I'm an admitted sports junkie. Last night I fell asleep watching the Boston Celtics playing the Phoenix Suns in a meaningless game. I'm excited about the Superbowl coming up next weekend. I plan to watch a few rounds of Tiger Woods today. College basketball never gets boring to me. And despite no playoff system, college football makes every Saturday a good one.
But what about hockey?
Now, you could rationalize that I'm simply not a hockey guy. Kind of like no one in America is a soccer guy. But that's not true.
I grew up in the hockey crazed state of Minnesota. Herb Brooks was the coach of the University of Minnesota, and as kids, we would often skate in that same arena. The High School hockey championships were the most watched event on television. I collected hockey cards, knew every player on every team, and went to quite a few games. I never played hockey, but spent countless hours with the combination of hockey sticks and rolled up socks, tennis balls, or crushed coke cans.
The greatest sporting event ever is still the 1980 USA victory of the Soviets in the Olympic games. I watched every minute of that game as a child. And still have the autographs of the young University of Minnesota kids who returned to campus afterwards. Slapshot is still a classic movie. And Youngblood is way under appreciated.
Maybe I lost interest when I moved to Los Angeles? Makes sense when you replace frozen ponds with palm trees, but even if my interest was fading, the signing of Wayne Gretzky to the Kings kept my interest. Maybe it was my move to Colorado years later? Are you kidding me? The Avalanche won two Stanley cups, had guys like Blake, Bourque, Roy, Sakic, and Foote, and I watched every game. Maybe it was the childhood trauma of showing up at ice skating lessons in my sister's hand-me-down white figure skates? Could be. But Dad spray painted them black the next day, and skating with my own children is still one of my favorite things to do.
How could hockey of faded away so fast?
Maybe it's the new scoring system. It used to be that 90 points won you a division. Now 90 points means you're tied with 11 other teams for 7th place. Maybe it's expansion. Carolina has a hockey team? Hockey in Florida? Maybe it's free agency. Sakic was always an Avalanche, Yzerman a Red Wing, Lemieux a Penguin, now I can't find Chris Pronger....where'd he go? Could be star power. I know Crosby and the Russian guy from Washington. That's about it.
Colorado recently talked about bringing back Peter Forsberg to help with a rapidly dropping attendance number. Really, is that the move that will bring hockey back to life? Are they going to bring back Rick Springfield to sing during periods? Is Flock of Seagulls going to perform the National Anthem?
Hockey needs to do three things. Change the scoring system, get rid of some teams, and beg ESPN to take over the viewing rights. Until then, wake me up when my team clinches the seventh spot.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Trade Cutler....'s PR guy.
Jay Cutler stood on the sidelines with the same disinterested look he has shown his entire career. There was no "hide the helmet" moment for Cutler. Nobody saw Jay Cutler screaming at his coach to let him play the rest of the game against the Packers. There was no Jay Cutler refusing treatment from the medical staff, no injection at halftime, no ice, and no brace. Jay Cutler simply stood, not sat, on the sidelines and watched his Chicago Bears limp to defeat.
I'm not doubting his injury. Cutler obviously felt that he couldn't escape the rush, drop back in the pocket, or plant his leg well enough to help the team. Although questionable, I'm not doubting Cutler's heart. Maybe Cutler and the Bears felt that benching him was best for the team. The Bears were doing nothing offensively. Brett Favre cost the Vikings multiple games by playing when injured. Maybe Cutler sacrificed himself for the chance to go to the Superbowl. I'm not even questioning Cutler's threshold for pain. I have trouble tying my shoes when my back is giving me trouble. Maybe Cutler just knew that he was too hurt to give it a go.
So for next year, I draft a receiver with size, pick up a veteran who goes over the middle, and try it one more time. Oh yeah, and I fire Jay Cutler's Public Relations guy.
Jay Cutler is obviously a man who is difficult to like. He throws a lot of picks, gets traded by the Bronco's new coach, shows zero emotion, and leaves games when the Superbowl is on the line. Where the hell is your PR guy when you need him?
