GM v. IBM

Someone once said, I think it was referring to the New York Yankees during their dynastic heyday, that rooting for the Yankees was like rooting for General Motors. From where I sit, the same can be said of the New England Patriots. Like GM, they are efficient, effective, and quite full of themselves. They have every reason to be, especially in this undefeated season, on the verge of making history by becoming only the second team to go an entire season without a blemish. Their quarterback is one of the all-time greats, their coach seems to push all the right buttons, even their star wide receiver has seemingly put aside his childish antics long enough to break the single season touchdown receptions record. They say the right things, do the right things, act the right way, everything you'd want in a professional sports franchise, especially if you live in the six state region that is the namesake for the team.

So why do they rub me the wrong way? It could be because, as a Raiders fan, I still haven't completely gotten over the snow job game, the Brady fumble that was and then wasn't, which really got the whole thing started for them. It could be because of the lack of joy that their head coach expresses, the refusal to smile, or to put on a different sweatshirt every once in awhile for crying out loud. Perhaps it's my anti-east coast bias, and the fact that I've had enough of Boston to last well into the next sports era, first the Red Sox start winning World Series, now the Patriots, and even the Celtics are good again, it's all a bit much for a west coast bred, southwestern dwelling guy like me. Whatever it is, and most likely it's all of the above, it has taken the fun out of this NFL Championship Game. When the underdog you have to root for is New York, well, that tells you all you need to know.

Don't get me wrong, I'll be planted faithfully in front of my tv on Sunday afternoon, along with countless others around the country and beyond. Pro football is the true national pastime, and I wouldn't miss this game under almost any circumstances. But there are no great story lines, even taking into account the historical aspect of a 19-0 season. Last year had the Colts, Tony Dungy and Payton Manning and the chance for redemption for both. The year before we had the loveable pair of Jerome "The Bus" Bettis and the great scowl and passion of Bill Cowher. This year we have spy gate, the gray hoodie, and Randy "I play when i feel like it" Moss. The best thing the Pats have going is the linemen with long hair and bushy beards. It's like trying to decide between rooting for GM or IBM. I'll be pulling for the Giants in an upset, but not with any real conviction or feeling. Although in all likelihood, the Pats will be crowned, and we can all start tackling the household chores and projects we've been putting off for the last four months, that is after one more glorious, if not entirely passionate or inspiring, Sunday afternoon.