No elaborate pics, nothing frilly and fancy, just a reason why I'm on a bandwagon this year....enjoy!

"As obscure as it is relevant in todays realm of sports, is the thinking that a team must win it all to have a successful season.  What is considered when a team is honored as having a successful season? Having a terrific win/loss ration during the "primer" run leading up to the important "second season" shouldn't be regarded as a failure if in fact a team struggles and loses in the playoffs.

Yet in a society clamored with the hype also comes the responsibility to live up to the hype. The coaches know it. The players know it. Yeah, even the water boy knows it. Or now should I say the Gatorade boy? And in not being politically incorrect, I won’t shun Gatorade girl.

 Though this attitude has not only permeated the world of sports. Think back to the days when giving 110% actually meant “selling the farm”. Whether it was at home with your families or on the job giving everything you had to meet a company’s expectation were well, just that, expected. That 110% meant something. Does this still important principle hold true today?"    -88

 However true you are to yourself would determine the answer to that very important question. In a world of ever evolving ideas, holding true to the aspects of life that are true to you will get you far. In other words, don’t sell the farm then regret not only the decision, but to whom the farm was sold.

In saying that, I would like to say this. Life in the real world isn't that much different than life in the National Football League. The same 110% effort we grind

out, struggle with; at home with our spouse and kids and our jobs is reflected each Sunday here in the U.S.A. As well as Monday, some Thursdays, and come playoff time, Saturdays. This Sunday is an exception when the NFL will be on display at Wimbley Stadium in London, England. The struggling Dolphins (0-7, worst start in franchise history) are playing a "home game" against the team visiting from the New Jersey area who some dub New York A, the Giants.

Here's a stretch for you guys and gals. Speaking of the Miami Dolphins, is it possible that they are the worst team in the worst division in the history of the NFL? The only sign of life in that division are the SEVEN and ZERO (a franchise first) New England Patriots.

So why would I use a bad segue (my apologies) to introduce the New England Patriots into this conversation? Because I am on the Patriots' bandwagon, of course. To those who remember me and my first rant on FoxSports, I was angered over the offciating in the NFL over the years. For those of you not familiar, I will sum it up for you.

My initial blog (before I had left, then returned with a slightly altered nick) was a rant on bad whistle blowing. It wasn't long after the refs had stole the chance (or many chances) from the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl EXTRA EXRA Large to win the game and for once, hold the Lombardi Trophy. We all know the ending. If not, then Pittsburgh carried the banner that year. However, if you will note in my summarized BIO my rant began back in the snow in New England. Of course, my BIO doesn't say that. Yet, in putting two and two together, one will notice one team, the Oakland Raiders. Another two and two; tuck rule and "no fumble" after the official review prevented the Raiders from advancing, and catapulted New England to new heights.

I'm still cringing. This is very difficult for me to write, trust me. I may be hanged by friends and family. Please call 911 if I haven't returned to FoxSports Blogging in a few weeks. Or, just give KSP the win by forfeit for if I advance, I may have to be reached by séance and spiritually enter gambit to let all you bloggers know what it's like on the other side.

Try new heights to the tune of three Super Bowl rings in as many tries. I wanted badly for the Colts to beat them back in 2005, but it wasn't to be. I wanted Oakland to beat them in 2002. It just wasn't to be.

 During the game against the Raiders, I could feel something brewing inside me that I had never felt before against an AFC team (of course, the Kansas City Chiefs being excluded). I am an AFC guy. I grew up in a small town in Kentucky. Watching football on Sundays meant I had no option but to root for the AFC teams broadcast on NBC affiliate WSAZ out of Huntington, WVA. I rarely watched an NFC team at that time. So growing up in the 80’s and 90’s of course I was a Buffalo Bills fan as well as a proud Bengals, Browns, and Oilers fan. A New England fan, not so much.

  And still to this day a New England fan, not so much. Something changed this year however. First the team acquired Randy Moss for a 3rd round draft pick. What a steal that was. Moss is a native of Rand, WVA. Living in eastern Kentucky, we tend to notice Pro-caliber players who may attend Marshall, WVU, UK, EKU, and the like. So I was a Moss fan from day one with the Minnesota Vikings. He became a phenomenon.

 Loved then hated in Minnesota, Moss moved on to Oakland to play for the Raiders. He once again fell into a love/hate relationship with not only the team, but the higher-ups. As much a talent as Moss is, an infection to a team it seems may be better to describe him. When Moss became a member of the New England Patriots a ring was what he was looking for. Aside from resurrecting his tainted image, Moss also wanted to prove that he still could not be covered one on one. I personally was wanting the infection to spread. And who knows? Maybe it already has behind closed doors.

