The Quest for 7: Patriots' News, Reactions, Links, What's Next? 1.6.20

Morning! Welcome to The Quest for 7, where volunteer writer, Steven Viner, scours the net for seven Patriots related articles from other sites offering different points of view on the six-time champs. Paid subscribers not only get to read all seven, but they also get to check out his always fiery "Steve's Soapbox" at the end.

1. Well ... that sucked. One of the biggest reasons why our readers subscribe to Boston Sports Journal is they get the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. And Greg Bedard hands out plenty here. Hard truth. In his column, Bill Belichick's best-laid plans go bust as Patriots' season melts away, he details where it all went down a Gillette Stadium crapper. Paul Kuharsky — who covers the Titans and has teamed up all week with Greg to analyze every nook and cranny of the game — gave his view on Saturday night's slugfest in his piece, Mike Vrabel's 'team of believers' lives on in the playoffs. Thanks for all of your insight this week, Paul!

2. BSJ's own Hector Longo shared his take on the disappointing end to New England's season with two articles. In Good just not enough for Patriots defense in defeat, and Taylor (Lewan)-made Titans' gameplan simply steamrolled Patriots, Hector portrays the runaway bulldozer named Derrick Henry who unfortunately exorcised the Boogeymen. When it came to stopping the run, the Patriots defense was about as scary as a bag of cuddly stuffed animals.

3. Christian D'Andrea of SBNation stays positive with his article The Patriots' early playoff exit doesn't have to be the end of the Tom Brady era. The biggest gripe most had with this year's team was Tom Brady's popgun weapons. Read why Christian believes that will change next year if the legend stays. With this being a copy cat league, if Brady does return, he will need another receiver or two to go with Julian Edelman who can beat man coverage. Until the GOAT has playmakers who can help him shred man like he does zone, that's all he's likely to see.

4. In my Salty Tears Take of the day, Dennis Young of the New York Daily News writes what 98% of America wants, The Patriots might finally be dead. The "Ah-Ha-Haters" are out in droves, rejoicing everywhere with their memes and social media comments. Good to know our Patriots still own some prime real estate in the little brains of these flunkees.

5. Conor Ryan of BSJ took a break from his stellar Bruins work to inform us that Former Patriot Logan Ryan had plenty of ‘bulletin board material’ ahead of Titans’ playoff victory. While Logan Ryan shoots his mouth off to Kyle Van Noy shooting his mouth off, (You started it! No you started it!) where you won't find Ryan is on Pro Football Focus's Solomon Wilcots' PFF Rankings: Top 25 cornerbacks through week 17. The Patriots are well represented on the list with three players. Click on the link to see who made it and where they rank.

6. Zack Cox of NESN reports that the Patriots' first-round draft position set after Saints' loss to Vikings. A silver lining (more like rusty-soiled-diaper colored lining) to New England's season ending so early, is a higher draft pick than they are used to.

7. Tyler Sullivan of CBSSports makes Patriots fan plug their ear and rant "La la la la la la" in his piece about Tom Brady not the only Patriot with an uncertain future, as team faces a number of potential major departures. Not too long ago, Bedard gave us The 5 Patriots players with the most on the line in the postseason. One thing is certain ... change is a-comin'.

STEVE'S SOAPBOX

The place where Steve gets to give his take of the day from the perspective of a Patriots fan.

There’s a brilliant meme that goes something like, “If you are happier about the Patriots losing than your own team winning, you are a loser.” The mouth-breathing Haters are salivating for the end. I have a message for them: Whether the dynasty ended Saturday night, or in three years when Brady does retire at 45, be careful what you wish for.

Young Patriot fans are spoiled with the GOAT trifecta, (Coach, QB, Franchise.) They don’t know how hard it is to make it to a Super Bowl. Patriots-Haters do. So remember Sour Grapes Gus, when New England is just another team, and your team doesn’t make it to the big game, how disinterested and bored will you be when it hits you that … I don’t really care who wins this game. Maybe your two brain cells form a thought and you realize that it wasn’t so bad having a constant villain to root against. Think of Star Wars without the Empire. The Patriots are Vader, Thanos, Hannibal Lecter. Unless your team is playing, the NFL is a boring movie with no juicy bad guy. Don’t worry crybabies, the time is coming. Heck, it might even be here. If it is, have fun watching the Super Bowl for the commercials. Losers.

Be on the lookout for more The Quest for 7 features, leading into what is hopefully another epic Patriots' Super Bowl run.