The first move in the Jay Cutler PR department agenda would show how to leave a football field. Cutler could have limped out for one more play, stood in the shotgun formation to avoid moving, thrown the ball into the stands to avoid the interception that was probably coming, then fall to the ground holding that knee of his. The networks would have seven different angles of the pain in Cutler's face, applauding the fact that he gave it one more try. Brian Urlacher and Devon Hester would carry him off the field like a wounded soldier. On the sidelines, Cutler could scream at his coach to let him go back in the game, then fall to ground in pain. Jay could make one last attempt to play as he refuses medical treatment, pushes away the doctors, and crawls away from the medical cart that is heading to the locker room for xrays. Finally, Jay Cutler could have had the nation watching him as the strapped down quarterback gives the team, and crowd, the thumbs up and a Tim Tebow like pep talk as the cart vanishes into the stadium locker room.
When the game was over, a tearful Jay Cutler could have apologized to his teammates and the city of Chicago, for not being strong enough and for letting his team down. But no apology would be necessary, because the world would have seen his effort.
Willis Reed will be forever known as the man who limped onto the court during the NBA finals. Curt Schilling pitched in the World Series with blood dripping down his ankle. Byron Leftwhich had his offensive linemen carry him down the field in a college bowl game after a broken leg. Steve Nash played in the NBA playoffs with blood streaming from the bridge of his nose. And Ronnie Lott cut off his own finger to continue playing the game of football.
You blew it Jay Cutler. You're fired PR guy. You could have ended up looking like Cuba Gooding Jr. at the end of Jerry Maguire, but instead, you ended up looking like Jeff George, or worse, yourself.
I'm not doubting his injury. Cutler obviously felt that he couldn't escape the rush, drop back in the pocket, or plant his leg well enough to help the team. Although questionable, I'm not doubting Cutler's heart. Maybe Cutler and the Bears felt that benching him was best for the team. The Bears were doing nothing offensively. Brett Favre cost the Vikings multiple games by playing when injured. Maybe Cutler sacrificed himself for the chance to go to the Superbowl. I'm not even questioning Cutler's threshold for pain. I have trouble tying my shoes when my back is giving me trouble. Maybe Cutler just knew that he was too hurt to give it a go.
So for next year, I draft a receiver with size, pick up a veteran who goes over the middle, and try it one more time. Oh yeah, and I fire Jay Cutler's Public Relations guy.
Jay Cutler is obviously a man who is difficult to like. He throws a lot of picks, gets traded by the Bronco's new coach, shows zero emotion, and leaves games when the Superbowl is on the line. Where the hell is your PR guy when you need him?
The first move in the Jay Cutler PR department agenda would show how to leave a football field. Cutler could have limped out for one more play, stood in the shotgun formation to avoid moving, thrown the ball into the stands to avoid the interception that was probably coming, then fall to the ground holding that knee of his. The networks would have seven different angles of the pain in Cutler's face, applauding the fact that he gave it one more try. Brian Urlacher and Devon Hester would carry him off the field like a wounded soldier. On the sidelines, Cutler could scream at his coach to let him go back in the game, then fall to ground in pain. Jay could make one last attempt to play as he refuses medical treatment, pushes away the doctors, and crawls away from the medical cart that is heading to the locker room for xrays. Finally, Jay Cutler could have had the nation watching him as the strapped down quarterback gives the team, and crowd, the thumbs up and a Tim Tebow like pep talk as the cart vanishes into the stadium locker room.
When the game was over, a tearful Jay Cutler could have apologized to his teammates and the city of Chicago, for not being strong enough and for letting his team down. But no apology would be necessary, because the world would have seen his effort.
Willis Reed will be forever known as the man who limped onto the court during the NBA finals. Curt Schilling pitched in the World Series with blood dripping down his ankle. Byron Leftwhich had his offensive linemen carry him down the field in a college bowl game after a broken leg. Steve Nash played in the NBA playoffs with blood streaming from the bridge of his nose. And Ronnie Lott cut off his own finger to continue playing the game of football.
