DeflategateHate

In the battle of Roger Goodell vs. Tom Brady for Deflategate, the winner is... Tom Brady

When it comes to the four major sports in the U.S (football, baseball, basketball, hockey), there seems to be a flaw with all of them in terms of the league itself.  The NFL has concussions and too many off the field issues, baseball has steroids and cheaters, the NBA product had cheating at one point and the product itself is usually not as compelling until the postseason, while hockey has too many injuries, as well as the concussion issue.  Personally to me, these are all bothersome and hurt all the major sports, but like most fans, we put up with all this and more because we love sports and the feeling it gives us to watch them and be a part of it.  I was never into sports growing up or athletic, but I got into it as I got older, I now follow/watch it religiously.  It's a good hobby/passion, and being so close to it makes you really feel connected, whether your team wins or loses.  Being in Boston, I'm spoiled because our teams have won so many titles in the past decade.  I should be used to it, but I'm not, of course, so when the Patriots beat the Seahawks in this year's Superbowl, obviously, I was rejoiced, but then Deflategate started, which took away from the game and really tested the patience of fan and people everywhere.

I remember the first time I heard about Deflategate, I didn't think it was a big deal, initially, because it supposedly happened during the Colts in the AFC title game, which the Patriots won handily.  "What's the big deal?" I thought, only a few psi (whatever that was), would that have made a difference?  Probably not, since the Patriots were the better team, regardless, and won by such a large margin, but the fact it happened at all, caused the league to act.  They had to, after all the mishaps they had had in the past year plus.  Tom Brady had to give a press conference, which I admit, he did not come off good in, but it was before the Superbowl; the man had other things on his mind.  And even when he won the Superbowl, it didn't stop there.  More information came out, there was the Wells report, which said things he did and didn't do, as well as information about other employees.  And of course, the big one, Roger Goodell suspended Tom Brady for 4 games.  Four games, are you serious?!  This from the guy who only gave Ray Rice a 2 game suspension, initially, for hitting his fiance in an elevator, on tape, which everyone saw.  You messed that decision up bad, but don't take it out on us.  You're the commissioner; it's your job to get decisions right and admit when you're wrong, but Goodell did neither of that, because he knew he didn't have any substantial evidence on Tom Brady, and the league had to win a case after how bad it looked during the domestic abuse cases, as well as losing during Bountygate.  But justice prevailed, because with how Goodell handled everything, as well as having little evidence, Tom brady got his 4 game suspension revoked and will be back starting the season opener in less than a week from now.

Now, I know I left a lot of things out about the case, but that's because we won't know more until more is done.  And this case has been beaten to death, to the point that is has become tiresome to even waste energy on.  Everyone has talked about it so much the past few months, that we forgot football is a sport and the Patriots won the Superbowl.  But now that it's over, we can get back to focusing on football, which is so close to starting it's regular season.

A few final thoughts, though.  I think the NFL should count its blessings.  Yes, they lost Deflategate for now, and look like a laughingstock, once again, but no other major sports league in the U.S. makes as much money as they do or gets the ratings they do.  They can afford to look bad, because NFL fans will never leave them, which is a luxury I think they often overlook.  Do you remember how bad the NBA and NHL were after their lockouts?  Or baseball in 1994 after the strike?  It was in a bad state that I think it is still recovering from.  The NFL has so many off the field issues, it is ridiculous, if you count domestic and drug abuse, as well as neglect with concussions in the past, but it doesn't matter sadly, because the fans will never stop watching it.  The demand for it has never been higher, with the amount of good teams, profit from games, sales, fantasy football, etc.  That is why, like I said, everyone hated Deflategate, because it took away from the game that no one wants to see go away.  And of course, started mainly because of Roger Goodell.

Roger Goodell, it's ironic how his name has become synonymous with parody and jokes.  I remember a few years ago, before I graduated, he gave the commencement speech at my university, which was a big deal, since he was the commissioner of arguably the biggest sports league in the world.  At the time, I remember him having an actual good approval rating with fans alike because he took over for Paul Tagliabue, who left him with a mess to clean up, and handed out fair punishment on head hits.  But look at him now, he has fallen so far.  You hate to see that happen to anyone, especially when he is probably not a bad guy.  And he has a difficulty job having to appeal to both the owners and players, but that's what happens when you have no consistency/credibility, as seen by his past decisions, and face Tom Brady.  Now, he's just another loser and Tom Brady is back, ready to lead the Patriots on another Superbowl defense.  Hopefully, this chapter of controversy is over, but if not, as least we have something to distract us from it the way it did before.  "Are you ready for some football?"  I think... we all are

Darrelle Dreamin'

Darrelle Revis is one of the prizes of this free agency period, but where will he land?

