Further Proof that the Media hates the Patriots.

Not that us New Englanders don't know about how much the rest of the world hates the Patriots, but an article posted on ESPN.com today is just the icing on the cake.

First, they make videotaping opponents' signals a big deal (which it isn't, by the way...and yes, everyone did do it, so that argument still holds water. Plus, the Dolphins stole Brady's audibles a couple years ago, and next to nothing was said about that...weird). From then on, it was a constant hate fest on the Patriots--running up the score (but nothing when the Jets beat Arizona by about 6 touchdowns, and were still passing with 2 minutes left in the game). Cheap hits (but again, nothing about the guy dismantling Anquan Boldin's entire face, when the Jets were up by several scores). Brett Favre can stick dead animals in his teammate's locker--that's just pure genius. But once Tom Brady sticks his manhood in his girlfriend and forgets to not get her pregnant, all hell breaks loose. And now this gem of a story.

Just as a refresher, here's why this story is ridiculous. EVERY SINGLE WEEK, many NFL teams send in tapes of non-calls or terrible calls to the NFL. How else do you suspect the refs get better? Except now that someone has beef with the Patriots, the entire universe has to know what a dirtbag, cheating, ref-paying team the Patriots really are (not exactly what he said, but that's what people will think). What makes this a huge story? The fact that the Rams have no discipline? The fact that the Patriots are the second team in under a year (Seahawks) to have a penalty-less game? Show me the story about the Seahawks non-calls last December. What? They didn't release one? Interesting.

Some might say "Tim, stop bitching." I would like to respond to all of those that would say that with a simple "No." I know I shouldn't care about what others think about the Patriots, but when your team is getting consistently shat on, any true fan would take exception.

My main point is this:

The media needs to lay off.

I can't name another team in the history of sports that has undergone the kind of scrutiny the Patriots have for the past year. They went 18-1 last year (should have been 19-0, but our DBs forgot how to catch/cover in the last minute of the game) without breaking any rules, and wiped floors with their opponents every single week.

Oh, wait...I think I just realized why so many people hate the Patriots...