You blew it Jay Cutler. You're fired PR guy. You could have ended up looking like Cuba Gooding Jr. at the end of Jerry Maguire, but instead, you ended up looking like Jeff George, or worse, yourself.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
McWhoops and the Denver Broncos
The Broncos were a game away from going to the playoffs a few years back as Jay Cutler and company headed off to San Diego to fight for victory. But instead, Denver was destroyed by the Chargers and finished the season 8-8. Bronco country was disappointed, but felt that with their explosive offense, some defensive additions, and the brains of Mike Shannahan, all would work out.
Ownership had a different idea. Enter Josh McDaniels as the youngest coach in the league, a disciple of the great Bill Belicheck, and the man who taught Matt Cassel how to win by believing in system before self.
The Bronco move surprised me a little as the young McDaniel replaced the legendary Shannahan with zero head coaching experience, but a lot of people fear change.
McDaniel would surely bring in some needed change, draft a few guys on the defensive side of things, and get the Broncos back into the post season. But McDaniels was a McWhoops.
Feeling that if he could win with Cassel, he could win with anyone, McDaniels forced the trade of Jay Cutler. The same Jay Cutler who is one game away from going to the superbowl. Over the next season and a half, McDaniel traded away Peyton Hillis who would end up with 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns with Cleveland, Brandon Marshall who ended up with 86 catches and 1000 yards with Miami, and Tony Scheffler who caught 45 passes for Detroit this year.
But McWhoops had a master plan. Forget defense. Draft an injury prone running back with your first pick, replace Marshall with Demaryius Thomas and his 22 catches this year, and steal Tim Tebow by picking him three rounds before anyone else would have. Wait, it gets better.
In 2009, his first year of drafting players, McWhoops traded up to snag Alphonso Smith, a cornerback, by trading away a first round pick in 2010, the 14th pick. Alphonso was a bust and was traded months later for nothing.
Then of course, there was spygate junior. During McDaniels trip to London and the Broncos game against the San Francisco 49ers, the Broncos were found guilty of videotaping the 49ers practice in order to have an advantage in the game. The Broncos still lost 24-16.
In my opinion, it wasn't the two losses to the Oakland Raiders, 59-14 and 39-23, that cost McDaniels his job. It wasn't the horrible draft picks, videotaping, or lack of head coaching experience.
Great coaches learn to manage the problem children, not trade them away. Phil didn't trade away Kobe, he worked with him, then brought in Ron Artest. Belicheck brought in Randy Moss, and won a superbowl. Boston worked with Manny Ramirez. Montreal couldn't work with Patrick Roy and he went and won two stanley cups with another team.
McDaniels could have had Jay Cutler at quarterback, Peyton Hillis in the backfield, and Marshall, Brandon Lloyd, and Donald Royal as receivers. McDaniels could have used his Tebow, Thomas, and Smith picks, for three defensive starters. And owner Pat Bowlen, could have saved himself the embarrassment that was 2010.
Ownership had a different idea. Enter Josh McDaniels as the youngest coach in the league, a disciple of the great Bill Belicheck, and the man who taught Matt Cassel how to win by believing in system before self.
The Bronco move surprised me a little as the young McDaniel replaced the legendary Shannahan with zero head coaching experience, but a lot of people fear change.
McDaniel would surely bring in some needed change, draft a few guys on the defensive side of things, and get the Broncos back into the post season. But McDaniels was a McWhoops.
Feeling that if he could win with Cassel, he could win with anyone, McDaniels forced the trade of Jay Cutler. The same Jay Cutler who is one game away from going to the superbowl. Over the next season and a half, McDaniel traded away Peyton Hillis who would end up with 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns with Cleveland, Brandon Marshall who ended up with 86 catches and 1000 yards with Miami, and Tony Scheffler who caught 45 passes for Detroit this year.
But McWhoops had a master plan. Forget defense. Draft an injury prone running back with your first pick, replace Marshall with Demaryius Thomas and his 22 catches this year, and steal Tim Tebow by picking him three rounds before anyone else would have. Wait, it gets better.
In 2009, his first year of drafting players, McWhoops traded up to snag Alphonso Smith, a cornerback, by trading away a first round pick in 2010, the 14th pick. Alphonso was a bust and was traded months later for nothing.
