My thesis is fine, thanks. I think we should all be rubbing some brain cells together knowing these statements are comparative. The average NFL player is mind-numbingly, obviously, a better athlete, physically tougher individual, etc. than the average person. I haven't seen evidence of anybody suggesting otherwise. When I do, I'll be just as irritated by the failure to accept reality on that side of the fence too.
These are the same people that say things like, "Well, I guess you know better than BB, then" when someone has the cajones to point out a rotten draft pick. I don't think anyone on here would suggest they are a better coach or GM than BB. I think they would suggest that sometimes things are obvious to everyone else on planet earth, but that kind thing happens even to people at the top of their profession. Nobody is perfect.
It should be absolutely okay for us to employ our brains and think for ourselves, but there is a contingent of people that rise up against that at every available instance to create diversionary arguments about semantics or insist on invalidating other people's views through intentional misinterpretation. And before you know it you end up with someone being maligned because they dare to have an opinion without being on an NFL staff, despite the fact they have every right to an opinion as a fan and as a human being.
Half the reason athletes and other entertainers get paid is because they give people a reason to complain. Some people take their entertainment with hope and joy, and some take it by playing grumpy cat on the internet. That's not a value judgment, just an observation. And so we have the disconnect you just pointed out.
That said, the dripping victimhood there is kind of pathetic. I find that the grumpy cats can give it as well as the homers, lol. And THERE IS NOTHING on the internet resembling "cajones" - internet spine is internet spine. That's like saying you have cajones to scream into a ravine and stay around for the echoes.
Count me as a homer. I grew up saying "Wait till next year!" with the Sox and getting all excited if the Pats started out 3-2! The way I look at it, THIS Patriots team and ownership owes me nothing at this point, so I'm just excited to see if BB and TB can mold another powerhouse in the face of incredible adversity.
I find it exhilarating, honestly. In year's (recently) past, when teams like the Jets came to town, I was on the edge of my seat, because HOW COULD WE LOSE TO THEM? OMGWTFBBQ!!!!!! We just looked like the automatic boys, and unstoppable machine, and any hiccup was unacceptable...I didn't even go to a few games because I couldn't stomach the thought of the drive home if they managed to lose to a team like that.
I'm going tomorrow. Win or lose, I'm going to have a blast. This year's team is a work in progress. Will they get there in time? Hell if I know, but were I a betting man, they'll be in the playoffs is my bet...and my other bet is that they'll be better defensively and less predictable offensively in said playoffs...
And when one or more of Thompkins, Dobson or Boyce rises to become a great or very good #1 - a Branch or a Givens, at least - I'll be glad I was there to see the beginning of it.
