Re: NFL 2014-15: Iron Fist Getting Rusty?
So, here are my thoughts on this.
1. I literally said to myself as soon as I saw that they won on Sunday "Two weeks - can we get through the lead up without some kind of controversial story?" Apparently not. That lasted about 5 minutes.
2. I knew they did it as soon as I heard there was a possibility. There was no out and out denial, which to me was suspicious.
3. That said, when Tom Brady responded on morning radio the next morning and said that it was the most ridiculous thing he had heard, I believed him. Is it possible for none of the players to know? Because if Brady knew and responded that way, that bothers me.
4. I don't think it affected the outcome of the game at all. And if that's the case, then why do it all???? That's what is so disappointing to me.
5. I do agree that this is more of a story because it's the Patriots. If the Patriots did not have the history they have, would the Colts have called it out? I'd like to think everyone thinks that the Patriots probably would've won the game anyway but they did something that calls it into question and because it's Bellichek and the Patriots, it becomes a way bigger story.
6. I was reading a story yesterday on NYTimes.com where some guy said it really would have been difficult for them to do. When would they have done it? There were 5342 cameras at that came and no one caught anything? After reading that, I was thinking, yeah, when would they have done it? After reading the protocol surrounding game balls, at what point would they have had the opportunity?
7. Someone tweeted yesterday that CBS Sports did a story on Aaron Rodgers earlier in the season where he admitted to over inflating the balls, that he knew it was wrong but he preferred the balls that way and how it was treated as a good thing. So now it's bad because the Patriots did it. What if it was the Patriots that thought the Colts did it? What would the response have been? I'm thinking two things: a) they lost so it didn't matter and b) only a cheater would know!! The Patriots must also be doing it!!! It takes one to know one, etc.
8. I'm just really disappointed in this whole thing. I am a Patriots fan, but admitedly more of a bandwagon jumper. I love their success and get to a point where I think whether I watch helps or hurts them, etc. To the point where I was thinking of what I need to do Super Bowl Sunday to not watch to give them the chance to win. You know, because it's all about how I am as a fan.
Now? I'm going to a Super Bowl party because I'm going to watch the commercials. If they win, great. If they lose, meh. We've had conversations here about fan bases and I know Patriots fans are one reason why people hate them so much. And hate them if you will, but they're loyal and passionate, like any other fan base. I kept quiet the last few days and was reading all the tweets and Facebook posts, etc. and thinking, JFC Bill. These fans would walk through fire for you and your team and THIS is what you do to them? I think that's what's most upsetting to me. It was not a major thing but it just implies so much underhandness that isn't needed. The team is great as they are.
Should be a fantastic couple of weeks. *sigh*
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