Patriots-my how things have changed since Super Bowl XXXVI (1 Viewer)

[jurrassic]

I can still remember the underdog Patriots entering Super Bowl XXXVI to play the dominating Rams offense. They weren't really given a shot. They were an overachieving group of players. A team with no real superstars at the time. They were the true definition of team and if memory serves me correctly even asked to be introduced that way before the game. There were no egos, just football players. People were pulling for them.

Fast Forward to today, and this team is starting to become reviled. They are viewed as pompous cheaters, who run up the score at every chance. I realize some of this comes from the success they have enjoyed but I was one of those people who was rooting for them in Super Bowl XXXVI, now I can't wait to see someone stick it to them. This team is just very hard to like. The cheating scandal, the inabilty of them to address it, Belicheck's attitude, Brady's whining (even with an undefeated record, 3 Super Bowl rings, and a model girlfriend), running up the score.

Besides actual Patriots fans, I don't see how anyone can like this team. As I football fan, I marvel at what Brady is doing this year, but I don't have to like it. Here's hoping they run into this year's version of the Super Bowl XXXVI Patriots.

 

[timschochet]

Oh Buddy!

Take it from one who knows.

You're about to get slammed by Patriots homers, and then this thread will be removed...

 

[jurrassic]

That's fine. It is reality. Outside of Boston there will not be a single football fan in America pulling for the Pats if they get to the Super Bowl. Patriot fans need to recongize they have officially become the Yankees of the NFL.

 

[porkins]

The cheating scandal, the inabilty of them to address it

What would you like them to say?

Brady's whining (even with an undefeated record, 3 Super Bowl rings, and a model girlfriend)

running up the score.

Monday night both Parcells and Ditka said they would have continued to score on sunday. This whole running up the score is foolish. They scored twice in the second half. What should they do? Not try?

 

[timschochet]

You forgot to mention the completly obnoxious Pats fans on this website, who constantly remind us how every opponent is a "pop warner" team about to be crushed by New England.

 

[djcolts]

Patriot fans need to recongize they have officially become the Yankees of the NFL.

Oh...boy. Rule 1 - never say that or else you'll get bombarded by Boston fans. You'll see...

 

[porkins]

That's fine. It is reality. Outside of Boston there will not be a single football fan in America pulling for the Pats if they get to the Super Bowl. Patriot fans need to recongize they have officially become the Yankees of the NFL.

I don't understand why. They're not like the Yankees that can throw more money around than any other team. They have the same salary cap as every other team. I don't understand the whole hating a team for being too well managed.

 

[porkins]

You forgot to mention the completly obnoxious Pats fans on this website, who constantly remind us how every opponent is a "pop warner" team about to be crushed by New England.

Says the man that has started more Pats threads lately than anyone.

 

[timschochet]

I also have to admit that. much as it pains me to say this, the Patriots are probably good for the NFL. I can't remember any team since the Cowboys of the early 90's that were this much hated and resented- no, perhaps not even them!

Sometimes a great villian is more attractive than a great hero. I predict the ratings for the New England playoff games will be record-shattering, even if some or all are blowouts.

 

[timschochet]

You forgot to mention the completly obnoxious Pats fans on this website, who constantly remind us how every opponent is a "pop warner" team about to be crushed by New England.

Says the man that has started more Pats threads lately than anyone.

I have. But none of them were love fests (well, one was, but it was pulled...)

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

I can understand your perspective, and I don't think you have to like the Patriots. It is certainly true that Belichick was found to be in violation of league rules, was penalized for same, and isn't really interested in managing relationships outside of his own locker room.

Have you seen the recent comments from Adalius Thomas regarding the culture of the organization? That's first hand information. Most of your concerns are centered around concepts that are media driven and are irrelevant to how this organization is executing.

 

[porkins]

You forgot to mention the completly obnoxious Pats fans on this website, who constantly remind us how every opponent is a "pop warner" team about to be crushed by New England.

Says the man that has started more Pats threads lately than anyone.

I have. But none of them were love fests (well, one was, but it was pulled...)

If you hate them so much, stop drawing more attention to them.

 

[timschochet]

You forgot to mention the completly obnoxious Pats fans on this website, who constantly remind us how every opponent is a "pop warner" team about to be crushed by New England.

Says the man that has started more Pats threads lately than anyone.

I have. But none of them were love fests (well, one was, but it was pulled...)

If you hate them so much, stop drawing more attention to them.

You're right, if I just keep my mouth shut, no attention will be paid to them, right?

 

[Keepers]

I am not a Pats fan but I actually like the Pats this year as they are a model organization who puts team ahead of ego ... no other team has been able to take cancer players and mold them into team players like the Pats, can't see how that can't be admired.

BTW, I used to like Peyton more than Brady, but I will take Brady now ... Peyton has resorted to becoming a commercial junkie who obviously is trying to make a buck anyway he can, it is embarrassing. As for Brady, people who bash him are envious, he says all the right things, never takes credit ahead of the team which he could easily do, and he always supports the organization through thick and thin.

