The rivalry between the New England Patriots and Indianopolis Colts is perhaps the best of the new millenium. Say what you want about its lack of longevity (let's face it, this is only interesting because Tom Brady and Peyton Manning make it interesting) compared to longtime spats like Chiefs/Raiders, frankly, it doesn't matter. Games between the Pats and the Colts have become events in of themselves. Two years ago the AFC Championship was dubbed the "real" Super Bowl. The regular season matchups between these two draw more media attention and hoopla then some playoff games.

 What is it that made this clash of titans so intriguing initially? It's a simple tale of Beauty & the Beast. The Colts were the beauty. Peyton Manning standing tall in the pocket, casually lofting tight spirals 50 yards into the outstretched hands of a horizontal Marvin Harrison. Silky smooth running back Edgerrin James calmly picking his way through opposing defenses. Even the defense had an element of grace to it, with Dwight Freeney deftly spinning past flat-footed offensive linemen for countless sacks. The Colts epitomized the elegance of brilliant offensive football, choosing to beat opponents with their talent, smarts, and skill rather than strength. What made them great was also what made them weak. They were dome babies, choosing to fly around of fake turf fields while the other boys had to play outside.

Continue reading "Pats vs. Colts: Why it used to be great, and why I no longer care"

Following the New York Giants' incredible upset victory over the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, Michael Strahan jubilantly declared that they had come into that stadium and killed a dynasty. Prior to the game the team wore all black, essentially claiming that this would be a funeral for the death of the Patriots' age of dominance.

Was he right? Did the crushing defeat on the doorstep of history break the back of what has been the most dominant football franchise in the new millenium? Not likely.

What Strahan, the Giants, and the rest of the NFL have forgotten is that the Patriots' dynasty was not founded on the backs of superstars. Analysts bemoan the departures of players like Asante Samuel and Donte Stallworth. They talk of the resigning of Randy Moss as if this was a season saving move for the Patriots. They seem to forget that it was not too long ago that Pats were beating teams like St. Louis and Philadelphia (w/Terrell Owens) using players like Randall Gay, Earthwind Moreland, and even Troy Brown (wide receiver/return man/cornerback). What people used to love about the Patriots was the way they won as a

Continue reading "Is the dynasty dead? Not likely."