New England Patriots: It's Good to be Hated

All the yapping and allegations about the Patriots may make fans around the NFL feel better, but it's certain that it makes at least some New England fans feel great.

Despite "Spy Gate," running up the score, and "moral victories," the Patriots have emerged unscathed and stand at 14-0.

I just listened to Jim Rome say he loves E.D.—I thought he was referring to what Viagra cures.

But no, it was Eric Dickerson, who on Rome's radio show earlier in the day said that the Patriots are not the best team ever, even if they do go 19-0 and win their fourth Super Bowl in seven seasons.

No, he thinks some of the 49ers teams were better, and he may be right.

I always go back to the 1985 Bears as the team I consider the most dominant team (for a complete season) that I've ever seen.

That said, the Patriots' run to 16-0 does not make them the best team ever.

But a run to 19-0 will constitute the best season ever, by any team—49ers, Bears, Cowboys, and Steelers included.

They will have done this in the era of the salary cap, and indeed will have dominated a league that set out—with at least partial success—to create parity.

That is, until Bill Belichick walked away from the Jets' organization and into the Patriots', a move that has put both the organization and the coach not only on the map, but on the map with a star next to their names.

A star as in the capital, the gold standard, the organization that all organizations (with the possible exception of Indianapolis) would like to emulate.

Even outside football in fact—see the Red Sox.

Thus it should come as no surprise that this fan loves the hatred spurned by other fans.

This fan soaks up the whining by other players about the lack of professionalism the Patriots have shown during some games because they have embarrassed their opponents by scoring too many points.

He loves the weekly sound bites by Patriot after Patriot (and coach)—i.e., "we played a very good team and we came out on top," "we could have done some things better and there's room for improvement," "that game's over, we're now preparing for Miami, a team who is much better than their record would indicate," "they're a divisional foe that always plays us tough"...

To all those who feel the Patriots (and their fans) are worthy of hatred, thank you.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday and that all your dreams and wishes come true—except one.