This year Moss has caught 10 touchdown passes and in the process raised Tom Brady’s career to an unbelievable new level. With 27 touchdown passes in seven, yes seven games, Brady has began the season unlike any quarterback in NFL history. Sure, anyone can just heave the ball into the air long distance style and let Moss do the work. I mean that’s what Randall Cunningham did in Minnesota in Moss’ rookie year, right? True, but Brady also has shown accuracy and precision in his passes and making very few mistakes. In fact he is on pace to shatter many of the NFL records. He already has set a few records. One by being the most accurate passer in 100 pass attempts (79-100) in NFL history.

  But it’s not only Moss. The addition of Wes Welker, Donte Stallworth, Sammy Morris, and Adalias Thomas has greatly improved the offense and defense and special teams.

  Have you wondered yet why I haven’t mentioned Bill Belichick? Well, it’s because I have saved the best for last.

  I told my wife about this blogging contest in which she replied, “I hope you win!” She also wondered if I was going to have time to write this blog. How odd is this? While I was typing this at work, she called. Anyway, back to Belichick. I like him about as much as I like working 60 hours this week. As I mentioned earlier though, hard work pays off. A hard work ethic is what Bill Belichick is all about. He gets the most out of every player on his roster. Some would argue that he stretches them too far at times. Such as the time a couple years ago when WR Troy Brown was used in certain defensive formations; Belichick has done nothing but win though.

  So, love them or hate them, that is the question. Honestly I despise this team. Yet I will say that I am on their bandwagon. Why you may ask. As the old saying goes, “If you can’t beat them, join them!” I wouldn’t go that far. However, any team that Moss is playing for…I like. What I like most though is that it’s possible that before season’s end Moss will have infected the locker-room with his disdain for certain players, certain plays, and even Belichick himself. One could only hope.

  Yes, I am on the New England Patriots’ bandwagon. But I am only being drug along behind on a string. I am hoping this team will go 16-0 in the regular season. No team in NFL history has done that except the 1972 Dolphins. Yes, I am on the New England Patriots’ bandwagon, but I hope they choke in the playoffs. I cannot see myself rooting for this team to do anything otherwise. Do I think this 2007-2008 version of the New England Patriots can go undefeated…sure. They do however have some tough games ahead of them. A date at the Colts on November 4th looms large. Possibly the only game after that which could be a challenge for the Patriots is the trip to Baltimore on December 3rd.

Yes, I am on the Patriots’ bandwagon. This team shows that 110% each week. They bring their “A” game to every game. I’m not convinced yet if they brought their “C” game it would have any bearing on the outcome of the game. Yes, they may not cover the spread, but they could still win by a touchdown or more.

Yes, I am on the Patriots’ bandwagon. Just like some of my favorite teams in the past, I am on the Patriots bandwagon. The Minnesota Vikings cruised through the regular season in 1998. A team carried by Randall Cunningham, Moss, and Cris Carter though stumbled in the NFC Championship game at Atlanta.

  Yes, I am on the Patriots’ bandwagon. Belichick has pride. That is unmistakable. If there is anyone out there that thinks the Patriots will not go for the 16-0 record under Belichick’s watch, well then they are wrong. Did I mention “Bill Gate”? It has been termed many ways. Belichick cheated. No getting away with it Bill.

 Yes, I am on the Patriots’ bandwagon. What other team in the league has the arsenals on offense, the players like Asante Samuel, Adalius Thomas, Teddy Bruski, Mike Vrabel, Richard Seymore, Rodney Harrison and the like on defense? No other team has. They begin to remind me of the 2006 version of The Ohio State Buckeyes. Invincible all season, yet in the face of adversity playing the Florida Gators in the BCS National Championship game, well, they choked. I have to be on the Patriots’ bandwagon.

I have to love this team. They have the tools they need to get the job done. This team possesses the will to win. They own the players that have the will to win. This team is comprised of winners. Are they a surprise team this year? I think so. Everyone knew they had the potential to be good heading into the season. Did anyone think this team could be great? I did. The greatest team in the history of the game? I did.

My wife was lying in the bed with me when I heard the news of the trade for Moss. I turned to her and said, “#$%%, I hate that team! Now they will be unstoppable!”

Yes, I am on the Patriots’ bandwagon. Go Pats!

-88