The New England Patriots defeated the New York Giants in Giants’ Stadium tonight, 38-35. At least that’s what the box score, the talking heads, and the hype-mongers who can’t think for themselves will tell you. And it’s too bad that most of us will buy into that result. But the fact of the matter is that the Patriots were exposed. But more on that later. The league was also exposed. And frankly, so was I. Like most of you, tonight was the first time I had access to a game on the NFL Network. And silly me for not realizing beforehand that the NFL Network, which is run by the NFL-hence, the name-would not tell it like it is. Nary a discouraging word from Cris Collinsworth, Bryant Gumbel, or anybody else in that rarified air, regarding the officiating. But why would there be? It’s their network. And there’s the disturbing part. Plaxico Burress was held and dragged down before Eli Manning’s pass arrived, with the official five yards away and watching it intently. No call. Shortly thereafter, the Giants linebacker numbered 58, who played a whale o####ame, had the ball hit him while he was covering Randy Moss. Pass interference? I guess, in today’s NFL. Let’s make sure we tell that linebacker not to cover that receiver so close. The nerve of him. {And let’s all wait with baited breath for the league to alter the rules in the off-season, yet again, to favor the offense. I doubt it surprises anyone anymore). I realize that on the next play after the no-call on the Giants receiver being pulled down, they scored. But that doesn’t make the no-call go away. And what happened on the Giants’ kickoff return early in the fourth quarter, when a penalty was called on the sideline? I’m not sure. And I’m not saying it was a bad call. Because, like I said, I don’t know. We weren’t informed. Or shown. And, like I said, I should have seen this coming, but announcers on a network run by the NFL won’t tell you. Don’t know why I was expecting them to. Guess I’m a little slow on the uptake sometimes. But that would be like J. Edgar Hoover doing a PSA (Public Service Announcement, for those of you under 30. And J. Edgar Hoover was in charge of the FBI back in - - never mind) telling you to watch out for sneaky ####s with lots of power.
Anyway, the Pats were exposed tonight. Actually, not just tonight. It’s been ongoing, and something the NMHM (National Media Hype Machine) had neglected to tell you, or simply ignored. Why would they get in the way o####ood story? Can’t blame them, I guess. They have a job to do. But a team that has a balanced offense and a defense who will not be fooled by a one-dimensional offense {See Jacksonville Jaguars} will knock the Patriots out of the playoffs. You heard it here first. Okay, maybe you’ve heard it before, and just didn’t believe it. But prepare yourself. The champs of Super Bowl whatever-the-number-is-this-year reside in Florida. Oh, I almost forgot; as long as we don’t have to deal with incompetent officials.
I must say, I darn near laughed out loud when Cris Collinsworth quoted Tiger Woods after the game, saying he (Tiger) expected to win every time out, like the Patriots do. Of course the glaring difference is that Tiger controls his own fate. And once again, I was reminded why golf is the greatest sport on earth. Say what you want about them not being athletes, and it not being a sport. But there is no other place than a golf course where everything about you is there for the world to see. There is no other competition whose outcome rests solely on your performance. The good, the bad, and the ugly. No official’s calls, either in your favor or against. No substitutions when you need one. And anyone who’s played golf has needed one at one time or another. No timeouts. And no other competition has results that are based as much on one’s ability to perform. It’s you, the course, and the competition. No officials’ decisions on whether it was interference or not. A charge, a block, or a no-call. A borderline strike, or ball four. Nope. Just you and your ability. And that, sports fans, is what we’re after. Isn’t it?
The whole time i watched this game tonight ya kinda knew who would win, Ricko I haven't been around much lately...been bored with sports, I do know that when I go golfing at least I know who is goina cheat! Now it could be anybody! Take care my friend!
YES...someone who agrees with me that Jacksonville will beat the Patriots (My brackets will be posted later). If Indy was healthy and had Marvin Harrison earlier in the year, I think they would have beaten them then.
The Giants faded down the stretch or they would have ended this farce tonight.
It's quite interesting how some teams can rise to the top in their given sport, while everyone will be cheering them on and supporting their success. It almost seems to unify sports fans as they share a common bond.
But every once in awhile a team like the Patriots comes along and rises to the top of their sport, but it just #### everyone off!
The teaser of the Giants leading at half time, convinced me to turn the game on. Only to have to listen to those two morons calling the game, sucking up at every possible opportunity. If you combine that with the jack-#### officiating, you get a typical Patriots game. 16-0 congrats Pats fans!
