Hyde: He’s old, he’s the underdog, he showed up Belichick — how can’t you root f

[CF DolFan]

Being a hard core Florida boy Tampa is my second team. I also root for the Jags outside of against the Dolphins. I had already kind of moved passed being angry with Brady for our failings so when he went to Tampa I did not hate it. I know some Phin fans still hate him and I guess I understand but hating Tom at this point because we sucked seems odd to me. I always respect the greatest to play this game. Anyway ... Dave Hyde wrote an article on this subject.

Hyde: He’s old, he’s the underdog, he showed up Belichick — how can’t you root for Tom Brady this Super Bowl?
If you’re looking for a team to root for this Super Bowl — and Dolphins fans are for the 36th straight year — this one’s easy: Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay over Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City. The Goat over the Kid. The star of the last 20 years over the star of the next 20.

Sure, it’s a little like rooting for Elon Musk to get richer, but this isn’t the New England Brady anymore. He made a mockery of this season of age, defenses and New England coach Bill Belichick. How can’t you get behind that? Even as Tampa Bay celebrated its win against Green Bay in Sunday’s NFC Championship, a photo-shopped image of Belichick’s grumpy face hit the internet atop Bernie Sanders’ slouching, socially popular body.

Belichick, smart as he is, successful has he’s been, must have the scowl on simmer with the rest of New England now. Belichick watched the ex-spouse succeed. What would sting his legacy more: Spygate, Deflategate or Brady winning a Super Bowl the year he leaves?

Brady bet on himself. That’s another reason to root for him. He bet on writing a better ending himself than New England provided. Who can’t appreciate him saying after Sunday’s game, “It’s been a great journey thus far.”

Finally, for any of us growing older – and it happens, look in the mirror – Brady has a chance to be the oldest winner in Super Bowl history. He’s 43. Patrick Mahomes’ dad is 50. Brady represents a chance to think the dimming of the light can be put off a little longer.

He rode Todd Bowles’ defense a lot Sunday, just as he did the previous win against New Orleans. But Brady also picked his spots to change the game. Just before half, Tampa Bay considered punting but kept Brady on the field for a fourth down near midfield.

He completed a 6-yard pass for a first down to Leonard Fournette. Eight seconds left now. Set up a field goal, right? Brady surprised Green Bay by throwing 39 yards to Scotty Miller for a touchdown and a 21-10 lead.

He then closed out the game in a manner Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers didn’t. Rodgers wasn’t helped by coach Matt LeFleur kicking a field goal late in the game rather than go for a fourth-and-goal at the 8-yard line. Education can be painful sometimes, and LaFleur perhaps cost Rodgers a Super Bowl trip with that decision.

This time of year is harder on older quarterbacks. One week Brady helped retire Brees. This Sunday he helped sent Rodgers home to ponder a 1-4 record in NFC Championship games.

Now comes the risen star of Mahomes. In the AFC title game, Mahomes outclassed Buffalo’s Josh Allen, just as he’s done against everybody for the past few years. He now has the chance to be the first quarterback to win two rings by age 25.

“We’re going to try to run it back,’' Mahomes said, referring to winning the title last year at Hard Rock Stadium.

Tampa Bay becomes the first team to play the Super Bowl in its home stadium. That’s something the Dolphins always talked of doing.

“Home Super Bowl for the first time in NFL history puts a lot of cool things in perspective,’' Brady said. “Anytime you’re the first doing something, it’s usually a pretty good thing.”

Brady and the Bucs won’t be the pick. Not this game. Not against these Chiefs. So you can root for the underdog. He doesn’t need anyone to root for him anymore. He’s won more than anyone in football. And if he was still a Patriot, this Super Bowl would come with a repetitive eye-rolling quality.

But he’s a Buc.

He’s old.

He’s showed up Belichick.

The Chiefs might be the pick. But isn’t it easy to root for Brady this Super Bowl?

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-ss-prem-hyde-super-bowl-teams-20210125-s22xjxzeafehfjgwaa6kjxdgda-story.html

[Sunstroke]

I can never cheer for Brady... Go Chiefs!

[EDGECRUSHER]

I no longer hate Tom Brady as I have grown to hate society more and they hate to see him win so Go Brady!

[ArtieChokePhin]

I always thought him a cheater.  But after watching him take the losingest franchise in the NFL (and possibly all of pro sports) to a Super Bowl in their own backyard and doing it at an age when most guys are over the hill, I have to admit he really is that good

[Spider-Dan]

I don't like Brady for various reasons, but I like Jerry Rice even less.  Brady's continued success means that the last 49er I hear about - Rice in "Best NFL player ever" discussions" - goes away.  So while I'm not rooting for Brady, I'm also not really rooting against him.

However, if the Bills had beaten KC, I would definitely be rooting for Brady to rip out their hearts one last time.

[Sunstroke]

I don't like Brady for various reasons, but I like Jerry Rice even less.  Brady's continued success means that the last 49er I hear about - Rice in "Best NFL player ever" discussions" - goes away.

You should probably talk to someone about your issues with the 49ers...that really can't be healthy.

[CF DolFan]

I didn't realize anyone hated Jerry Rice.

[Spider-Dan]

Sunstroke, I have no idea what teams you dislike, so I can't even begin to draw an analogy for you.

CF, imagine if you lived near NYC, and for many years, the media widely considered Joe Namath to be the best QB of all time and Curtis Martin to be the best football player of all time.  How would you feel about the prospect of other players eliminating the mention of filthy stinking Jets from your NFL life?

[Sunstroke]

Sunstroke, I have no idea what teams you dislike, so I can't even begin to draw an analogy for you.

The glaringly obvious reason for that is because I don't spend much (if any) time whining about the teams I don't like.

I have mentioned on a few occasions up here that I absolutely hate the Dallas Cowboys, mainly because of the whole "America's Team" horseshit.

I didn't realize anyone hated Jerry Rice.

People who had to watch him win and win and win...but was never able to celebrate any of it. They're the only ones...

[Spider-Dan]

I don't think it is a coincidence that an avowed 49er fan is always the only person on this board calling me out for my obsessive hatred of the 49ers.  I doubt anyone else notices, even though I've had "Bay Area Niner-Hater" under my avatar since the day I signed up to this forum.

[Dave Gray]

The glaringly obvious reason for that is because I don't spend much (if any) time whining about the teams I don't like.

I do.  I hate the teams I hate more than I love the teams I love.  At least historically, but I'm getting softer in my old age.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I don’t think Brady winning in anyway tarnishes the legacy of Bill “It is better to get rid of a player too early than too late” Belichick.

[CF DolFan]

I don’t think Brady winning in anyway tarnishes the legacy of Bill “It is better to get rid of a player too early than too late” Belichick.

The biggest thing tarnishing BB's legacy to TB's is the fact Bill has 1 playoff win without Tom but Tom already has 3 without him and in less years. I dare say if BB doesn't make the playoffs again next year a lot of Patriot fans will turn on him.  

[Sunstroke]

I don't think it is a coincidence that an avowed 49er fan is always the only person on this board calling me out for my obsessive hatred of the 49ers.  I doubt anyone else notices, even though I've had "Bay Area Niner-Hater" under my avatar since the day I signed up to this forum.

Well, yes...and...duh!

[Spider-Dan]

The biggest thing tarnishing BB's legacy to TB's is the fact Bill has 1 playoff win without Tom but Tom already has 3 without him and in less years. I dare say if BB doesn't make the playoffs again next year a lot of Patriot fans will turn on him.  

Speaking of the 49ers: Bill Walsh has zero playoff appearances without Joe Montana as a starter.  I don't know that Walsh's legacy is affected by it.