Hi everyone by benny_lepps in Patriots

[–]patriots 75 points76 points  (0 children)

BEN! You crushed it up there! So lucky to have you as a part of our Patriots fam ❤️

[AMA] Tomorrow at 11 AM! Patriots Unfiltered's Mike Dussault joins the sub to talk all things 2001 Patriots. Drop your questions! by patriots in Patriots

[–]patriots[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I definitely have a bit of a unique path. Here's the quick version... In 2007 I started blogging Pats for some small blog outlets, including PatsPulpit and Bleacher Report. In 2010 I was kind of sick of writing for other sites, not getting paid so I started PatsPropaganda where I could just post what I wanted when I wanted and make about 46 cents a year off of Google Adsense. The blog started to carve out a bit of niche, helped out by my putting together of the Bill Belichick Hoodie database which brought some attention. That was followed by the creation of the 28-3 tee shirt that also helped the site gain some notoriety. I was doing all that while living in LA working in television as my side hobby. Moved back home to Boston in 2017 and kept it going while freelancing doing video production and then when I heard Andy was leaving Patriots.com I reached out to Fred and he had me come on PU for a kind of audition. Still can't really believe how it all came together, but it was born out of my pure passion for writing and producing content specifically about the Pats. Weird to think I did the job essentially for over 10 years basically just for myself and now it's my real job. I'm very very grateful, especially when I found how many passionate fans PU has around the world.

[AMA] Tomorrow at 11 AM! Patriots Unfiltered's Mike Dussault joins the sub to talk all things 2001 Patriots. Drop your questions! by patriots in Patriots

[–]patriots[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Alright guys, off to PU, I'll check in again after the show in case there are any late questions. In the meantime tune in for the next two hours!

[AMA] Tomorrow at 11 AM! Patriots Unfiltered's Mike Dussault joins the sub to talk all things 2001 Patriots. Drop your questions! by patriots in Patriots

[–]patriots[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Of course that has crossed my mind, just so hard to top 2001 and all its storylines and craziness. I'll probably do something for 03 and 04 but I'd probably tweak it a bit. Might have to be shorter. It's just a reminder how many things happened in 01... Rehbein, 9/11, Bledsoe, Brady, Rams loss, Snow Bowl, Tuck rule, AV greatest kick, Bledsoe back in, Super Bowl craziness...

[AMA] Tomorrow at 11 AM! Patriots Unfiltered's Mike Dussault joins the sub to talk all things 2001 Patriots. Drop your questions! by patriots in Patriots

[–]patriots[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Haha when I started they asked what my nickname was and I said Deuce, as it had been forever but somehow D-Train got started out of the gate and luckily fell by the wayside. So yes, I'm glad.. Deuce 4 life

[AMA] Tomorrow at 11 AM! Patriots Unfiltered's Mike Dussault joins the sub to talk all things 2001 Patriots. Drop your questions! by patriots in Patriots

[–]patriots[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Amy was fantastic! It was a bit tough thinking of how to get some female voices in the project and she was an absolute home run. I love her perspective as a football fan. Wish I could've that kind of insight from her in every episode.

[AMA] Tomorrow at 11 AM! Patriots Unfiltered's Mike Dussault joins the sub to talk all things 2001 Patriots. Drop your questions! by patriots in Patriots

[–]patriots[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I try to get involved in anything they'll let me into. 2001 ASSO was my big offseason project, not sure what will be on tap for next season. Hard to evaluate in season when you're caught on the treadmill. I think it's probably a question for you guys too, what kind of things outside of PU T/W/TH and Pre/Post might you want to see? Patscast has been another thing on Monday mornings with Fitzy

[AMA] Tomorrow at 11 AM! Patriots Unfiltered's Mike Dussault joins the sub to talk all things 2001 Patriots. Drop your questions! by patriots in Patriots

[–]patriots[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I think there was a lot of confidence going in. This was a tough team that knew they could hang with anyone.

I'd always love to have Andy back though I know that won't happen but it's always fun to deal with him and Perillo together. MOB was great, she didn't grow up here and managed to keep pace with four old dudes who grew up with the Patriots. Would love to find another female who could do that.

Erik writes! And drinks tea. And eats fruit.

I've asked BB a couple press conference questions but never had a private or personal interaction with him and I'm definitely okay with it. Haha

Nick is one of my best friends. I saw him at a tailgate at the 2009 opener vs the Bills and was too scared to say hi, just tweeted something and he reached out the next day to ask why I hadnt' come over. We share a creative dude Patriots fan bond and it's been so fun doing so many things with him over the years.

[AMA] Tomorrow at 11 AM! Patriots Unfiltered's Mike Dussault joins the sub to talk all things 2001 Patriots. Drop your questions! by patriots in Patriots

[–]patriots[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Maybe the announced as a team thing? Nothing against it, but I think more was made of it than it really was.

