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The death of the NFL Villain

Matthew Hill, Special to the News

Published October 2, 2006 at midnight

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A time of mourning is quickly approaching. Someone we spent our entire lives taking for granted, failing to see how much passion he brought to our lives, is on life support. If we don't do something, we will lose him forever. Time is running out for NFL Villain.

The truth is, as much we grew tired of watching the old 49ers and Cowboys embarrass their opponents on a weekly basis, we need dominant teams. Nobody hates teams that suck. Have you ever heard a baseball fan say, "Man, I hate the Devil Rays"? Neither have I. Now go to the ballpark and ask people what they think of the Yankees. Unless they are from the Bronx, or are pathetic, no-hometown-pride-having, bandwagon-riding losers, they will shake their heads in disgust. Dynasties bring passion. There is no current NFL version of the Yankees, and the league suffers.

Looking back, the warning signs were there. It all started when the salary cap was put in place, bringing certain doom to star-filled teams. It used to be that we could count on there being one team that was so much better than everyone else that a regular-season victory over that team would lift the spirits of both fans and players alike. A victory over the 49ers in the '80s or the Cowboys in the '90s meant something. The Broncos victory over the Patriots last week meant a W in the win column. It was a nice victory, but did it really make a statement? Would a win over the Colts, Bears, Ravens or any other elite team mean what a victory over a top-tier team meant years ago? Nope.

If the salary cap started the fight, fantasy football may be the one to put NFL Villain down for the count. It used to be that fans cheered only for their team and its players. Broncos fans longed for the Raiders to be humiliated almost as much as they wished for a Broncos victory. Times have changed. Now fans may root for a Broncos victory and a Raiders loss, but they no longer desire the Raiders to be shut out if they have Randy Moss as their fantasy receiver. The thought of a stadium full of Broncos fans secretly longing for Moss, Larry Johnson or LT to have huge games is enough to cause a collective stomachache among those able to resist the temptation of playing NFL coach. Fantasy football is creating a nation of fans who cheer more for "their players" than for their teams.

We have to take action! Demand a salary cap! Drop out of your fantasy league! We cannot sit idly by while NFL Villain quietly passes on! Think of the future! Do you want to wake up one day to a city full of football fans who feel no hatred toward the Raiders?

That day is coming sooner than you think.