Reiss on the anti-patriot vitriol - New England Patriots Forums

SVN · 02-12-2008, 06:53 PM

answers it neatly in his mailbag

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal..._12_08/?page=3

Quote:

Hi Mike, I've been astonished at the level of anti-Pats vitriol out there. It seems a bit more than just anti-Boston championship envy or knock-the-Top-Dog feeling, and Spygate is clearly to blame. The Pats are booed at the Pro Bowl, and at the NYC parade Gov. Spitzer made a disparaging remark comparing Belichick to a bad CIA spy. Now, Boston's had 5 recent title parades, and I can't recall Menino or Romney ever using the opportunity to insult Mike Martz, Andy Reid, John Fox, Clint Hurdle, or Tony LaRussa. Belichick's "us against the world" outlook has become a self-fulfilling prophesy. Do you get the sense that money-wise Bob Kraft and his savvy marketers realize the beating their brand is taking, and do they have any idea of how to right things? Belichick might not mind being hated, but I'm not alone among Pats fans who don't want to be considered mere enablers for a rude, rules-averse coach.
Thomas Mullen, Washington, DC

A: A couple of thoughts here, Thomas. First, I think when Robert Kraft assesses the value of his brand, he can point to record TV ratings this season and off-the-charts merchandise sales. I also think he can attribute much of it to jealousy, and the idea that in today's society people seem to enjoy the process of building people up only to enjoy the process of seeing them torn down. As for Belichick, I personally think calling him a "rude, rules-averse coach" is too harsh. The Patriots and Belichick paid a harsh penalty for Spygate, and while I don't condone the actions, I'm also of the belief this would have about 1/50th of the importance/attention if we were talking about the St. Louis Rams or another lower-tier team. So I think some of it comes down to jealousy as well.

Pats726 · 02-12-2008, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVN

answers it neatly in his mailbag

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal..._12_08/?page=3

Great words..He's on the mark a lot more than many sportswriters.. Thanks for posting!!

***ctpatsfan77*** · 02-12-2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pats726

Great words..He's on the mark a lot more than many sportswriters.. Thanks for posting!!

He and Shalise Manza Young are among the best beat writers, period. We're lucky to have them. They almost make up for all the cr*p we have to put up with from the Felgers and Tomases of the Boston media world. (smyoung--if you read this, no offense--it's just that "teh haters" have been around so long that you haven't had enough time to set things right

)

juny · 02-12-2008, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVN

I'm also of the belief this would have about 1/50th of the importance/attention if we were talking about the St. Louis Rams or another lower-tier team.

Nice piece you pasted. I just want to emphasize one part of Reiss' response, and how true it is.

ice · 02-12-2008, 07:39 PM

Let's not forget the media's agenda to make the Pat's hated. Again born of jealousy, the ex players and coachs who either lost to us or can't get any access to us, really spin every thing against us and leave out any good we actualy do. So the general public learns to hate us because of their messenger.

BPF · 02-12-2008, 07:43 PM

Exactly my thoughts on this as posted a couple of days ago. Excellent find SVN.
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-...335#post791335

Truck · 02-12-2008, 07:46 PM

I think the only local media members who don't hate the patriots are
1. The big show (weei)
2. The Channel 5 & patriots.com saturday morning patriots all access ppl (reiss included).

SVN · 02-12-2008, 07:51 PM

one thing which confuses me-maybe BB wants it that way -that BB has so many well wishers like jim brown and bill russell and all .no one really comes to his defense when he is being thrown around like a rag doll. Not saying they should but you would expect someone to stand up and ask the media to shut it. I guess BB doesnt like other people talk about him either as i gathered from some other articles.

DefenseRules · 02-12-2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ice

Let's not forget the media's agenda to make the Pat's hated. Again born of jealousy, the ex players and coachs who either lost to us or can't get any access to us, really spin every thing against us and leave out any good we actualy do. So the general public learns to hate us because of their messenger.

This will continue as long as we continue to read their agenda driven crap and give them our money. It's up to us fans to make a statement and let some of these bastards know that this is not the type of reporting that we want.

makewayhomer · 02-12-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truck

I think the only local media members who don't hate the patriots are
1. The big show (weei)
2. The Channel 5 & patriots.com saturday morning patriots all access ppl (reiss included).

a key sign of a ridiculously hopeless homer is "thinks the majority of the BOSTON media hates this team".

you would probably prefer every article about the team to read "ZOMG PATS RULEZZZZZZZ!!!!!1111"