The 10 easiest NFL teams to hate

Fox Sports ^ | August 11, 2005 | Randy Hill

[E Rocc]

When the NFL finds itself in our topical crosshairs, I don't play favorites.

:snip:

That's an impressive list of castaways. But it's time to allow the true hatin' to begin:

Baltimore Ravens

The variables add up in a hurry.

Beyond the shaky details of his murder-case involvement, linebacker Ray Lewis gains points with a player-introduction dance that suggests the stun gun is a major prop in Riverdance.

Teammate Jamal Lewis has just been released from the hoosegow, which was the reward for allegedly having his cell phone used in a drug deal. The Ravens are thrilled that Jamal doesn't have a machete that some pal can borrow.

Coach Brian Billick didn't need Jamal to put the con in condescending. He can do that all by himself.

But the true measure of Raven hatred has been established by team owner Art "Runway" Modell, who dragged the franchise out of Cleveland without bothering to liberate the city of Drew Carey.

[Kryptonite]

lol I remember that one!

[al_c]

I'm just saying some franchises like that kind of thing and others enjoy decorum and the traditional team approach.

The traditional team approach in Dallas went out the door with Landry. Jimmuh tried to keep it going, and Jones may have worked with him for a while, but now that the Tuna is here the two of them want one thing only ... star players in order to get back to the Bowl quickly. Unfortunately, it ain't workin' because all they're bring in is players that were once star players. How many former Heisman winners did they have last year? and how well did those players produce? Not well.

[SoothingDave]

You've got to grow your own talent, and judiciously add in free agents to fill in gaps. Free agency is largely a suckers game. The player gets his big payday cause it's the "market value," but he is rarely then surrounded by the talent he needs to win.

Unfortunately it is a zero sum game. One player making more means others players must make less. It's sad that players feel like they're getting disrespected by the team that developed them, but that's the game.

SD

[Watery Tart]

HUDDLE UP! IT'S GAMEDAY!

Can't wait to see the "new" Brett tonight -- although it'll be good to see the draft QB, too.

I like it when the troops wear the hat!

And I miss Marco....

[Watery Tart]

Agreed.

Did ya notice that I refrained from writing Viqueens this time?
;o)

[SoothingDave]

The 10 easiest NFL teams to hate

Someone should point out that this should read "The 10 NFL teams easiest to hate." The teams aren't easy, the hate is.

SD

[Colonel_Flagg]

I did! There's hope for you yet ;)

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

Andy Reid made the playoffs with Darnell Autry as his starting running back and Torrance Small and Charles Johnson (at the end of their respective careers, at that) as his starting wideouts. The only person more misunderestimated than Andy Reid in this country is George W. Bush.

Is the offense going to be as good without Owens and Pinkston? Of course not. Are they going to win the East and go deep into the playoffs? I wouldn't bet against it.

I say they're back in the Super Bowl, with or without Owens. You can hold me to that.

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

We desperately need LJ to stay healthy.

As far as receivers, I think Greg Lewis is about to blow some people away. We know he's the fastest player on the team, but he also has good hands, runs terrific routes and is having a great camp.

[vikzilla]

Not a bad list, but it could use a little altering.

1. Packers

2. Packers

3. Packers

4. Cowboys

It's about time someone of infinite wisdom posted here!

[Chi-townChief]

Pretty hard to argue with that list.