If America Hated the Pats for Being Undefeated, Why is Everyone Rooting for the Colts and Saints?
I’m not a gambling man and as my standings in the office football pool would indicate I’m not real good at predictions. But I can all but guarantee you the Colts and Saints are both destined to be 16-0. All year long they’ve just both had that unmistakable stench of invincibility rising off them. Last night was a prime example. Jacksonville got a couple of early scores, and the Colts run back a kick. The Jags are up late, had Indy at 3rd & 5 from their own 35, and you just knew to a moral certainty the other shoe was about to drop. Even that franchise killing buffoon said it when Indy broke the huddle… “Here’s Reggie Wayne, look for them to hit him deep…” and boom goes the dynamite for 65 yards and the game. You just knew it was happening before it did, like you were watching the Instant Classic of the game instead of seeing it live. Because that’s what the Colts have been doing to people all year.
Look, as we all know, 16-0 is no huge deal. Been there, done that, seen the silly banner tucked away in the corner of Gillette like a Bruins Northeastern Division Champs banner or a Red Sox Wildcard t-shirt. It will happen, undefeated is better than 15-1, but still, who cares? The point of this blog is, why isn’t America rooting against New Orleans and Indy the way they did against the Patriots two years ago?
Of course to answer the question, one first must accept the premise. I mean, I can’t prove it to be true. It’s not quantifiable. I suppose I could Google “I hope the Patriots lose” and “I hope the Colts lose” and count the number of hits. But that wouldn’t be scientific and besides it would take effort, so forget that. No, I’ll just go by what I know. During the incredible but ill-fated 2007 season, there was so much venom directed at the Pats I was compiling it all and running it as a Friday bulletin board material feature. The undefeated Pats spent the whole year in the middle of a turkey shoot, taking crossfire from all directions and the whole of America was rooting for them to lose. And each successive win was more disparaged than the one before it. By Week 13, when they pulled out the Monday Nighter against Baltimore, they were accused of benefiting from botched calls because the NFL wanted to keep the streak alive. After that, there were rumblings they were too focused on perfection and the pressure was getting to them. Some suggested they’d be better off losing. The grumpy old bastards on the ‘72 Dolphins took the prunes out of their mouths long enough to publicly say the Pats are frauds and cheaters and they hope they blow it. And when it all ended badly, the nation joined together to bathe in the Pats blood and make soup out of their bones. But with Indy and New Orleans, I defy you to find one such similar sentiment, anywhere. It’s a task beyond my Google search capabilities.
But why? Was the 2007 hatred all a result of SpyGate? If so, that was a capital sentence for a misdemeanor offense. And the Colts have been no less guilty of a string of improprieties like piping in crowd noise, getting special rule changes and Marvin Harrison shooting a guy, crimes they, unlike the Pats, didn’t own up to. Is it because the Pats coach has a grumpy personality? Because the last I looked, Sean Payton wasn’t exactly Kelly Ripa. It doesn’t make sense. The only reason I can figure is that the ‘07 Pats, unlike the Colts and Saints, were in the midst of a dynasty, coming off 3 recent championships and to the rest of America, rooting for them was like rooting for the Death Star in the battle against Alderaan. In spite of all their regular season wins this decade, the Colts are still considered underdogs because they’ve been so generally hapless in the playoffs. New Orleans has been one of the worst franchises in sports history, and they’re still digging out from Katrina, and America loves a comeback story. So that’s got to be it, which is fine with me. If failure and disaster are the price of being loved, I’d rather be part of the hated empire any time.
Jerry Thornton | Random Thoughts | 12/18/09, 3:45 pm |
46 People have left comments on this post
get some new material graybush, your people hate the patriots schtick is old news
Hmm..maybe Spygate had something to do with it, people do not root for cheaters (regardless of how much people feel it helped or not, cheating is cheating).
Second, these two teams are not purposely trying to embarrass opponents as the pats did…up by 50, 2 minutes left, driving for more TD’s.
It’s all about winning with class, or no class as in some teams not to be named.
the reason these two teams arent running up scores is becasue they seem like thety dont have the ability….they are pulling close game after close game outta their asses…theyre struggling to get to 16-0 (which i think they will both get to) unlike the patriots of 2007…..the games against baltimore and philly are the type of games that the colts and saints are playing all year.