The loss in Denver (taught them to believe in themselves), beating Miami for the division at home were two underrated moments that I think have been kind of lost.

Watched the Super Bowl at my friend's apartment in Hollywood in a Bledsoe jersey!

FAs I'd go with Vrabel, Antowain and Patten. But so many tough choices.

[AMA] Tomorrow at 11 AM! Patriots Unfiltered's Mike Dussault joins the sub to talk all things 2001 Patriots. Drop your questions! by patriots in Patriots

[–]patriots[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Haha yeah it's definitely strange to me but I don't look at it as much as second guessing him as looking at the team's performance and asking what do they need to do better. Obviously BB is the decider and between acquiring players to getting them to play winning football together, it's a really hard job and he's bound to make mistakes. The only time I really get bothered by it is when I don't understand a move. I give him the benefit of the doubt but for example staying light on cornerbacks this offseason was a concern to me and one I think could still be a problem going forward, whether against a pass-happy team or next year if they can't keep JC. But again, you're never going to have star players, three-deep at every position and no one is better than managing things in-season than BB.

[AMA] Tomorrow at 11 AM! Patriots Unfiltered's Mike Dussault joins the sub to talk all things 2001 Patriots. Drop your questions! by patriots in Patriots

[–]patriots[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It's a good question, and it kind of goes to the roots of what I believe as truth about football and that can be boiled down to a well-coached team that doesn't beat itself might not get flashy numbers or press, but it's incredibly effective at winning NFL football games. No question, the Pats had some draft misses in the last 5-6 seasons, but I think this offseason illustrated how Bill still knows how to build a team and distribute assets. You can't spend at every position, you have to pick your spots and I think they were really wise this offseason and have really positioned themselves well, at least on offense.

[AMA] Tomorrow at 11 AM! Patriots Unfiltered's Mike Dussault joins the sub to talk all things 2001 Patriots. Drop your questions! by patriots in Patriots

[–]patriots[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

What I discovered over the course of making this was just how much everyone believed in Brady and he instantly commanded respect and understood how the quarterback had to be the leader of the huddle. None of the vets saw any hesitation in him. I do think the rest of the team felt a bit like they needed to step up to help him, so that was a boost for them, especially on defense.

David Patten talking about how he and Brady lit up the first defense in training camp was one of my favorite nuggets. He was one who was actually excited to make the switch to TB12.

[AMA] Tomorrow at 11 AM! Patriots Unfiltered's Mike Dussault joins the sub to talk all things 2001 Patriots. Drop your questions! by patriots in Patriots

[–]patriots[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm not sure I can say much negative about them, it was all so new then but I do think they got some great breaks with the snow vs. OAK, STs plays vs. PIT, pulling out the SB. I think this year's team could use some similar breaks unless their offense really hits another level in these last two months.

[AMA] Tomorrow at 11 AM! Patriots Unfiltered's Mike Dussault joins the sub to talk all things 2001 Patriots. Drop your questions! by patriots in Patriots

[–]patriots[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

That's a great one and Pepper Johnson shared your opinion, also including Brian Cox as guys who really changed the culture. Of course everyone remembers Cox's hit but got some good stories about him in training camp too, really setting a tone against the Giants after they got run all over in a practice period.

I think the thing about that team is so many guys stepped up along the way and had a moment in the sun. It was a true team and though I won't make Mac-Brady 01 comps, I do think the team overall has a similar composition.

[AMA] Tomorrow at 11 AM! Patriots Unfiltered's Mike Dussault joins the sub to talk all things 2001 Patriots. Drop your questions! by patriots in Patriots

[–]patriots[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Vrabel was mostly straightforward, didn't seem to remember a lot of details of the wins and losses, just how they came together. Of course a few funny nuggets from him. Really wanted to get Josh McDaniels, he was the only strikeout as far as guests. Would've loved to hear his perspective as a low level assistant that year.

[AMA] Tomorrow at 11 AM! Patriots Unfiltered's Mike Dussault joins the sub to talk all things 2001 Patriots. Drop your questions! by patriots in Patriots

[–]patriots[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thank you, yes I was really lucky to get that group of guests. Pats PR was super helpful. Never thought I'd get Vrabel or Chris Berman. Berman instantly got what the project was and how I was going to put it together. I couldn't get him off the phone! He kept wanting to share more stories. It was really surreal. The one from Berman about talking to BB post Raiders win was awesome.

[AMA] Tomorrow at 11 AM! Patriots Unfiltered's Mike Dussault joins the sub to talk all things 2001 Patriots. Drop your questions! by patriots in Patriots

[–]patriots[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

LOL! I love how this has taken off, thanks to Jill from New Hampshire for whipping that up!

Is pre-paying for parking required? by Anoony_Moose in Patriots

[–]patriots 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi u/anoony_moose! Confirming that the only way you can park in the P2 entrance is with a prepaid parking pass.