This sore subject comes up every year because every year there is one team that gets completly disadvantaged by the BCS. Besides the fact that you need a fancy math degree to figure out the formula of the BCS rankings, BCS is completely subjective. Every year the SEC and Big 12 conferences are considered much more difficult than most of the other conferences, particularly the Big East and Pac-10. Of course, this is completely illogical because when you play conference rivals (regardless on what conference you play in), you are going to play each other like it might be your last.
Well, this year BCS picture has been a mess with several top teams losing one or two games. So, who is the best and who determines who should play for the big one?
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=dw-playoff112707&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Dan Wetzel's plan is a winner for starters. This gives everyone an equal chance at the big game, even teams like Hawaii who this year although they are undefeated is barely given a chance . How do we know that Hawaii is not this year's best college football team? Everyone notes that it is only a matter of time that the NCAA will incorporate this system...really what is the hold up? Money? The amount of money that this one or two games would bring in (because of course they would nationally televised on you could only watch that one playoff game) would more than make up what the sponsors of the Chik-fil-a Bowl would be missing.
Purely Classless
Getty ImagesI tried to avoid the current criticism that the New England Patriots coaching staff is facing regarding their last blow out victory against the Washington Redskins. I tried even harder to avoid the upcoming much hyped contest between the Patriots and the last team to beat them, the Indianapolis Colts. However, I cannot stand by any longer after a recent comment made by Pittsburgh Steelers' former coach, Bill Cowher. Cowher stated that if the Pats continue their classless play, then it would only be a matter of time before one of the teams took a cheap shot at Pats QB Tom Brady.
Houston Texans' QB, Matt Schaub, took a cheap shot from Chargers' Drayton Florence. It was Schaub's second helmet to helmet blow that knocked him out of the game. Of course, this type of thing happens in the heat of the moment, with all of the adrenaline rushing through these well-developed athletes, right?
The sad thing is that I could see Cowher predictions coming true. (Maybe not against the Colts because I do not see the Colts being down by 4 or more touchdowns by half time). However, when teams are getting embarrassed, whether they feel as if the coaching staff is being classless or not, they are bound to take their frustrations out on someone...why not Brady?
My response to this whole matter is simple, if you do not like the Pats embarrassing you all over the field, then do something about and I am not talking about a cheap shot where you try to knock Brady out of the game. That is more classless than anything the Pats are doing; its also cowardly and immature. Try coming up with a game plan to have your offense play the best way that it can. Play better coverage...I know its easier said than done!
However, with all of the injuries that has accumulated this season, I would not be surprised if there was another injury to a key player...accidentally. Is this a football field, or have these men reverted back to the schoolyard where they cry about the score and take their revenge out on someone?
A Lesson in Decisions
Sean M. Hoffey/Union TribuneThere is something wrong with the NFL this week. In my corporate environment, one of the core beliefs is "Taking Accountability," and it is a belief that the NFL should inherit. The first and, perhaps, worst offender is the entire San Diego Chargers franchise; I am talking the owner, coaches, players, and even fans. Last year, the Chargers went 14-2 but its early exit out of the playoffs left a really bad taste in the mouths of the franchise.
Now, one year later most of the players are the same (the major names are still in place) but there is a completely new coaching staff. The strained relationship between Marty Schottenheimer, A.J. Smith, and the Spanos was widely reported mostly becuase Schottenheimer was notorious for not being able to win the big one when it counted the most. Now, Charger fans are screaming for Marty's return (literally). Norv Turner would not have been my number one pick to replace Schottenheimer, but can you give the guy a chance! Turner was destined to fail unless he went 15-1 and won the Super Bowl and that was not going to happen not matter who was calling the plays. Its just not likely that with a whole new coaching staff that things were just going to click for the Chargers. Coaching aside, they just are not playing very well. They do not have any drive, any desire to win a game. They are not playing like they want to win; they are playing cocky as if they expect to win the game without ever having to play it.
The second offender of decision making is the Chicago Bears. I believe that it was necessary for Rex Grossman to be benched; I never really thought he had a shot to make the Bears a top playoff team from the beginning. Grossman was playing as if he was confused and quite honestly, a bit desperate. When the Bears played the Cowboys last week, the differences between Grossman and Romo were clear. Romo did whatever he needed to do to get the first down and keep the drive moving. Grossman threw the ball in the general direction of his receivers and hoped that they would make a play. This is how they played last year; the only difference is that now they do not have the defense to cover Grossman's mistakes. Now it is rumored that if Brian Griese does not improve his performance that Kyle Orton could possibly start. This is ridiculous! Let's break this one down for the Bears, if you have 9 interceptions in 4 games, then most likely you are not going to have a great season no matter who is your quarterback. Stick with one guy, hold onto the ball, and tell your defense to hold guys in the 2nd half.
Another offender is actually a player in regards to a team: Daunte Culpepper's pontification towards the Miami Dolphins. Yes, yes Daunte, you had five touchdowns -- two running! I felt like his pointing to his knee exclaiming that the Dolphins should not have traded him was a bit too much. Really, he has not started a complete season since 2004 because of his injuries and if Culpepper really wanted to be honest with himself then all he needs to do is focus on JaMarcus Russell. The only reason that the Raiders took a chance with Culpepper is because they believe they have a long term solution from Russell. I am sure the Raiders said to themselves, who can we get that sort of plays like Russell, but for a heck of a lot cheaper. I am happy that Culpepper won the game, but really he did not play that great and I am sure those knees are killing him this morning.
