http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/college/football/view.bg?articleid=1396510&srvc=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bostonherald%2Fsports%2Fcollege%2Ffootball+%28College+Football+-+College+-+BostonHerald.com%29

Ok, so I apologize if the article above has already been cited and this topic broached. As someone who roots for the New York Yankees and a couple of other NY/NJ metro area teams, I have no problem displaying my disgust for the Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, and of course, the New England Patriots. While I dislike Tom Brady, Bill Bellichek and so many others who were on this team in the past (Rodney Harrison being the biggest example), something struck me as I read the article above...

Yes, many of you are not going to like it, as I didn't at first. In fact, I turned queasy and almost hurled, but I realized WE SHOULD ROOT FOR THE PATRIOTS TO WIN THE SUPERBOWL. WTF...You say?? Am I mad, have I become deranged??! No, I am not and as much as it hurts me to do so; I have to concede the fact that BO'B earning a Superbowl ring may be the best thing for us in maintaining or saving PSU's current recruiting class AND it can only be beneficial for future recruiting efforts. I don't have to explain, BSD readers are knowledgable enough. A 17/18 year old kid looks at a college coach who just earned one of the most valuable trinkets in sports in a positive light and just might be persuaded to play for him. The conversation goes something like this...

Recruit: "Hey Coach, can I see your Superbowl ring??"

BO'B: "Why yes, son..here take a look at it..nice isn't it"?

Recruit: "Wow, this ring is so awesome...."

BO'B: "Yes, and just think, if you come and play for me, you can see it everyday and you may even reach the Superbowl one day."

I know, I know a bit oversimplified, but this is an aspect, as the article mentioned above, that will lure recruits. Other articles and reading about the recruits reactions after NE's victory over Denver have totally changed my views on this matter.

Of course, there are those who say BO'B needs to be present more to talk and meet with individual recruits, but you know what, I don't know if I totally buy that logic. At least from what we have heard and seen so far, the assembled coaching staff has done a pretty good job of maintaining contact with the recruits and keep them from bolting. They seem capable enough and this is only strengthening my belief that the best thing for coach BO'B and PSU is to win the Superbowl. In fact, it may be enough for BO'B to get to the Superbowl, and I think the 45-10 barrage against Denver only helped as well, but to get to and win the Superbowl would be the ultimate validation for BO'B in many people's eyes, even if he is only an offensive coordinator.

Yes, people will say that Bellichek is the guy REALLY calling plays, in fact other coaches will probably tell these recruits that as well, but such dominant on the field success by BO'B will minimize the impact of those arguments.

Of course, good recruiting doesn't always guarantee great teams (i.e. any Ron Zook coached teams), but I think most of us can agree that BO'B at least looks like he will be a better coach than the Zookster, and his assembled staff is much better I would argue.

So there you have it, without shame, regret or reservation I am rooting for the Patriots to win the Superbowl, because I believe this will only help PSU's football team in the future. With the caveat that this will be the only year in my hopefully long life that I will ever root for the New England Patriots. Feel free to disagree with me, but I'm not changing my mind....that is of course, unless the Patriots get caught cheating again and BO'B is at the center of it....

Would love to hear people's thoughts.