Patriots angered the Football Gods (1 Viewer)

[Portis 26]

Gregg Easterbrook writes a highly entertaining, somewhat pompous, column on ESPN's Page 2.

He often gets in trouble because of his theories - as when he wrote last year that the Patriots-Colts game was a battle between Good and Evil.

One of his favorite concepts is that of the Football Gods who demand fair play and brave, honest endeavor. He often argues that the Football Gods are "displeased" by cowardly and deceitful play.

A very Easterbrook-esque point to have made this week (he didn't actually make the point in his column, perhaps for fear of the controversy) was that the New England Patriots had angered the Football Gods last season and that Brady's injury was the consequence.

The Football Gods, according to Easterbrook's theory, would have been greatly angered not only by Belichick's cheating, but also by his unsportsmanlike running up of the score last season.

So great would the fury of the Gods have been that not only would they have decided to end the Patriot's quest for 19-0 at the most cruel moment, the very final seconds - but they would also have decided to exert the cruellent and mightiest of vengeance the following season.

Their anger would have been only heightened by the amazing hubris of Belichick not even bothering to have a decent backup for Brady. "Does this man think himself immortal?" they must asked. They would have judged that pride cometh before a mighty fall and determined that Belichick must suffer that mighty fall.

And what mighty fall could be greater than a Brady injury, knocking him out for the year, with only Matt Cassel as a reserve?

In the hallowed halls of Football Heaven above, perhaps a bunch of raucous, loud-mouthed Football Gods are howling with delight that vengeance is theirs.

And any other coach that would anger the Football Gods by cheating or who would tempt them by having such hubris as to have a raw untested backup behind his only indispensable player should perhaps be wary

 

[Socrates11]

Belichick is a slimeball of the highest order. Somewhere the Marriage Fidelity Gods are laughing at him too...

 

[Trap Play]

 

[ChromeWeasel]

Gregg Easterbrook writes a highly entertaining, somewhat pompous, column on ESPN's Page 2.He often gets in trouble because of his theories - as when he wrote last year that the Patriots-Colts game was a battle between Good and Evil.One of his favorite concepts is that of the Football Gods who demand fair play and brave, honest endeavor. He often argues that the Football Gods are "displeased" by cowardly and deceitful play.A very Easterbrook-esque point to have made this week (he didn't actually make the point in his column, perhaps for fear of the controversy) was that the New England Patriots had angered the Football Gods last season and that Brady's injury was the consequence.The Football Gods, according to Easterbrook's theory, would have been greatly angered not only by Belichick's cheating, but also by his unsportsmanlike running up of the score last season.So great would the fury of the Gods have been that not only would they have decided to end the Patriot's quest for 19-0 at the most cruel moment, the very final seconds - but they would also have decided to exert the cruellent and mightiest of vengeance the following season.Their anger would have been only heightened by the amazing hubris of Belichick not even bothering to have a decent backup for Brady. "Does this man think himself immortal?" they must asked. They would have judged that pride cometh before a mighty fall and determined that Belichick must suffer that mighty fall.And what mighty fall could be greater than a Brady injury, knocking him out for the year, with only Matt Cassel as a reserve?In the hallowed halls of Football Heaven above, perhaps a bunch of raucous, loud-mouthed Football Gods are howling with delight that vengeance is theirs. And any other coach that would anger the Football Gods by cheating or who would tempt them by having such hubris as to have a raw untested backup behind his only indispensable player should perhaps be wary

Not really appropriate. Whatever jealously you feel about the Patriots, Brady is a classy guy and a worthwhile role model. I'd guess that's why Easterbrook didnt write anything like this. There's a difference between not liking Belichek and making light out of a classy players season and potentially career ending injury.For the record, here's what TMQ wrote about the Pats a few weeks ago:
"New England: Here's a question: Would the Patriots' players and coaches exchange their 2007 season with the 2007 season of the Giants? Of course, in public, to a man, they'd say, "Forget the records we set, we'd rather have won the Super Bowl." But my guess is that they'd rather have their 2007 season, oh-so-incomplete as it was, than the Giants' trophy. Twenty years from now, football purists will be hard-pressed to remember much about the 2007 Giants. The 2007 Patriots, on the other hand, will never be forgotten. The first 16-0 regular season; the highest-scoring team in football history; more touchdown passes than Buffalo, Miami, Minnesota and San Francisco combined; 39 seconds shy of perfection. In terms of memory power, New England's accomplishments exceeded what the Giants did, even if Jersey/A got to stand in the confetti shower on the sliding tray in Arizona. All New England needed to do was stop a third-and-11 snap with 45 seconds showing, and the word "perfect" would have shimmered into view. The snap was not stopped, because nobody's ever been 19-0 and most likely nobody ever will be. But to come so close -- that will not be forgotten."

