In 2007, the Patriots launched the Go Eff Yourself Tour following the Spygate scandal. Eight years later, the band is back together again.
The 3-0 Patriots dismantled the Jaguars on Sunday, scoring 51 points. And they showed no mercy.
Quarterback Tom Brady remained in the game late, as the Patriots drove for the last touchdown that pushed them past 50 points. It became a common occurrence as the Patriots rebounded from being caught red handed videotaping defensive coaching signals to the first 16-0 regular season in NFL history.
The difference this time around? No one seemed to bat an eye about the failure of coach Bill Belichick to pull Brady and other starters with the game clearly in hand.
After the game, reporters asked neither Belichick nor Brady about the decision to keep the quarterback in the game. Maybe no one asked because everyone knows the answer: Like the Patriots of 2007, then plan to put a foot on the throat of every opponent possible -- and then to press down hard.