Parsing the Patriots Paradox

Thursday, Jan. 03, 2008 By SEAN GREGORY / FOXBOROUGH, MASS.
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Given a trip of upgraded receivers by Belichick, including a reformed Moss, Brady delivered a sterling season
Matt Campbell / epa / Corbis
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"It's a weird thing," says Edward Hirt, an Indiana University psychology professor who has studied fan behavior. "Fans' emotions are often conflicted, which is even surprising to themselves. The Pats offer a kind of win-win situation. You can root against them, but you kind of wouldn't mind seeing a perfect season. And if they lose, you'll enjoy seeing them get their comeuppance." As for that drab, villainous coach everyone supposedly despises: Belichick's trademark hooded sweatshirt is now the top-selling Patriots merchandise item. The hoodie! "I wish I was getting a cut of the sales," says a smiling Belichick. (Yes, folks, he smiles.)

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New Direction to Perfection

The Pats are also arresting because in order to build this historic team, Belichick changed the game plan. To give Brady better targets to throw to, he traded for both the troubled Moss and Dolphins wideout Wes Welker. He also picked up receiver Donté Stallworth in free agency and signed linebacker Adalius Thomas to a five-year, $35 million deal, the richest unrestricted free-agent contract in team history. For a franchise known for steadily building teams through the draft, low-profile trades and free-agent deals, this overhaul was unexpected.

The Patriots have also sought out solid athletic citizens, so the Moss trade was particularly astonishing. The ex-All Pro had worn out his welcome in both Minnesota and Oakland and was coming off the worst season of his career. Before the deal was finalized, owner Robert Kraft met with Moss and explained life in New England. "He understood what was important to me and my family and how we run this franchise," says Kraft. "What goes on--on and off the field--is a reflection of my family name. He said to me, 'Mr. Kraft, I've made a lot of money. I want to win. I want to be a Patriot.'" Moss took a pay cut, has been a model player and caught 23 touchdown passes, breaking Jerry Rice's single-season record. He roams the locker room in a T shirt that reads BE HUMBLE, OR GET HUMBLED.

Can Anyone End the Ride?

If the Pats falter in the playoffs--and don't count out Peyton Manning and his 13-3 Indianapolis Colts--the loss would taint New England's regular season more than any phantom asterisk. No wonder the players haven't exactly embraced perfection; it actually adds layers of pressure to the postseason and puts them in a near no-win situation. If the Pats triumph--ho-hum, they were supposed to do that. And if they lose? "It'll all be for nothing," says CBS analyst and former Giants quarterback Phil Simms. "In fact, we'll hold it against them. They can't enjoy it."

Yes, New England's team-first, one-game-at-a-time gospel may bore us. We want them to talk about the streak, but they won't. That's probably why they'll end up undefeated. No team blocks out distractions like New England. No team is more oblivious to how fans perceive them. "Who cares?" says veteran safety Rodney Harrison. "It's not about someone liking you. This is a business. We understand what people are going to say about us. But at the same time, we don't care. We can't care."