Never In A Million Years Did I Ever Think I’d Do This, But I’m Going To Defend The Patriots
“It just shows also that. the greatest player in the game has a hell of a lot bigger impact than the greatest coach in the game.”
via Rex Ryan on Keyshawn, JWill And Zubin
Maybe it’s the fact that I just hate Tom Brady. Maybe it’s the fact that the Tampa Bay Bucs are getting their pewter asses handed to them on Monday Night Football by the New York Football Giants (and by that I mean they’re not winning by 100). Or maybe it’s just the fact that most of America is taking the easiest take possible when it comes to this imaginary Tom Brady vs. the New England Patriots rivalry.
Damn. I guess it’s true what they say. You either die an NFL hero or you live long enough to see yourself defending the Patriots.
*big sigh*
Look, I don’t want to be doing this, but I’m left with no choice. When notable Patriot hater Rex Ryan goes on some radio show to give a take that’s worse that said radio show’s name (Keyshawn, JWill and Zubin), I feel the need to speak up.
This is nothing more than dancing on graves by the biggest (figuratively AND literally), weasely-grinned Patriot hater on planet earth. Which is saying something because everyone outside of New England is a Patriot hater. This would be like Isaiah Thomas ripping Michael Jordan, 50 Cent ripping just about any other rapper, and/or Rex Ryan ripping diets. You first have to recognize the source.
But here we go, here comes the defense of the Patriots.
Have we already forgotten that no team in the NFL was impacted by player opt-outs more than the New England Patriots? A league-leading EIGHT players opted out. Including three starters: right tackle Marcus Cannon, linebacker Dont’a Hightower, and safety Patrick Chung.
(I’m sorry, this feels weird defending them, but don’t stop me now. I’m on a roll.)
Plus, keep in mind, the Patriots were also doing ok before they were hit with COVID to their two best players – Cam Newton and Stephon Gilmore. And look, if you have to shut down your facility for an extended amount of time due to COVID, it clearly can mess with a team. Check the Titans. They’re 1-2 since their outbreak after a 4-0 start.
Plus, are we forgetting who Tom Brady is playing for? He was living in the penthouse of the Hilton and moved across the street to the penthouse of the Four Seasons. The 2020 Buccaneers might have better weapons than the 2009 Patriots. Hell, they might have the best offensive weapons of any team not named the Titans (no YOU shut up!). Literally any quarterback in America could have success with this offense. You know how I know? Because Jameis Winston already did. He took a worse offense within a game of making the playoffs last year. He threw 33 touchdowns! Tom Brady is essentially just Jameis Winston with better ball security.
This season, Brady was born on third base, so don’t tell me he hit a triple. (Plus, Brady was drafted by the Expos back in the day, so he definitely didn’t hit a triple.)
So don’t try and make this an apples to apples comparison. If anything, it’s an Apple to TI-83 calculator that’s soaking in a vat of COVID comparison. Saying Tom Brady winning this imaginary battle but not mentioning the immense help he has compared to the massive disadvantage the Pats have would be like saying Tom Brady won six Super Bowls without the immense help he had from (allegedly) cheating compared to the massive disadvantage his opponents had for being spied on (allegedly).
P.S. – Here’s the full Rex Ryan clip if you want to expose your self to the only thing more annoying than covid.