Tuffnutz stick to material that you know like the Jersey Shore and guy on guy action.
Real football fans didn’t care about Spygate. When the details came out I think it was more on the side of a speeding ticket than vehicular manslaughter. The punishment was for it being so blatant and a repeat offense, so I don’t think that was the issue. The issue was that the Patriots kicked the shit out of pretty much every team they play. Regardless of what your opinion is on running up the score I don’t think it is logical to expect opposing fans not to root against you when you show them no mercy. Not that that’s something Belichick deserves to go to hell over, but certainly reason enough not to cheer for them.
*the games the pats had against baltimore and philly*
» Tuffnutz said: { Dec 18, 2009 – 03:12:03 }
get some new material graybush, your people hate the patriots schtick is old news
well said. get bent jt.
hey quann get off my nuts bro, let me breathe
All the haters can go screw themselves….this is a great question and I was wondering about this very thing today. In fact, ESPN started their goddam “Pursuit of Perfection” WAY before week 15 in ‘07, and with TWO teams going for it, are just now breaking it out…. Don’t you think the Colts would be running it up if they could? They’re all about getting Manning his rest, blah, blah, blah….so they’re not running it up because they can’t….
Let’s see if the 18-1 shirts (or whatever) come out when one of these teams loses in the playoffs….don’t see it happening….
The two reasons are because of Spygate and Belichick’s saltiness with the media. The media makes the airheads who aren’t educated enough to have an opinion for themselves believe whatever they want. Belichick made their job harder so they took it out on him.
As a misplaced Steeler fan (Born in Pittsburgh, moved here years ago) I can say I never hated the Pats during that time, if anything I wanted them to go undefeated so I would never have to turn on SportsCenter and see a senile Mercury Morris make an ass out of himself (as he did again last night). And since the Steelers are done this year I’m hoping for the same thing.
The Patriots were hated by airheads in 07 and they loved it. They flourished because of it. The Saints and Colts are loved by most of the airheads in 09 and they love it. They also flourish because of it. Wake me for an 18-0 Superbowl and have a camera on Mercury Morris the whole time on the RedZone channel for the rest of us.
The two reasons are because of Spygate and Belichick’s saltiness with the media. The media makes the airheads who aren’t educated enough to have an opinion for themselves believe whatever they want. Belichick made their job harder so they took it out on him.
As a misplaced Steeler fan (Born in Pittsburgh, moved here years ago) I can say I never hated the Pats during that time, if anything I wanted them to go undefeated so I would never have to turn on SportsCenter and see a senile Mercury Morris make an ass out of himself (as he did again last night). And since the Steelers are done this year I’m hoping for the same thing.
The Patriots were hated by airheads in 07 and they loved it. They flourished because of it. The Saints and Colts are loved by most of the airheads in 09 and they love it. They also flourish because of it. Wake me for an 18-0 Superbowl and have a camera on Mercury Morris the whole time on the RedZone channel for the rest of us.
Cue the aging drug addict, Mercury Morris, and the rest of the has-been’s from the ‘72 Dolphins. Those that are alive anyway! Bob”Fucking” Kuchenberg Eats Shit!
double post, clean it up Drago
drago, nice essays.
i have add so i didnt read them.
quick one sentence remarks are good
Its the dynasty aspect. we had been embarrassing teams for a while and people were wondering if we would ever lose again
NJD123 – “It’s all about winning with class, or no class as in some teams not to be named.”
So the Patriots are at fault for playing great football and ending up by 50 points? Then going for a TD rather than kick field goal after goal which runs the score up as well…
Take the dick out of mouth and say something that makes sense…
I think that a lot of people are just interested in seeing two undefeated teams play in the Super bowl. if the patriots and the giants were both 13-0 in 2007 I think you’d have seen a lot less animosity toward the patriots, people would want to see 2 undefeated teams clash in the super bowl.
maybe a little of the amazing-ness of 16-0 has worn off now because the patriots have already done it, even though they didn’t finish it up.
I personally couldn’t care, and I would imagine anyone a fan of a team still alive wants to see his team beat one of the undefeateds
“they were accused of benefiting from botched calls because the NFL wanted to keep the streak alive”
Jerry, you’ve literally accused the Colts of your above statement EVERY week.
Undefeated is cool no matter how you do it, kudos to the Pats, Saints and Colts will do it too, big fucking deal, when’s the Super Bowl?