 

[jurrassic]

That's fine. It is reality. Outside of Boston there will not be a single football fan in America pulling for the Pats if they get to the Super Bowl. Patriot fans need to recongize they have officially become the Yankees of the NFL.

I don't understand why. They're not like the Yankees that can throw more money around than any other team. They have the same salary cap as every other team. I don't understand the whole hating a team for being too well managed.

I don't hate them for being well managed, I hate them for the personalities on the team. They are hard team to like. Belicheck comes off as pompous and socially inept. His run-ins with previous assistants, first Saban, now Mangini. Brady and Bruschi consistently act as if people should be apologizing to them because fans and the media question their success due to "tape-gate". Your coach cheated guys, deal with it. I understand the "if you don't want us to run up the score, stop us" mentality, but I think of the game vs. Dallas where they had a first down with 1:36 left and could have kneeled for 3 straight downs but decided to go ahead and punch it on the road. Why?

 

[jurrassic]

I also have to admit that. much as it pains me to say this, the Patriots are probably good for the NFL. I can't remember any team since the Cowboys of the early 90's that were this much hated and resented- no, perhaps not even them!Sometimes a great villian is more attractive than a great hero. I predict the ratings for the New England playoff games will be record-shattering, even if some or all are blowouts.

I agree with this. I have a few buddies from Boston who I went to college with and I have this conversation with them all the time which is why I started the thread. They really are hated. Once again, I completely respect their dominance right now, I just don't like them. It is funny how they went from darlings to villians so quickly.

 

[jurb26]

That's fine. It is reality. Outside of Boston there will not be a single football fan in America pulling for the Pats if they get to the Super Bowl. Patriot fans need to recongize they have officially become the Yankees of the NFL.

I don't live in Boston and am a Steeler fan. I will be pulling for the Pats if they get to the Super Bowl.

 

[jurrassic]

I can understand your perspective, and I don't think you have to like the Patriots. It is certainly true that Belichick was found to be in violation of league rules, was penalized for same, and isn't really interested in managing relationships outside of his own locker room.Have you seen the recent comments from Adalius Thomas regarding the culture of the organization? That's first hand information. Most of your concerns are centered around concepts that are media driven and are irrelevant to how this organization is executing.

Perception is reality my friend.

 

[jurb26]

I also have to admit that. much as it pains me to say this, the Patriots are probably good for the NFL. I can't remember any team since the Cowboys of the early 90's that were this much hated and resented- no, perhaps not even them!Sometimes a great villian is more attractive than a great hero. I predict the ratings for the New England playoff games will be record-shattering, even if some or all are blowouts.

I agree with this. I have a few buddies from Boston who I went to college with and I have this conversation with them all the time which is why I started the thread. They really are hated. Once again, I completely respect their dominance right now, I just don't like them. It is funny how they went from darlings to villians so quickly.

When you win as much as NE has, people become jealous. Jealously turns into hate. It's no different for any team who is at the top. Try not to get so jealous.

 

[twitch]

I can still remember the underdog Patriots entering Super Bowl XXXVI to play the dominating Rams offense. They weren't really given a shot. They were an overachieving group of players. A team with no real superstars at the time. They were the true definition of team and if memory serves me correctly even asked to be introduced that way before the game. There were no egos, just football players. People were pulling for them.Fast Forward to today, and this team is starting to become reviled. They are viewed as pompous cheaters, who run up the score at every chance. I realize some of this comes from the success they have enjoyed but I was one of those people who was rooting for them in Super Bowl XXXVI, now I can't wait to see someone stick it to them. This team is just very hard to like. The cheating scandal, the inabilty of them to address it, Belicheck's attitude, Brady's whining (even with an undefeated record, 3 Super Bowl rings, and a model girlfriend), running up the score.Besides actual Patriots fans, I don't see how anyone can like this team. As I football fan, I marvel at what Brady is doing this year, but I don't have to like it. Here's hoping they run into this year's version of the Super Bowl XXXVI Patriots.

People can drum up all the reasons they need to bang on the Patriots. Message board 'gurus' tend to bang alot harder than the rest of the general public. Simple enough, theyre just not the underdog anymore. Theyre the exact opposite. But these guys arent whining about much, and theyre not talking smack and acting like a bunch of individuals. If you choose to hate them, I understand. Theyre a big dog now and theve been sitting on the porch for quite a while. Their time will eventually come when they get bounced off. And at that time, Ill reflect on just how great this period of my football life has been. And appreicate every minute of it. But it wont turn me into a hater of some other team just because mine is no longer on top of the football world. Ill enjoy watching the next great team just as much as I didn the Steelers of the 70s, the Niners of the 80s, and the Cowboys and Bills of the 90s. Football is too difficult of a game to master to NOT enjoy greatness when you see it. But count on one thing. If theyre fortunate enough, and good enough, to make it to the Superbowl again this year, New England will still do the one thing theyve always done. Be introduced as the TEAM they are. And its a major reason I continue to love these guys.

