Are the Patriots bad for football?

Answer 1

Actually as much as I hate the Patriots I think dynasties are good for sports because everybody loves a David and Goliath story. Dynasties create increased interest among people who otherwise wouldn't care much. When a different team wins the title every year, it creates an air of illegitimacy - as if the season is just a crapshoot among a bunch of good but not great teams. Great teams like these Patriots, the Steelers of the 70's, the 9ers of the 80's, and the Cowboys of the 90's are the ones that people remember. Who remembers the Tampa team that won a few years ago or the Baltimore championship team? Nobody. It is the dynasties that add color to the history of sports.

I think the Patriots are exactly what the NFL needed, becuase I think the salary cap has created too much parity and watered many teams down to the point where every team looks the same and it's boring.

Answer 2

There goes the Patriot hater Rush again. Cutting and pasting his answer. It's getting quite boring now reading the repetitive posts from this miserable Colts fan who obsesses over Patriot posts all day. Pathetic person that Rush is...

It's amazing how back in 2001 the Patriots were the nation's team, because they were the underdog. Put them up at the top and now they are hated. Sure, use the fact they BROKE A RULE by putting a camera in the WRONG spot (every team can tape signals from a different location) and being made an example for the whole league to hate them and add in that they are kicking everyone's butts as another reason.

But lets be honest here FANS. Can you look at me in with a straight face and tell me you would not wish this was your team??? Tell me.

As far as what goes around. Lets not forget the Patriots were long known as the Patsies...so ya, they had years of "getting theirs" from MANY teams...across the league. Do some history. Look at the blowouts. Then you will understand we have already been kicked around for years.

The Patriots and their players are a class act. They never talk bad about an opponent or indvidual player. They never add bulletin material. They are always focused on the task at hand. They come out as a TEAM and promote professionalism throughout their organization. But, everyone will just focus on the pathetic spygate. Run with that they will, because that is what gets them off. They really have nothing else to complain about. Oh well. I know the Patriots are good for me and my fellow fans. That is all that matters.

Answer 3

The Patriots, whether you like them or hate them, are great for the NFL. Look at all the conversation happening! Look at all the press being generated!

Floyd's answer was very good (thumbs up) with his reasoning, except for the part about parity - parity is a myth. The number of dynasties, the general distribution of wins among top teams and losses among bottom teams and the number of upsets versus wins by the favorite, these have not changed at all over the last 30-40 years. Free agency, which most people claim as the reason for parity, made a change in strategy of the team management, but on the field it has not created parity. Teams are still cyclical and rise and fall over time, we have the number and type of dynasties that we always had, well-managed teams still rise to the top and poor ones don't. There's the occasional Cinderella story, but there have been those in every decade. If there truly was parity, a season like this, with three teams at 10-1 or better and one at 0-11, wouldn't be possible.

Answer 4

No, Every sport has teams like the Patriots who are made out to be "villans" (See the pre-Colts game good -vs- evil column). The Yankees were donned the "Evil Empire", and there are other examples. Basically, when a dynasty in sports is formed, the public gets sour of the team because it gets "old" to see the same team win year after year.

It's funny that this question is even being asked after the team refused to be announced as individuals during the 2001 Super Bowl...

Answer 5

You bash the teams having tough seasons (i.e Dolphins). You bash teams that are having tremendous seasons (i.e Patriots). Will you ever be satisfied? The Patriots are good for the NFL. Even those who hate them are watching hoping to see them lose. Guess what, you are making the NFL money. If you are a true sports person, I mean more than just a casual fan, you should never hate another team. You may not like them, but hate is so strong. I true sports person is competitive and sees the Patriots as a team that in many ways should be looked up to and respected. You should see them as a symbol of perfection and strive to be every bit as good. A true sports person does not want to bring them down to their level. A true sports person strives to bring himself up to that level of competition. Like them or not, hoping for or hoping against, it is good for the NFL and should be good for all fans to see if they can go undefeated.

Answer 6

No, it is Peyton Mnning and the Colts with their bad sportsmanship. Why was it ok for Peyton to run up the score trying to get his TD record, but the patriots are "bad"? Viewers like you are bad for football. Sometimes I feel the game is fixed as well, like when Indy gets all these phantom pass interference calls for them, and when peyton Manning can go itno a ref's circle and tell them how to call a play while other players are getting pushed back.

Answer 7

In a year where there are many inept teams and QBs, the Patriots are refreshing and exciting to watch. Plus they will get SF's first round pick in the 2008 draft.

Answer 8

The New England Patriots* were caught breaking a clearly written rule that was stressed in the league's summer meetings. The head coach was fined $500,000. The owner was fined $250,000 and the team had one pick taken away from next years draft. The Commissioner of the league openly admitted that suspension of the head coach had been considered.

Ashley, I believe these are the details that Matt may need to back up his question.

Answer 9

Nope! Just remember when you live by the sword then you also die by it. So what goes around then comes around. The time will come when a team will kick the Pats azz up the field and down the field as payback. Think how good that will make so many fans feel.

Answer 10

They are good and bad for football
The good:
1. Bringing attention to the NFL -- trying to make history
2. Bringing attention to the NFL -- cheating (negative attention is still free advertising)
3. Every non-Pats fan is watching and rooting against them
The bad:
1. Dynasties are bad and reduces competition.
2. Bringing attention to the NFL -- cheating
3. Compromising dignity of game -- spygate