General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forumswhat the Super Bowl says about this nation
Let's take a loom at who is playing:
The New England Cheatriots: We have Bill Belicheat who got caught cheating, and got away with it. Not to be outdone, his prize pony, Tom brady, had to cheat too. Prize Pony thinks he is the greatest of all time, ignoring the fact that had a defense that has protected him from the many bumps, breaks that make most Quarterback old before their time, in toher words,another protected pale kid who has no idea that he is only at the top of the heap because he was protected and pampered.
The LA Rams: got their win based on what even the dumbest realized is a bad call. But they have a young white coach, which feeds into myths, unlike black coaches that were the "last hired, first fired." These goons got assembled for the benefit of a city that, despite stealing the LA chargers from San Diego, has NEVER shown themselves to be a football city. Poor New Orleans, they at least had a candidate for the real best quarterback of all time. But the press is bedazzled by old man brady.
Of course, we have a sport that dumps on Fan appreciation, rewards billionaires for ruthlessness, and celebrates the very worst part of the American Payche.
Of course...at least the Cowboys did not win...then again, they are the most profitable franchises in world sports. Yes, they beat out Barcelona and Manchester United. Why do they win, because a) the are the manhood toy of a texas Billionaire and B) are the means by which a bunch of suburban rhinestone cowboys get to feel like something more than just the discaded dergs and lowborw lowlifes of the american system. Find a cowboy fan, find a fool. They have not won a super bowl in 20 years, and they fools pack Jerryworld stadium going "how about Dem cowboys!"
Croney
(4,670 posts)DonCoquixote
(13,616 posts)But Tom Brady has done so much damage to this sport I cannot cheer him.
a kennedy
(29,706 posts)Lotusflower70
(3,077 posts)That was a bad no call but there were missed facemask calls as well as the no call when the clock ran out on Brees.
First Speaker
(4,858 posts)...I think you mean their offensive line. Apart from that...well, have a nice day. I'll be watching the game next week...
oberliner
(58,724 posts)DonCoquixote
(13,616 posts)and the chargers will wish they stayed in San Diego.
maveric
(16,445 posts)Spanos will wish he built a stadium in SD. The NFL wanted him to for a Super Bowl site.
The Rams owner will charge them billions in rent when the new stadium opens.
Fuck Spanos!
I live in San Diego.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)maveric
(16,445 posts)denbot
(9,901 posts)Yeah it was a bad call, but that could cut either way.
The Rams have played well for most of the season, they were something like 8-0 FFS, and deserve their shot.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)Or only since St. Louis?
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)shanny
(6,709 posts)I have thought for some time that the NFL rigs certain outcomes, and I think they rigged this one: gotta build up a fanbase for the Rams in LA! What better way? It's all about the benjamins.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)NRaleighLiberal
(60,019 posts)I've been a Patriots fan since the 1960s. Long years of sucking. I am loving every day of this dynasty. I also separate my sports from politics.
egduj
(805 posts)edbermac
(15,947 posts)I know his wife Gisele hates Trumps guts.
sharedvalues
(6,916 posts)All you need to know:
Belichick on left, Kraft on right, Julian Edelman im background.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Sure, he's a great quarterback, but I find him dull, humorless and arrogant. Oh, and stupid. I live in Boston and have to put up with Brady worship to the point of insanity. I really don't get it. He's just a big, dumb jock.
John Fante
(3,479 posts)Go Rams!
DonCoquixote
(13,616 posts)You know he narrative is that Tom will stay in until he gets 10 trophies, after which Gisele will finally be able to drag him home, and then divorce him when she realizes he was NOT worth any of that wasted time waiting. That is ok, you will still hve time to wait until the Golden State warriors beat the Lakers, and lebron realizes he should have moved to New York Or Philly. Then again Lebron could win 20 trophies, and LA would say "he ain't as good as Koby!"
John Fante
(3,479 posts)I don't care much for the Pats, but Brady is greater than your favorite quarterback. That's just reality.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Giselle is worth at least 5x what Brady is worth, and she still makes more per year now than he does.
Blue_Adept
(6,402 posts)That's what sustains some folks, after all.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)change me.
I just don't get the irrational Brady hatred. I honestly thought that I would never in my life see a PRO QB that outdid Joe Montana, then Brady came along. Some really smart kid out there is likely watching everything that Brady does right, and figuring out how to be better, and one day, we may be in wonder of another name.
IADEMO2004
(5,559 posts)KPN
(15,650 posts)Theres a lot not to like about professional sports in general. But it isnt among my highest priority things to rant or act on ... and it does have many positives as well. Go Pats!