 

[jurrassic]

I also have to admit that. much as it pains me to say this, the Patriots are probably good for the NFL. I can't remember any team since the Cowboys of the early 90's that were this much hated and resented- no, perhaps not even them!Sometimes a great villian is more attractive than a great hero. I predict the ratings for the New England playoff games will be record-shattering, even if some or all are blowouts.

I agree with this. I have a few buddies from Boston who I went to college with and I have this conversation with them all the time which is why I started the thread. They really are hated. Once again, I completely respect their dominance right now, I just don't like them. It is funny how they went from darlings to villians so quickly.

When you win as much as NE has, people become jealous. Jealously turns into hate. It's no different for any team who is at the top. Try not to get so jealous.

I'm not jealous. I have nothing to gain or lose from their winning. It's just funny to me how quickly things changed for them. You can pin it all on Belicheck.

 

[porkins]

That's fine. It is reality. Outside of Boston there will not be a single football fan in America pulling for the Pats if they get to the Super Bowl. Patriot fans need to recongize they have officially become the Yankees of the NFL.

I don't understand why. They're not like the Yankees that can throw more money around than any other team. They have the same salary cap as every other team. I don't understand the whole hating a team for being too well managed.

I don't hate them for being well managed, I hate them for the personalities on the team. They are hard team to like. Belicheck comes off as pompous and socially inept. His run-ins with previous assistants, first Saban, not Mangini. Brady and Bruschi consistently act as if people should be apologizing to them because fans and the media question their success to to "tape-gate". Your coach cheated guys, deal with it. I understand the "if you don't want us to run up the score, stop us" mentality, but I think of the game vs. Dallas where they had a first down with 1:36 left and could have kneeled for 3 straight downs but decided to go ahead and punch it on the road. Why?

Because they couldn't run out the clock. Dallas called a TO. If Dallas hadn't, they would have run out the clock. The other coach decided to make them keep playing, so they did. It was a fourth string RB that scored. HE may never do that again. They did that earlier in the year too, only he didn't end up scoring and they turned it over on downs. The goal wasn't to score, it was to run the clock down as much as possible.

 

[jurrassic]

That's fine. It is reality. Outside of Boston there will not be a single football fan in America pulling for the Pats if they get to the Super Bowl. Patriot fans need to recongize they have officially become the Yankees of the NFL.

I don't understand why. They're not like the Yankees that can throw more money around than any other team. They have the same salary cap as every other team. I don't understand the whole hating a team for being too well managed.

I don't hate them for being well managed, I hate them for the personalities on the team. They are hard team to like. Belicheck comes off as pompous and socially inept. His run-ins with previous assistants, first Saban, not Mangini. Brady and Bruschi consistently act as if people should be apologizing to them because fans and the media question their success to to "tape-gate". Your coach cheated guys, deal with it. I understand the "if you don't want us to run up the score, stop us" mentality, but I think of the game vs. Dallas where they had a first down with 1:36 left and could have kneeled for 3 straight downs but decided to go ahead and punch it on the road. Why?

Because they couldn't run out the clock. Dallas called a TO. If Dallas hadn't, they would have run out the clock. The other coach decided to make them keep playing, so they did. It was a fourth string RB that scored. HE may never do that again. They did that earlier in the year too, only he didn't end up scoring and they turned it over on downs. The goal wasn't to score, it was to run the clock down as much as possible.

Weak argument. They were up by more than 2 scores.

 

[porkins]

You forgot to mention the completly obnoxious Pats fans on this website, who constantly remind us how every opponent is a "pop warner" team about to be crushed by New England.

Says the man that has started more Pats threads lately than anyone.

I have. But none of them were love fests (well, one was, but it was pulled...)

If you hate them so much, stop drawing more attention to them.

You're right, if I just keep my mouth shut, no attention will be paid to them, right?

No, but maybe there won't be so many threads about them.

 

[jurb26]

I also have to admit that. much as it pains me to say this, the Patriots are probably good for the NFL. I can't remember any team since the Cowboys of the early 90's that were this much hated and resented- no, perhaps not even them!Sometimes a great villian is more attractive than a great hero. I predict the ratings for the New England playoff games will be record-shattering, even if some or all are blowouts.

I agree with this. I have a few buddies from Boston who I went to college with and I have this conversation with them all the time which is why I started the thread. They really are hated. Once again, I completely respect their dominance right now, I just don't like them. It is funny how they went from darlings to villians so quickly.

When you win as much as NE has, people become jealous. Jealously turns into hate. It's no different for any team who is at the top. Try not to get so jealous.

I'm not jealous. I have nothing to gain or lose from their winning. It's just funny to me how quickly things changed for them. You can pin it all on Belicheck.

Something tells me if you were not jealous, you would not have started a thread like this.

 

[zDwinger]

That's fine. It is reality. Outside of Boston there will not be a single football fan in America pulling for the Pats if they get to the Super Bowl. Patriot fans need to recongize they have officially become the Yankees of the NFL.

The only way I'm not pulling for the Pats is if the Cowboys are playing them.

