NFL
By Steve Atkinson
Remember during Spygate and Deflategate all the hate the Patriots received from the league and ESPN. It was “they hate us ’cause they ain’t us.” Max Kellerman said on First Take that Tom Brady is falling off a cliff. The Ted Wells investigation into Tom Brady deflating footballs led to a four-game suspension, which was unnecessary, but that’s not my point. ESPN was criticizing the Patriots back then, but now that a scandal involves one of their own and the Patriots, it’s all praise for them. Only when it suits their interests and the league do they praise the Patriots.
ESPN Had Lots Of Hate Towards The Patriots During Other Scandals
The Vrabel-Russini situation that ESPN refuses to discuss because they knew about it for years, and they don’t want it to come out that such things happen everywhere in the industry. ESPN was hyping up AJ Brown to the Patriots when the New York Post published the Vrabel-Russini photos in Arizona. ESPN kept pushing AJ Brown as a Patriots target up until June 1st, when the deal could be finalized. We all knew who had the info first, and it wasn’t ESPN; it was Russini. Credit where it’s due. Now, suddenly, ESPN and their insiders are praising the Patriots—how convenient when a scandal involves someone who used to work for them.
ESPN Ranks The Patriots First in Recent Poll
The Patriots were ranked number one for teams with players under 25. Drake Maye, who some say had a fraudulent season because they didn’t play anyone—which I disagree with—wasn’t that impressive in the playoffs. However, he had a strong season and came through in big moments against the Bills last October. When a playoff play was needed, he delivered, except in the Super Bowl, where he struggled. The offensive line was poor, and Will Campbell was exposed.
The Patriots are ranked first in players under 25, including Drake Maye, Will Campbell, and Christian Gonzalez. Last year, they were seventh. Who knows if Will Campbell will stay at left tackle or if Christian Gonzalez, who might not get paid soon, will participate much in training camp, delaying his readiness for the season. The only bright spot is Drake Maye, who has AJ Brown—something ESPN kept emphasizing, rightly so—but they did it not to benefit the Patriots, but to divert attention from Vrabel and Russini, which would have exposed their connections.
ESPN will likely continue hyping the Patriots and hope they do well this season. I think the Patriots will win at least 10 games, even with a tough schedule. The list is probably accurate but there’s questions about Will Campbell and Christian Gonzalez that may factor into the season depending on if Campbell plays left tackle or not and the Christian Gonzalez contract situation.
It’s just funny on ESPN’s part the Patriots are cheaters during deflate-gate and Brady is falling off a cliff but when the scandal involves ESPN and the Patriots it’s all praise.
