Don't know if any of you caught FSNE/CN8/whatever it is special Road To Perfection programming last night. Good panel of guests including Mike Holley, Tom Curran, Don Banks and Cristian Fauria. Problem was, Felger is the host so they were wasted. Felger has become the shrill critic who rather than ask another's opinion always frames his questions around his opinion ("Don't you think..."), and then spends the remainder of the program talking over people who don't see it the way he sees it, essentially dominating the time slot so no informed or intelligent discussion can ensue. And since he is on nearly every pre and post and between game program, not to mention polluting the airwaves on radio for 3 hours a day via ESPN, he wears media opinion down.
When this team says these days that the media doesn't decide games, play on the field does, it is Felger they are directing 98% of their comments to. I'm sure Bill doesn't mind since it helps provide a little edge that might be somewhat dulled on your average 16-0 team... Felger had a short locker room interview with Rodney, who he tried to bait into retirement talk, and the almost comical disdain they have for this creton is palpable. It's pretty clear his access is controlled by Stacey. They have to give him something because of his programming deals, but they make sure to give him the guys who can deal with him.
Felger's new objectivity mantra is stats and coaches be dammed, he knows what his Tivo trained eyes see - similar to what the eagle eyed anti-homers continue to see here entering the 18th week of the season...not the same team as 2003-2004...
And he's not just satisfied to hold his own opinion, he is hell bent on enlisting converts to his point of view. Reminds me of my alcoholic cousin who hates to drink alone.
He asked Fauria why he came here, knowing the answer was he had the same reaction I did to this team being introduced in XXXVI...he knew right then they were doing to win because they really were a team. Felger then asked him do you REALLY (again, 'cause I don't...) think this team is still like that, or hasn't talent changed that mentality at least a little... Fauria said they are still the same. The problem is some people just labeled those former teams as less talented and created the illusion they only won because of the system. He said that is why it has taken this long for this team to send 7-8 guys to the pro bowl in the midst of a dynasty.
Felger has built a career essentially nitpicking a dynasty. He firmly believes that 2002, 2005 and 2006 proved his point that the 2001, 2003 and 2004 teams were somehow fatally flawed and 2007 proves they knew they lacked talent. And the second half of 2007, when they didn't blow everyone out, proves that even this supertalented team is flawed. When in reality all it proves is Felger having never played the game even collegiately, has no real clue what goes into winning championships - even after having the good (career) fortune of covering this franchise for over a decade now.
And sadly his act resonates with a handfull of local mediots, some on Krafts payroll to boot, who seem to have an axe to grind with this team that I think is more deeply rooted in being wrong three out of six years than in honestly believing their opinion was vindicated in the other three. And what they think they know has a trickle down effect on the national media and their perception of this team. Hence we've gone from juggernaut to potentially teetering on the brink of elimination just as soon as we have to face the 13-3 team we already beat IF we manage to get past the mighty 11-5 wildcard team who barely beat a dysfunctional Steelers team.
And don't kid yourself. If we blow out the JAGS, it will mean nothing heading into a matchup with the reigning champs. And by the time the Superbowl rolls around, the NFC will have become far more competitive than previously imagined. If you allow them to, the Felger's of the world will squeeze all the joy out of any journey.