Archae
(46,345 posts)They fired Mike McCarthy, (head coach,) replaced him with an offensive coordinator from the Tennessee Titans.
Aaron Rodgers (quarterback) I think should retire, also.
a kennedy
(29,706 posts)redstatebluegirl
(12,265 posts)Achilleaze
(15,543 posts)Don't if ya don't.
Submariner
(12,509 posts)Keep the politics out of it.
Takket
(21,625 posts)Yeah Brady supported drumpf.
stop acting like he's the only person in the NFL that did/does. If you don't like people that support drumpf you shouldn't be watching the NFL because just about EVERY owner is in love with him.
sharedvalues
(6,916 posts)President gave a speeech in NH and read a letter from Belichick saying he supported Trump.
Belichick had plenty of time to disavow it, but he declined.
Screw Belichick and his Navy connections- if you support Trump right now you are harming America and I dont care if your dad coached at a service academy and you give Navy players a chance with the Pats. Belichick is supporting a traitor supporting the most consequential traitor in American history.
And yes, the vast majority of NFL owners are billionaires that support the traitor in the White House. Thats why I am a Green Bay fan theyre fan-owned.
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)rockfordfile
(8,704 posts)The Rams had nothing to do with a bad call. It happens and it just got magnified in that game.
robbob
(3,538 posts)Its part of the game. Ok, I DO mind a bad call, even though it is part of the game, and in the end the bad calls tend to even out.
What I dont understand is THAT bad call. It was so blatant, so obvious, and witnessed by at least 2 of the on field officials. The defender literally TACKLED the receiver a second or 2 before the ball arrived. Ive seen pass interference calls that involved a brushed arm, a tangled foot as the defender is looking over his shoulder at the incoming ball. This was a full out full body tackle where the defender wasnt even trying to look at the incoming pass, he just barreled full speed into the intended receiver right in front of the ref.
How do you miss a call like that?
shanny
(6,709 posts)rusty fender
(3,428 posts)Your diatribe sounds like something that the discaded dergs and lowborw lowlifes would write
klook
(12,165 posts)rusty fender
(3,428 posts)onenote
(42,759 posts)JenniferJuniper
(4,515 posts)but the hatred of what is clearly unparalleled greatness is sour grapes. Or as the Pats would say, "you hate us 'cause you ain't us."
demtenjeep
(31,997 posts)and fucked our guys all night long.
They were also blind. Eddleman muffed that punt we scored on then they took our score away because...pats...but every single person saw the ball shift.
Also if it is inconclusive the call on the field is supposed to stand...except ...pats and the refs changed it
GRRR
first time in 50 years I will not watch SB
djg21
(1,803 posts)It was obvious on the replay that Edelman didnt touch the ball. It might have been by fractions of an inch and dumb luck. But he the ball cleared him. The refs didnt make countless pass interference and defensive holding calls against the chiefs. Maybe they were just letting the teams play, but that is pure crap. Either call the penalties or the rules should be changed to permit the contact.
The Pats deserved the win. Brady is the GOAT, and there should be no question after the last five minutes of that game. Go Pats.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)But I was told by a New England friend that Gronkowski got mugged every time he ran downfield and nothing was called. So, I guess missed calls are in the eyes of the beholder.
Also, the Chiefs defensive lineman lining up in the neutral zone on the interception that was called back. What were the refs supposed to do, let him get a couple steps toward the quarterback that he would not have gotten legally?
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)For the haters the end of the video has the slow-mo from every possible angle the show that the ball did not touch Edelman. Wanting it to be so doesn't change that fact.
MattP
(3,304 posts)The NFL refs are awful period on all sides the losers bitch every week
pecosbob
(7,543 posts)The snow-plow game 1982. I don't watch the game anymore as it resembles Arena football IMO. Many rule changes were were made to make an unsafe activity safe, and now it's neither safe or watchable.
KWR65
(1,098 posts)dameatball
(7,399 posts)I know that this a cheap exercise in philosophy, but at least it's free.
AllaN01Bear
(18,384 posts)nini
(16,672 posts)I want them both to lose.
JenniferJuniper
(4,515 posts)aren't?
Kraft is actually pretty liberal personally, btw.
nini
(16,672 posts)I am fully aware most NFL owners are rich repukes. However, some get more vocal in support of the moran in chief than others. Kraft gave a million dollars to the Trump inauguration, is still a supporter and is a 'friend'.. That says all I need to know about him - 'liberal' or not.
JenniferJuniper
(4,515 posts)nini
(16,672 posts)panties etc..
seaglass
(8,173 posts)DC.
