Insider | Notebook | Mailbag
I expected the Patriots fans to come after me hard.
Boy, did they ever.
After picking the Colts to beat the Patriots last week, I knew those die-hard fans would fill up the e-mail basket with some not-so-nice things to say.
For the most part, many of the responses were civil, although there was a cat-killing suggestion -- one of my cats, of course -- and some nasty names thrown my way. Some of the e-mailers wondered how I got my job, while others begged me not to pick the Patriots this week against the Steelers. They called me the mush.
Listen up, New England: The Patriots are my pick.
I'm a convert. What they do on the football field is special, almost too hard to sum up in words. It's magical how Bill Belichick can take a group of guys that might be 8-8 for another coach and form it into one of the best teams of all time.
Move over, I'm jumping on the bandwagon.
Most of you do not want to hear that, and most of you think I'll mush your Super Bowl chances, but you need not worry. There is nothing stopping this team this year.
And if you want a piece of me, jump on WEEI on Friday morning. I'll be there playing the role of piñata to your wicked hits.
Come and get me.
From: Dave
Hey, Pete, care to take your foot out of your mouth now? Pats don't have a secondary, can't beat or stop Indy's high-powered offence. Stop the presses: Pats 20 Colts 3.
Dave: Lucky for me I only wear a size nine. The foot goes in a lot easier.
From: Dan Clarke
Hello again. Another anti-Patriots pick and another Patriots win. This reminds me a lot of 2001 ... or 2003 ... or whatever. Please, please, please pick Pittsburgh next week!
Dan: I'm with the Patriots now. There's no turning back.
From: Rich Andriole
You know that commercial that has Peyton Manning holding the little fantasy football trophy, and he's saying, "THIS is what I play for"? That's a pretty good commercial don't you think?
Rich: Someday, he'll win one of those big trophies. This time, the Colts and Manning played scared. The aggression they showed in the regular season was missing. You can't play scared and win in the playoffs.
From: Bob Habershaw
Prisco, What do you have to say for yourself now? You never, ever, ever pick the Patriots! All you so called experts took it up the wazoo! I am sure you are picking the Steelers this weekend. Go ahead, you have been wrong every time. This weekend will be no different. Why do you dislike New England so much? You obviously are picking against them with your heart instead of your head. Being a sportswriter you should be more objective.
Bob: I'm on the Patriots this week. Can we say, "dynasty," together?
From: John Skelton
Well, Pete, you said on WEEI that if the Pats beat the Colts you would hear it from the NE fans -- well at least you were right about one thing. The reason why the Patriots do not get the respect they deserve from the national sports media -- with you leading the charge -- is that they do not have any self-proclaimed superstars who strive for the spotlight. Gaudy, individual stats mean nothing when it comes NFL playoff time. The Patriots are mentally tough, physically tough, fundamentally sound, and have hard working team-oriented players. The fans in New England anxiously await your admission that you were wrong.
John: I've been wrong before and I'll be wrong again. The Patriots have earned my respect -- and then some. But do one thing for me now that I'm on the bandwagon, get Belichick to take off that John "Staying Alive" Travolta headband.
From: Mike
Pete you're a buffoon. How did you get your job?
Mike: It's funny what a bribe or two can do for a career. Plus, I had some pictures of the big boss with some farm animals that helped. And don't forget, Rocco and Guido, my uncles, have a way with persuasive techniques.
From: Dan Whoops, wrong again Pete. Are you going to eat crow and admit that the Patriots are a superior team and that Brady is a much more complete package that pay-me-a-ton? Simply put, Sunday's game was a clinic.
Dan: The Patriots are the better team. But Manning is still the better quarterback. I'll never waver on that, although he didn't play well against the Patriots -- and never does.
From: Will
Pete, time to step up and face the music. Call back into D&C on WEEI soon and take your yearly beating from Patriot fans. We respected you when you stepped up last year but now it is time to for you to get some rope to hang yourself with next season. I'm sure they'll be 16 games played next season where you think the Pats will lose, so come take your beating now! Call up!
Will: I'll be around Friday morning to hang myself. Hope you all call in.
