of the players, you saw it here tonight. There's none better."
Truer words have never been spoken.
When you match the Patriots' success with the other NFL dynasties, they are one win away from being the clear-cut, no-questions-asked greatest dynasty in NFL history.
In how I define an NFL dynasty, either the coach or the quarterback has to be a constant. In the Patriots case, both have been constants:
1. New England Patriots
Brady and Belichick have Four Super Bowl wins* and six Super Bowl appearances in their 14 years as a tandem.
2. San Francisco 49ers
The Walsh/Montana combination was quite impressive -- three championships in seven seasons together. It's only good enough for second on my list.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
Chuck Noll won Four Super Bowls as coach. However, he did it in a short span -- 1974-79. The Steelers went just 2-4 in the playoffs in the 12 seasons under Noll that followed that fourth Super Bowl win. That's a fail.
4. Dallas Cowboys
Three championships in four years is impressive, but Jerry Jones got in the way by firing Jimmy Johnson after the second. It only took two seasons to finish under .500 under something named Switzer.
*I'm predicting a Super Bowl victory for the Patriots over the Seahawks, because A) I believe they can win 35-29, and B) it serves my agenda for this contribution.
So we're clear, this is the Wikipedia definition of a dynasty:
"A sports dynasty is a team that dominates their sport or league for an extraordinary length of time. The definition of dynasty by academics implies a single leader over the bulk of that period, a great example being John Wooden who led a college basketball powerhouse at UCLA for over a quarter century. The word 'dynasty' should not be used for a string of several dominant years in a row. It implies an extraordinary length of time, like a decade."
Remember: Wiki is NEVER WRONG!
So the Steelers, 49ers and Cowboys are all eliminated. No question they had great success over a short period of time, but over the long term, no one has been better than the Patriots.
Yes Gill Santos, four championships in a span of 14 years, it's a dynasty!
Red Sox Can Land Zimmerman
With the Nationals signing Max Scherzer, I feel good about the likelihood of the Nationals dealing Jordan Zimmerman to the Red Sox. Some combination of Joe Kelly, Allen Craig, Henry Owens, Matt Barnes, Deven Marrero, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Garin Cecchini should get it done. I believe a package of Kelly, Craig, Owens and Marrero would land Zimmerman.
Bruins Big Trade
I'm still mad that the Bruins lost to Columbus. It's Columbus. Maybe the Blue Jackets are a bad matchup and are better than I think they are, but WE lost to Columbus. Columbus!
Last week, Fluto Shinzawa wrote about the possibility of a deal for Keith Yandle. I'd like to float out this trade idea:
Torey Krug, Chris Kelly, Ryan Spooner and three draft picks (one first, and the two seconds from the Johnny Boychuk trade) for Keith Yandle and Antoine Vermette.
I don't know that Arizona would make a deal like that but it could act as a template. When are they moving to Vegas?
Boston Celtics Head Coach ... Paul Pierce?
Even though many people have shot me down when I've asked about my theory that Brad Stevens will leave the Celtics to take his dream job as head coach of Indiana, I'm still of the belief that it will happen this summer.
Which then begs the question -- who will the next head coach of the Boston Celtics be?
Paul Pierce.
Let that marinate for a moment.
I've seen comments from Paul Pierce that indicate that when he is done as a player he'd like to return to the Celtics in some type of coaching/basketball operations position. From all indications, he's loved helping the young Washington Wizards John Wall and Bradley Beal become better players. By bringing back "The Captain and The Truth," the Celtics would create a buzz that this team needs right now. On top of the marketing aspects it would bring, I think Pierce would be a great coach in the NBA.
Royal Rumble 15 Picks
My gut tells me that if Daniel Bryan doesn't win the Royal Rumble match this year, then the Philly crowd might revolt again. The WWE might have a massive problem on its hands for that night, much like it did last year. Be smart: If he isn't in the match, have the No. 30 entrant give out some "Bad News" or have him win!
Roman Reigns is the clear-cut favorite to win the match and because I'd like to get a prediction right, I'll pick Roman Reigns. (It's such a lame pick.)
John Cena pins Seth Rollins to win the WWE Championship thanks to interference from Sting. We get another tease of Sting vs. Triple H. Everyone believes this will be one of four main events at Wrestlemania in San Francisco.
I don't know where this prediction leaves Brock Lesnar, other than the continuing speculation that he'll be returning to UFC when his WWE contract is up after Wrestlemania. The WWE should have a one-on-one match between Brock and Cena at either their February "special" event or at Wrestlemania. Cena needs to win the feud between the two.
Usos retain their Tag Team Championship over Miz and Mizdow. The end result of the match should start the formal break up of Miz and Mizdow.
Super Bowl Picks
I asked a number of wrestlers whom I know through meeting in person, on the Twitter machine or just through email to randomly pick a winner and score for Super Bowl XLIX:
Ring of Honor wrestler/trainer "Brutal" Bob Evans, @brutalbobevans
Patriots by two touchdowns or more.
The Kingdom
Matt Taven, @MattTaven
Patriots 30-27.
Michael Bennett, @RealMikeBennett
Patriots 28-17.
Maria Kanellis Bennett, @MariaLKanellis
Patriots 27-21.
Guy Medeiros, @GuysterMania
Patriots 24-21.
Bobby Cruise, Lead ROH ring announcer, @realBobbyCruise
Pats edge in matchup of Patriots DBs vs Seahawks receivers. Two good D's so I think multiple FGs each. Patriots 27-20.
The Wolves multiple-time TNA World Tag Team Champions
Eddie Edwards, @TheEddieEdwards
Patriots 24-17.
Davey Richards, @RichardsWesley
My Seahawks are taking home the title this year!
Kenn Doane, Pro Wrestler & Author of Anti-Bully Children's book "Billy's Bully," @Kenndoane
Patriots 34-17. Brady MVP
Donovan Dijak, Chaotic Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, and Ring of Honor wrestler, @DonovanDijak
Patriots 20-18.
Elia The Great, Chaotic Wrestling New England Champion, @Eliathegr8
New England by 10 over Seattle.
The One Man Thrill Ride Jimmy Preston, Chaotic Wrestling
24-23 Patriots.
Referee Tony S., Chaotic Wrestling, @RefereeTonyS
It's going to be tough, especially against the defending champs. I'll go with 34-31 Pats.
Spencer Jawitz, wrestling promoter
Patriots 27-24.
Shameless Promotions And Upcoming Events
I'll be at the 2015 Boston Pro Wrestling Marathon, March 6-8.
We're planning on having our street teamers there from 5-7 p.m. on the Saturday night. If you see me at the event, please say hello. More info is available here and here.
Thanks to everyone who clicked on my first contribution and more thanks to the people who kept hitting the reload button to up my page views.
The web department was impressed with the numbers in my first attempt at this did. Thank you to Andrew Celani and Michael Hurley for all of your help.
"A friend in need is a pest." – Bobby Heenan
James Stewart is the executive producer of the Felger and Massarotti Show, which airs 2-6 p.m. on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