Then of course, there was spygate junior. During McDaniels trip to London and the Broncos game against the San Francisco 49ers, the Broncos were found guilty of videotaping the 49ers practice in order to have an advantage in the game. The Broncos still lost 24-16.
In my opinion, it wasn't the two losses to the Oakland Raiders, 59-14 and 39-23, that cost McDaniels his job. It wasn't the horrible draft picks, videotaping, or lack of head coaching experience.
Great coaches learn to manage the problem children, not trade them away. Phil didn't trade away Kobe, he worked with him, then brought in Ron Artest. Belicheck brought in Randy Moss, and won a superbowl. Boston worked with Manny Ramirez. Montreal couldn't work with Patrick Roy and he went and won two stanley cups with another team.
McDaniels could have had Jay Cutler at quarterback, Peyton Hillis in the backfield, and Marshall, Brandon Lloyd, and Donald Royal as receivers. McDaniels could have used his Tebow, Thomas, and Smith picks, for three defensive starters. And owner Pat Bowlen, could have saved himself the embarrassment that was 2010.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
POUND FOR POUND CHAMPION
I made a stupid move about a year or so ago and cut way back on my cable package. Now, I can live without Entourage, Mad Men, and Cinemax after dark, but after having a week of HBO in my Los Angeles hotel rooms, I miss HBO boxing.
I stopped paying for pay-per-view fights after Mike Tyson cost me $95 for a one round knockout years ago, but I still love watching talented fighters hoping for greatness. Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Miguel Cotto, and others. But I keep thinking about Eddie Murphy's "Coming to America" and the barbershop scene. You remember it. The men are discussing the greatest of all time. Muhammad Ali, Rocky Marciano, or maybe Joe Louis? Ask any true boxing fan of experience and Sugar Ray Robinson may jump them all. I'm going with Manny Pacquiao.
No, I haven't been drinking. Just hear me out.
Sugar Ray Robinson lost 19 fights, Louis was beaten three times by a better fighter, and Muhammad Ali lost 5 times. Losing a fight doesn't seem to matter in the discussion. Paddy Monaghan finished his career with a record of 114-0, Joe Calzaghe retired 46-0, and the great Rocky Marciano retired as the only undefeated heavyweight champion. But they all lacked one of two things. They either lacked good opponents, or lacked Jim Lampley talking about them.
Muhammad Ali hung with Malcom X, was influential in the protest of civil rights and the Vietnam War, and is an American icon. Of course, Manny Pacquiao is currently an elected Congressman in the Philippines.
No, he never fought George Foreman, Joe Frazier, or Ken Norton. No, he didn't have to avoid the mafia or defeat 173 guys like Sugar Ray Robinson. And no, he never bit a man's ear off. But none of them ever won titles in eight different weight classes.
Unfortunately, the great ones rarely retire great. Ali got pummeled by Larry Holmes, Michael Jordan wore a Wizards jersey, and Brett Favre limped away.
Time for one last pay day with Floyd Mayweather, Jr., one last win on your record, then walk away...part of the discussion.
I stopped paying for pay-per-view fights after Mike Tyson cost me $95 for a one round knockout years ago, but I still love watching talented fighters hoping for greatness. Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Miguel Cotto, and others. But I keep thinking about Eddie Murphy's "Coming to America" and the barbershop scene. You remember it. The men are discussing the greatest of all time. Muhammad Ali, Rocky Marciano, or maybe Joe Louis? Ask any true boxing fan of experience and Sugar Ray Robinson may jump them all. I'm going with Manny Pacquiao.
No, I haven't been drinking. Just hear me out.
Sugar Ray Robinson lost 19 fights, Louis was beaten three times by a better fighter, and Muhammad Ali lost 5 times. Losing a fight doesn't seem to matter in the discussion. Paddy Monaghan finished his career with a record of 114-0, Joe Calzaghe retired 46-0, and the great Rocky Marciano retired as the only undefeated heavyweight champion. But they all lacked one of two things. They either lacked good opponents, or lacked Jim Lampley talking about them.
