NFL: Top Ten Reasons to Embrace the Patriots

The Pats did wrong, it was not that big a deal, and if any other team had done it, it would have meant the loss of the sixth round pick and a $25,000 fine.

But it was the Patriots, so Roger Goodell came down hard, and the Patriots have not complained about their punishment at all. Think about this: If it were your favorite NFL team in that scenario, how mad would you have been about it?

If The Pats Can “Make It,” So Can Your Team

Look, I am 34 years old. I have seen some bad pro teams in Boston. I've seen some bad Red Sox teams, some bad Celtics teams (as recently as last year).

But none was ever the model of incompetence like the Patriots used to be. Ask any long time Patriots fan about Dick MacPherson or Rod Rust or James Orthwein.

If you are a fan of the Atlanta Falcons, the L.A. Clippers, or the Tampa Bay Rays, look no further than the Patriots for inspiration. If the Patriots can do it, and become a dynasty, trust me. Any team can do it.

Tom Brady

I grew up hating Joe Montana. If pressed for a valid reason, I would have said something stupid such as, “He is only good because of his system,” or “he just dinks and dunks,” or, “Jerry Rice made him a great QB.”

I was just jealous. So many times, I would see the scores on the 10-minute ticker, San Francisco would be losing by four late in the game, and then a few minutes later, you would see that final score, San Francisco 38, New Orleans 35.

It was not fair! If my beloved Patriots were losing by three late in a game, they would end up losing by 17. I missed out on all the fun of one of the great QBs of all time because I was so mad that my team could not come close to their efficiency.

Now, you hear similar criticisms of Tom Brady. Don’t make the same mistake of a young Andy Miller. Enjoy watching one of the best QBs of all time in the prime of his career.

The Pats Have Given You What You Wanted

Okay, you hate the Patriots. But without them, the league might be boring. It used to be the Raiders, it used to be the Cowboys, now it is the Patriots.

They are hated partially because of their success. Okay, that is fine. What have they done the last two years?

They have filled you with happiness, drama, and in your world, a happy ending the last two years. The Pats have gone 28-4 over the last two regular seasons, yet have not been able to win a Super Bowl.

They have lost two heartbreaking games each time to end their season. This is what you want.

Now if the Pats did not get a 12-man-in-the-huddle penalty late in the 2006 AFC Title Game, or if a couple of 300-pound linemen could have brought down Eli Manning, you might be talking about the five-time World Champs, and I would understand your hatred.

But I will defy you to find a team that lost in a more crushing manner two years in a row than these Patriots have. I have not looked it up, but I will pretty much guarantee it has never happened.

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