“Final” Football Thoughts

I am going to have to move topics with today being Super Tuesday — so hope to have that up later today.  And I am skipping Bobby Knight’s resignation as I really don’t care.  Amazingly successful coach (42 seasons, 5 Final 4s, 3 National Titles — compare with Coach K, though and Puke is even more amazing), but obviously one of the most cantankerous individuals around; right up there with Roy Williams of UNC as jerks IMHO.  (Wait, didn’t I say I was not going to comment on this?)

Football thoughts:

1) Most writers, and I read too many of them, offer the same perspective — pass rush was key to game [thanks, Einstein] — so the only thing that separates them is their wit or access to quotes, etc.  But one guy with no access and the BEST wit is DJ Gallo of ESPN.  You can catch his latest here. 

As this is the guy who wrote that he would ‘like to live in Tom Brady’s cleft chin, surviving on leftover after shave and supermodel saliva,” I figured I would add in a couple of other tidbits from the typical Pats fan today:

“Denial and Isolation: If I talk about it with them, that means I’m not dreaming and the Pats really lost. I am not yet prepared to face such a reality. My entire identity and self-worth hinges on the ability to act smug about the supposed supremacy of Boston’s sports teams, as though I had something to do with their performance on the field.”

“Bargaining:  [I will admit that Tom Brady] was a big zero in the Super Bowl against the Giants. He’s been folding under pressure in big games for three years in a row. He’s like a Manning, but with a better jaw line and two fewer Super Bowls since 2004.”

My entire self-esteem was based on the success of a football team filled with a bunch of players I’ve never met in my life.

“Depression: Now I have nothing. They’ll get over it. They’re rich. They have hot wives and girlfriends. But I have nothing. Just this tattoo on my head and a crappy, second-shift job at Dunkin’ Donuts.”

2) SpyGate.  Everyone is up in arms, and I am equally suspicious of why the NFL destroyed the tapes and said there was nothing on them.  And now there is this Golf Pro with information, supposedly.  I think the Pats cheated, and I think it may have even provided enough of an edge against the Rams, Panthers and Eagles.  However, I still figure the NFL emerges unscathed.  This will, for all my Shakespeare fans, will be Much Ado About Nothing.  Like the Bush administration funneling dollars to his cronies, I think it is about something actually, but in the end it will get washed away.  The league cannot afford to have its team of the 2000s be cheaters.  Will see how it plays out, but figure it goes the way of OJ: innocent under the law, guilty in the eyes of the public, but in the end no one cares.  (For Reference: See Tim Donaghy, NBA).  Shame that Belichick threatens his and his team’s legacy this way, but…….

3) Best QB.  My pal K-Hag was wondering if I were saying the Montana was best QB of all time as per my post yesterday.  He is an Elway fan and says the Super Bowls are not a fair litmus test as so many other variables come into play.  I agree; and my point was the Brady with all day to throw is a GREAT QB, and with no time to throw is NOT.  Same for most players.  My only point is that to be in the conversation, you cannot come up as small as he did yesterday, regardless of who you want to blame.  And, when you think about it, he stunk against the Broncos two years ago, and threw crucial interceptions agains the Chargers (subsequently fumbled by the DB) and Colts last year, so not always Tom Terrific.  Look, he will still go down as one of the best and a likely HOFer, and Montana and Elway certainly had their issues too, just for now, the debate still rages.

Personally, I think the age and impending departures (Moss, Defense) will hamper the Pats going forward. They will win their division because it stinks, and not many teams can throw a Strahan, Osi and Tuck at them, but they will be more beatable going forward.