Muhammad Ali hung with Malcom X, was influential in the protest of civil rights and the Vietnam War, and is an American icon. Of course, Manny Pacquiao is currently an elected Congressman in the Philippines.
No, he never fought George Foreman, Joe Frazier, or Ken Norton. No, he didn't have to avoid the mafia or defeat 173 guys like Sugar Ray Robinson. And no, he never bit a man's ear off. But none of them ever won titles in eight different weight classes.
Unfortunately, the great ones rarely retire great. Ali got pummeled by Larry Holmes, Michael Jordan wore a Wizards jersey, and Brett Favre limped away.
Time for one last pay day with Floyd Mayweather, Jr., one last win on your record, then walk away...part of the discussion.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
CHEATERS ALWAYS WIN!
My daughters were playing crazy eights the other night when the nine year old accused the seven year old of cheating. My initial reaction was to fine her $1.25 and give her a three day suspension. But after thinking about it, I instead admired her effort to become the best. Cheating has become the necessity for greatness, and it always seems to pay off in the end.
Floyd Landis, Alberto Contador, and Lance Armstrong are the three most decorated cyclist we know. Sammy Sosa cheated by corking his bat, then took steroids. McGuire cheated to pass Sammy. Bonds cheated to pass everyone. Arod tried to cheat to pass Bonds. Manny Ramirez, Andy Petite, and Roger Clemens all cheated and won World Series rings. Reggie Bush and Cam Newton cheated their way to Heisman trophies and million dollar deals. Bill Belichick cheated with spygate and has the superbowl rings to show for it.
Last year's NFL defensive rookie of the year cheated by using steroids, a revote was taken, and he still won. Five players from Ohio State's football team cheated and they still got to play in the next game, a bowl game at that. Bruce Pearl cheated in recruiting, Rick Pitino cheated on his wife, and Antonio Margarito put a mixture of concrete and plaster in his boxing gloves during the Sugar Shane Mosley fight.
Cheating has been a part of victory all of our lives. Diego Maradona and his "hand of God," the East German swim team in the Olympics, Marion Jones in the Olympics, Ben Johnson in the Olympics, actually, everyone in the Olympics. A woman once jumped into a cab to win the NY marathon. A teenager faked his age to pitch his team to a little league world series championship. And more recently, a NY Jets assistant coach tripped a player on the other team during a punt return.
Ironically, between the Heisman trophies, gold medals, championship titles, and world records, the only athlete who hasn't been caught cheating....is Tiger Woods.
Floyd Landis, Alberto Contador, and Lance Armstrong are the three most decorated cyclist we know. Sammy Sosa cheated by corking his bat, then took steroids. McGuire cheated to pass Sammy. Bonds cheated to pass everyone. Arod tried to cheat to pass Bonds. Manny Ramirez, Andy Petite, and Roger Clemens all cheated and won World Series rings. Reggie Bush and Cam Newton cheated their way to Heisman trophies and million dollar deals. Bill Belichick cheated with spygate and has the superbowl rings to show for it.
Last year's NFL defensive rookie of the year cheated by using steroids, a revote was taken, and he still won. Five players from Ohio State's football team cheated and they still got to play in the next game, a bowl game at that. Bruce Pearl cheated in recruiting, Rick Pitino cheated on his wife, and Antonio Margarito put a mixture of concrete and plaster in his boxing gloves during the Sugar Shane Mosley fight.
Cheating has been a part of victory all of our lives. Diego Maradona and his "hand of God," the East German swim team in the Olympics, Marion Jones in the Olympics, Ben Johnson in the Olympics, actually, everyone in the Olympics. A woman once jumped into a cab to win the NY marathon. A teenager faked his age to pitch his team to a little league world series championship. And more recently, a NY Jets assistant coach tripped a player on the other team during a punt return.
Ironically, between the Heisman trophies, gold medals, championship titles, and world records, the only athlete who hasn't been caught cheating....is Tiger Woods.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Counting sheep....and point guards.
