My Take on “The Ankle Grab” and Draft Day Nonsense

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Enough with the constant griping about the Patriots and what they do or don’t do, always claiming that New England is engaging in bad behavior.


I read an article in Fansided, still griping about the early November incident involving Mac Jones and “the (supposed) ankle grab.” No one has said it, so I will because people love to overlook reality. The noise is probably because the Patriots were good for so long, and many people want to see them lose. So many like to claim “unfair this and unfair that” even as a quarterback Mac Jones made an intelligent football play.

The ball was fumbled, so instead of letting the defender get there unabated, he still put in some effort to help his team. The whistle wasn’t blown, the play wasn’t over, and he didn’t give up. Plus, he didn’t twist the ankle. He held onto the foot. All in all, it is smart football.

The quarterback position is a hot seat. The entire defensive line and sometimes linebackers move full speed to hit you hard. It’s a challenging position. You got to understand that. The fact that he could do something a little more instead of just lying on the ground is really good for the athlete. He was holding his own and helping his team. That’s a good extra effort.

Bottom line? Football is a physical sport, and Jones didn’t play dirty.

The article also claimed the Patriots intentionally flipped the bird at the Jets by swapping picks with the Pittsburgh Steelers and gaining a fourth-round pick. So what?

I don’t think the franchise could be competitive if it focuses on ways to slight the New York Jets. Did the draft move flip them the bird? Even if true, so be it. You always do what is best for the team.

The Patriots were getting an extra 4th round pick this year, looking to pick up. The reality is players get hurt, and careers are generally short. Having the extra selection is nice because (to be fair) New England has made past selections that didn’t turn out well.

So do I think the Patriots win in this situation? Yes, I certainly do! Does it wave the bird in a divisional rival’s face? Who cares?

This is a competitive sport and business. I don’t like hearing the constant griping about the Patriots and what they do or don’t do, always with an eye toward the team engaging in bad behavior. Football is football.

About James M. Piehl

James M. Piehl earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He is a photographer, painter, and artist among other things. He is a long-time sports fan with many memories of professional sports. An athlete, he has memories of sporting competition as well. Finally, he’s a long-time New England sports fan.



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Comments (My Take on “The Ankle Grab” and Draft Day Nonsense)

    James Piehl wrote (05/04/23 - 1:58:27PM)

    The article was pointing gripes that had been in many news sources. Noting a voice of the collective that had been highlighted in the media. I don’t think the article was exactly engaging in the gripes. If you read the article yourself it simply points to all that had been said throughout the months. Pointing out the voice that had been noted through many sources. I must have failed to make that clear in my article so I note this here. I in no way intend to criticize the article writer I criticize the claims expressed and include a counter perspective.