NFL Double-Standard: It's Open Season on the New England Patriots

Okay, I need to rant.

Apparently, it’s open season on the New England Patriots.

If you’re a defensive lineman, throw yourself at Matt Cassel’s knee. Don’t worry, the NFL doesn’t fine or suspend players who go after New England Patriots players.

If you’re a safety, the play is over, and Randy Moss or Wes Welker isn’t paying attention, by all means lay them out. It’s a win-win. You won’t get fined or suspended, and if you knock them out of the game, it’ll be that much easier to win.

The NFL’s double standard this season has been ridiculous.

Perhaps the NFL is still upset at the Patriots for the black eye they gave the league last year when they were caught videotaping opponents.

Maybe it’s payback for going undefeated but losing in the Super Bowl.

Maybe the NFL is upset at the Patriots for launching Eli Manning’s career.

Who knows?

But the fact remains, the NFL has been harsh in its fines against Patriots players (like the insane Randy Moss fine that was later rescinded once it became public) and has been conspicuously lenient on opposing players who take liberties against the Patriots.

I’m not calling the hit that knocked Brady out for the season dirty, but it was illegal. You can’t go at a quarterback’s knee, on purpose or by mistake. Period.

The “he was blocked into him” argument is easily debunked by simply watching the video.

It’s a crap excuse. There should have been a fine.

Now, the Welker hit, a blatant, dirty attempt to knock a player out of the game after the play was clearly over, goes without a fine?

Are you frigging kidding me?

It’s time to call the NFL out on their double-standard. Just because you’re still mad at Belichick doesn’t mean it’s legal to try to kill his players.

Sorry. Rant over.

Sean Crowe covers the New England Patriots for Examiner.com and writes a bi-weekly column for Sports-Central.org.

He is a Senior Writer and an NFL Community Leader at Bleacher Report. You can email him at [e-mail]. His archive can be found here.