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Guest Post – The (anti-Patriot) Cartel

July 28, 2010 By

This is an email I received today from George.

Bruce -

I am officially calling out the anti-Patriot Cartel.

This “Cartel” was founded by the plagiarist, Ron Borges. Comcast SportsNet having Borges on Mohegan Sun Sports Tonight to give opinion on the Patriots is like having Keith Olbermann on to give opinion on the Republicans. Not exactly fair and balanced. I also find it amusing that Borges is now such a big Tom Brady supporter, after adamantly insisting that Drew Bledsoe was the better quarterback until Super Bowl win number two.

Next comes Bert Breer. Hey, Bert is plugged in, is a good writer, and has good sources, but I love when he tries to tell us that the Colts are a better-run organization than the Patriots. Let’s do the math Bert: Patriots three Super Bowl wins, five appearances under Bob Kraft. Indianapolis Colts, one Super Bowl win, two appearances. It’s not even close.

Chris Gasper and Tony Massarotti come next. Gasper does anything to be noticed, he was a big Patriot supporter last year until things went south, then he tried to be their biggest critic. Was this because the front office wouldn’t talk to him, as is the case with The Boston Globein general? We certainly can’t forget “Naughty” Massarotti. Tony started his shtick back on WEEI when he was “Angry Tony”. Now he’s anti-everything except the Bruins (which, by the way,  is another pathetic attempt by 98.5 to prop up the Bruins fan base for their show). Yes, Felger rips the Bruins but also gives them more airtime, which is fine, hockey has its place, but Felger is a hockey fan, so hockey is great and the NBA stinks.

But back to Massarotti for a second, Tony’s big comment last year was, and I paraphrase, “I hate to break the news but the Patriots aren’t the dominant franchise anymore, both the Steelers and Colts have won Super Bowls more recently.” Well, true, accept everyone disregards the Patriots 18-1 season like it didn’t even happen. They went to the Super Bowl folks, and lost on a hail-mary pass and a bad wheel that had Tom Brady in a funk all day. That was only two Super Bowls ago and let’s not forget Brady missed the next year or they might have been right back there.

Finally, the head of the Cartel….Michael Felger. Felger to me is an enigma, he’s entertaining, and no doubt has a place in the Boston scene on TV and radio. But, he has definitely fallen in love with his own press clippings and ratings. Felger used to be the proponent of the Patriots Way, but in his short stint at ESPN 890 he lambasted the Patriots throughout the season and spent more time on gossip than analysis of the team. Felger thinks by being the opposite of the Big Show, who tend to be Patriot back-rubbers, that he’s found his niche. And maybe he’s right, but as sports fans we need to hold him accountable.

He decided in 2007 he would take his Bruins shtick about being a mean-spirited, cheap organization to the Patriots arena, but that argument falls short. Yes, the Patriots can go overboard at the negotiating table, and some of their methods are not as effective as they once were. This team can and should be criticized when warranted, as should every team. Yes they have made mistakes with Richard Seymour, Deion Branch and Asante Samuel and maybe Brady should have been re-signed 2 years ago.

But let’s see Mike, you want to demonize the greedy Kraft family. You mean the team that took over not just the worst franchise in the NFL but one of the worst franchises in professional sports? And what have they done in their 16 years of ownership?

Let’s see.

  • 5 Super Bowl Appearances
  • 3 Super Bowl Wins
  • 9 AFC East Titles
  • Hired 2 Hall of Fame coaches
  • A brand new state of the art stadium built with almost no public financing.
  • #1 team in the region
  • One of the top brands in the NFL
  • One of the most valuable franchises in the world. And by the way Mike, that’s what the team is worth on the market. That value isn’t based on entirely on profit margins. So when you insinuate that Kraft has a billion dollars in checking account your off.
  • And don’t forget, he’s made 98.5 a viable station in the market as well.

So if Bob Kraft wants to secure himself and his league going forward, he’s earned the right. I think he knows you have to win to make money, he’s not trying to screw the fans to make a profit.

Leave it to sports writers and TV people to tell the guy who risked everything how to run things.