I am an ardent Patriots fan but hear me when I say this- right now the best team in the league is San Diego Chargers. They have this amazing momentum and neither the Colts or Saints can last them if they play anytime now.
The Colts are the worst undefeated team in the history of sports. They have won 6 very close games and should have lost at least 4 of them, and you could argue they should have lost all 6. But through a series of chokes by their opponents, lucky plays and several horrible officiating calls, they are undefeated.
Mark this down here….even if they go 16-0 they will be OUT after their first playoff game no matter who they play.
Manning is the typical big stats guy who folds when the pressure is really on.I almost hope they would get to the Super Bowl because it would be wonderful to see them get their doors blown off by either the Vikings or the Saints.But it won’t happen….they are frauds of the highest order. A team and a QB that rolls up big numbers because they play most of their games in an Arena Football setting. Think Manning or Brees would have all those stats if they had to play 80% of their games out in the elements ?If I can take anything out of this season, it will be the glee from watching the Colts gag in the playoffs once again.
Middle America loves the Colts, Most of the rednecks think Peyton is actually their friend, he talks like them and they see him enough in commercials that they believe they know him. The Colts can never do n wrong, they are like the little rich friend we had growing up, always involved in some shit but never got blamed for it. Everyone looked away.
I like the Saints, I don’t know why. MAybe cause of Katrina, maybe cause of Brees. Or maybe cause we see a little of the 07 Pats in them. They score a ton of points and make it look easy
Why does everyone outside of New England hate the Pat’s?
Hmmm, this is what I have heard –
Yes, Spygate and the whole “well everyone does it” defense. No one does it multiple times AFTER the league tells you not to.
Winning without class – just the obvious stupid stuff like being up by a few touchdowns and throwing the ball to the end zone with less than a couple minutes left.
Ditto – obviously trying to set records for the sake of setting records – like Drop-kick field goals by aging QB’s in a meaningless game; throwing the ball and running the score-up when it’s 45-10 in the fourth quarter so Brady can get his 50 in for the year and about 15-20 other examples….
Belichick’s saltiness (I actually think he’s pretty funny….but no one buys that)
The whole Metro-sexual male-model thing Brady works so hard to pull-off with the assistance of his wife dressing him for the past few years.
The “we have a system…” talk of the homers when now you look at it, there may not be or ever had been.
The fan base is a bit suspect by other’s rich in football tradition – they really are baseball fans first and then one day they wake-up like they know the NFL and they have always pleaded for being accepted as a “Dynasty” before it had merit and without really knowing the history of the NFL or what that meant.
The ugliness of the Pats uniforms…including the whole ‘Flying Elvis’ thing. I think more would respect them if they had stayed with something that was timeless like Pat Patriot.
That… is what irritates non-Pats fans.
I know its a pipe dream but the Pats would come full circle if the Colts and Saints both go 16-0. Then the Pats beat the Colts in the AFC championship and then beat the Saints in the Super Bowl.
I would give up ANY future Boston championship for the rest of my life for that to happen..(OK, at least gimme 1 Bruins Stanley Cup)
really Jerry you cant figure out why peole hated the pats? two reasons: 1.) spygate; 2.) they ran up the score on everyone like a bunch of assholes.
Karmas a bitch.
Patriots are arrogant, america doesn’t liek arrogant. the colts and saints aren’t arrogant, america likes them
Hey 5minute major…………………you my friend are a grade A asshole. So all Patriot fans are Red Sox fans first. Thats nice of you to lump everyone together. Don’t even compare a SOx fan to a Patriots fan- 2 different animals. SO you are a historian on the NFL , can you give us a lesson everyday cause apparently I only started paying attention in 2001. I have a lot to learn and I would love to have 5minmajor bless me with his NFL knowledge. And by the way 3 Super Bowls in 4 years “merits” a Dynasty
And according to you America hates the Pats because Brady is good looking? if thats the case that explains why Manning is loved cause he is one ugly son of a bitch..
Jerry, seriously, what’s with the unabashed rumpswabbing of the Pats? Are you secretly auditioning to become the Globe’s new beat writer? Jesus.
5mm you just made a fool out of yourself. I wont even elaborate
oh ya.. karma sure is a bitch. The last three seasons, 18-1 (hate that one), 11-5 and so far 8-5. They’re consistent winners. I’ll take winning seasons for 9 out of 10 years a decade. I’ll root for em till the day I die!
