"Wardrobe Malfunction" Was No Big Deal

That's what the courts decided today, and it takes me back to Monday, February 2, 2004. I went back to look at what I wrote in the Quickie about Janet Jackson, but found a classic example of the "instant history" that defined the column:

Two Words for You: Breast. Ever?

We may never see another one like that again. (I'm talking about the freshly minted Pats dynasty; what are you talking about -- JJ's freshly flashed mammary moment? Wait: You never un-paused the TiVo after the halftime show, did you?)

That's right: I said "dynasty." In our current NFL era, winning two titles in three years is more than enough of a qualifier, given the crippling salary restrictions, hyper-media scrutiny and ever-increasing league emphasis on parity.

The Pats have accomplished something a lot more impressive than the 1960s Packers, 1970s Steelers or the 1980s 49ers.

And while I'm tossing around the heresy like Tom Brady tosses clutch passes, the current 15-game winning streak -- adjusted for competitive inflation -- should be put on a pedestal to "W's" a notch above those '73 Dolphins.

"Best Ever?" After 2004? Wow: Remember the days when I didn't hate the Patriots?

In fact, I believe I was the first one -- at least the first I could find at the time -- that was willing to label the Patriots a "dynasty" after their 2 titles in 3 years. Folks would follow my lead only later -- some much later.

-- D.S.