Easterbrook has been really hard on the Pats after spygate, but he still recognizes great football.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Gregg Easterbrook writes a highly entertaining, somewhat pompous, column on ESPN's Page 2.He often gets in trouble because of his theories - as when he wrote last year that the Patriots-Colts game was a battle between Good and Evil.One of his favorite concepts is that of the Football Gods who demand fair play and brave, honest endeavor. He often argues that the Football Gods are "displeased" by cowardly and deceitful play.A very Easterbrook-esque point to have made this week (he didn't actually make the point in his column, perhaps for fear of the controversy) was that the New England Patriots had angered the Football Gods last season and that Brady's injury was the consequence.The Football Gods, according to Easterbrook's theory, would have been greatly angered not only by Belichick's cheating, but also by his unsportsmanlike running up of the score last season.So great would the fury of the Gods have been that not only would they have decided to end the Patriot's quest for 19-0 at the most cruel moment, the very final seconds - but they would also have decided to exert the cruellent and mightiest of vengeance the following season.Their anger would have been only heightened by the amazing hubris of Belichick not even bothering to have a decent backup for Brady. "Does this man think himself immortal?" they must asked. They would have judged that pride cometh before a mighty fall and determined that Belichick must suffer that mighty fall.And what mighty fall could be greater than a Brady injury, knocking him out for the year, with only Matt Cassel as a reserve?In the hallowed halls of Football Heaven above, perhaps a bunch of raucous, loud-mouthed Football Gods are howling with delight that vengeance is theirs. And any other coach that would anger the Football Gods by cheating or who would tempt them by having such hubris as to have a raw untested backup behind his only indispensable player should perhaps be wary

I give you points for flowery prose, but not necessariliy for creativity.A more creative essay would be about a general manager who is ignorant not only of football but apparently of basic management as well, bringing in an endless parade of over-priced players and retread coaches only to have his investment squandered and his ego bruised. Growing tired of his million dollar babies being taken to the woodshed by the uber elite of the NFL, and former coaches failing to create a phantom villain ("I have no problem whatsoever with what Coach Belichick did today"), the story ends with the protagonist realizing he's made yet another fatal error with his new wannabe coach, and taking the advice of Jerry Jones and George Steinbrenner, his private heros and professional archetypes, he sells the team to neuveux riche former broadcaster Tony Kornheiser (a rabid and delusional fan), having finally accepted his unparalleled ineptitude.

 

[GregR_2]

...Twenty years from now, football purists will be hard-pressed to remember much about the 2007 Giants. ...

I probably agree with Easterbrook about if honest, a lot of Pats players would take their 2007 season over the Giants season.But I don't agree with the above statement. For 2 weeks prior to and a few weeks after the SB, the 2007 Giants were America's Team in a way that Dallas hasn't been in decades and likely never will be again.I don't think that is forgotten until people who were adults during the time of that game are all dead.

 

[Portis 26]

Gregg Easterbrook writes a highly entertaining, somewhat pompous, column on ESPN's Page 2.He often gets in trouble because of his theories - as when he wrote last year that the Patriots-Colts game was a battle between Good and Evil.One of his favorite concepts is that of the Football Gods who demand fair play and brave, honest endeavor. He often argues that the Football Gods are "displeased" by cowardly and deceitful play.A very Easterbrook-esque point to have made this week (he didn't actually make the point in his column, perhaps for fear of the controversy) was that the New England Patriots had angered the Football Gods last season and that Brady's injury was the consequence.The Football Gods, according to Easterbrook's theory, would have been greatly angered not only by Belichick's cheating, but also by his unsportsmanlike running up of the score last season.So great would the fury of the Gods have been that not only would they have decided to end the Patriot's quest for 19-0 at the most cruel moment, the very final seconds - but they would also have decided to exert the cruellent and mightiest of vengeance the following season.Their anger would have been only heightened by the amazing hubris of Belichick not even bothering to have a decent backup for Brady. "Does this man think himself immortal?" they must asked. They would have judged that pride cometh before a mighty fall and determined that Belichick must suffer that mighty fall.And what mighty fall could be greater than a Brady injury, knocking him out for the year, with only Matt Cassel as a reserve?In the hallowed halls of Football Heaven above, perhaps a bunch of raucous, loud-mouthed Football Gods are howling with delight that vengeance is theirs. And any other coach that would anger the Football Gods by cheating or who would tempt them by having such hubris as to have a raw untested backup behind his only indispensable player should perhaps be wary