Pats rule!
when are we going to get a recap on the Bruins? you should post that weekly. by the way they toasted tonight in Chicago, to many injuries to D-men to keep with Chi’s forwards…please start Tuuka!!
BRUINS HOCKEY- I think I eloborated for you, 5MM is a tool
It’s the fans stupid.
When the BoSux won the series in ‘04, you classless fucks went from loving losers to arrogant pricks. Why the need to constantly shout from the top of your lungs how good your teams are? Why not take the higher road and shut the fuck up about your teams? Not to mention the ‘07 Pats made it seem like they cared more about stats and running up the score than winning.
It’s about class. The Saints and Colts have it. You massholes don’t. It isn’t rocket science.
“Manning is the typical big stats guy who folds when the pressure is really on.”
BOSTONBRUINSHOCKEY proving how stupid he is. Tell me, what is the biggest comeback in conference title game history? Oh, that’s right. It was when Peyton Manning came back down 21-3 to beat the Patriots two years ago. Yeah, huge choke job there. Idiot.
The answer is easy.
Peyton Manning and Drew Brees are likable and classy guys. They play hard and give good interviews, win or lose. They don’t storm off and throw tantrums (brady). They both play with NFL talent (like the Pats) and have killer stats to boot. They aren’t arrogant BB). And the main reason is because Americans hate their Fans.
Anybody who puts the 14-0 Colts (23 straight games) into any category but all time elite, are truly ignorant fools. They may not be destroying teams like the ‘07 team (not all, btw), but they are finding ways to win. Whether they win it all or not, they are one of the two best in the league… (Chargers?? whatever. The Chargers are on an 8 game winning streak. Playing well, but not championship caliber.)
I love this site and I love Boston and I was rooting for the Pats to go undefeated, kind of… But c’mon, you guys were a bunch of douches in 2007. You’d just won your second WS of the decade, the Celtics were kicking ass, the Pats were on they’re bazillionth Superbowl run. You had it all. And you let everybody know.
I’m not complaining, and I gotta say I was seriously envious. But you Boston fans were assholes, so the rest of us rooted against you. End of story.
New Orleans and Indianapolis have nothing. So why hate them?
Does Mercury Morris kill himself if the Colts/Saints are undefeated and play in the Super Bowl?
*undefeated and play each other in the Super Bowl
Why did most of the country root against the Pats in ‘07?
Well, ask these same questions:
Why did most of the country root against the Yankees in the ’50s, 90’s, and now?
Why did most of the country root against the Cowboys during their dynasty?
Why did most of the country root against the 49ers during their dynasty?
Why did most of the country root against Oklahoma during their dynasty years?
Keep adding in the dynasties, and realize that people start to turn against repeat champs.
New Englanders aren’t supposed to dominate football. Gene splicing and chaos theory: yes. Football, tractor pulling, NASCAR: no. The simple are perplexed.
is Brees going in for the kiss with Manning in that picture? what a bunch of fags. Go Patriots!
You know what would take the sting out of those 18-1 shirts and signs… an 18-1 shirt in Colt Blue and White.
Still dont get why non-New England fans comment on this site. Go away dude. We broke the fuckin single season TD record and WR TD record in the LAST game of the regular season. Nothing more epic. One of these teams (colts or saints) need to win it all to top it. PERIOD!
so now an nfl quarterback is judged on how good of a post-game interview huh redips and heres a couple “killer stats” for ya
Brady- 3 super bowls in 8 seasons so far
Brees and Manning- 1 super bowl in a combined 19 seasons
damn that hurts doesnt it?
redips, have you ever watched a colts football game? even one? peyton manning doesn’t throw temper tantrums, eh? the man is an excellent quarterback, don’t get me wrong, but is also the biggest bitch in the nfl and the first to whine about a call and throw his teammates under the bus.
Hey Belichick4pres – You are a grade-A moron.
Didn’t I friggin write – “Why does everyone outside of New England hate the Pat’s? Hmmm, this is what I have heard –”
Get your head outta yur Azz douchebag
Ditto BOSTONBRUINSHOCKEY
Didn’t I friggin write – “Why does everyone outside of New England hate the Pat’s? Hmmm, this is what I have heard –”
Get your head outta yur Azz douchebag
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