So this is the cartel, they believe negativity makes them successful. We’ll see, but the ratings in this town are much richer when the teams win. And that’s what they’ve been doing for 10 straight years. There will eventually be a dip and we’ll see if Pitino’s famous words re-appear. But the cartel needs to be called out now. That’s our responsibility.

Let’s stick to facts, or is Sports TV nothing more than TMZ?

Filed Under: Guest Column
About George Cain

From Woburn, MA, George has been an avid follower of the Boston sports scene (teams and media) for 30 years and has been a contributor to BSMW since 2009.

Feel free to send him your feedback in the comment section below, or ping him on Twitter at @GeorgeCain72

  • some guy

    Its a boston version of the just discovered JournOlist. Speaking of which, since that story broke, wasn't there a sports reporters list serve where they shared information and that was what Borges lifted his copy from??

  • Curtis

    Impressive email for its passion. Couple quick things stick out that Im sure will not please George but unless hes counting Pete Carroll's eventual induction into the College Football HOF, the Krafts only hired 1 HOF coach (Parcells was already here and Karft hired the genius Bobby Grier to run drafts and player personnel, Chris Canty anyone??). Also, Breer is only pointing out that currently the Colts are better run franchise. They have been in two SBs and won one since the Pats last won a championship and while the Pats havent won a playoff game in two years, the Colts have been to SB and in '08 lost in OT at SD in playoffs.
    I think George's overall point is well made in that there does seem to be more criticism and certain agendas against the Patriots than the other local teams. But I also believe the Patriot fans around here – and I am strongly one – are much more thin-skinned than they need to be. And for people that supposedly despise these anti-Pats ranters, sure seem to be able to rattle off all of their work and their positions on the team and ownership.

    • Classless

      Oh well. I guess Patriots Nation should slit their wrists now that we ONLY have the #2 run franchise in the NFL.

  • nsw

    Just stating the obvious, but the click-through culture of the media sites basically requires the writers to be controversial and extreme…that's how they get angry readers to their stories, who then leave comments. So it's not going to end…if anything, Felger, Mazz and the rest see a legitimate critique like that above and jump for joy.

  • Eddie

    Everything Felger says is another way of saying "hey look at me". Why does anyone pay attention to him, much less put any value on his opinion? I seriously doubt that anyone from any Boston franchise will give him any inside information, with the possible exception of a low level nobody who could be bribed.

  • Wally

    A great email George. And to support what he said, on Sunday night Felger and Olberman – excuse me – Borges spent a show ripping the Pats for not having Brady signed by now and it would be only right for him to hold out,.Then at the very end of the show Felger announces the news that Brady has in fact reported to camp. Great Mike, thanks a bunch. Why ruin a good show with some actual news that would make your ranting look stupid? And in that same show Borges actually inferred that the Pats "coerced" Brady into signing his previous contract, you know, the 60 million dollar deal he is wrapping up this season. Yes, this pathetic steaming pile of anger and hatred used the word "coerced". Not that he offered one iota of evidence to that. What a tool you are Borges.
    Great guest Felger.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Jason_Coyote Jason_Coyote

      Wally, not only does Borges come off as a tool, but he'll now be plying his wares as a professor at UMass-Lowell teaching a sports and politics course. How is an accused plagarist allowed to teach at a state university?

  • Scott@PD

    I guess I don't understand this. If there is agreement that "there does seem to be more criticism and certain agendas against the Patriots than the other local teams" then how are fans more thin-skinned "than they need to be"? Fans have been on edge (I prefer this to thin-skinned) for some time for just the reason you state, and you acknowledge their sensitivity is for good reason. And knowing who said what when is a function of being a sports fan and wanting to read/hear/see all about your team. When you're pummeled daily with shit stirring even in the face of four Super Bowl berths in a decade, you tend to remember certain things. I can't understand how that's seen as equal to the cynical manipulations of the press.

  • Joe

    Patriot fans are delightfully thin-skinned. It's amazing how anyone who has the slightest negative thing to say about the team is considered biased against them. Mazz' comment is a great example, he's right, the Pats aren't the dominant franchise anymore. They are certainly one of a group of top franchises but they do not stick out in any meaningful way.

