"Dream team." -- Quarterback Vince Young when asked to describe the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011.
"I really feel like this team's gonna win the [NFC] East." -- Quarterback Rex Grossman when asked to describe the Washington Redskins in 2011.
Two NFC East quarterbacks, two ridiculous comments. Which was more laughable?
Judging by reactions, Young's statement that the Eagles are going to be a dream team was the more laughable one. It was featured in the first segment of "SportsCenter," was the subject of countless articles and blog entries, and has elicited reaction from various players, coaches and front office members in Philadelphia, most of whom quickly distanced themselves from the prediction.
Grossman's belief that the Redskins are going to win the division was met with more derision. The tenor was more of the "he's crazy" variety.
Why, though? Isn't there a much better chance that Young's stacked Philly team goes 14-2 than the Redskins beating the Cowboys, Giants and Eagles and winning the East? There's some basis for Young to think that the Eagles will be great. There's almost none for Grossman to believe the same. (If you think we're taking this too literally, you're right. That's the point of this exercise.)
It's all about proximity to reality.�Your girlfriend tells you she thinks Justin Timberlake is hot, no problem. She tells you that she thinks the Justin Timberlake look-alike who lives in the apartment next door is hot, then you've got problems. It's the possibility that makes the remark controversial. If there's little of that, it's just misguided faith.
No comments:
Post a Comment