by Dan Snapp
[email protected]
It was purely an impulse buy: one of those marble run toys with plastic chutes, columns, spirals and funnels, a space-age facsimile of the wooden block marble game of my youth.
I had little hope either of my young daughters would take to it, but when my two-year-old asked, “Ha ba marble, Daddy?” I knew what must be done. Returning home with the second copy, there were roughly two hours of nap time to construct my masterwork. Using an aesthetically-pleasing diamond pattern for better column reinforcement, the structure ran over three feet high, with two competing tracks cascading over six chutes and two spirals each, before emptying into a lone funnel.
She awoke, and imminent was the moment of truth. It was obvious in her widening eyes the appreciation of my Xanadu. She darted for it, ready for the christening run. One marble down, one from the other side, one more from the first side, and a few intermittent “Whees!” mixed in. Fatherly pride washed over the moment, and the next one as well, when she tore the edifice apart, limb from limb.
There sat the two of us, both loving the game, one zestfully building it up, the other eagerly tearing it down.
Speaking of Patriots fans, the recent Rodney Harrison four-game suspension for using HGH has widened the gulf between fan factions.
Commentary following the announcement ran the gamut of emotions: some called for his immediate release, citing his responsibility as a role model; some bent over backwards in rationalizing his behavior; and others took a moderate tack, expressing disappointment but feeling the punishment was just.
The Boston Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy claimed once again that it’s all about the laundry, and that because Harrison was a Patriot, he would escape the derision reserved for Shawne Merriman or Barry Bonds. In a sense he’s correct, because with a fan base so split, he’s bound to find somebody who agrees with him, regardless of the arguments he poses.
For those that do root for the laundry, there’s nothing wrong with that. The advent of the salary cap left little choice. Becoming attached to the players one year would mean rooting for multiple teams the next. Something had to give, and the players were the obvious sacrifice, as regional pride has been the trump card since the dawn of professional sports.
The beauty of the Bill Belichick-led Patriots is there’s something for everybody, even those who hate Belichick.
Looking for a smart team, ahead of the league in cap management, the draft, game-planning and execution? The Pats are your men.
Looking for somebody that extols the virtues of “team”, hard work and perseverance? Look here.
Looking for an underdog, with a bunch of regular guys who love the game but still win, too? Again, the Patriots fit the bill.
Looking to gnaw into Belichick? He gladly capitulates, offering boring press conferences, yearly salary disputes with stars, and little in the way of injury updates.
For those drawn to the team by admirable sorts such as Harrison, his plight has to be an especially sad one. If a stand-up guy like Harrison – so goes the mantra – if a guy like him cheats, anybody can.
Now there’s something to chew on for anybody looking to OD on schadenfreude. You so sure your own house is in order? Look again.
There’s no one absolute guidebook for being a fan. Length of service means nothing. Season tickets mean nothing. Painting your face (Sorry, Puddy) means nothing.
Our one common denominator is a zealous irrationality – a mania really – about the team. Since we’re already nuts, who are we to judge?
We’re fans, short for “fanatic”. Critical thinking, rightfully, takes a back seat to just enjoying the game.
So root for the laundry. Build the team up. Tear it down. It doesn’t matter.
You’re entitled.
Were there really calls for his immediate release?
“Release his ass NOW for disgracing the organization.”
“If this is true I hope they cut him. I don’t want him near the Patriots ever again. Pathetic.”
Just a couple of quick ones. You don’t have to work very hard to find them.
It’s disappointing but I can understand why he did it. He’s accepted the punishment and he’s accepted his responsibility – 2 steps that put him far ahead of any of those other examples trotted out by the Shaugnessy’s and Farinella’s of the world.
If Harrison’s mea culpa and suspension is not good enough for some people, I’m sure there is simpler fare like George Lopez or According to Jim airing during Patriots games they can pack up their indignation and surf down to those channels.
Barry Bonds? Only in the most simplistic way could he be equated with Harrison. Oh right, Rodney grew 14 sizes and claimed he thought it was flaxseed oil.
Are the Patriots considered ‘underdogs’? I suppose in the sense that they are not the defending champs, but many consider them the favorites to play in and win the Super Bowl. Is Rodney Harrison considered ‘likeable’ around the league and amongst NFL fans? I don’t get that feeling, I think many fans outside New England consider him a borderline hard hitting/headhunter type. Sorta like Jon Lynch.
As a whole, not underdogs, no. I was talking more about the blue collar nature of the team. It’s taken a long time for guys like Mike Vrabel to get the acknowledgment he deserves.
Re: Rodney, I’d guess he’s pretty detested around the league, what with the “dirty player” label. I’d consider him very well-liked among Patriots fans, though.
On last Sunday’s Breezy Broadcast Steve DeOssie lambasted Harrison for “letting his teammates down” by taking drugs. I grabbed my remote because I wanted to hit pause to see the exact moment when the lightning bolt would strike the tomato faced coke snorting fraud……..but nothing. God must have been busy determining the NASCAR standings or something. Hey, even the Big Guy can let one slip by.
Did Harrison inject a substance that would help him recover from injury faster? Yes. Is that cheating? Who cares. LETS GO PATS!
I’ve been thinking all day about these rumors that Richard Seymour may miss the whole season. It seems Richard has been slow to recover from off-season knee surgery. If there were only some way to speed his recovery……..
“Package for Sichard Reymour!”
Wow, those comments about Deossie survive the filter?
I thought we were trying to keep critical comments to their professional performances?
You’re right. Tomato faced is crossing the line.
Steve’s public history with his own drug problems makes the comment okay with me, especially given the moral judgement he seems to be making.
Sorry if you don’t see the difference between that and the comments that were deleted here in one other instance.
Next time you have a problem with the way the page is managed I suggest an e-mail so that you can be sure your concerns are addressed. My address is [email protected].