By Mark Carpenter-
The track record really is quite impressive. Whether you love them or hate them, you really just have to give it up for the New England Patriots. A team that seems to be in the Super Bowl every year deserve the ultimate respect, even if you think they are cheaters or anything like that. I prefer to think that they know the rules better than anyone else and use them to their advantage, like the five-year old kid who just knows how far to press his parent’s buttons.
Start with the owner, Robert Kraft, a man committed to winning but who runs his organization his way. Come on Bengals fans, would you trade Mike Brown for Robert Kraft? I thought so. Fourth Super Bowl in five years, eight straight appearance in the AFC Championship game. How much fun must it be to be a real Patriots fan? An owner who is passionate about winning, with the game’s best coach and the greatest quarterback of all-time. Makes you a little envious, now be honest?
Tom Brady is nothing short of amazing, hands down the greatest quarterback ever. Forget all the game stats, just look at this one-nine Super Bowls. That is mind-boggling for a sixth round draft pick. Do you ever want to count out Brady in a playoff game? The Patriots weren’t supposed to go into a frigid Kansas City and beat the league’s best offense, but did you have any doubt after the overtime coin flip what was going to happen? (Yes, the NFL overtime rules are stupid, go the college way please.)
The thing about the Patriots is the way they dig up talent, guys that are considered on the scrap heap of other teams become vital cogs for the Pats. Example-Rex Burkhead. Not good enough to play for the Bengals? Personnel decisions, and if you put on a Patriots uniform you better be able to do things the Patriot way of you won’t have that uniform on for long, whether you’re an All-Pro or on the practice squad. Don’t mess with Bill-not much tolerance there.
Bengals fan will be watching the Super Bowl with some interest, mainly Burkhead and Andrew Whitworth, both of whom will be in Atlanta, someplace they’d only go in Cincinnati if the Bengals played the Falcons on the road. On the Rams’ sideline is another interesting face, that of offensive coordinator Zac Taylor, who we think is going to be the Bengals’ new head coach if the NFL ever allows an official announcement. Really, why not just announce it now, its two weeks until the Super Bowl?
The betting line on this year’s big game, with more lousy halftime entertainment, will be interesting. I only bet Reese’s Cups on basketball games, but I sure would never bet against Belichick and Brady. I know they lost it last year and might be the underdogs this year, but I’ll be rooting for them. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, I respect the heck out of them. You might hate them but you’d sure like to be them.
So prepare for the two weeks of hype and get ready to enjoy what should be an entertaining football game. My money will be on #12, the GOAT.