As you've probably already seen here on Patriots.com, New England's 2008 schedule has been announced, and it's going to be a tough one.
Especially when you consider their pair of back-to-back visits to teams on the West Coast. It's been a while since that's happened.
"The last time the Patriots made a difficult four-game West Coast swing, things were a lot different: Ronald Regan was President, Los Angeles had two NFL teams and Raymond Berry was their coach. That was 1986, the year after New England's first trip to the Super Bowl," notes The Providence Journal.
But other media outlets have a different opinion on just how hard this season will be for the Patriots.
"The Pats' opponents compiled a winning percentage of just .387 last year (99-157) and even if that number is somewhat skewed by playing the 1-15 Dolphins twice, removing Miami from the equation leaves their foes at .433, which would still rank second-easiest behind San Diego's .422," counters the Boston Herald, which even thinks the team could make history again.
"Imagine talking 16-0 two seasons in a row?" the author adds. "If the Patriots stay healthy, as crazy as it sounds, it could be a possibility.
Also today, a local scribe who's part of the Patriots selection committee for team Hall of Fame nominees gives some insight to the process. Here's a sample of the author's account:
James will tally our ballots, and on May 1, the names of the three ex-players or coaches who topped our tally will become the finalists. The winner will be decided by public balloting on Patriots.com, lasting from May 1 through July 4. Enshrinement will take place for the first time in the new Patriots Hall of Fame building in Patriot Place, which is rapidly nearing completion.
