Schlereth: Broncos fans should want Patriots to win Super Bowl LII
Jan 22, 2018, 12:00 AM | Updated: Jan 28, 2018, 12:41 pm
During the past decade or so, the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots have built up a small rivalry. Couple that with the dynastic success of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, and it’s no stretch to imagine the animosity Broncos Country has for the Pats.
So, for “Schlereth and Evans” co-host Mark Schlereth to suggest Broncos fans should root for New England in the upcoming Super Bowl in Minneapolis seems almost sacrilegious.
But, hear Stink out.
“For me, win the Super Bowl and let’s dismantle the Patriots. Let’s move on,” Schlereth said. “Wouldn’t that be great? I don’t about you, but it’d be great for me.
“I hope they do. I hope they win it, and I hope they dismantle the whole thing. I hope Bill Belichick walks away from football. And then, you know what? It’s all open, wide open for the Broncos.”
Breaking up the Patriots dynasty would not only leave the path to the Super Bowl wide open for the Broncos but the remainder of the AFC.
Since, 2001 — the first year with Brady as the Patriots starter — all but two Super Bowls have featured either him, Peyton Manning, or Ben Roethlisberger. And with New England’s win Sunday, Brady will have accounted for eight of those 15 AFC Championships.
“I love greatness, so I love watching this franchise just dominate since 2000,” Schlereth said. “The thing that bothers me is people from New England, people from Boston, New England Patriots fans think the New England Patriots started their existence in the year 2000.
“No, they started in 1960. I remember it. They sucked right up until Robert Kraft bought the team, Tom Brady got there, and Bill Belichick took over. And then, all the sudden, they became excellent. They became great. They have become a dynasty. Five Super Bowl victories.”
What’s more, a Patriots win over the Philadelphia Eagles would only serve to further cement the departures of New England defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
“After this one, they’re going to lose their offensive coordinator. They’re going to lose their defensive coordinator. I believe their linebacker coach actually got an interview for a head coaching job,” Schlereth said. “They may lose those two coordinators. They may lose three guys to head coaching jobs.
“And oh, by the way, you think those guys aren’t going to take a couple of assistants with them?”
McDaniels has been linked to the Indianapolis Colts head coach opening while Patricia is expected to become the Detroit Lions next head coach.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
