Ive resisted the urge, this entire week, to even acknowledge the stupidity surrounding the “Deflate-Gate” controversy. I’ve refused to watch ESPN and it’s so-called “experts”, and to engage fans of other teams in factual debate, coming to the realization that such discourse would prove futile. Instead, I have decided to pen my position, not as a Patriots fan, but as an intelligent human being focused on evaluating any issue in an analytical, independently thought out way, basing my position on factual evidence only. I challenge anyone who has passed personal judgment on the Patriots guilt and/or legacy based on media vomit, and misguided hatred, to respond in an intelligent, and fact-based, manner. • “Tuck Rule Game” Argument 1: That was a FUMBLE! o Fact: NFL Rule 3, Section 22, Article 2, Note 2 clearly states that any …… “intentional forward movement of his arm”…….”even if the player loses possession of the ball as he is attempting to tuck it back toward his body.” No fumble according to the rule. CORRECTLY applied. • “Tuck Rule Game” Argument 2: The NFL created the Tuck Rule during that game! o Fact: The “Tuck Rule” was in placed into effect in 1999, and was changed in 2013, 11 years after the game. o Fact: The “Tuck Rule” was called in favor of Jets QB Vinny Testaverde during the 2nd game of the 2001 season against the Patriots in Foxboro. • Patriots taped Rams practice prior to Superbowl XXXVI Argument: o Fact: Boston Herald reporter, John Tomase, reported, the Friday before the Superbowl, that the Patriots had taped a Rams practice. He later admitted the story was inaccurate, and was NOT based on factual evidence. Tomase then issued a public apology for the erroneous report. • Patriots “Cheated” by “Illegal” videotaping during their Superbowl-winning seasons Argument: o Fact: Video-taping the opposing team from the sideline was NOT ILLEGAL, prior to a league-wide memo set to all teams during the 2006 season by Ray Anderson. o Fact: The only restriction the Ray Anderson memo made, was regarding the filming from the sideline. NO restrictions were placed on viewing opponent signals with binoculars, lip-reading through binoculars, writing down descriptions of opponent signals. o Fact: Numerous current, and former, NFL head-coaches, including Jimmy Johnson and Bill Cowher, identified videotaping of opponent signals as common practice within the NFL prior to the Ray Anderson memo in 2006. • Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are pathological liars Argument: o Fact: There has never been ANY evidence produced supporting the claim. In fact, Bill Belichick admitted/apologized publicly for “Spygate”, and has never denied his involvement. • Patriots are ALWAYS bending the rules Argument: o Fact: The ONLY “rule” the Patriots have been proven to have violated, was the rule against the “location” of videotaping, as layed out in the 2006 Ray Anderson memo. o Fact: The unique formations utilized by the Patriots against the Ravens in the 2014 Divisional Playoff win were confirmed as legal by the NFL. • “Deflate-Gate” is PROOF the Patriots CHEAT Argument: o Fact: The NFL has presented NO evidence, as of yet, that any intentional “deflation” of footballs occurred in the AFC Championship Game. o Fact: Both Bill Belichick, and Tom Brady, have categorically denied knowledge of intentional defating of footballs (see Pathological Liars Argument). • The Patriots Legacy is “Tainted” Argument: o Fact: The Patriots have NEVER been proven to have “cheated”. They have only been proven as guilty of videotaping from the wrong location during a single game following the 2006 season. Any activity prior to 2006, was not illegal. As I stated earlier, I challenge anyone to debate these points with facts, not sensationalized claims by media hacks and talking heads. The objective person can clearly see the pattern with comments made by former players of teams the Patriots have beaten in playoffs and Superbowls, or former players/coaches who’s own legacies/records are being surpassed by Bill, Tom, and the Patriots. Below is a partial list of those whom are spewing venom without a factual basis: • Troy Aikman: In danger of having Tom Brady move past him on the list of Superbowl winning quarterbacks. • Jerry Rice: A member of the Raiders in the “Tuck Rule” game, and teammate of Joe Montana, who can be tied for Superbowl wins by Tom Brady. Tom would then be in the discussion for greatest QB ever, with 4 SB wins, and 6 appearances. • Jerome Bettis: Member of 2 Steelers teams that lost AFC Championship games, at home, to the Patriots. • Brian Dawkins: Member of Philadelphia Eagles team that lost Superbowl XXXIX to the Patriots. • Marshall Faulk: Member of the St. Louis Rams team that lost Superbowl XXXVI to the Patriots. • Mark Brunell: Member Jaguars team that lost the 1997 AFC Championship to the Patriots. Also a member of the New York Jets under Rex Ryan. Let me be clear about my objectivity, even as a life-long fan of the Patriots. IF the Patriots are proven to have deliberately broken a rule by deflating footballs, whomever is responsible should be punished. I will not defend any actions which deliberately bypass the integrity of the game. What I will NOT do, however, is to assume ANYONE is guilty without a review of the facts. Along with that, I will NOT provide an audience for anyone to spew vitriol for the sake of vitriol. THERE………I FEEL BETTER.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 09:02:25 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015