To copy and paste from
this thread:
I distinctly recall last year and the Colts-Chargers game. I watched figuring it would be a good game, but not really liking either team. From the very first possession I found myself rooting for the Chargers; I guess something similar will probably happen this year.
Seems like there are a lot more teams, players, and/or fan bases that I
don't want to see win, than there are that I
do want to win. Some are just more extremely wretched than others, such as the possibility of a Manning - Manning super bowl (or, a month ago, the thought of the Favre-fest and a NY - NY super bowl.)
NFC
Giants - want to see them lose due to the NY over exposure angle; they've already won, and a possible hit on the Pats being the team of the decade. I do respect the way their FO does things and their defense, and similar to Philly & TO, it would make me smile to see them win first without Shockey and now without Plaxico - but that's still not enough to root for them.
Panthers - I like watching their running game, and Delhomme as well - liked him a lot in the SB a few years ago. Not much to get excited about and latch on to though, but other than Steve Smith's fists there's not much to dislike.
Vikings - similar to the Panthers but even more non-descript than Carolina. Adrian Peterson would be worth watching, but way too tough to root for a Childress team after some of his comments.
Arizona - yeah, I could root for Kurt Warner, but that would mean we'll start seeing Mrs. Warner all the time again. The passing game would be fun to watch but why root for a team that barely deserves to be in the playoffs? Plus, the Bidwells, and their fans do not deserve a championship.
Falcons - great stories with the turnaround of a team expected to be among the NFL's worst, with local connections such as BC's Matt Ryan and former Pat Tom Dimitroff. On the other hand Atlanta fans are about the least deserving of any pro sports championship.
Eagles - as mentioned above, great respect for the front office and head coach. Would be nice to see McNabb win and stick it to the fans and TO. Westbrook is an exciting player to watch. But Philly fans don't deserve another champion.
AFC
Titans - while Kerry Collins getting another shot is a great story, do any of us want to see Jeff "cheer-an-injury-to-Rodney" Fisher and his cut blockers win?
Steelers - another situation of a team with a front office that I admire and respect, but with a fan base (apologies to Dino5Rings) that is mostly out of touch. While constantly congratulating themselves for being the NFL's best fans, they're obsessed to the point of paranoia with the Pats. Nobody brings up spygate and the word 'cheating' more than this group, perhaps out of their fear the Pats will pass them in Lombardi trophies - of which only one happened in most of their lifetimes.
Dolphins - another story about the underdog turning things around, usually something that is easy to get behind. Even though they're a division rival and knocked us out of the playoffs, I feel good for Pennington - and even better that he's doing it without a Jets uniform on. On the other hand, do we want to feed Parcell's ego to the point it expands and blast a hole in the ozone layer?
Chargers - on one hand there's Rivers, who I've come to like, and then there's one of the NFL's biggest whiners, Mr. Classy himself - LaDainian Tomlinson. Another fan base that doesn't deserve a championship in my opinion, due to their overall lack of knowledge of the game (other than a couple that post here), and minimal support of a winning team.
Colts - Bill "break his f'ing leg while I pump in more noise on the PA" Polian, he of the committe to make rules that help his own team. Saint Dungy. Marvin Harrison and his car wash. Plus this is a team that has already won; I don't want the Colts to win again and have the possibility of the pats being the team of the decade brought in to question. I really like Saturday, Sanders and Clark, but that's not nearly enough to root for the Colts.
Ravens - Another turnaround, rookie coach, rookie QB feel good story. But how do you have a feel good story when a man who plea bargained his way out of a murder charge is the face of your team? Too bad Ed Reed signed an extension, I would have really liked to have seen him as a Patriot.
So I guess I'll probably be rooting for Miami and San Diego this weekend, and then most likely Carolina next week. Other than that I don't know who I'll be cheering on.
EDIT: I hadn't thought about Mercury Morris & the old Dolphins angle; I may have to re-think my position on Miami.