I often have trouble sleeping as my head hits the pillow and the television turns black. And while I hope to dream of beaches, supermodels, and margaritas, I often struggle to get there. So I play mental games in my head in order to rack my brain and tire from it all.
My favorite is the alphabetical NBA all star team. I start with the letter "A" and search my memory for the best team I could put on the court using just the letter "A." You can use players of any era, but I go for players currently in the NBA. Carmelo Anthony, Gilbert Arenas, Ray Allen....sometimes I have too many point guards, sometimes I can't think of five players, sometimes I make it to the letter "G" before falling asleep. But every team is pretty solid.
The letter "B" includes Kobe Bryant, Chris Bosh, and Chauncy Billups. The "W" has Dwayne Wade, Deron Williams, and Johnathon Walls of the Wizards. Garnett, Blake Griffin, and Manu Ginobli isn't bad. Chris Paul, Paul Pierce, and Tony Parker is solid. Nowitski and Nash back together again.
How about all-time? Jordan, LeBron James, Magic Johnson....Bird, Bryant, Barkley...I'm getting sleepy just thinking about the possibilities.
What about just a team of Johnsons? Magic, Kevin, Dennis, Joe, and Vinnie the Microwave. Or Williams, with Deron, Marvin, Mo, and Gus.
Then I finish it off with the alumni game. Putting a team together from North Carolina isn't too hard with names like Jordan, Worthy, Stackhouse, and others. But how about the other schools? How about a team like LSU? Shaquille O'Neal, Pete Marovich, Chris Jackson, Big Baby Davis, and Tyrus Thomas?
Now turn off SportsCenter, have your head hit the pillow, and start the clock.
My favorite is the alphabetical NBA all star team. I start with the letter "A" and search my memory for the best team I could put on the court using just the letter "A." You can use players of any era, but I go for players currently in the NBA. Carmelo Anthony, Gilbert Arenas, Ray Allen....sometimes I have too many point guards, sometimes I can't think of five players, sometimes I make it to the letter "G" before falling asleep. But every team is pretty solid.
The letter "B" includes Kobe Bryant, Chris Bosh, and Chauncy Billups. The "W" has Dwayne Wade, Deron Williams, and Johnathon Walls of the Wizards. Garnett, Blake Griffin, and Manu Ginobli isn't bad. Chris Paul, Paul Pierce, and Tony Parker is solid. Nowitski and Nash back together again.
How about all-time? Jordan, LeBron James, Magic Johnson....Bird, Bryant, Barkley...I'm getting sleepy just thinking about the possibilities.
What about just a team of Johnsons? Magic, Kevin, Dennis, Joe, and Vinnie the Microwave. Or Williams, with Deron, Marvin, Mo, and Gus.
Then I finish it off with the alumni game. Putting a team together from North Carolina isn't too hard with names like Jordan, Worthy, Stackhouse, and others. But how about the other schools? How about a team like LSU? Shaquille O'Neal, Pete Marovich, Chris Jackson, Big Baby Davis, and Tyrus Thomas?
Now turn off SportsCenter, have your head hit the pillow, and start the clock.
Brady, Manning, and Rex Grossman?
I was reading a posting from a relative the other day who mentioned winning a small sum of money after betting it all on Rex Grossman and the Washington Redskins. It got me started on thinking about a simple theory of mine. Superbowl winners and their quarterbacks.
If you were to look at the list of quarterbacks who have won the superbowl over your lifetime, you would fine names like Starr, Namath, Montana, Aikman, Favre, Unitas, and Elway. Not Rex Grossman.
Drew Brees, Steve Young, and Kurt Warner proved their names belonged with wins. And some quarterbacks brought great defenses to help them such as Bradshaw, Stabler, and Roethlisberger. But not Rex Grossman.
Yes, Trent Dilfer has a ring with the help of Ray Lewis and friends. Yes, Brad Johnson has a ring as Tampa Bay relied on their defense. But my theory is solid. Unless you have the 1985 Bears, the Trent Dilfer Ravens, or the Lawerence Taylor Giants, you need a MVP, hall of famer to be, top 5 quarterback to win it all.