    • Jon

      You're missing the point: it's one thing to point it out, it's another to revel in it. The Pat's get criticized more than the Bruins and the B's haven't done anything positive since 1990.
      Which is where I disagree with George. Bruins haters really need to stop whining every time some one talks about hockey. Grow up. change the station. We can not discuss the Pats and Red Sox 365 days a year.

    • Classless

      "they don't stick out in any meaningful way"

      Huh? Yeah, with the #5 most valuable franchise WORLDWIDE, All Time Greats Randy Moss, Wes Welker. Tom Brady, and Bill Belichick and countless prime time games lined up this year….yeah, dude, nothing sticks out.

    • David

      So true. God forbid the local media points out the Pats may have slipped a notch or two. I guess most prefer the cheer-leading of the likes of Fred Smerlas and Michael Holly, who completely lack any credibility. Also, enough already with the excuses for losing the Super Bowl to the Giants. The Giants won because they outplayed the Pats that day. Arguably one of the worst losses in pro sports history when you consider what was at stake. Can't it be enough that the Pats are one of the great franchises in sports today and the vast majority of the local media bow at their feet?

  • Carl

    Who was the other HOF coach Kraft hired? Pete Carroll? If you’re talking about Parcells he was
    hired by Orthewein (sp?)

  • Craig

    While I think that the emailer has some merit… honestly, do you lose sleep at night because Tony Freaking Massarotti doesn't kiss Bill Belichick's ass?

    If everyone agreed, there wouldn't be competing radio stations, CSN, NESN, ESPNBoston, etc. Felger didn't get to where he is by being vanilla. He's controversial, and his opinions cause emails from George, who had to be watching CSN and listening to 98.5 to form his own opinion.

    I've always felt that Bruce is too sensitive when it comes to the Patriots (every time they're not #1 in Website X's Power Rankings, or whenever an "expert" picks them to lose a game, I feel like he points it out), but he's entitled to his opinion, because it's his site. Just my opinion. I'm sure Bruce will survive.

    • Bruce

      (every time they’re not #1 in Website X’s Power Rankings, or whenever an “expert” picks them to lose a game, I feel like he points it out)

      I don’t think it’s been that way for awhile. During the glory years, sure, I did think that they did not get the respect they merited, and too often, the “experts” would pick against them just to be controversial. I would point it out. The last few years though, I don’t think I’ve done that sort of thing, simply because the team hasn’t been as good.

      I appreciate your mind-mannered form of criticism though…it’s a nice break from the nasty-grams some like to drop here.

  • Scott@PD

    That's Grade-A obfuscation there, Joe. If all Tony had ever said was that the Pats were not THE dominant franchise anymore, then I'm pretty sure George wouldn't have reacted as he did. But that's not ALL Tony has said, is it? Some Pats fans might react to Masserotti because of the blatant insults of his post-Spygate columns for the Herald, in which he essentially said anybody who was offended by the Herald's coverage of that story was just a replica-shirt wearing moron who is as blind as he is uneducated. People tend not to forget that kind of thing Joe, so when he continues on this track in the years to follow (as evidenced by his recent post on a possible Brady holdout, again chiding fans who might disagree with his take as drooling sycophants) , it impacts the way people hear even his most rational comments (as few as there are).

  • Scott@PD

    (cont) Taking one fair statement in and of itself and independent from Masserotti's long track record of aggressive antagonism is the height of distortion. The Pats fans I know have plenty of negative things to say about the team, such as after last January's Ravens game. But that gets conveniently forgotten in favor of the "delightfully thin-skinned' narrative, as if these reactions didn't come after a decade-long run of provocation.

  • Michael Gee

    In my experience, fans of any sports teams say far meaner things about that team when they're unhappy with it than any sportswriter or talk radio host ever would.
    BUT, criticism by outsiders brings on a fervent defense of the team by fans — and remember, I don't mean just Pats, but fans of all teams. It's the same way with Manchester United. It's the "Animal House" syndrome. HE can't treat our team that way! Only WE can treat our team that way.

  • Fred West Lynn

    Not one mention of print media in George's missive. That's just not right. The "ink stained wretches" (who coined that phrase? I love it!) can be just as evil and venal as their airwave counterparts. Oh, hold it. Many of them ARE the same people, simply double-dipping. Gotta go watch Rome is Burning now.

