Point/Counter Point

Announcer: Tonight on Point/Counter Point, we address the 2007 Patriots. Specifically, this topic: After they lose in the playoffs, should their season be considered a successful one? Our panelists this evening, Braynt Gumbel and Chris Collinsworth. Gentlemen, you have the floor.

Gumbel: Thanks. I want to make it clear that I have no specific qualifications to give my opinion on this issue, but my laid back narrative style should lend itself to a soothing rhythm in this debate. To the point in hand, I think that despite their impending loss in the playoffs, the Patriots season has been a rousing success. No team has ever won such an amazing string of meaningless games by relentless ‘stoning’ the other team. The ride is ending soon sure, but it’s been a thrill to watch. Kudos to the Boston Patriots for their perfect (mostly) season!

Collinsworth: This debate sets up perfectly for me because I can use both of my vocal tones. I’ll start off with drone: The New England Brady’s have been the greatest team I’ve ever seen, but I doubt very seriously whether I’ll remember any of that after they lose. I’ll find a way to say that I saw it coming, and blame the loss on something completely irrelevant like the Patriots just wanting to win TOO much. But back to the topic, Bryant, how can you possibly say that this season was a success for the Patriots? After their impending playoff loss, they’ll forever be remembered as the football version of the 2004 Yankees. This season will be a failure both for them and for me personally, as I’ll have to talk about other teams during Super Bowl week, and quite frankly I stopped paying attention to anything other than Tom Brady’s ass about 3 months ago.

Gumbel: I think you’re missing the point Chris. The playoff loss will only put the Pats in a more historic light. They’ll go down with the great Bears teams of the 1930s that also choked in the playoffs. Being remembered forever makes you great. This team will invariably be remembered, therefore it’s been a great season. Does this turtleneck make me look fat? I don’t want to be confused with my brother.

Collinsworth: YOU CAN’T SAY THAT IN THAT SITUATION. IT’S JUST SLOPPY. I THINK THAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE MOCKING THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE FROM THE OTHER TEAMS. THAT CAN GET INTO A GUY’S HEAD AND AFFECT HIS FUTURE PERFORMANCE. EVEN A BEAUTIFUL HEAD LIKE TOM BRADY’S WILL SUFFER AFTER THIS APPROACHING DEFEAT.

Gumbel: Well Chris, you are talking loudly, and I’m incompetent so I guess that you’re right. What? We just missed a play? Oh well, that’s the beauty of having a conversation with give and take, you don’t have to get bogged down in little things like what actually happens on the field.

Collinsworth: We’ve finally found something we can agree on. It’s just as well if I miss a play. I’d hate to have to actually watch a replay and give insight. It’s too easy to do things like pointlessly question a player’s toughness or state of mind. No one can prove me wrong about those things.

Announcer: Thank you gentlemen. This was enlightening. Next week we’ll have John Madden and Chris Berman discuss whether BOOM! or Wooop wooop wooop! is more effective in analyzing the results of a play in football. This has been Point/Counter Point. Good night.