All major sports have 3 teases for their fans.  They tease them when they're trying to win a close game, during the trade deadline, and during free agency, which is currently going on in the NFL right now.  After everything that happened last season for my New England Patriots, I expected them to do something in free agency, and while I didn't expect them to be as aggressive as they were in 2007 getting Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Adalius Thomas, I expected them to at least make a move.  So far though, roughly 22 hours in, there has been no action for them, besides many of their former players saying good-bye, including Brandon Spikes, and Aqib Talib, the newest paid Denver Bronco.

With so many moves happening, and the Patriots doing nothing, I have to admit, I'm a little worried.  Even though it's early, every team has basically made a move so far, so why not them?  Are they trying to resign people, restructure contracts, or are they planning to make a big splash?  It's probably more of the former than the latter, but I wish the Patriots would make a big splash, and get someone like Darrelle Revis, one of the top cornerbacks (CB) in the game today.  I know people are skeptical of him because of his injury a couple years ago, and the fact he'll probably cost more than Tom Brady, but he proved last year that he could still defend and play at an elite level.  And while there are younger options like Richard Sherman and Joe Haden, Revis can play both sides of the field and can tackle better than Haden at least.  Sure, he has an ego, but all great athletes do. 

The exception to this might be the great quarterbacks (QB), like Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, and of course, our local hero, Tom Brady.  They should have egos, but they seem a lot more courteous than other NFL players.  Even though Tom Brady says all the right things, and wants to leave everything up to Bill Belicheck and Robert Kraft, he knows Revis is the answer because of his lock-down ability.  You might think that the Pats don't need a CB since they did alright with they had last year, and everyone was hurt, but things are different now.  Talib is gone, and the future is up in the air on Vince Wilfork as well as other players.  With that being the case, now is the time to get someone who can hold the defense accountable.  Not to mention, adding his own brand of football, which will make the Patriots better.  As I said, I know it's a risk, but Tom Brady's window to win is getting small now that he's into his late 30s.  Let's get him someone like Darrelle Revis who can help get him closer to another SuperBowl.  Or if not him, somebody, because I'm getting tired of waiting for nothing.

The Pats rarely make big splashes, and the reports are other teams are interested in Revis, but as a fan, I can dream can't I?  Whatever happens, the Pats better do something, or else I'll be one upset fan.

Being The Patriots GM

After another loss in the postseason, Tom Brady and Bill Belicheck have to go back to the drawing board

The New England Patriots have done it again.  No, they haven't made it to the Super Bowl; they lost another game in the postseason.  It's not a surprise considering how the team was this year with injuries, and the fact so many factors favored the Denver Broncos yesterday, but being a Patriots fan, I expected better than what I saw.  The offense looked like crap with no run game, questionable play calling, and the defense couldn't get off the field to save their lives.  Now, the injury to Aqib Talib was a huge loss since he held Demaryius Thomas to nothing, but injuries happen to everyone in the league, including the Broncos yesterday.  As I said, I shouldn't have been surprised the Patriots lost, but this was the most I've been excited for them in years, so another loss is disappointing.

Despite that, I'm going to do what the Patriots are probably doing today, and move on toward the future.  With the off-season now here, there are many decisions the team has to make.  I usually don't second guess Bill Belicheck and Robert Kraft, but another loss means something has to be done.  I'm not the biggest football expert in the world, or a former general manager, but if I was their GM, this is what I'd do...

• I would upgrade at the WR position via the draft or free agency.  Sammy Watkins, the top receiver from Clemson, is a longshot for the Pats, so unless they trade up, they'll have to find someone else.  They should resign Julian Edelman (especially after the Wes Welker fiasco last year), but the Pats rarely pay players they should.  Hopefully they change their mind because Tom Brady needs some help, and it showed yesterday.
• This is a minor move that probably wouldn't help much, but I would get a FB who could help block.  FB use has died in the NFL every years since I started watching football consistently a decade ago.  And I can understand why, but there's no doubt somehow who could help block and catch would help #12.
• Get a few more playmakers at the DL and LB position.  The Pats defense is good when healthy, but even they are, they don't get enough pressure on the QB, or force enough turnovers.
• Lastly, I would improve the secondary with another safety to help Devin McCourty, or get another CB.  If you're wondering why the Pats need to do this, then you haven't been watching games this year.

I know I didn't focus on players that are in the draft or free agents, but information like that is speculative and still weeks away, so I figure I'd be broad since it addresses all the Patriots needs.  Of course, it's health that killed them this season, so hopefully, next season will be a lot different.  Until then, all we can do is wait.