 

[jurb26]

That's fine. It is reality. Outside of Boston there will not be a single football fan in America pulling for the Pats if they get to the Super Bowl. Patriot fans need to recongize they have officially become the Yankees of the NFL.

The only way I'm not pulling for the Pats is if the Cowboys are playing them.

The only way I'm not pulling for the Pats if if they face Pitt in the playoffs.

 

[jurrassic]

I also have to admit that. much as it pains me to say this, the Patriots are probably good for the NFL. I can't remember any team since the Cowboys of the early 90's that were this much hated and resented- no, perhaps not even them!Sometimes a great villian is more attractive than a great hero. I predict the ratings for the New England playoff games will be record-shattering, even if some or all are blowouts.

I agree with this. I have a few buddies from Boston who I went to college with and I have this conversation with them all the time which is why I started the thread. They really are hated. Once again, I completely respect their dominance right now, I just don't like them. It is funny how they went from darlings to villians so quickly.

When you win as much as NE has, people become jealous. Jealously turns into hate. It's no different for any team who is at the top. Try not to get so jealous.

I'm not jealous. I have nothing to gain or lose from their winning. It's just funny to me how quickly things changed for them. You can pin it all on Belicheck.

Something tells me if you were not jealous, you would not have started a thread like this.

I more started the thread to acknowledge how much the perception of this team has changed since their first Super Bowl win. I don't sit in my living room on Sundays and worry about whether the Pats win or not. I have alot more to do than worry about a team I have nothing invested in. However, all things being equal, I think it is a much better story to see the mighty Pats who have admittedly cheated to win at all costs, lose in the playoffs.

 

[porkins]

That's fine. It is reality. Outside of Boston there will not be a single football fan in America pulling for the Pats if they get to the Super Bowl. Patriot fans need to recongize they have officially become the Yankees of the NFL.

I don't understand why. They're not like the Yankees that can throw more money around than any other team. They have the same salary cap as every other team. I don't understand the whole hating a team for being too well managed.

I don't hate them for being well managed, I hate them for the personalities on the team. They are hard team to like. Belicheck comes off as pompous and socially inept. His run-ins with previous assistants, first Saban, not Mangini. Brady and Bruschi consistently act as if people should be apologizing to them because fans and the media question their success to to "tape-gate". Your coach cheated guys, deal with it. I understand the "if you don't want us to run up the score, stop us" mentality, but I think of the game vs. Dallas where they had a first down with 1:36 left and could have kneeled for 3 straight downs but decided to go ahead and punch it on the road. Why?

Because they couldn't run out the clock. Dallas called a TO. If Dallas hadn't, they would have run out the clock. The other coach decided to make them keep playing, so they did. It was a fourth string RB that scored. HE may never do that again. They did that earlier in the year too, only he didn't end up scoring and they turned it over on downs. The goal wasn't to score, it was to run the clock down as much as possible.

Weak argument. They were up by more than 2 scores.

Black Kinght and King Arthur. After arthur cut both arms off and 1 leg, the black knight kept running at him and trying to hurt Arthur. So Arthur cuts off his last leg. As long as the opposition keeps fighting, the Pats keep fighting.

 

[jurb26]

I more started the thread to acknowledge how much the perception of this team has changed since their first Super Bowl win. I don't sit in my living room on Sundays and worry about whether the Pats win or not. I have alot more to do than worry about a team I have nothing invested in. However, all things being equal, I think it is a much better story to see the mighty Pats who have admittedly cheated to win at all costs, lose in the playoffs.

No, your not jealous or a hater.

 

[jurrassic]

That's fine. It is reality. Outside of Boston there will not be a single football fan in America pulling for the Pats if they get to the Super Bowl. Patriot fans need to recongize they have officially become the Yankees of the NFL.

I don't understand why. They're not like the Yankees that can throw more money around than any other team. They have the same salary cap as every other team. I don't understand the whole hating a team for being too well managed.

I don't hate them for being well managed, I hate them for the personalities on the team. They are hard team to like. Belicheck comes off as pompous and socially inept. His run-ins with previous assistants, first Saban, not Mangini. Brady and Bruschi consistently act as if people should be apologizing to them because fans and the media question their success to to "tape-gate". Your coach cheated guys, deal with it. I understand the "if you don't want us to run up the score, stop us" mentality, but I think of the game vs. Dallas where they had a first down with 1:36 left and could have kneeled for 3 straight downs but decided to go ahead and punch it on the road. Why?

Because they couldn't run out the clock. Dallas called a TO. If Dallas hadn't, they would have run out the clock. The other coach decided to make them keep playing, so they did. It was a fourth string RB that scored. HE may never do that again. They did that earlier in the year too, only he didn't end up scoring and they turned it over on downs. The goal wasn't to score, it was to run the clock down as much as possible.

Weak argument. They were up by more than 2 scores.

Black Kinght and King Arthur. After arthur cut both arms off and 1 leg, the black knight kept running at him and trying to hurt Arthur. So Arthur cuts off his last leg. As long as the opposition keeps fighting, the Pats keep fighting.

Mythological fairy tale.