He is friends with Trump because Trump was there for him after Kraft's wife died.
As a Pats fan I'm not thrilled that any of them have a relationship with Trump but Kraft has done a lot of good.
nini
(16,672 posts)I honestly don't get the two faces of people. To do good then not see evil that is right in front of them.
I don't trust anyone who can tolerate that monster.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)CentralMass
(15,265 posts)He donate more $$ to Democrats then any other NFL owner. He and his families foundation do a lot of good charitable work.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)His friendship with Kerry goes way back, from what I understand.
You made a good point about the Trump friendship, Trump was one of the people that called him every week to check in after Kraft's wife died from cancer. So maybe the issue is more loyalty to a person that showed consideration than approving that person's policies.
LisaM
(27,830 posts)Doesn't get you anywhere, they're just convinced. I'm also pretty sure Tom and Gisele didn't vote for Trump; she's a raging environmentalist. I think he just golfed with Trump and had the hat and was already pissed at reporters.
As far as cheating goes, the Cheathawks get fined more for cheating than the Patriots, but everyone loooooovves them (even though Pete Carroll came in as a huge cheater from USC).
Regarding bad calls, I'm a Lions fan. The call in the Saints game was the worst one I've seen since the Lions played Dallas in the playoffs, the Cowboys actually got called for pass interference, then the referees, for no reason in the world, changed the call! They made the right call to begin with, then they changed it! Worse, Dez Bryant ran out on the field to lobby the refs and should have been flagged for unsportsmanlike. Refs didn't throw the laundry for that either, even though Dallas' defense was on the field, not the offense, and he shouldn't have been near them.
So instead of a first down, the Lions were on fourth, their punter shanked it, the team got flustered (after a rash of bad calls the few years previous, I can see why), Dallas scored, and it likely ended up costing Detroit the game because, much like the Saints, they could have run out the clock with a lead.
So I feel for Saints fans, but I sure didn't sense the national outrage when the Lions got stiffed, and I don't understand why people look away when the Cheathawks break all kinds of rules (from a coach who had to vacate his wins in at least two college seasons).
In other words, GO PATS.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Championships.
On the Super Bowl, I am neutral. EA Sports simulation says the Rams will win and Brady will be sacked four times by Donald (sure that is up in the Pat's locker room and stated in every offensive line meeting - that a guy who has not been sacked once and only touched one, after facing FOUR of the NFL's top pass rushers in two playoff games will get dirtied four times by the NFL's top sack man, just does not compute).
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)They say that Kraft is a pretty good guy, greatly involved in the communities that the team represent, invests in development of businesses there. I know from games that I watched, he often has John Kerry and Bon Jovi at games, both are good friends of his and neither support Trump.
nini
(16,672 posts)However, I still have a hard time because Trump is a freaking Nazi. I just can't. understand... my dad and all my uncles fought in WWII against the Trump types.. I can't rationalize these things to save my soul.
But, with Brady and Bilcheck being such trump toadies.. I'll switch to them then LOL.
Thanks for the clarification folks.
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)owner. He and his families foundations donate to many charitable causes. He flew the Parkland, Florida student and families to the March For Your Live rally on the Patriots team jet.
underpants
(182,877 posts)8 straight Conference championship games.
5 out of 8 wins in the Super Bowl and two of those were pure bad luck (both Giants losses - luckiest franchise ever in the SB)
They just keep cheating and don't get caught.
Okay there was the tape thing - granted they got busted but in that we found out that pretty much every team did something like that. Not an excuse just context.
"Deflate gate" was complete bullshit. The NFL was completely exposed as a half assed amateur operation in both operations and investigations. The only reason Brady got suspended was because he wouldn't hand god knows who at the NFL his own personal cellphone. Rife for leaks of photos and contacts. He DID offer to have representatives in the room while the NFL looked through messages but the NFL wanted to phone to themselves. Nobody in their right mind would have agreed to that.
Frankly, your post reminds me of BS about Hillary's emails.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)The video taping thing was because the NFL claimed the taper was in a restricted area of the stadium, but everyone taped from such a location.
On Deflategate, the NFL ran a study on game balls the following season and destroyed the data without publishing a thing or notifying teams how their game balls measured. The next season, the NFL went to temperature controlled storage trunks for gameballs. The cheaters seem to be the NFL, destroying data and then virtually admitting afterward that leaving gameballs open to cold air was not a good idea. Since Deflategate and better ball inflation management during games, Tom Brady has played in every AFC Conference game, won four of five Conference Championships and won two of three Super Bowl, with a Super Bowl pending.
underpants
(182,877 posts)You probably have read these stories but Bellicheck breaking down film is legendary. One I read was a new assistant who sat with Bill while he looked at one play for 30 minutes or so. Linemen's footing and other minute details. The assistant sat there thinking - I have THREE GAMES to breakdown by tomorrow.
