fatclue_98
Retired Moderator
I don't know how anyone hates a team. I'm a huge Pats, Sox and C's fan. Naturally, I root against their division and traditional rivals. But I don't hate the Jets, Colts, or Broncos (actually an almost equally huge Broncos fan). I don't hate the Yankees or Rays. I don't hate the Lakers or Heat.
With that being said, I dont know how you equate the Pats to the Braves when one team has one title to show from all of their success and the other has three. Not to mention the Pats (and as was mentioned Peyton and his Colts teams) play(ed) in an era where no one is supposed to have this kind of success. The league is set up so teams can go from first to worst and vice versa in such little time. So there is no way you can compare the two. I guarantee you there are about 25 other teams who wish they had the kind of success the Pats have had.
And last, the whole idea that Spygate played a part in their success is silly. Prior to getting in trouble, it had been about two or three seasons since they had last won. And even after they got caught, they proceeded to go undefeated that same season. Their issues had and have been an aging and young defense, a lack of dependable weapons surrounding Brady and, IMO, the league having caught up to Belichick and the Patriots way of doing things with Belichick arrogantly at times sticking to his way or the highway.
Maybe hate is not the right word, but I think I speak for many who use that word loosely when referring to sports teams. I wasn't equating the Braves' number of championships to the Patriots. Heck, my sorry-a** Marlins have two titles and have never even won their division. I was alluding to the fact that both teams have won multiple division titles in succession and don't have more championships to show for it. 2005 was NE's last title season, a football eternity.
Parity has been around all major sports for a long time. Free agency, salary-dumping trades and salary cap liabilities have done more to strengthen parity than the rules themselves or the wishes of the Commissioner. Good front offices know how to play the system and rely on good scouting to keep 'em in the game. How else can you explain Tampa Bay (the old days) or Detroit having top 5 draft picks year in and year out and still suck while teams like NE, Pittsburgh & Green Bay usually pick low first round and are in the playoffs. Talent evaluation. That's how a player like Wes Welker gets cast off in Miami (us fans knew what we had) and goes on to a probable HOF career with NE.
Lastly, I said I'm no conspiracy theorist, but you gotta admit that it's very coincidental.