 

[jurrassic]

I more started the thread to acknowledge how much the perception of this team has changed since their first Super Bowl win. I don't sit in my living room on Sundays and worry about whether the Pats win or not. I have alot more to do than worry about a team I have nothing invested in. However, all things being equal, I think it is a much better story to see the mighty Pats who have admittedly cheated to win at all costs, lose in the playoffs.

No, your not jealous or a hater.

I'm really not, like I said I more like to get a rise out of all the Pats fans. It's funny how all of these guys hate the Yankees for all of the same reasons. The organization did admit to cheating. That is a fact. Now whether they gained from it or not, we will never know. But realistically speaking, why risk cheating if it does not provide you with a benefit?

 

[jurrassic]

This thread did get alot of play in 20 minutes, which obviously means I struck a chord. That's the glory of the NFL boys.

 

[greenline]

I love the Patriots, the people who hate them, and all the threads about them. I enjoy coming to this MB to find out a scoop on a RB or maybe a waiver pickup and see new Patriot threads with mad faces filling each post. Also, I enjoy knowing that eom, bostonfred,twitch, seniorvbdstudent, and others are enjoying the great sense of satisfaction and pride that I do.

Oh, and GO SOX!

 

[jurb26]

I more started the thread to acknowledge how much the perception of this team has changed since their first Super Bowl win. I don't sit in my living room on Sundays and worry about whether the Pats win or not. I have alot more to do than worry about a team I have nothing invested in. However, all things being equal, I think it is a much better story to see the mighty Pats who have admittedly cheated to win at all costs, lose in the playoffs.

No, your not jealous or a hater.

I'm really not, like I said I more like to get a rise out of all the Pats fans. It's funny how all of these guys hate the Yankees for all of the same reasons. The organization did admit to cheating. That is a fact. Now whether they gained from it or not, we will never know. But realistically speaking, why risk cheating if it does not provide you with a benefit?

Maybe you will never know, more likely you will just never admit it, but the NFL (who does have a vested interest) did a rather extensive investigation on this as last I heard. They determined that NE gained no competitive advantage from it and thus never increased the fines they placed on NE.

 

[Squinting Cyclops]

I am a Cowboys fan, unless the Pats play the Cowboys in the Super Bowl, I will root for them to win all their games this season just to put the perfect "shorter" season of the Dolphins to rest. However, if the Patriots lose a game down the stretch I will root against them in almost every game.

How's that for messed up!

 

[porkins]

It's funny how all of these guys hate the Yankees for all of the same reasons. The organization did admit to cheating. That is a fact. Now whether they gained from it or not, we will never know. But realistically speaking, why risk cheating if it does not provide you with a benefit?

The Yankees play on an uneven playing field. It definately slopes towards them.Every NFL team is bound by the same salary cap.It is not the same.

 

[switz]

That's fine. It is reality. Outside of Boston there will not be a single football fan in America pulling for the Pats if they get to the Super Bowl. Patriot fans need to recongize they have officially become the Yankees of the NFL.

I don't live in Boston and am a Steeler fan. I will be pulling for the Pats if they get to the Super Bowl.

One more reason on my list to dislike Steelers fans In reply to this thread, I would agree with the OP for the most part. I think that the Patriots have become a catalyst among NFL fans. I don't think everyone hates them, but I don't think anyone is apathetic. People feel strongly one way or the other.I've never like the Patriots, for as long as I can remember. When they went to their first recent era Super Bowl, I was calling cheaters the whole way there. I still believe they didn't get there fairly. I was glad the tape-gate scandal came out, because I was sick of the whole "perfect team" aura associated with the Pats.I've found myself in a bit of a conundrum this season, because I've been a huge Randy Moss fan his whole career, and I've always been impressed by Sammy Morris. And I find that as much as I hate the Pats, I do have to begrudgingly respect them. But that doesn't mean I have to root for them, haha.

 

[switz]

I more started the thread to acknowledge how much the perception of this team has changed since their first Super Bowl win. I don't sit in my living room on Sundays and worry about whether the Pats win or not. I have alot more to do than worry about a team I have nothing invested in. However, all things being equal, I think it is a much better story to see the mighty Pats who have admittedly cheated to win at all costs, lose in the playoffs.

No, your not jealous or a hater.

I'm really not, like I said I more like to get a rise out of all the Pats fans. It's funny how all of these guys hate the Yankees for all of the same reasons. The organization did admit to cheating. That is a fact. Now whether they gained from it or not, we will never know. But realistically speaking, why risk cheating if it does not provide you with a benefit?

Maybe you will never know, more likely you will just never admit it, but the NFL (who does have a vested interest) did a rather extensive investigation on this as last I heard. They determined that NE gained no competitive advantage from it and thus never increased the fines they placed on NE.

Actually, it was a very short investigation, and the NFL has much more to gain by saying there was no competitive advantage gained than by saying there was an advantage gained.