Preparation pays off.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Just the success rate alone says extensive and detailed preparation, looking at the small things others ignore. I did read that Belichick is the first at the Patriot's facility, other than night shift workers there, Brady is also said to come in really early and spend a lot of time on game film. They may not beat the Rams, but they likely know every weakness that the Rams have.
underpants
(182,877 posts)In red there's a link to a full ESPN article
https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/2016/10/08/whats-it-like-to-watch-game-film-with-bill-belichick-a-former-coaching-assistant-explains/
My film breakdowns werent what he wanted. So he says, Lets just sit down and go through a few plays together. Were getting ready for Tampa, he throws the first play up on the screen and starts going, from the inside out, over every single tiny detail. See this split of the linemen? Thats 2 feet. Thats 3 feet. That ones 2 feet between the center and the guard. Write that down. OK, now look at the splits of the wide receivers. The Z is inside the numbers. The X is outside. OK, the quarterback. Look! Right there! He looks to the left, to the right, to the left, then to the middle and then he hikes the ball. You gotta monitor that because it could help our defensive linemen get a jump on the snap.'
He proceeds to go through all these little intricacies on the game film
and its 20 minutes on one play. Twenty minutes! In my immature mind Im sitting there in the dark doing the math: Three games to break down on each side of the ball, 60 plays in each game, 20 minutes a play means I can get through three plays in an hour. My god, Ill never sleep again. And I didnt.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)edbermac
(15,947 posts)Worry about your own suck-ass team.
ProfessorGAC
(65,168 posts)You also forgot to mention chemtrails, Area 51, and weather machines.
What total nonsense!
ProfessorGAC
(65,168 posts)What does the World Cup say about nearly the rest of the world???
MicaelS
(8,747 posts)The rest of the world's obsession with soccer, dwarfs anything the US has for football.
I do not care for most sports, they all massively suck to one degree or another. If I have to watch sports give me a baseball game.
BTW, I live in Ft. Worth, and the reason is the Cowboys are so profitable is they have a great number of fans who loyal to a fault. As you disdain for them, BFD.
Johnny2X2X
(19,114 posts)I admit to being a fan, but Im also very politically active. Sports are the reason why if you walk into any bar in the country only 1 in 4 can name their Congressman, but 4 out of 4 can tell you who the starting QB is for their citys football team.
Brawndo
(535 posts)Blue_true
(31,261 posts)I always thought a defense punished the opposing quarterback. My bad, I should pay better attention.
Takket
(21,625 posts)The Patriots were punished by the NFL for "spygate" as was Brady for "deflategate".
and I kind of can't believe you are coming down on the Patriots while expressing sympathy for the Saints. Belicheck has never done anything even 1/10th as bad as Sean Peyton.
former9thward
(32,077 posts)Which losing team did you back? Living in Chicago I am a Bears fan so I am used to losing. But I try not to accuse every team that beats the Bears of cheating or having "a young white coach" or some other excuse. Excuses are just that -- excuses. Everyone has one.
Kurt V.
(5,624 posts)keithbvadu2
(36,906 posts)A Cajun who died went to hell.
The devil assigned him the usual punishment...put him in the mass pit where the heat was melting others. The devil came back sometime later surprised to find the Cajun just sitting around, not even misting, much less sweating. "How come you're not so much as sweating here where everyone else is screaming for relief from the heat?"
The Cajun laughed and said, "Man, I was raised in the bayous of South Looziana . Dis ain't nothin' but May in Morgan City to me!"
The devil decided to really put the Cajun through it. He put him in a sealed off cave in the pit with open blazes and four extra furnaces blasting. When he came back, days later, the Cajun was sitting pretty, had barely begun to bead up with sweat. The devil was outraged.
"How is this possible!? You should be melted to a shrieking puddle in these conditions!."
The Cajun laughed even harder than before. "Hey, man! I done tole you. I was raised in Sout Looziana. You tink dis is heat?! Dis ain't nothin' but August in Cow Island !"
So the devil thought, 'Alright, a little reverse ought to do the trick.' He put the Cajun into a corner of hell where no heat ever reached. It was freezing and to add to the Cajun's misery, he added massive icebergs and blasting frozen air. When he returned, the Cajun was shivering, ice hung from every part of him but he was grinning like it was Christmas.
