Politics and the Patriots

[Patters]

One of the most impressive things about the Pats' victory over the Jets is the way BB handled the handshake. For the first time ever, as far I can recall, BB walked onto the field with a broad and consistent smile, and then went over to Mangini, greeted him with courtesy, and said, "Great game. Awesome." I think someone clearly coached BB on this, because now the media coverage is that there is no longer a controversy. They have nothing to report. BB is no longer a distraction to the team (something he must have absolutely hated). The clever way BB handled this, reminded me of this:



That's Tom Delay's mug shot, and it was so smart of his handlers to tell him to smile. (Of course that's where the comparison between BB and Delay end. Delay should have looked ashamed, while BB should have looked angry.) At any rate, I thought it was interesting to see how the Pats used a political tactic to end the BB-Mangini spectacle.

[Lifer]

Yup! Kill them with kindness.

[Fogbuster]

Wow. That' a good shot of DeLay!!






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[IcyPatriot]

Belichick received alot of PR training when he came here. He did that himself to better himself. That walk across the field was all that training put to good use ... I loved it.

[sdaniels7114]

Too bad you have to act like a phoney to get ahead. Funny how what seems so clearly to be shyness or introversion becomes arrogance when the media decides that you're a bad guy.

[DarrylS]

I think the whole handshake thing is ridiculous and a result of the bored modern day press.. did Bud Grant ever shake an opposing coaches hand, did Lombardi.. in a generation of doing everything right to please the masses a lot is lost. BB did it, probably more to bust b...s than anything else, I am pretty sure Mangini and all of his lemming NY press was expecting something completely different. His hand shake is pretty much the same as why he does all that stuff he does not like, whether it be wearing Adidas Rags on the sidelines, giving out injury reports or answering idiotic press at NFL mandated press conferences.

BB is one of the smartest men around, and just about everything he does is deliberate.. he may have said great game Eric, but he meant f... you and the rest of your f..ed up team and your butthole GM Tannenbaum. I know what he meant, if anyone does not then they do not know BB.

[Fogbuster]

I think the hand-shake custom is a good one. After a hard-fought game, people on either side feel very different: one is elated while the other is depressed; it's natural in a game of winners and losers. The important thing is to keep the game in perspective -- it's only a game!! -- and that other things are of higher importance, like the health and well-being of each member, and of people in the world in general. (Think of Marquise Hill and the guy from the Redskins, recently killed.)

I think Belichick did an outstanding gesture to heal the bitterness and rancor that has been stewing for months between the Pats camp (players, coaches, and fans) and the Jets camp. BB's gesture was magnanimous and well-done, the gracious victor showing no hard feelings about past slights (Mangini's apparent betrayals). BB showed that the first step toward reconciliation starts from one's self: stepping up to at least *try* to embrace one's foe. Without that we are just animals fighting always to the death. There's no need for that. And Bill took a step toward showing that. I think Eric and the Jets appreciated that, too.

(Especially in light of the stupid ice-ball throwing that had gone on during the game.)


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[fleabassist1]

I say we nuke 'em.

[QuiGon]

Originally Posted by NEM

Why are you discussing football on a political board? Actually, I really don't care if you do, or don't, just dont be a hypocrite when I post something football oriented on the same board.

Ah, Nem, don't kid a kidder... we both have ALT's posting regularly over there in the football forum...

[Real World]

Hand shakes aren't necessary, but they are a symbol of sports manship. In every league I play in, be it softball, hockey, or basketball, after every game each team lines up and shakes hands. You leave the attitude on the court, and act as human beings right after. Is it necessary? No, but I think it's a civilized gesture.