I don’t know what to make of it. Everywhere I go, every media outlet from here to Taiwan wants to talk about the New England Patriots as a dynasty. The questions come in waves: Are they a legitimate dynasty? Is Tom Brady the second coming of Joe Montana? Does Romeo Crennel have what it takes to be a successful NFL head coach?
The only issue that really matters is how this team stacks up against some of the best teams in history. There have been many, like Lombardi’s Packers and George Halas’ Bears.
The truth is there is no team like the Patriots; they embody a different type of dynasty, and are a breed that can be compared to no other. Fittingly, there was only one other such dynasty in the history of this proud nation. Like the Pats, they burst onto the scene, and always found a way to keep you on the edge of your seat before accomplishing its primary goal. I’m not talking about the Steelers of the `70s, the 49ers of the `80s or the Cowboys of the `90s. I’m talking about sheer dominance … The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. With a lineup that featured such standouts like James Avery, Alfonso Ribeiro, and the inimitable Will Smith, the series had a six-year run of dominance (1990-96) that featured an Image Award (1993), an ASCAP award (1994) and even the world-renowned TP de Oro award of Spain, recognizing the show as the Best Comedy Series (1994). This does not even include the individual awards of the actors themselves; this is, after all, a team effort.
In a tribute to former News editor in chief Andy Cuneo, the only right way to determine the best of the best is to match these two powerhouses together in a Tale of the Tape:
Modus operandi
Patriots: There is no “I” in “Team.”
The Fresh Prince: “Yo homes, to Bel-Air!”
Advantage: Pats. Yes, to be driven towards a goal or destination is very nice, but if there is no sense of cohesion, then success will not materialize on a consistent basis. The Patriots embody the concept of teamwork, though Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff formed quite the duo during their “Summertime” years.
Architects of success
Pats: Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli.
Prince: Debbie Allen and Jeff Melman.
Advantage: Prince. Belichick and Pioli constructed a selfless, aggressive team that has won three Super Bowls in the last four seasons, but Debbie Allen is a legend in the entertainment business, and achieved success long before (“A Different World” and “Family Ties”) and after (“The Jamie Foxx Show” and “The Parkers”) Prince. Melman has had similar success, directing “My Two Dads,” “Melrose Place,” and “Malcolm in the Middle.” Masterful game plans aside, until Belichick and Pioli maintain a standard of excellence for as long as these directors have, they’ll be nothing more than second best.
Key players
Pats: Tom Brady.
Prince: Will Smith.
Advantage: Push. Brady, a former 6th round draft pick-turned Super Bowl MVP, is one of the league’s premier clutch performers, and captured his third championship before the age of 27. Smith, the former bubble-gum rapper turned sitcom icon, won or was nominated for numerous awards during his run on the show, including the Golden Globes (Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series – Comedy/Musical – 1994), Image (Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series – 1996), and Kids’ Choice Awards (Favorite Television Actor – 1996). Smith accomplished all these feats by the age of 28. One is on his way to the Hall of Fame; the other towards a star in Hollywood. This one’s too close to call.
Potential pitfalls
Pats: Losing Drew Bledsoe (2001), cutting Lawyer Milloy (2003), and going much of the season without Ty Law and Tyrone Poole (2004).
Prince: Changing mothers and children in mid-series.
Advantage: Prince. Athletes are replaceable parts in that they have a specific task to accomplish. Brady subbed for Bledsoe, Rodney Harrison took Lawyer Milloy’s place without a hitch, and Randall Gay and Asante Samuel locked down the secondary in the absence of the two Ty’s.
The sitcom’s conundrum, however, was much worse than that. The series appears doomed when Will decides to go back to Philadelphia for good. Fortunately for him (and the millions of viewers who adore him) he’s kidnapped by the station executives, and dragged back to the swanky California suburb. That was a segway into the much greater bombshell: A new Aunt Viv’ and a Not-So-Baby Nicky. Fortunately, Daphne Reid was more than up to task, and Ross Bagley allowed the show to maintain its sense of continuity. Such problems can turn a standout show into “That 80’s Show,” but The Fresh Prince persevered.
Celebratory dance specialist
Pats: Deion Branch.
Prince: Carleton Banks.
Advantage: Prince. This one needs no explanation. Branch does a worm wiggle; Carleton has a dance named after him. Enough said.
Enforcers
Pats: Milloy, Rodney Harrison.
Prince: Philip Banks.
Advantage: Prince. Yeah, Milloy and Harrison are some of the heaviest hitters in the game, but any money says Uncle Phil would have the duo shaking in their game cleats. Could you imagine that mound of a man coming over the middle to smack up a wide receiver? The thought makes me shudder, kind of like witnessing his exploits at the dinner table during just about any episode.
Quality of opposition
Pats: Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers, St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders.
Prince: “Coach,” “Cheers,” “Seinfeld,” “Roseanne,” “Full House,” “Martin”
Advantage: Pats. To win their first title, New England needed a tuck rule, superior special teams play, and the birth of a modern-day Montana in the big game. For the second title, they had to beat two MVPs in successive weeks (Peyton Manning and Steve McNair), and wrangle with one of the more physical teams of recent memory. This past season, they stalled one of the greatest offenses of all-time, put an undefeated rookie quarterback to bed, and sent T.O. back to Alabama with a bruised ego. All Smith and Co. had to worry about was Alanis Morissette ruining Joey Gladstone’s mojo.
Lasting Legacy
Pats: A team that was able to overcome the odds through masterful preparation, and establish themselves as a dynasty in an age of parity.
Prince: A show that was able to overcome the odds through outstanding talent and masterful screenwriting, establishing them as a dynasty in an age of really good TV.
Advantage: Push. Both of these programs transcended their respective genres and eras. Whereas New England had to stave off the salary cap and a level playing field, The Fresh Prince had to maintain originality while adapting to new definitions of the word “comedy.” Perhaps it is Tom Jones who can best surmise the national adoration for and the summation of their dominance when he says, “It’s not unusual to be loved by anyone/It’s not unusual to have fun with anyone/but when I see you hanging about with anyone/It’s not unusual to see me cry …”
Now the question is, “Where’s Carleton?”
When you break it down analytically, there really is no comparison. Despite a valiant effort built upon chemistry and some long odds, New England does not stack up against the sheer Will that is Smith’s Bel-Air collective. If the Pats win a few more Bowls, however, we may have to revisit the issue.
— Evans Erilus can be reached at [email protected]. He can be heard every Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. on WRBB 104.9’s Dog Pound Sports Sound
