<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><span id="SectionStyle"> Five years ago, the Patriots were the most admired team in all of sports. Today it seems they are the most loathed. Their crime? They simply will not stop winning.</p> There are those out there beyond the reach of Fred Smerlas' voice who are even suspicious of how the Patriots keep winning. While the Patriots' methods are clearly out in the open for any idiot to see -- Tom Brady throws, Randy Moss catches, Patriots win -- the "cheating" word will not die, no matter how many opponents the Patriots bludgeon in their anger.</p> It is ridiculous to think that the Patriots won three Super Bowls from 2001-04 and are 9-0 this season due to some assistant to an assistant's skill at focusing a Sony, but one cannot change what unreasonable people will think.</p> Even the great Don Shula, who should know better, is thinking it. People will think what they want to think. It doesn't mean they are right. It just means they hate a team that keeps on winning that is not theirs.</p> So whatever happened to those one-for-all underdogs America fell in love with in Super Bowl XXXVI? Remember those Patriots? The spunky team that defied 35 years of NFL-ordered pre-game introductions by refusing individual introductions, running into the Superdome as one to take down the Greatest Show on Turf.</p> </span></p> Whatever happened to that team?</p> Well, what happened was those Patriots continued squeaking out close victories at a remarkable rate and won two more Super Bowls by a field goal over the next three years.</p> But then they went two straight years without reaching the Super Bowl, including losing 38-34 in the AFC Championship Game in Indy this past January.</p> That left their football boss, Bill Belichick, very, very, very angry.</p> So he did what people with money do when they are angry and depressed. He went on a shopping spree. Bought more toys.</p> Brought Randy Moss, Donté Stallworth, Wes Welker and Adalius Thomas to Foxboro. A dynasty that had been interrupted turned into a mad bully.</p> And nobody likes a bully, except those who root for it.</p> Humble pie?</p> Please. The Patriots are ridiculously good, and they act like it.</p> More important, they play like it.</p> The Patriots being 9-0 en route to being 19-0 is reason enough for America beyond New England to hate them.</p> But this past Sunday in Indianapolis the Patriots also gave the reigning champs a hard lesson on playing for the full 60 minutes. The Patriots proved they still possess that wonderful quality of persevering in the crunch. That quality had been forgotten while they were hammering the bejesus out of everyone by an average of 25 points. This past Sunday the Patriots proved they cannot be beaten unless Brady gets hurt or Belichick sits everyone down in the regular-season finale against the Giants to rest them for the playoffs.</p> The Hooded One's post-game handshakes this season are the only things offsetting global warming. Belichick looks perpetually ticked off. Something was said. Something disrespectful was inferred. Somebody must pay dearly. The Patriots' march angrily onward toward perfection.</p> America's jealously and hatred grows.</p> <span id="SectionStyle"> </div></p> Source: Lowell Sun</p> </span></p>
There is a flaw in that logic. The Colts aren't hated. The Steelers aren't hated. These teams have won World Championships in the last two years. People don't hate the Patriots because they are successful. People hate the Patriots because they are full of themselves and have no respect for anyone else.</p>
Yes DolfanDale but the Colts won just one in the last few years, wait till they win more and see how they're hater. It happens with any sport. Lakers are hated because they won those three championships with Kobe and Shaq.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Yes DolfanDale but the Colts won just one in the last few years, wait till they win more and see how they're hater. It happens with any sport. Lakers are hated because they won those three championships with Kobe and Shaq.</p> </div></p> I don't know about that, CK. I remember when the Steelers won four Super Bowls in six years and they weren't hated. In fact, I think how they carried themselves is a big reason why there is such a HUGE fan base for them in this region.</p> I will admit that part of the Patriots problem may be most Belicheck and a little Harrison. Nothing about Belicheck is PR friendly. He could use an infusion of charisma after Spygate. America is quick to give someone a second chance IF they express remorse. The current "Shut up about our cheating or we'll beat the crap out you" attitude isn't helping people warm up to the Patriots. I also think that people are tired of Rodney Harrison's "Patriots vs the world" schtick. I was tired of it a couple of years ago. Then again, it may not be the most accurate statement to say that people hate the Patriots. I know, for me, it's more accurate for me to say that I hate Bill Belicheck. (football hate/not real hate) It just so happens that he's the head coach of the Patriots.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DolfanDale)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> I don't know about that, CK. I remember when the Steelers won four Super Bowls in six years and they weren't hated. In fact, I think how they carried themselves is a big reason why there is such a HUGE fan base for them in this region.</p> I will admit that part of the Patriots problem may be most Belicheck and a little Harrison. Nothing about Belicheck is PR friendly. He could use an infusion of charisma after Spygate. America is quick to give someone a second chance IF they express remorse. The current "Shut up about our cheating or we'll beat the crap out you" attitude isn't helping people warm up to the Patriots. I also think that people are tired of Rodney Harrison's "Patriots vs the world" schtick. I was tired of it a couple of years ago. Then again, it may not be the most accurate statement to say that people hate the Patriots. I know, for me, it's more accurate for me to say that I hate Bill Belicheck. (football hate/not real hate) It just so happens that he's the head coach of the Patriots.</p> </div></p> I guess you're right about that. Maybe we would hate them if they were on a different team too. lol</p> </p>