 

[timschochet]

I can still remember the underdog Patriots entering Super Bowl XXXVI to play the dominating Rams offense. They weren't really given a shot. They were an overachieving group of players. A team with no real superstars at the time. They were the true definition of team and if memory serves me correctly even asked to be introduced that way before the game. There were no egos, just football players. People were pulling for them.Fast Forward to today, and this team is starting to become reviled. They are viewed as pompous cheaters, who run up the score at every chance. I realize some of this comes from the success they have enjoyed but I was one of those people who was rooting for them in Super Bowl XXXVI, now I can't wait to see someone stick it to them. This team is just very hard to like. The cheating scandal, the inabilty of them to address it, Belicheck's attitude, Brady's whining (even with an undefeated record, 3 Super Bowl rings, and a model girlfriend), running up the score.Besides actual Patriots fans, I don't see how anyone can like this team. As I football fan, I marvel at what Brady is doing this year, but I don't have to like it. Here's hoping they run into this year's version of the Super Bowl XXXVI Patriots.

People can drum up all the reasons they need to bang on the Patriots. Message board 'gurus' tend to bang alot harder than the rest of the general public. Simple enough, theyre just not the underdog anymore. Theyre the exact opposite. But these guys arent whining about much, and theyre not talking smack and acting like a bunch of individuals. If you choose to hate them, I understand. Theyre a big dog now and theve been sitting on the porch for quite a while. Their time will eventually come when they get bounced off. And at that time, Ill reflect on just how great this period of my football life has been. And appreicate every minute of it. But it wont turn me into a hater of some other team just because mine is no longer on top of the football world. Ill enjoy watching the next great team just as much as I didn the Steelers of the 70s, the Niners of the 80s, and the Cowboys and Bills of the 90s. Football is too difficult of a game to master to NOT enjoy greatness when you see it. But count on one thing. If theyre fortunate enough, and good enough, to make it to the Superbowl again this year, New England will still do the one thing theyve always done. Be introduced as the TEAM they are. And its a major reason I continue to love these guys.

You're correct, people were in awe of the Steelers, 49ers, Cowboys, etc. because those teams were more talented than anyone in football when they played. What is different about New England, and particularly infuriating to me, is this idea that they are not more talented, but simply smarter than everyone else. How many times do we have to hear that Bellichick can win any game he wants by any score he wants? (And not just this year, either. In the past two years, the playoff losses to the Broncos and Colts have been explained away as mistakes the Pats made- no credit is ever awarded to the opposing team.)As far as the Patriots being a "team" they have ALWAYS been in your face and dirty, and this has been largely ignored by the New England loving media. I can remember many late or questionable hits that have been applauded by Belichick. Taunting from players on the sideline, etc. Everything that LT said about them was true. The only thing to like about this team is that they win; all the rest, "team spirit" is ######.

 

[porkins]

I've never like the Patriots, for as long as I can remember. When they went to their first recent era Super Bowl, I was calling cheaters the whole way there. I still believe they didn't get there fairly. I was glad the tape-gate scandal came out, because I was sick of the whole "perfect team" aura associated with the Pats.

What did they do to cheat?Who said they were a "perfect team"? Meaning the players weren't getting arrested all the time or have "sex cruises", or fathering children all across the country?

 

[greenline]

I can still remember the underdog Patriots entering Super Bowl XXXVI to play the dominating Rams offense. They weren't really given a shot. They were an overachieving group of players. A team with no real superstars at the time. They were the true definition of team and if memory serves me correctly even asked to be introduced that way before the game. There were no egos, just football players. People were pulling for them.Fast Forward to today, and this team is starting to become reviled. They are viewed as pompous cheaters, who run up the score at every chance. I realize some of this comes from the success they have enjoyed but I was one of those people who was rooting for them in Super Bowl XXXVI, now I can't wait to see someone stick it to them. This team is just very hard to like. The cheating scandal, the inabilty of them to address it, Belicheck's attitude, Brady's whining (even with an undefeated record, 3 Super Bowl rings, and a model girlfriend), running up the score.Besides actual Patriots fans, I don't see how anyone can like this team. As I football fan, I marvel at what Brady is doing this year, but I don't have to like it. Here's hoping they run into this year's version of the Super Bowl XXXVI Patriots.

People can drum up all the reasons they need to bang on the Patriots. Message board 'gurus' tend to bang alot harder than the rest of the general public. Simple enough, theyre just not the underdog anymore. Theyre the exact opposite. But these guys arent whining about much, and theyre not talking smack and acting like a bunch of individuals. If you choose to hate them, I understand. Theyre a big dog now and theve been sitting on the porch for quite a while. Their time will eventually come when they get bounced off. And at that time, Ill reflect on just how great this period of my football life has been. And appreicate every minute of it. But it wont turn me into a hater of some other team just because mine is no longer on top of the football world. Ill enjoy watching the next great team just as much as I didn the Steelers of the 70s, the Niners of the 80s, and the Cowboys and Bills of the 90s. Football is too difficult of a game to master to NOT enjoy greatness when you see it. But count on one thing. If theyre fortunate enough, and good enough, to make it to the Superbowl again this year, New England will still do the one thing theyve always done. Be introduced as the TEAM they are. And its a major reason I continue to love these guys.