  • Feejis

    I'd also add simply to Joe that the comment that the Patriots are no longer the model/dominant NFL franchise they were when they winning back to back Super Bowls isn't a particularly meaningful or insightful tact for a professional writer to take, is it?

    That's his best effort? The Patriots aren't as good as they used to be? Really? Therein lies much of the problem. It's an attempt to stir the masses by taking a shot at the team. And it will stir some of the masses, for reasons already mentioned here by others. Maybe it shouldn't, because it's such a trite and meaningless "take" to have. But that's where many of us actually have a problem with it. Having a "take" just for the sake of filling time and space.

    I know some will come back and say Tony and his brethren are just doing their jobs and all that nonsense. The point is simple however. First, if that's your job – you should probably take a long look at yourself. But more importantly, if your job is to write something a few times a week and the best you can come up with is something as uncreative as that, or as banal as Shaughnessy's Boston has X, other city has Y columns, you're not trying very hard or you're just not particularly talented.

    Considering the depth of interest in the teams locally and in sports as a whole in our society these days, the shallowness of those who cover the sports, for the sake of ratings and clicks, is pretty appalling.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Jason_Coyote Jason_Coyote

      Over the decades the hours of radio and TV airtime devoted to sports coverage and conversation has grown in proportion with the fans' interest, yet it's amazing that the intelligence and depth of said coverage has fallen precipitously. Is it simply a case of the sports hosts taking the easy way out and beating a single topic to death for four hours because the callers continue to clog the lines?

      It's also frustrating for many of us that are fans because we would love to get paid to study sports for a living, while many of the folks who already do don't put in the time to make their shows better.

  • chris

    except the Krafts didn't hire Parcells, Orthwein did.

  • al

    i don't know why this was a featured post. If the opinions of said sportswriters affect you so much, then says more about you than the sportswriter. No one is holding a gun to your head to have to watch/listen/read any of their stuff. If their so "biased" why do you waste your time and energy listening to them?

    Futhermore, a lot of the criticism levied at the patriots is valid. While the tonality may be overtly negative, they've been a lot of missteps made by patriots mgmt since 2006, and they can't be glossed over like they were in this email.

    You want to change thing with the "cartel"? Stop listening to them, stop reading them, and stop reacting to them. Otherwise you're just falling into their trap. Its the stern effect.

    • mandb97

      Al, the name of the blog is Boston Sports Media Watch. If you read Bruce's bio he talks about his frustration with the Boston media over the years and has decided to try to hold them accountable for some of their transgressions. If he ignores some of the items spewed by the likes of Borges, Shaughnessy, Stearns and others then why bother with the blog? It's a great blog that allows us to voice our disapproval or approval with the coverage.

      There is no question the Patriots have made mistakes over the past few years. But, why can't the criticism be like Reiss or Curran who will tell you what is going wrong without being snide like Borges or Felger? There are people like Farinella and Maz who make it their duty to throw around the term sycophants like dollar bills at the Golden Banana. Of course, I can't leave out "mr. I am just far more intelligent than you." Glen Ordway. It is look at me journalism at its finest.

      • al

        You glossed over my entire point.

        I haven't read a column from shaugnessy in years, I haven't listened to the morning or afternoon shows at WEEI for nearly 6 years. Why? Because ultimately I don't care about the opinions of the people mentioned. I learned that lesson a long time ago. This site has been up since 2001, why are people surprised when Ron Borges writes something critical? Why do you care? Newspapers are dead and you don't have to listen to the radio.

        I don't know what kind of sports fan who can get so affected by the media coverage, its ridiculous. Is it misplaced anger or job envy?

        What do you say to the person who agrees with some of the "cartel"? Aren't the "negative" aspects of the local teams up for honest debate? I'm not so sure after reading that email that bruce decided to post.

        • Scott@PD

          As noted above, there were plenty of 'negative' aspects that were fairly debated by even the most loyal fans over the course of last season and particularly in the weeks and even months following a terrible home playoff to the Ravens. Ranging from the on-field play calling to coach and player performance to long-term player development. I know on the message board there was weeks of back and forth as to whether V. Wilfork was someone they ought to invest in over the long term. I don't know any Pats fan that was drinking the cliched kool-aid during those discussions. If the "Cartel" wanted to talk about those things as opposed to Deion Branch and whether Brady's gone soft, then maybe they'd be able to engage those fans.

