Players you hated, but now sorta like.

[Julius]

The Patriots sustained dominance has made it hard for me nurture grudges against NFL players, but every once in a while, a guy still manages to get under my skin. I can't stand Shannon Sharpe for example, but this thread isn't about old grudges, its about the players you have change your mind about, and now grudgingly appreciate.

Case in point: Richard Sherman

His taunting of Brady after a 2012 regular season win put him on my naughty list, but for all his talk, the guy can flat out play, and after the Pats beat his Seahawks in the Super Bowl, he offered congratulations, not excuses or accusations of cheating.

 

[Love The Drake]

James Harrison

 

[Ring 6]

Dwayne allen
Brandin cooks
Stephen Gilmore
Kony ealy
Larry guy
David Harris

 

[WinstonSmith]

Ray Lewis: I didn't care much for the guy that he killed.

 

[jah]

Sherman is an interesting case because I hated him at first because of "U MAD BRO", then he started to get cooler, but starting last year he's started to act like more of an entitled ****, like when he threatened to end some reporter's career.

 

[PrairiePat]

Steve Smith

 

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

Steve Smith. When Smith was in his last year in Carolina, a buddy in my fantasy football league brought his 5 year old son to his first NFL game, Saints-Panthers in New Orleans. His son was a huge Panthers fan for some reason and was wearing a Smith jersey. After Smith scored a late TD, he saw him sitting in the first row behind the Carolina bench, walked up and handed him the ball.

After the game, they made their way to where the team busses were, got the attention of a Carolina player and asked if Smith would be willing to sign the football for him. Steve was already on a bus but got off and walked over to sign it and was friendly while doing it.

 

[Julius]

Steve Smith

Great choice.
He won me over with his intensity. Totally unique HOF receiver who got his stats despite playing with mediocre quarterbacks.

Plus this interview:



"Ice Up Son"

 

[RobertWeathers]

Claude Lemeiux
Bill Laimbeer
Lester Hayes
Lyle Alzado
Bob Sanders
Patrick Roy

 

[aluminum seats]

Claude Lemeiux
Bill Laimbeer
Lester Hayes
Lyle Alzado
Bob Sanders
Patrick Roy

Laimbeer? You're a psychopath.

 

[Julius]

Ndamukong Suh

Everyone jumped on him for being dirty (he is) but I've come to appreciate his intensity and hustle, even after getting a big second contract.

I also assumed he was some kind of mindless brute, but he's quite articulate in interviews. I'm warming to him, unless he breaks Brady next year.

 

[sb1]

Bryan Cox.

2:48 among other reasons.

And 3:06.

 

[Gwedd]

There are any number of players I can respect, but don't necessarily like. I really DON'T have to like them to appreciate their football skills and acumen.

I'm not gonna list any of them here, but will just say that although I am a dyed-in-the-wool, foam-at-the-mouth Patriots fan/junkie, I am also a football fan. I don't like guys that interfere with New England's path to the post season, or to a Superbowl, but I can respect their skills, with the caveat that although they don't have to be choirboys, they should at least be a decent person.

And like Forrest, that's all I have to say about that.

 

[Jackson 2]

I dislike (with varying intensity) every team and player, except 2 with whom I'm acquainted: one is a Lion and the other is a Titan. I know that seems extreme, but it just makes things easier. Screw 'em all...

 

[PatsWSB47]

Ndamukong Suh

Everyone jumped on him for being dirty (he is) but I've come to appreciate his intensity and hustle, even after getting a big second contract.

I also assumed he was some kind of mindless brute, but he's quite articulate in interviews. I'm warming to him, unless he breaks Brady next year.

So he's a smart articulate ahole. I don't like him even a little.

 

[Joker]

uh...well...ya gotta admit..O.J. was a slashing runner...

 

[StockingAnarchyNumber12]

Mark Sanchez. I can't explain why, but I just can't hate him. Ex Jets, but helped make the Jetes even more embarrasing.

 

[fnordcircle]

Did they stick up for Brady during Defamegate in one way or the other? Then they're on my good guy list.

 

[Wheelman]

Ndamukong Suh

Everyone jumped on him for being dirty (he is) but I've come to appreciate his intensity and hustle, even after getting a big second contract.

I also assumed he was some kind of mindless brute, but he's quite articulate in interviews. I'm warming to him, unless he breaks Brady next year.

Dude he's still a dirty pile of ****. I hope someone ends his career for his antics.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Pretty much everyone on the list of hated opponents ran their mouth at one time or another. There is nothing more unlikeable to me than talking a big game and acting like a tough guy to the media. I can't think of any players who made it back to my good (or neutral) graces. Meanwhile, very few players spoke up during the witch hunt, but Joe Thomas and Sean Payton did and are therefore my most liked opponents. Other guys from rival teams who I've liked are Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed. I actually liked Revis, too, even when he was on the Jets, so I was extra glad when we got him.