Not really appropriate. Whatever jealously you feel about the Patriots, Brady is a classy guy and a worthwhile role model. I'd guess that's why Easterbrook didnt write anything like this. There's a difference between not liking Belichek and making light out of a classy players season and potentially career ending injury.For the record, here's what TMQ wrote about the Pats a few weeks ago:
"New England: Here's a question: Would the Patriots' players and coaches exchange their 2007 season with the 2007 season of the Giants? Of course, in public, to a man, they'd say, "Forget the records we set, we'd rather have won the Super Bowl." But my guess is that they'd rather have their 2007 season, oh-so-incomplete as it was, than the Giants' trophy. Twenty years from now, football purists will be hard-pressed to remember much about the 2007 Giants. The 2007 Patriots, on the other hand, will never be forgotten. The first 16-0 regular season; the highest-scoring team in football history; more touchdown passes than Buffalo, Miami, Minnesota and San Francisco combined; 39 seconds shy of perfection. In terms of memory power, New England's accomplishments exceeded what the Giants did, even if Jersey/A got to stand in the confetti shower on the sliding tray in Arizona. All New England needed to do was stop a third-and-11 snap with 45 seconds showing, and the word "perfect" would have shimmered into view. The snap was not stopped, because nobody's ever been 19-0 and most likely nobody ever will be. But to come so close -- that will not be forgotten."

Easterbrook has been really hard on the Pats after spygate, but he still recognizes great football.

All very true, although I actually think Easterbrook may well be wrong about the Pats and Giants 2007 seasons. Super Bowl winners become mythologised in NFL lore - most of us could probably name nearly every Super Bowl winner since the contest began - while great seasons are not held in such high regard. The 1998 Minnesota Vikings went 15-1, suffered one loss by 3 points, posted a bunch of records, but didn't win the big prize (they fell in the NFC Championship Game). Who now remembers them? What about all the records that the Greatest Show on Turf era Rams put up? We only really remember that they beat the Titans in one Super Bowl and lost to the Pats in another. The Super Bowl title is the ultimate thing, the thing that ensures footballing immortality, and all the rest is ultimately more transient.

 

[ChromeWeasel]

It helps that the Patriots already built a dynasty and won 3 SBs. They capped it off with a record-breaking year. Its' already very memorable in the long run. They still might win another SB while Belichek is still around. I'd say they are in the history books pretty easily.

 

[parrot]

I give you points for flowery prose, but not necessariliy for creativity.

Why would you go for creativitity if you are channelling Easterbrooke? He writes the same thing every week. This week he explained how he thinks coaches should go for it on fourth down more, for only the 47th article in a row.

 

[Mogame]

So... Let me get this straight. This is YOUR on why Tom Brady got hurt, written under the guise of Gregg Easterbrook?

:(

 

[Reaper]

Twenty years from now, football purists will be hard-pressed to remember much about the 2007 Giants. The 2007 Patriots, on the other hand, will never be forgotten.

WHAT!!!!!What a load of manure....The only thing the Pats will be remembered for will be losing perfection...The Giants will be remembered for slaying the dragon and overcoming huge odds as an underdog to WIN THE SUPERBOWL... A MAGICAL season...This is like saying we all remember the 2001 Rams rather than the upstart Pats that year.What a load of BS.THE GODS ARE GETTING ANGRIER

 

[Boston]

I give you points for flowery prose, but not necessariliy for creativity.

Why would you go for creativitity if you are channelling Easterbrooke? He writes the same thing every week. This week he explained how he thinks coaches should go for it on fourth down more, for only the 47th article in a row.

Easterbrook is doing his part in the MTVing of ESPN. MTV built their business on music videos but their current business model has zero to do with their original success. ESPN was once built on sports but now is turning into a far different animal...sort of like a sports version of Entertainment Tonight where personalties and creating controversy are their main goal.

 

[Mustang Man]

I give you points for flowery prose, but not necessariliy for creativity.

Why would you go for creativitity if you are channelling Easterbrooke? He writes the same thing every week. This week he explained how he thinks coaches should go for it on fourth down more, for only the 47th article in a row.

