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Thought it might be time to chime in on a theme that seems to be growing; the Patriots are a dirty team.
The NFL just fined Vince Wilfork for the 4th time this year, this time for a face-mask penalty in the AFC Championship game. While a fine for an in-game facemask during a tackle seems a bit harsh, it seems New England’s nose tackle is fast-gaining a reputation around the league for dirty play, and the powers that be are starting to notice by fining him at every opportunity.
When Wilfork was punished for a hit to J.P. Losman’s knee early in the season, he expressed concern that people thought he was a dirty player and he didn’t want to be recognized as one because he said he wasn’t. (For the record, I though the hit on Losman was dirty) Well, if the young lineman doesn’t want to be considered a cheap shot artist, he might want to think about curtailing the activities that lead to these fines and stop poking his finger into other players' face masks. Otherwise, just go the Rodney Harrison route and not worry about what others think.
Speaking of Harrison, he’s widely regarded by his peers as the dirtiest player in the league, winning many player polls on the matter. Throw in the accusations against Richard Seymour coming from San Diego, and you can see where the Patriots style of play is catching opponents’ attention. Justly or unjustly, they’ve earned that reputation, and it will be a hard one to shake.
Personally, I think there’s some truth to the allegations. Where there's smoke, there's usually fire, though I do think some of it is overblown. What I find most troubling, as was the case with SpyGate, is that any of this extra-curricular stuff is taking away from the greatest season in NFL history, and that instead of embracing this team, the rest of the football world detests it like we hate the Yankees.
That’s the view from here…how do you see it? Are the Patriots a dirty team? Or is it just sour grapes on the part of a league that can’t find a way to stop them?
Comments (4)
I don't think they are a dirty team, but they do have two dirty players. The reason that everyone hears about it is because well the Pats are 18-0, and could go 19-0 and have the greatest season any NFL team has ever had. Everything anyone on the team does is magnified 100%, Rodney is a dirty player, Vince is on his way to being one, but you need a couple of those guys on a championship team.
Posted by Ken Goyette | January 26, 2008 8:01 PM
Posted on January 26, 2008 20:01
Like MOST Pats fans I do NOT believe they are a Dirty team! YES Rodney Harrison is on the over zealous side, and recently Wilfork has been a bit over the top. That all being said that does Not mean they are a Dirty team its just the fact they are on the Verge of a Perfect season everyone outside of New England seems to be Jealous!!! People should just accept that after they Beat the Giants in the Superbowl they will truly be the BEST team in NFL History...
Posted by Shappy | January 27, 2008 1:59 AM
Posted on January 27, 2008 01:59
Dirty team? No.
Dirty players? Yes - several of them as Ken said.
Are they up there with the old Oakland Raiders or the recent Denver Bronco offensive lines that would block opposing D-linemen at the knees and below on every play? No.
I think the eye poke thing on Jacobs and some of the late hits do cast both Wilfork and Harrison in a very bad light. There is no need for any of that extra stuff after the play is over. It was surprising to hear Richard Seymour's name being tossed about by Hardwick of the Chargers as I would never have thought of Seymour as dirty.
I don't think it's jealousy but I do think that these things are much more noticable when a 18-0 team is doing them. If you had the 1-15 Dolphins also doing these same antics I doubt the quotes from the opposing teams would even make the newspaper. If you have success (especially unprecedented success) you will be held to a higher standard. As long as they can afford to keep paying their fines I doubt they'll clean up their act any (referring mainly to Wilfork- Harrison is too old a dog to change now).
Posted by dboisver | January 28, 2008 11:41 AM
Posted on January 28, 2008 11:41
Most definetely dirty. Filthy actually. but there's alot of dirty players and the only reason that the pats are even talked about because of this right now is because they the best team in football.
Posted by dough boy | January 28, 2008 9:02 PM
Posted on January 28, 2008 21:02