Exasperated, the devil asked "HOW!? How is it possible?! You're impervious to heat and here you sit in conditions you can't be used to...freezing cold and yet you're happier than if you were in heaven. WHY?!"
The Cajun kept grinning and asked, "Don't dis mean de Saints is in da Super Bowl?
aikoaiko
(34,183 posts)I love to watch it, but it says almost nothing about our country.
cwydro
(51,308 posts)Who does that? Oh wait...
DavidDvorkin
(19,485 posts)Polybius
(15,476 posts)They didn't make the non-call, the refs did. Unless you think they should have said "Excuse me sir, that was pass interference."
Iggo
(47,565 posts)rufus dog
(8,419 posts)Although after the 70's the 49ers won most of the key games, so I should hate the Rams but seriously unless they are wearing the hideous gold uniforms, how can you really hate them. The Patriots, not a Belichick fan, nor Brady. it isn't like my hate for the Cowboys. (America's team, constantly pushed down are throats, get multiple prime time games every year even when they suck)
That being said. I live in the OC, so a lot of Rams fans around here. Along with some Boston transplants in my hood. Personally I was routing for NO and KC but here is my take.
1. Brees and NO played poorly in the second half, missed a boatload of passes, execution sucked. Shouldn't have been a close game. It stayed close and they got burned
2. The non call SUCKED. An official could have an excuse (lame one) for missing that but not for the helmet to helmet contact. That being said, see point 1.
3. KC played a horrible first half, got their asses kicked and were lucky to not be down by 30!
4. Mahomes played an amazing second half. Good to see and fun to watch.
5. The Chiefs couldn't get ANY pressure on Brady, just needed a little and he tends to make some bad passes.
6. Brady made some absolutely amazing passes in the 4th and OT. Go back and look at the windows he hit, we are talking one to two foot windows he was hitting. So even though the Chiefs DBs had some good coverage, the ball was delivered perfectly to the NE receiver.
If I was a NO fan I would be pissed, but they missed too many opportunities. Also, Brady made some great plays, he may have sold his soul to the Devil, and I still don't like the Pats, but he deserves his due.
So, I have no issue hoping the Rams win. Just hope the Rams/Pats fans don't get too pissy with each other this week. Some opening blows via text on Friday but they calmed down, I expect them to flare up tomorrow and against my nature, I am staying the hell out of it. Why because it is like argueing with a tRump lover. All logic is thrown out. Hell one neighbor said the horrible non call was really not that bad and he could see how the officials let them play!
p.s. to the Charger fans above, Spanos did screw San Diego. He is a cheap ass bastard who never wanted to pay money. If so Brees could have been held for another year or two, and he runs through Linebackers and good running backs because they bolt after free agency. Living in the OC and not liking the Rams, I always tried to like the Chargers, never could, mainly due to Spanos. You are better off! If he cared at all he would have tried to work a deal in Irvine or North County so he could have controlled the SD and OC market. Instead he is the Clippers of the NFL. Will never truly have a home stadium and 30+ years after leaving SD will never really have anything to show for it.
DonCoquixote
(13,616 posts)although it is odd to see helmet to helmet contact missed considering that is the raging issue of the moment all over sports radio. Not just this contact, but the fact the whole game has changed because of it. This is the most offense heavy NFL in years, and the changes, meant to protect people, have changed it.
hibbing
(10,109 posts)YOHABLO
(7,358 posts)MFM008
(19,818 posts)I will watch the puppy bowl.🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕
Kitty halftime..🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Glad to hear someone else hates Brady as much as I do. I live in Boston, so I have to keep my Brady hate a secret.
He's such a stupid, humorless, arrogant jock. He's also a Trump fan.
MFM008
(19,818 posts)We have Russell Wilson.
Hes a good unpretentious kid.
Go puppies!🖐
Baconator
(1,459 posts)scarytomcat
(1,706 posts)brain dead
Blue_Adept
(6,402 posts)I simply love how much hate folks around here seem to have for the Patriots.
It comes up almost every year... like clockwork.
So. much. hate.
pwb
(11,287 posts)Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)besides, it's time for some baseball anyway
HAB911
(8,912 posts)Joe941
(2,848 posts)It appears cheating pays off in big ways. In sports as well as politics.
End Of The Road
(1,397 posts)And thats fine with me!
BannonsLiver
(16,448 posts)One of the most comically ludicrous posts Ive ever read on any platform ever.
Yup!
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)I think it means we'll take any spurious, benign event and pretend it actually means so much more than reality may otherwise say.
It may also mean football fans take their wee game far too fucking seriously.
BlueTsunami2018
(3,503 posts)Because it really seems like they did. Itll be ok, its just a game.