Easterbrook is doing his part in the MTVing of ESPN. MTV built their business on music videos but their current business model has zero to do with their original success. ESPN was once built on sports but now is turning into a far different animal...sort of like a sports version of Entertainment Tonight where personalties and creating controversy are their main goal.

The Patriots are back page news now leave it alone.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Unless I'm mistaken, the OP was saying Easterbrook didn't write this, but he should have....

 

[massraider]

...Twenty years from now, football purists will be hard-pressed to remember much about the 2007 Giants. ...

I probably agree with Easterbrook about if honest, a lot of Pats players would take their 2007 season over the Giants season.But I don't agree with the above statement. For 2 weeks prior to and a few weeks after the SB, the 2007 Giants were America's Team in a way that Dallas hasn't been in decades and likely never will be again.I don't think that is forgotten until people who were adults during the time of that game are all dead.

Agree 100%.let's see, no one will remember the Cinderella, but they will remember the high-powered offense? Incorrect. The 2007 Pats will be remembered all right--for SpyGate. The Giants will be remembered because they were: 1. Super Bowl Champs, and 2. A massive underdog.Using the above theory, the 2001 Pats would be forgotten.

 

[Boston]

I give you points for flowery prose, but not necessariliy for creativity.

Why would you go for creativitity if you are channelling Easterbrooke? He writes the same thing every week. This week he explained how he thinks coaches should go for it on fourth down more, for only the 47th article in a row.

Easterbrook is doing his part in the MTVing of ESPN. MTV built their business on music videos but their current business model has zero to do with their original success. ESPN was once built on sports but now is turning into a far different animal...sort of like a sports version of Entertainment Tonight where personalties and creating controversy are their main goal.

The Patriots are back page news now leave it alone.

I missed the part where I mentioned the Patriots in my post.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

THE GODS ARE GETTING ANGRIER

Nah, just Jets fans. I agree that the Giants will be remembered, as the second or third greatest underdog SB winner ever (01 Pats and 07 Giants battle for second behind Namath's Jets). Ooops! Accidentally gave props to the Jets; dammit!

 

[parrot]

I give you points for flowery prose, but not necessariliy for creativity.

Why would you go for creativitity if you are channelling Easterbrooke? He writes the same thing every week. This week he explained how he thinks coaches should go for it on fourth down more, for only the 47th article in a row.

Easterbrook is doing his part in the MTVing of ESPN. MTV built their business on music videos but their current business model has zero to do with their original success. ESPN was once built on sports but now is turning into a far different animal...sort of like a sports version of Entertainment Tonight where personalties and creating controversy are their main goal.

The Patriots are back page news now leave it alone.

Maybe you should offer this advice to the guy who started the thread.

 

[Bossman]

It helps that the Patriots already built a dynasty and won 3 SBs. They capped it off with a record-breaking year. Its' already very memorable in the long run. They still might win another SB while Belichek is still around. I'd say they are in the history books pretty easily.

I'm disapointed to see your new avitar.

 

[culdeus]

"New England: Here's a question: Would the Patriots' players and coaches exchange their 2007 season with the 2007 season of the Giants? Of course, in public, to a man, they'd say, "Forget the records we set, we'd rather have won the Super Bowl." But my guess is that they'd rather have their 2007 season, oh-so-incomplete as it was, than the Giants' trophy. Twenty years from now, football purists will be hard-pressed to remember much about the 2007 Giants. The 2007 Patriots, on the other hand, will never be forgotten. The first 16-0 regular season; the highest-scoring team in football history; more touchdown passes than Buffalo, Miami, Minnesota and San Francisco combined; 39 seconds shy of perfection. In terms of memory power, New England's accomplishments exceeded what the Giants did, even if Jersey/A got to stand in the confetti shower on the sliding tray in Arizona. All New England needed to do was stop a third-and-11 snap with 45 seconds showing, and the word "perfect" would have shimmered into view. The snap was not stopped, because nobody's ever been 19-0 and most likely nobody ever will be. But to come so close -- that will not be forgotten."

Easterbrook has been really hard on the Pats after spygate, but he still recognizes great football.

I tend to agree. For anyone to say the Pats weren't the story of the season last year is just a hater. The Giants got incredibly hot at just the right time and everything go right for them. The better question to pose would be from the Giants side would be whether they'd be remembered more or less if the Pats were 11-5. Or whether San Diego played instead? Then ask the original question again.