        • Paul

          Yes, honest debate, not just ripping the team for no reason.

        • mandb97

          Al I actually got your point exactly. You do not read or listen to people like Borges or Shaughnessy that is fine I get it. My question is why are you reading this blog? I explained to you why it exists. The problem with Borges and Shaughnessy when it comes to the Patriots is not that they are critical but the fact that their opinion is personal. Borges has been upset since Drew Bledsoe was sent out of town. Borges received most of his inside info from Bledsoe. It has irked him to no end now that Belichick will not give him anything. Shaughnessy has had a pretty good feud with the Kraft's for years.

          I have no problem at all with negative coverage on the Patriots. As I mentioned before Curran and Reiss do it in a well explained and well articulate manner without taking snide shots at the team. The people on this blog have an interest in the sports media and this site allows us to banter about what we think. I'll ask you again Al why do you even bother reading the blog if you do not listen to sports talk or read some of the columns?

  • Scott

    I don't think Bob Kraft or Bill Belichick worry about what is said or written, unless it's completely lies(Tomase). Kraft put his$$$ up front, has a great franchise and as a fan I enjoy it. What Borges, Massarotti etc. speak or write doesn't influence me, and I don't understand the fans who are so protective and take the cheap shots personally. It is a tough year for this team, and no doubt some will gloat at the losses—but as a fan I can draw my own conclusions. It really is turning into right wing/left wing with regards to Patriots coverage—-as a fan, I enjoy Mike Reiss, appreciate his writing, and Iam glad he does not appear on talk radio——-A lot of the media members are overexposed.

  • al

    i don't know why this was a featured post. If the opinions of said sportswriters affect you so much, then says more about you than the sportswriter. No one is holding a gun to your head to have to watch/listen/read any of their stuff. If their so "biased" why do you waste your time and energy listening to them?

    • Eddie

      Al, let me see if I have this straight. On a web site called Boston Sports Media Watch, you don't think anyone should comment on Boston Sportswriters. Okay, my lawn turned brown during the heat waves…….care to discuss that?

  • Gamere

    It's a featured post because commentary on the sports media in Boston is the point of the entire blog. I know the vague blog name must have caused confusion.

  • Paul

    "Yes they have made mistakes with Richard Seymour"

    Umm, no they didn't. They traded a guy who was in the last year of his contract who wasn't likely to sign with them after his contract expired for a likely top 10 first round draft pick next year. When you see the stud QB or RB they're likely to draft, you'll forget all about Richard Seymour.

  • Paul

    "maybe Brady should have been re-signed 2 years ago."

    Why? The Colts didn't extend Peyton Manning two years ago either.

    "Hired 2 Hall of Fame coaches"

    Okay, Bill Belichick is a HoF coach…but who's the second one? The only other head coach the Krafts hired was Pete Carrol. Not exactly Canton material…Well not in the NFL at least.

  • mudder

    great stuff Bruce…I couldn't wait for a new sports radio station then we get stuck with Mazz an Felger..yuk..best duo on radio is Zo an Gresh…I was excited for the new station because I new we'd finally get Pats talk an B's but we get stuck with the cartel…keep them honest Bruce!

  • Dan

    It is absolutely absurd that this web site would publish this e-mail .Are they going to post e-mails from every other Patriots homer that e-mails. Good god that e-mail and this web site are absolutely pathetic.

    • Scott@PD

      Dan's never gotten over those three championships. They upset him so, because he had risked so much of his reputation as a know-it-all betting against them. Even today FIVE WHOLE YEARS LATER he can't let go of the anger. Sad, really.

    • Paul

      Channeling my inner Samuel L. Jackson from Pulp Fiction:
      Ha ha ha, you read and post on this website too

    • Jon

      Bruce thanks you for contributing to his pathetic website, I'm sure.

      • Paul

        Just because you're a lackey for some Boston sportswriter and feel you have to defend their indefensible positions here doesn't make you right. In fact, the more you do gives this site more exposure and credence.

    • mandb97

      Why do you read it then?

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