Hey folks, thanks for stopping by. I'll admit, I was a little irritated when I wrote this. I guess I'm tired of seeing games decided by stimuli other than the players & coaches. And sure enough, in this morning's paper, I read two articles on the game and not one mention of any breaks/calls that went the Pats' way.
Oh well. I'll check in later, but I have a tee time to get to. No really, I do.
Mark Twain was right about golf.
I will admit that I watched the tail end of the Alamo Bowl instead of this contest. The Pats have been "exposed" for a while now; the problem is that nobody has been good enough to finish the job on them. We shall see what happens in the playoffs.
Can't blame the commentators for keeping the check writers happy Ricko. I have the chance to see games on the NFL network often and they do suck. The Pats will lose and the world will be right again. As for golf, what other sports is there that we pay large amounts of money to go out and #### ourselves off. I love/hate that game.
Did you happen to catch Roger Goddell's pregame promo?
Roger is just dedicated to growing the NFL and bringing the game to the fans.......oh yeah, as long as the fans are willing to come out of pocket.
What a joke.
As for last nights game. Pretty poorly officiated on several counts. The personal foul on the kick return you referred to being on blatant example. Still no explanation. There were questionable calls against the pats though too. EX. the goal line play late when Brady attempted to hit Vrabel.
Anyway, congrats to the Pats. Quite an accomplishment.
And golf is a great game. It's not for people who don't like to be held accountable. I doubt you'll find pro athletes who demand trades, and or blame the teams management for the organizations failures on a golf course EVER.
Where you been hangin man? I have to admit I was pulling for the Pats. I guess it goes back to being a big-time Joe Montana fan and then along comes Tom Brady who is also a Montana fan. I'm thinking Brady is on a course to do Joe one ore more better in terms of winning Super Bowls... I've gotta believe the Pats will go undefeated at home in the playoffs, especially against the warm weather Jags with a QB not seasoned in the playoffs...
Now for golf. We both live in golf meccas. Someone told me the distance of fairways, all added together, in Florida is greater than the distance of Florida's shoreline. I find that hard to believe, but there sure are a bunch of golf courses. I'll have to tell you about the gators in the true water hazards here another time...
Speaking of golf...didja watch any of the skills competition on NBC. I think it finishes today.
Clemens is in it.
The announcer made a point to mention that the show was taped before the Mitchell Report came out.
Even NBC is distancing itself from Clemens.
I'm waiting to hear about the PGA drug testing methods in 2008.
I hear ya Ricko....when I see a play that should be reviewed, why cant the broadcasters see the same thing? They just ignore questionable stuff..it drives me nuts.
Amen on the golf....no one to blame but yourself when you hit the ball fat, although I have cussed out a chirping bird from time to time as being distracting.
Im gearing up for the NBA...finaly have a team that will be competitive, my Celts. Happy New year to you and the g/f, and I hope 2008 is prosperous and filled with good Suns games
I thought that game was badly officiated and the announcers were worse than the refs! I don't know what pictures Gumbel and Collinsworth have of who but they must have something on someone! I even changed channels to CBS hoping there would be different announcers or a Spanish broadcast (I don't speak Spanish either).
Golf may be the world's most perfect game. Nothing like being in the great outdoors taking your hacks on a glorious day. Hope you had a great time swinging the sticks.
I too think the Jags can and will beat the Patriots. Here's why: the Jags run the ball, and run it with attitude. They have the two-headed beast known as Taylor and Jones-Drew. They can control the clock and keep Brady and company off the field. David Garrard is efficient and takes care of the ball. The defense is physical, and plays with a mean streak. Stroud and Henderson are capable of blowing up any offensive game plan. The defense will go after Brady from the opening snap to the end of the game. Brady is due to have a bad game at some point. This will be some point. JAGS 27, PATRIOTS 20.
Empty, my bad. Thanks for the correction. I thought Stroud was out until the playoffs. Meier's going to make some plays with Henderson next to him. What makes the Jags a difficult opponent for the Pats is that they can put pressure on Brady up the middle.
I got my letter in golf in high school, not cause I was any good with the shovels but because I unlocked the closet where we kept our clubs, didn't lose the keys once, I call it "That Championship Season..."
Spent half my life in North Dakota. The other half, so far, in the Valley of the Sun. As a kid, I was always playing, watching, reading, or writing about sports. I lost most of the "playing" along the way, but the rest remains the same. I pledge to refrain from commenting on a blog unless I've read it in its entirety. If I have time, of course.
Carry on.
Email address: rickoblog@ear thlink.net
