blogsNH - I Still Believe - Comments

the eye of the beholder

Terri Oberg — Wed, 6 Feb 2008 13:25:36 -0500

People get so caught up in the emotions of a game that they only hear and see what they want. When I hear people trashing the Patriots, I usually just shrug and take it for what it's worth. I remember how much I despised the Cowboys and how hearing them called "America's Team" made my stomach turn (still does). I understand not liking another team, or particular characters involved, I can even understand why people don't like Bilichick and take any opportunity to trash him. He doesn't act like other coaches, he's not animated and entertaining. He's dull and methodical and hates dealing with the media, the source so many fans turn to in order to base their decisions on the character of a person. There are plenty of coaches and players I haven't liked over the years who have ended up in the history books and Hall of Fame and have garnered the love and respect of many other fans. So let the mud fly off field, it's what happens on the field that matters most and the Bilichick/Brady pairing will have it's place in NFL history.

I agree

Jehardy — Wed, 6 Feb 2008 09:39:56 -0500

Terri,

I agree with your opinions wholeheartedly here. The Patriots and Bill have proved themselves well. One of our counterparts on a Patriots group I'm on thinks Bill acted "badly" when he walked off the field during Manning's final 1 second kneel down in which nothing was going to happen. The game was already over, and the clock was at 00:00 when Bill (and everyone else) went out on the field to congratulate the Giants.

Compared to the way other coaches and Quarterbacks present themselves, our team in a class act. Just listen to one more Manning speech of how they worked so hard to get where they are.. it turns my stomach. There's no "I" in team. I've never seen Brady or Belichik give "themselves" credit for anything.. They always appreciate the combined team in any victory, or loss. Smug, or pompous, or complacent? No way. Never. Of course they are not perfect, but they're pretty darn good.

Smug??

Terri Oberg — Tue, 5 Feb 2008 15:24:51 -0500

Complacent? I didn't read Belichick's demeanor as contented or self-satisfied at Sunday's game. He seemed rather disappointed and agitated, but hardly contented. Unless you mean smug in the self-righteous way, but then I really don't think anyone would perceive him as being pious or moralistic, even Bill himself.

I suppose deep disappointment on national TV in front of millions of people is something I really can't speak to having not been there myself. I have certainly seen greater men then Bill carry themselves far worse (ie: screaming at the players) and far better. I don't find the man to have a soft and cuddly personality in the public forum, but that doesn't necessarily make him a sore loser, he acts the same way when he wins too. I also don't think that he or anyone else in the NFL or in life in general is perfect. I like that he and Tom are human, with human faults and conditions.

I've stated before in this forum that I am not one to even watch all the hoopla and media hype, I've even been known to turn off the sound on the TV during a game so I don't have to listen to some of the announcers who make their preferences blatantly obvious. I just like watching a great, skillfully played football game, and Sunday I watched a Giants team that played a far more skilled game then the Patriots.

Does one loss make or break a team? I suppose a lot of people would like to say it does, I personally think the Patriots have raised the bar this season and it's great to see that the teams they played in the last half of the season, rose to the challenge. I hunger for more such challenges. I like football, not media hype, but obviously I am in the minority.

By the way, thank you for taking the time to sign up just to respond. Thank you also for feeling passionate enough about football to do so, that is the true power of a fan.

Still Believe In What?

Jonathan — Tue, 5 Feb 2008 10:40:37 -0500

Terri-I don't know if you were watching the same game as me, but I saw a smug Bill Bellichick and Tom Brady afterward. Bill is a sore loser, always has been always will be.

I Still Believe

Terri Oberg — Mon, 4 Feb 2008 13:43:40 -0500

It is a somber day in New England today. I'm sure I don't need to get into why as even the non-football fans are well aware of the outcome of yesterday's game. I am also quite sure that my disappointment is minuscule compared to what the Patriots themselves must be feeling today. We tell our children who play sports that it's not who wins or loses that matters, only how the game is played. We say it as much to make them feel better about a loss as we do to hopefully teach them a little about good sportsmanship. It is a lesson these seasoned athletes are well beyond.