So repeat after me. Favre, Elway, Manning, Brady, Flacco??? Doesn't work. Bart Starr, Joe Montana, Mark Sanchez??? I don't think so. Cassell is out. Seattle is out. Cutler is good, but Kurt Warner, Drew Brees good??? And let's be realistic. We all love Manning and Rodgers, but their teams are too banged up. That leaves us with Ryan, Brees, and Vick in the NFC, Brady and Roethlisberger in the AFC.
If you think Ryan and Vick are worthy of the list, place your bets. But my point is that you need the name, or the once in a decade defense to win the whole thing.
So if your quarterback is named Orton, Campbell, Whitehurst, Palmer, Henne, Alex Smith, or anyone not in the top 5, you have work to do.
If you were to look at the list of quarterbacks who have won the superbowl over your lifetime, you would fine names like Starr, Namath, Montana, Aikman, Favre, Unitas, and Elway. Not Rex Grossman.
Drew Brees, Steve Young, and Kurt Warner proved their names belonged with wins. And some quarterbacks brought great defenses to help them such as Bradshaw, Stabler, and Roethlisberger. But not Rex Grossman.
Yes, Trent Dilfer has a ring with the help of Ray Lewis and friends. Yes, Brad Johnson has a ring as Tampa Bay relied on their defense. But my theory is solid. Unless you have the 1985 Bears, the Trent Dilfer Ravens, or the Lawerence Taylor Giants, you need a MVP, hall of famer to be, top 5 quarterback to win it all.
So repeat after me. Favre, Elway, Manning, Brady, Flacco??? Doesn't work. Bart Starr, Joe Montana, Mark Sanchez??? I don't think so. Cassell is out. Seattle is out. Cutler is good, but Kurt Warner, Drew Brees good??? And let's be realistic. We all love Manning and Rodgers, but their teams are too banged up. That leaves us with Ryan, Brees, and Vick in the NFC, Brady and Roethlisberger in the AFC.
If you think Ryan and Vick are worthy of the list, place your bets. But my point is that you need the name, or the once in a decade defense to win the whole thing.
So if your quarterback is named Orton, Campbell, Whitehurst, Palmer, Henne, Alex Smith, or anyone not in the top 5, you have work to do.
Give it back Cam!!
Cam Newton accepted the Heisman Trophy last month and is now playing for the National Championship. Unsure if the young quarterback from Stanford will put his name into the draft, Cam is expected to be drafted high. But those looking to choose the 6'5 kid with blazing speed, or those with current Heisman winners, be careful what you ask for.
In the last 20 years, 14 quarterbacks have won the Heisman. Andre Ware, Ty Detmer, Gino Torretta, Charlie Ward, Danny Wuerffel, Chris Weinke, Eric Crouch, Carson Palmer, Jason White, Matt Leinart, Troy Smith, Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, and Cam Newton.
Bradford looks promising so far, but the odds aren't good. Most failed to hold a clipboard, yet alone a job in the NFL.
The Heisman goes to the quarterback of winning teams. Teams with either a system that allows them to rack up incredible numbers, or with talent so great they have all day to throw to first round receivers.
The last Heisman quarterback to win a superbowl was Jim Plunkett in 1983. But even Plunkett struggled with the Heisman jinx. Oakland picked him up as a back up only after the San Francisco 49ers released him outright in 1977.
I'd love nothing more than to watch Tim Tebow plow over a linebacker, or Cam Newton outrun a safety. But Brady, Manning, Brees, and other top notch quarterbacks do two things well. They read defenses and throw accurate passes. Add arm strength and mobility and you have a first ballot hall-of-famer. But keep your 6'5 frame, your 4.3 speed, your stats, and your trophy. Without those two things, you're bound to hold a clipboard too.
In the last 20 years, 14 quarterbacks have won the Heisman. Andre Ware, Ty Detmer, Gino Torretta, Charlie Ward, Danny Wuerffel, Chris Weinke, Eric Crouch, Carson Palmer, Jason White, Matt Leinart, Troy Smith, Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, and Cam Newton.