You're correct, people were in awe of the Steelers, 49ers, Cowboys, etc. because those teams were more talented than anyone in football when they played. What is different about New England, and particularly infuriating to me, is this idea that they are not more talented, but simply smarter than everyone else. How many times do we have to hear that Bellichick can win any game he wants by any score he wants? (And not just this year, either. In the past two years, the playoff losses to the Broncos and Colts have been explained away as mistakes the Pats made- no credit is ever awarded to the opposing team.)As far as the Patriots being a "team" they have ALWAYS been in your face and dirty, and this has been largely ignored by the New England loving media. I can remember many late or questionable hits that have been applauded by Belichick. Taunting from players on the sideline, etc. Everything that LT said about them was true. The only thing to like about this team is that they win; all the rest, "team spirit" is ######.

So really you are mad at the media.

 

[jurb26]

Can we just get a pinned Pats thread for all the haters to go in to the back round of playing for their listening pleasure. Condensing the whining can only add to the quality of the SP at this point.

 

[twitch]

I am a Cowboys fan, unless the Pats play the Cowboys in the Super Bowl, I will root for them to win all their games this season just to put the perfect "shorter" season of the Dolphins to rest. However, if the Patriots lose a game down the stretch I will root against them in almost every game.How's that for messed up!

its not, w. it makes perfect sense. as a Pats fan, I generally pull against the stronger teams, especially in the playoffs, because those teams pose more of a threat to my team. there's absolutely nothing wrong with pulling against the Patriots. thats a modest sign of respect. and fans of any team appreciate that. and when this year's playoffs start, and the Cowboys are looking like the team to beat in the NFC, you can bet your last dollar Ill be pulling against them. out of respect.

 

[timschochet]

That's fine. It is reality. Outside of Boston there will not be a single football fan in America pulling for the Pats if they get to the Super Bowl. Patriot fans need to recongize they have officially become the Yankees of the NFL.

I don't understand why. They're not like the Yankees that can throw more money around than any other team. They have the same salary cap as every other team. I don't understand the whole hating a team for being too well managed.

I don't hate them for being well managed, I hate them for the personalities on the team. They are hard team to like. Belicheck comes off as pompous and socially inept. His run-ins with previous assistants, first Saban, not Mangini. Brady and Bruschi consistently act as if people should be apologizing to them because fans and the media question their success to to "tape-gate". Your coach cheated guys, deal with it. I understand the "if you don't want us to run up the score, stop us" mentality, but I think of the game vs. Dallas where they had a first down with 1:36 left and could have kneeled for 3 straight downs but decided to go ahead and punch it on the road. Why?

Because they couldn't run out the clock. Dallas called a TO. If Dallas hadn't, they would have run out the clock. The other coach decided to make them keep playing, so they did. It was a fourth string RB that scored. HE may never do that again. They did that earlier in the year too, only he didn't end up scoring and they turned it over on downs. The goal wasn't to score, it was to run the clock down as much as possible.

Weak argument. They were up by more than 2 scores.

Black Kinght and King Arthur. After arthur cut both arms off and 1 leg, the black knight kept running at him and trying to hurt Arthur. So Arthur cuts off his last leg. As long as the opposition keeps fighting, the Pats keep fighting.

"Twas only a flesh wound!"

 

[jurrassic]

It's funny how all of these guys hate the Yankees for all of the same reasons. The organization did admit to cheating. That is a fact. Now whether they gained from it or not, we will never know. But realistically speaking, why risk cheating if it does not provide you with a benefit?

The Yankees play on an uneven playing field. It definately slopes towards them.Every NFL team is bound by the same salary cap.It is not the same.

I was referring more to the success of the Yankees vs. the Red Sox, and the smugness of the Yankees franchise.

 

[switz]

I've never like the Patriots, for as long as I can remember. When they went to their first recent era Super Bowl, I was calling cheaters the whole way there. I still believe they didn't get there fairly. I was glad the tape-gate scandal came out, because I was sick of the whole "perfect team" aura associated with the Pats.

What did they do to cheat?

Not so much cheated, but the refs helped them every step of the way. Tuck rule, tons of no calls on Pats penalties, really weak penalties on the other team. I just remember sitting through those games and thinking, either someone bribed the refs, or the NFL wants this team to win.

Who said they were a "perfect team"? Meaning the players weren't getting arrested all the time or have "sex cruises", or fathering children all across the country?

A lot of the media goes on and on about what a perfect team they are, there are no egos etc. Tom Brady is such a good guy (BTW he has fathered a child he's not parenting FWIW)

 

[porkins]

That's fine. It is reality. Outside of Boston there will not be a single football fan in America pulling for the Pats if they get to the Super Bowl. Patriot fans need to recongize they have officially become the Yankees of the NFL.

I don't understand why. They're not like the Yankees that can throw more money around than any other team. They have the same salary cap as every other team. I don't understand the whole hating a team for being too well managed.

