Issue #272: Controversy

By Derrick Ernst

May 03, 2026

Mike Vrabel

No, we’re not going to get into the love triangle, but I did want to highlight the concept of attraction and how it can blossom into repeated offenses. I mean, shall we go through all the controversy that has involved the Patriots since the turn of the century?

• Spying on other teams (Spygate)

• Deflategate

• Robert Kraft massage parlor visits

• Bilichick’s girlfriend

• Who was more to credit for NE’s success, Brady or Belichick?

• Mike Vrabel / Dianna Russini

I’m sure there are more. Let’s be honest, that’s enough publicity for one team over its lifetime, let alone over a stretch of 25 years. If you’ve ever wondered why stuff like this continually happens to the same teams/groups, it’s because it stems from attraction. In other words, the motives of one draw others closer to them with the same motives. Allow enough time to pass and you have a group with the same intentions and way of thinking/operating.

In the case of NE, I do think their will to win, whether that came from Brady or Belichick or both, drove a lot of controversy. I do think winning at a clip that NE did over the Brady/Belichick years does make it easier for one to elicit invincibility traits (resulting in getting your way). I’m sure you’ve noticed too that the NFL protects its winning teams. It’s almost like it’s self-reinforcing.

Attraction works the spectrum of results too. Not to single out these fanbases (heck I’m a fan myself of one of them), but two teams come to mind that fall on the opposite end of NE’s winning ways:

• MN Vikings = Culture of mediocracy

• CLE Browns = Culture of losing

Again, at least since the turn of the century. Tell me I’m wrong? I can speak to MN sports better than most — we perform well enough to be competitive, but not good enough to best the rest of the league. That usually means having a draft pick somewhere between 15-25. Until there’s a shock to the system, that’s what MIN will be. This is also the reason why our fanbase comes off as being overly elated when things do go our way because it is often unexpected.

Source: Pro Football Reference

I could only go back so far to make the table fit that space. Not sure why 2025 doesn’t include CLE’s finish, but they were “4th of 4.” In fact, since 2000, CLE has finished last in their division 17 seasons (65% of the time) and has never won it. The last time they won their division was all the way back in ’89! When you think of sports teams across the spectrum of the entire sports universe, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Browns were the popular choice amongst fans for being the most underwhelming franchises.

In this case, CLE is the antithesis of attractiveness. I mean, their most prominent free agent signing in their history was someone accused of sexual misconduct. When you’re on the opposite end of the winning spectrum you’re forced to take what you can get. It’s no guarantee either that what you’re getting will help you win any more than what has been the case.

This isn’t an attempt to pick on CLE, rather highlight that attraction can run in both directions. Not to say ships can’t be righted, but for that to happen, it’ll take something like an act of collusion amongst many different groups, over a considerable amount of time. Everyone can have outlier performances, but it’s staying power that’s really what’s to be desired, something some are better at than others.

George Pickens

If you were following Adam Schefter leading up to and during the draft, you probably saw his tweets regarding Mr. Pickens.

One minute he was set to sign his franchise tag with DAL, the next minute he wasn’t. As of early this week he did sign, but I don’t believe he was happy doing it. He was undoubtedly looking for a long-term deal after a career year, but as we explored a month and change ago, DAL spends more on QB/WR than every team in the league (excl. CIN). And this was before any potential long-term deal for Pickens. In other words, DAL doesn’t have the room to pay another receiver top dollar. Certainly not following the draft and their need to sign their class of rookies.

I think Pickens knows that this was his shot at securing the bag. The stars aligned last year with CeeDee missing time. Assuming he’s back for a full season in ’26, Pickens numbers won’t be as exceptional. I’d be willing to bet that last season will be Pickens’ peak performance of his career:

Source: Fantasy Footballers

There’s a bit of toxicity with Pickens persona too. I think PIT saw that and was pleased to find a suitor for him. Quite frankly, they came out better. You tell me, would you rather have Metcalf or Pickens? Add in Pittman and it’s not even close. There are other WRs in the league who are like Pickens. Stefon Diggs comes to mind — the kind of player that puts up production that you tolerate what comes with it (until you don’t). I hate to say it, but Puka is kind of like this too. I forget where I heard/saw this, but someone half jokingly said that if Puka keeps on his current path of off-the-field antics, he’ll end up being Antonio Brown 2.0. That’s kind of brilliant. It’ll be a shame if this turns out to be the case. Puka has the talent to be generational, but then again, so was A. Brown, especially over this stretch:

Source: Fantasy Footballers

My prediction on Pickens is that he’ll be traded mid-season. When also looking into Pickens I learned that he was born in Hoover, AL which brings me to…

Two-A-Days

Source: IMDb

Do any of you remember this MTV show from back in the day (mid-2000’s)? I couldn’t get enough of it — never missed a show. Google “Rush Propst,” the HC during the show’s lifespan for some extra controversial reading. There’s quite a bit of it.