With all asides to the NY Jets and Dallas Cowboys, there is no greater example of a franchise dumpster fire in the NFL than the New England Patriots. The firing of Jerod Mayo as Head Coach after only one season puts a perfect ribbon on the Christmas coal stocking-stuffer Robert Kraft delivered to the faithful. Kraft did everything he could in the negotiations to tie up Mayo for the long haul, then watched as the new guy in charge flailed about with a haphazard approach to coaching, a roster put together from sticks of human balsa wood and leftovers, plus zero direction from a front office where every single minute decision emirates from Bob’s office. But that’s not really where all this begins. The Patriots have been wandering aimlessly in the competitive woods since before Bill Belichick even hit the door. For all his accolades as being a coaching wizard, one cannot escape the fact that the Pats went into the tank when Tom Brady saw the writing on the wall, the chance to get out from under Belichick's heavy hand, and the cash available in Tampa Bay. In charge of everything personnel-related, Belichick carded a fat zero when it came to preparing the Patriots for life after Brady. His complete lack of vision for the future almost seemed as if he was purposely riding this franchise into the ground with bad calls and half-assed musings. Brady departed, along with surrounding talent and what was for a time the perfect NFL locker room culture where there was real leadership, a clear and decided set of goals, and the no BS approach that everything and anything staying inside those walls. There were plenty of times during Brady’s tenure that Belichick brought in malcontents, used their skills for a time, and then bounced them when they became mouthy or irascible. However, knowing Brady was moving on, he and Kraft had zero foresight to stock the roster with solid talent that fit into a winning culture. That was a franchise that with some proper tending would not have lost a single step in being competitive, but thanks to Belichick’s mismanagement and Kraft buying into it with a nod of the doddering head, Patriots fans should get used to being doormats for the foreseeable future. Then again, the rival Miami Dolphins are one season away from becoming the next top level personnel merry-go-round, the Jets couldn’t find solid leadership and locker room cohesion with Google Maps, and the Buffalo Bills could be teetering on the same precipice of throwing everything at the wall in search of a title and then be left looking for scraps in a year or two, so there is hope. That hope vanishes in letting Kraft make even more dumbfounded personnel calls, as he continues to rival Jerry Jones for the most clueless owner in any professional sport. I am no going to assume my request for press credentials covering the Patriots will be an "auto delete" in years to come.
I started quite the furor on social media recently with comments about Aaron Rodgers, which is about the easiest thing to do when looking for a good meaty issue that will rile up the natives. I responded to a broadcast PBP’er calling him “one of the greatest of all-time”, and we all know how those arguments rapidly go from smoke to a conflagration. My point was that Rodgers is not one of the 10 best ever as some had argued, but certainly fit into the top 25 category. Can’t take away his outstanding numbers and various records, but there is that hitch about being in only ONE Super Bowl and winning only ONE Super Bowl. As I pointed out, many would consider Dan Marino as part of that GOAT discussion, but despite all his numbers, Dan only went to ONE Super Bowl and lost that one, badly. That part of the debate thus becomes something of a wash, but it still needs to be considered. Of course, there is the element of Rodgers being a narcissistic jerk who would thrown a teammate under the bus with ease in order to save his own reputation. His erratic behavior off the field becomes part of the debate for many, but should it? It’s that old discourse about athletes and separating what they do on the playing surface and in their personal lives. Yes, Rodgers is a poster child for being another propaganda-spewing clown, but we have to put that aside when dealing with his legacy on the field. Numerically speaking, I still take Rodgers as a Top 25, but not Top 10. Not by much, mind you, but when you get into such rarefied air the metrics become oh-so-thin to cut and consider. I put his Green Bay buddy Brett Favre above him, despite the fact that (here we go again) off the field he is a con artist who misused Mississippi welfare funds for his own purposes. That is OFF THE FIELD and becomes another conversation completely. Rodgers is a first-grade jerk. Favre stole from the taxpayers in Mississippi’s largest ever corruption case, which puts him head and shoulders above Rodgers in the league of orange jumpsuits. Hey, I don’t care for Rodgers and his babble, but he’s earned his field chops many times over. Of course, his NY Jets tenure has been a complete failure coming at the end of his career. How much salt goes into that discussion? Anyone care to remember how Johnny Unitas torched the end of his career in San Diego, yet is without question a higher rank than Rodgers? Everyone makes mistakes they are later forgiven, and anyone deciding to play for the Jets deserves more sympathy than scrutiny.
While Rodgers is without question a first ballot Hall of Famer, Eli Manning doesn't come close to that honor. Honestly, it's quite the insult to a number of other former players to even make the consideration. Eli may be part of the 25 member “Class of 2025” up for a vote, but he barely deserve to be in the Top 50. Yes, he was the winning QB for 2 Super Bowl teams, which has to count for something. And I have absolutely no doubt that someday he will be voted in, but not this time. I could name a dozen other players who are more deserving of the honor this time around. PK Adam Vinatieri is the NFL’s all-time leading scorer. Antonio Gates remains one of the most impactful TE’s in NFL history. Luke Kuechly was one of the best defensive players of his time. Those three are just for starters. The issue with Eli is those two Super Bowl victories. Take those off his sheet and he’s merely a good NFL QB. His lifetime passer rating is a paltry 84.1. He was never named All-Pro, and led the NFL 3 times in interceptions. If you dig among contemporaries, I’ll take Ben Roethlisberger as a first-ballot over Eli, any time. Manning will get his own bust someday for 3 reasons: (1) Two Super Bowl victories. (2) Last name of Manning. (3) The NY voting contingent will use their sway to ensure another member of the Giants gets inducted and keeps the rabid fan base happy. Thing is, you’d even find a good number of them who like Eli for what he gave them, but don’t get all excited over any potential Hall of Fame.
Until next time and more excellent discourse, Rock On.
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