Really, Roger Goodell? Trash Talk?
The NFL can say what they want publicly, but you know deep down Roger Goodell loves all the trash talk going on between the Patriots and Jets.
One reason sports are great because of the rivalries that inevitably develop for a variety of reasons. Perhaps one team has repeatedly embarrassed the other team on the field of play. This creates arguably the most noble form of rivalry: the "Ooooh I'm gonna get you one of these days" rivalry. This is what we are seeing between the Patriots and the Jets. Really, the last ten years it's been the Patriots against the world, but part of what irks the Jets is this seeming air of invincibility that is palpable in Foxboro.
Jets head coach Rex Ryan has been mocked for saying that the games against first the Colts and now the Jets were personal. Of course they're all personal.
Look, you can point out the postseason record of Peyton Manning or numbers that point to his greatness being exaggerated, but you have to admit that maybe only one or two other quarterbacks in the whole damn league can play the position as good or better for as long as he has.
So to face a player of his nature, who has beaten him recently, in the playoffs for a coach who told anyone who'd listen in August they will win the Super Bowl is intensely personal.
Then to follow it up with a matchup against what most people agree is the marquis sports franchise of the last 15 years only makes things MORE personal.
Then you have the players joining in with their various comments and, these days, tweets making everyone's on field emotions a little more tamped up than usual.
How is that bad? In fact, it makes me more likely to make sure my ass doesn't leave my recliner.
The NFL knows that; so to have reports of players being warned that any personal fouls that occur in this week's games will be combined with any comments made leading up to the game when determining discipline is beyond hypocritical.
The NFL is already legislating defense out of the game, now you want to mute emotion? In the playoffs?
You can't hit a quarterback without a permission slip, you can't celebrate a touchdown, and now you can't tell the world you hate your rivals.
What's left? Make everyone wear visors so you can't see players' facial expressions? How about not letting coaches talk to referees?
How about the league stop pretending it doesn't love teams upping their respective antes and going all in as far as pride, reputation, and respect?
That'll be a good place to start.
One reason sports are great because of the rivalries that inevitably develop for a variety of reasons. Perhaps one team has repeatedly embarrassed the other team on the field of play. This creates arguably the most noble form of rivalry: the "Ooooh I'm gonna get you one of these days" rivalry. This is what we are seeing between the Patriots and the Jets. Really, the last ten years it's been the Patriots against the world, but part of what irks the Jets is this seeming air of invincibility that is palpable in Foxboro.
Jets head coach Rex Ryan has been mocked for saying that the games against first the Colts and now the Jets were personal. Of course they're all personal.
Look, you can point out the postseason record of Peyton Manning or numbers that point to his greatness being exaggerated, but you have to admit that maybe only one or two other quarterbacks in the whole damn league can play the position as good or better for as long as he has.
So to face a player of his nature, who has beaten him recently, in the playoffs for a coach who told anyone who'd listen in August they will win the Super Bowl is intensely personal.
Then to follow it up with a matchup against what most people agree is the marquis sports franchise of the last 15 years only makes things MORE personal.
Then you have the players joining in with their various comments and, these days, tweets making everyone's on field emotions a little more tamped up than usual.
How is that bad? In fact, it makes me more likely to make sure my ass doesn't leave my recliner.
The NFL knows that; so to have reports of players being warned that any personal fouls that occur in this week's games will be combined with any comments made leading up to the game when determining discipline is beyond hypocritical.
The NFL is already legislating defense out of the game, now you want to mute emotion? In the playoffs?
You can't hit a quarterback without a permission slip, you can't celebrate a touchdown, and now you can't tell the world you hate your rivals.
What's left? Make everyone wear visors so you can't see players' facial expressions? How about not letting coaches talk to referees?
How about the league stop pretending it doesn't love teams upping their respective antes and going all in as far as pride, reputation, and respect?
That'll be a good place to start.
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