I don't hate them for being well managed, I hate them for the personalities on the team. They are hard team to like. Belicheck comes off as pompous and socially inept. His run-ins with previous assistants, first Saban, not Mangini. Brady and Bruschi consistently act as if people should be apologizing to them because fans and the media question their success to to "tape-gate". Your coach cheated guys, deal with it. I understand the "if you don't want us to run up the score, stop us" mentality, but I think of the game vs. Dallas where they had a first down with 1:36 left and could have kneeled for 3 straight downs but decided to go ahead and punch it on the road. Why?

Because they couldn't run out the clock. Dallas called a TO. If Dallas hadn't, they would have run out the clock. The other coach decided to make them keep playing, so they did. It was a fourth string RB that scored. HE may never do that again. They did that earlier in the year too, only he didn't end up scoring and they turned it over on downs. The goal wasn't to score, it was to run the clock down as much as possible.

Weak argument. They were up by more than 2 scores.

Black Kinght and King Arthur. After arthur cut both arms off and 1 leg, the black knight kept running at him and trying to hurt Arthur. So Arthur cuts off his last leg. As long as the opposition keeps fighting, the Pats keep fighting.

"Twas only a flesh wound!"

atrickCrayton:

 

[greenline]

I've never like the Patriots, for as long as I can remember. When they went to their first recent era Super Bowl, I was calling cheaters the whole way there. I still believe they didn't get there fairly. I was glad the tape-gate scandal came out, because I was sick of the whole "perfect team" aura associated with the Pats.

What did they do to cheat?

Not so much cheated, but the refs helped them every step of the way. Tuck rule, tons of no calls on Pats penalties, really weak penalties on the other team. I just remember sitting through those games and thinking, either someone bribed the refs, or the NFL wants this team to win.

yawn.

 

[twitch]

I can still remember the underdog Patriots entering Super Bowl XXXVI to play the dominating Rams offense. They weren't really given a shot. They were an overachieving group of players. A team with no real superstars at the time. They were the true definition of team and if memory serves me correctly even asked to be introduced that way before the game. There were no egos, just football players. People were pulling for them.

Fast Forward to today, and this team is starting to become reviled. They are viewed as pompous cheaters, who run up the score at every chance. I realize some of this comes from the success they have enjoyed but I was one of those people who was rooting for them in Super Bowl XXXVI, now I can't wait to see someone stick it to them. This team is just very hard to like. The cheating scandal, the inabilty of them to address it, Belicheck's attitude, Brady's whining (even with an undefeated record, 3 Super Bowl rings, and a model girlfriend), running up the score.

Besides actual Patriots fans, I don't see how anyone can like this team. As I football fan, I marvel at what Brady is doing this year, but I don't have to like it. Here's hoping they run into this year's version of the Super Bowl XXXVI Patriots.

People can drum up all the reasons they need to bang on the Patriots. Message board 'gurus' tend to bang alot harder than the rest of the general public. Simple enough, theyre just not the underdog anymore. Theyre the exact opposite. But these guys arent whining about much, and theyre not talking smack and acting like a bunch of individuals. If you choose to hate them, I understand. Theyre a big dog now and theve been sitting on the porch for quite a while. Their time will eventually come when they get bounced off. And at that time, Ill reflect on just how great this period of my football life has been. And appreicate every minute of it. But it wont turn me into a hater of some other team just because mine is no longer on top of the football world. Ill enjoy watching the next great team just as much as I didn the Steelers of the 70s, the Niners of the 80s, and the Cowboys and Bills of the 90s. Football is too difficult of a game to master to NOT enjoy greatness when you see it. But count on one thing. If theyre fortunate enough, and good enough, to make it to the Superbowl again this year, New England will still do the one thing theyve always done. Be introduced as the TEAM they are. And its a major reason I continue to love these guys.

You're correct, people were in awe of the Steelers, 49ers, Cowboys, etc. because those teams were more talented than anyone in football when they played. What is different about New England, and particularly infuriating to me, is this idea that they are not more talented, but simply smarter than everyone else. How many times do we have to hear that Bellichick can win any game he wants by any score he wants? (And not just this year, either. In the past two years, the playoff losses to the Broncos and Colts have been explained away as mistakes the Pats made- no credit is ever awarded to the opposing team.)As far as the Patriots being a "team" they have ALWAYS been in your face and dirty, and this has been largely ignored by the New England loving media. I can remember many late or questionable hits that have been applauded by Belichick. Taunting from players on the sideline, etc. Everything that LT said about them was true. The only thing to like about this team is that they win; all the rest, "team spirit" is ######.

"ALWAYS been in your face and dirty"? You are a Steelers fan, correct? Football is a dirty game. The Steelers were dirty. The Cowboys were dirty. Theyre all dirty to a degree. It just hasnt been as recent, so its harder to remember. When that Steelers Dlineman took out Carson Palmer, it may have looked like a dirty play, but I never thought for a second it was. Its football. Its violent, physical, dangerous, brutal, and unforgiving. DIRTY is a great way to describe the entire game. It doesnt apply exclusively to NE. You need to get over it, man.