Da-da-da-DUM! (Tom Brady version)

By Os Davis  |   Friday, January 19, 2007  |  Comments( 10 )

New England Patriots
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Da-da-da-DUM!

The most famous musical riff of all-time, four notes from Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, said to represent bony-knuckled fate knocking at the door, is the soundtrack for New England Patriots-Indianapolis Colts III, the game certain to set great football reputations in concrete.

After this one, our perception of the NFL will be irrevocably changed. While the pressure on the ringless Colts and Peyton Manning would appear to be far greater, Tom Brady and his Patriots will also be fighting the mean forces of history on Sunday.

It may be tiresome to hear Brady, Richard Seymour, Asante Samuel and the like repeatedly claim that the navy blue-and-silver get no respect, they have a point. In 21st century sport, the overriding mentality of far too many fans, talking heads and sportswriters is "What have you done for me lately?"

Throughout the season the party line on the Pats has been on the line of "Yes, they're a playoff team, certainly they'll win the division, but they don't have enough to go all the way" - and this amidst a squall of man-crush for the key players of the A.B. (After Belichick/Brady) Era. Seymour is the lone Patriot in the Pro Bowl this year, despite generally amazing play by defense and O-line in 2006. Patriot haters have been circling like buzzards waiting for the confirmation of the dynasty's death since about Week 6 of the 2005 season.

But Brady has gotten the Patriots this far. His guys have beaten Manning and the Colts six times out of eight since the 44-13 immolation that kicked off Brady's career and the long Patriot run (Oh, sweet irony!), twice winning when all the chips were down on Super Bowl runs.

And everything changes on Sunday.

Da-da-da-DUM!

The final word on the Brady hype. (For now, anyway.)

If the Patriots win, Brady begins getting mentions among the all-time greats straight up and the same goes for the entire team. In a Super Bowl against the New Orleans Saints, the Patriots' entire status changes in the public perception in a crazy evolution that brought them from the condition of lovable Boston losers to scrappy, overachieving underdogs to feared football machine to the hated bad guys of the NFL. Especially if they rain on the Saints' Miami parade.

If the Patriots lose, the dynasty is likely declared over and the label "dominant" will rarely enter public parlance in connection with the 2007 New England squad. Due to smaller statistics, Brady will instantly be slotted into "second greatest quarterback of our time" status to Mr. Manning. And due respect? Forget it.

Of course, just as they're three-point underdogs in this game, Brady and the Patriots have been in this spot before.

Only this time, the knocking is so much louder...

Now crank up that Beethoven and appreciate the rare chance to catch instant history on Sunday.

RealFootball365.com: Another instant classic.
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About Os Davis

Os Davis has taken a twisted route to get to RealFootball365.com in his nearly 17 years in professional writing, working in any number of capacities in the sportswriting, news reporting and film criticism worlds. In print media, Os has served as editor at a few publications, including Albuquerque's...
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CommentsComments: 10  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
fr8ttrain		11:57 AM
01/18/2007
Great build up! This is a deserving match up for both quarterbacks. Furthermore, a great test for both teams. Brady can solidify...
No.2
RCA		03:58 PM
01/18/2007
Sick of the over-hyped comparisons, sick of the benefit-of-the-doubt, sick of Brady this and Brady that, sick of people TRYING SO...
No.3
Paul Cicero		05:18 PM
01/18/2007
Don't be so foolish, RCA. Nobody has "created" the Patriots' dynasty. Three titles, on the verge of four, is no accident. Tom...
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