Bradford looks promising so far, but the odds aren't good. Most failed to hold a clipboard, yet alone a job in the NFL.
The Heisman goes to the quarterback of winning teams. Teams with either a system that allows them to rack up incredible numbers, or with talent so great they have all day to throw to first round receivers.
The last Heisman quarterback to win a superbowl was Jim Plunkett in 1983. But even Plunkett struggled with the Heisman jinx. Oakland picked him up as a back up only after the San Francisco 49ers released him outright in 1977.
I'd love nothing more than to watch Tim Tebow plow over a linebacker, or Cam Newton outrun a safety. But Brady, Manning, Brees, and other top notch quarterbacks do two things well. They read defenses and throw accurate passes. Add arm strength and mobility and you have a first ballot hall-of-famer. But keep your 6'5 frame, your 4.3 speed, your stats, and your trophy. Without those two things, you're bound to hold a clipboard too.
College Bowl Games
After losing a few bucks on the Wisconsin Badgers, I am more confident than ever that there should be a playoff system in college football. The Badgers along with the rest of the Big Ten simply proved that it wasn't as strong as thought, but it told us little about TCU. No matter who wins in the Auburn/Oregon match up, TCU is left out of the discussion. The truth is that nobody cares about watching Notre Dame, UConn, Northwestern, or Hawaii, unless you attended those schools. We care about 8 schools at the most, and who is the best.
The NCAA forces us to watch unranked teams and match-ups we care little about in their effort to provide entertainment to the fans and dollars to specific areas. When most of the top teams finally reach their bowl games, it has been a month since they played their last game. It's time to stop the conference tournaments and put the top 8 in a playoff. The other teams can travel to Boseman, Montana to play in the Priceline.com bowl, but leave the final 8 to fight it out. Eight teams could start playing on December 11th. Four teams could play on December 26th. And the final two could play on January 10th. No conference tournaments, three games at most, one champion.
According to my playoff, Auburn (1) would play Arkansas (8), Oregon (2) vs. Oklahoma (7), TCU (3) vs. Ohio State (6), and Stanford (4) vs. Wisconsin (5). The 9th and 10th ranked teams this year were Michigan State, who got walloped 49-7 in their bowl game, and Boise State, who had their chances.
It worked out this year for the most part as two undefeated teams play for it all while the rest of the games meant nothing. But the match-ups above would have been great to see.
Predictions: Auburn would have beaten Arkansas to advance. Oregon would be too much for the Sooners. Give TCU the nod considering the big ten troubles. Ditto Stanford. That would leave us watching Auburn's Newton versus Stanford's Luck. While testing whether TCU could prove it could win more than just one in a row versus high powered Oregon.
Time to go. They are previewing the GoDaddy.Com bowl on ESPN.
The NCAA forces us to watch unranked teams and match-ups we care little about in their effort to provide entertainment to the fans and dollars to specific areas. When most of the top teams finally reach their bowl games, it has been a month since they played their last game. It's time to stop the conference tournaments and put the top 8 in a playoff. The other teams can travel to Boseman, Montana to play in the Priceline.com bowl, but leave the final 8 to fight it out. Eight teams could start playing on December 11th. Four teams could play on December 26th. And the final two could play on January 10th. No conference tournaments, three games at most, one champion.
According to my playoff, Auburn (1) would play Arkansas (8), Oregon (2) vs. Oklahoma (7), TCU (3) vs. Ohio State (6), and Stanford (4) vs. Wisconsin (5). The 9th and 10th ranked teams this year were Michigan State, who got walloped 49-7 in their bowl game, and Boise State, who had their chances.
It worked out this year for the most part as two undefeated teams play for it all while the rest of the games meant nothing. But the match-ups above would have been great to see.
Predictions: Auburn would have beaten Arkansas to advance. Oregon would be too much for the Sooners. Give TCU the nod considering the big ten troubles. Ditto Stanford. That would leave us watching Auburn's Newton versus Stanford's Luck. While testing whether TCU could prove it could win more than just one in a row versus high powered Oregon.
Time to go. They are previewing the GoDaddy.Com bowl on ESPN.
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