Teddy Bruschi is a huge douche

Tuesday morning Patriots wideout Chad Ochocinco sent out a seemingly innocuous Tweet, recognizing Tom Brady, who the night before had thrown for more than 500 yards against the Miami Dolphins: "Just waking up after a late arrival, I've never seen a machine operate like that n person, to see video game numbers put up n person was WOW."

Not everyone, however, thought is was so innocent. ESPN analyst Teddy Bruschi was asked about it during an appearance on Boston sports radio station WEEI. Speaking of Ochocinco, Bruschi said:

"Drop the awe factor, OK, Ocho, Chad, drop the awe factor. You're not a fan, all right? You're not someone who's on another team or watching TV. You're not an analyst. You're a part of it. They want you to be a part of it. So get with the program because obviously you're not getting it and you're tweeting because you're saying, 'It's amazing to see'? It's amazing to see because you don't understand it! You still don't understand it and it's amazing to you because you can't get it."

First of all, why Bruschi was asked about something so bland and inoffensive is an indictment of the radio interview itself. Dude threw for over 500 yards! That's not something that happens every day -- or year, or even ten years. In fact, it's happened exactly 11 times since 1943. Why not recognize it? That is was subject of a question is amazing and speaks to the general nature of our media, which, in want of a story, will simply create one if something suitably interesting doesn't exists.

Secondly, Bruschi's reaction to it speaks even more ill of him individually as a now member of the media. If most Americans did their jobs as poorly Teddy Bruschi does his, they would have been fired yesterday. He comes across as robotic and forced, rarely providing anything incisive, instead mostly relying on sophomoric platitudes ("Defense wins championships") and insulting generalizations ("Turnovers are going to be key in this one"). Quite simply, he offers nothing of substance and often viewers are left dumber after having watched him.

But more to the point his reaction illustrates the larger disconnect between reality and myth as it relates to the Patriots. Let's assume that as a former Patriot, Bruschi saying Ochocinco is 'not getting it' and 'can't get it' is referring to the so-called 'Patriot Way' of doing things -- which, of course, speaks to the sort of in-house, team-first, top-to-bottom professionalism of the organization.

Let us say this about the The Patriot Way, it's a crock of shit.

To hear ESPN tell it, or more accurately, judging by their coverage, the Patriots are a dynasty. If one didn't know better, you'd assume they have dominated the NFL for a decade. The real story, however, is that they aren't a dynasty and haven't been one in years. The Pittsburgh Steelers, who have been to three Super Bowls since New England last won one after the '04 season, have been far more successful and should sue ESPN for defamation. The Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks, in fact, have been to as many Super Bowls in the last seven years as the Patriots, who last appeared after the 2007 season, losing to the New York Giants.

The Patriot Way is a thing of the past. The organization is a veneer of success, but it's clowns like Bruschi and his employers that allow the myth to perpetuate itself.