Like most Patriots fans, the Titans and Jeff Fisher were on my hate list after their unethical antics last year against the Patriots, capped by Bobby Wade's cheap shot on Rodney. It wasn't just that he went for Rodney's knees, it's not uncommon to block low, but it was that he first stood him up and then went low--according to Bruschi this was a rare and dirty violation of an unspoken code of conduct. According to tales Jeff Fisher was gleeful and seemed to support the hit; I even heard stories that Titans players were threatening Patriots players (let us win or we're going to injury you). Then of course there is Kevin Mawae, who is just reprehensible and such a fake.
However, I don't like hating teams for these reasons, it takes away from the sport, which is supposed to be entertainment. I like the way the Titans play, Vince Young is exciting to watch, I like underdogs, their true criminal is gone, I want to root for them to beat the Dolts, the Broncos, the Bengals, the Jets.
Rodney seems to have moved on (though not necessarily forgiven): "It has no bearing with what's going on with me or our team — last year's last year. This is a new team that we have and they have a new team. It's just a matter of us going out there and playing well," Harrison said. "Of course during that point in time you're a little frustrated. It was a tough time coming off the knee (injury). But it's all part of the game. You're out there and you're risking injury — you're taking a chance of getting hurt every time you step out on the field. That was something that was unfortunate."
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070813/SPORTS/708130354
So, can we Patriots fans follow Rodney's lead and let go this grudge against the Titans? Bobby Wade is gone. Kevin Mawae is a scumbag, but he's not a unrepentent/unpunished criminal like Ray Lewis; there's scumbags here and there all over this league and certainly across NFL history--does one dirty player ruin a team?
However, I don't like hating teams for these reasons, it takes away from the sport, which is supposed to be entertainment. I like the way the Titans play, Vince Young is exciting to watch, I like underdogs, their true criminal is gone, I want to root for them to beat the Dolts, the Broncos, the Bengals, the Jets.
Rodney seems to have moved on (though not necessarily forgiven): "It has no bearing with what's going on with me or our team — last year's last year. This is a new team that we have and they have a new team. It's just a matter of us going out there and playing well," Harrison said. "Of course during that point in time you're a little frustrated. It was a tough time coming off the knee (injury). But it's all part of the game. You're out there and you're risking injury — you're taking a chance of getting hurt every time you step out on the field. That was something that was unfortunate."
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070813/SPORTS/708130354
So, can we Patriots fans follow Rodney's lead and let go this grudge against the Titans? Bobby Wade is gone. Kevin Mawae is a scumbag, but he's not a unrepentent/unpunished criminal like Ray Lewis; there's scumbags here and there all over this league and certainly across NFL history--does one dirty player ruin a team?
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