Now, one year later most of the players are the same (the major names are still in place) but there is a completely new coaching staff. The strained relationship between Marty Schottenheimer, A.J. Smith, and the Spanos was widely reported mostly becuase Schottenheimer was notorious for not being able to win the big one when it counted the most. Now, Charger fans are screaming for Marty's return (literally). Norv Turner would not have been my number one pick to replace Schottenheimer, but can you give the guy a chance! Turner was destined to fail unless he went 15-1 and won the Super Bowl and that was not going to happen not matter who was calling the plays. Its just not likely that with a whole new coaching staff that things were just going to click for the Chargers. Coaching aside, they just are not playing very well. They do not have any drive, any desire to win a game. They are not playing like they want to win; they are playing cocky as if they expect to win the game without ever having to play it.
The second offender of decision making is the Chicago Bears. I believe that it was necessary for Rex Grossman to be benched; I never really thought he had a shot to make the Bears a top playoff team from the beginning. Grossman was playing as if he was confused and quite honestly, a bit desperate. When the Bears played the Cowboys last week, the differences between Grossman and Romo were clear. Romo did whatever he needed to do to get the first down and keep the drive moving. Grossman threw the ball in the general direction of his receivers and hoped that they would make a play. This is how they played last year; the only difference is that now they do not have the defense to cover Grossman's mistakes. Now it is rumored that if Brian Griese does not improve his performance that Kyle Orton could possibly start. This is ridiculous! Let's break this one down for the Bears, if you have 9 interceptions in 4 games, then most likely you are not going to have a great season no matter who is your quarterback. Stick with one guy, hold onto the ball, and tell your defense to hold guys in the 2nd half.
Another offender is actually a player in regards to a team: Daunte Culpepper's pontification towards the Miami Dolphins. Yes, yes Daunte, you had five touchdowns -- two running! I felt like his pointing to his knee exclaiming that the Dolphins should not have traded him was a bit too much. Really, he has not started a complete season since 2004 because of his injuries and if Culpepper really wanted to be honest with himself then all he needs to do is focus on JaMarcus Russell. The only reason that the Raiders took a chance with Culpepper is because they believe they have a long term solution from Russell. I am sure the Raiders said to themselves, who can we get that sort of plays like Russell, but for a heck of a lot cheaper. I am happy that Culpepper won the game, but really he did not play that great and I am sure those knees are killing him this morning.
McNabb's Black and White Issue
Drew Hallowell/Getty Images
Philadelphia Eagles' QB, Donovan McNabb sat down with HBO's James Brown to interview for "Real Sports," and started professing the same song and dance: that black quarterbacks receive more pressure than his white counterparts. Someone get this man a tissue because he just cannot seem to stop crying, whining, and blaming everyone else.
As a credit to McNabb, he does have the Eagles' success (and failure) on his shoulders. I will give him that one, but under no circumstances would I even consider that as a black quarterback he receives more pressure. Yes, McNabb receives a lot of pressure and not because he is black, but because he is playing in Philly. That is a tough market to play in; the fans have a bit of a reputation of being relentless. Eagles fan (like most NFL fans) believe that every year is their year for success and every game is open for a win. That is pressure.
However, perhaps, the greatest amount of pressure that McNabb is feeling is because he is so talented and capable of performing so well on a consistent basis. If there was a black quarterback that posted mediocre numbers, then I do not think that he would feel the same amount of pressure that McNabb feels. I truly believe that he feels the pressure because he is expected to produce. The franchise has built him up to be their saving grace and that has nothing to do with color.
Spy games
After hearing the news that New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick decided to spy on the New York Jets by videotaping their defensive signals from the sideline, I only have one question: "Why?" I immediately follow that up with "What an idiot!"
Why would a coach, who most believe has the best team in the NFL, cheat? Bill Belichick is a great coach with great players and since the camera was reportedly confiscated prior to the end of the first quarter and the Pats still embarrassed the Jets, it was clearly unnecessary. This form of cheating, however, is common enough that VP of Football Operations, Ray Anderson, wrote a statement to coaches and GMs right before the start of the season.
The part of this whole thing that just sickens me is the fact that this has tainted Belichick. He definitely was making his path to the Hall of Fame and now I am not sure how easy it will be for voters to erase this from their memories. (If this is common practice, then how many other Hall of Famers are cheaters?) If Belichick is able to lead the Pats to the Super Bowl and win, then it will be completely lackluster no matter what.
Living in San Diego, this is a story of Biblical porportions. The Chargers and all their fans have not stopped crying foul since their loss last year. If you remember correctly (and I do because like I said they have not stopped talking about it), then you will recall that the Chargers called the Pats cheaters and unethical back then.
Let's take a look on Sunday and see how many coaches call plays with something covering their mouths...
Why would a coach, who most believe has the best team in the NFL, cheat? Bill Belichick is a great coach with great players and since the camera was reportedly confiscated prior to the end of the first quarter and the Pats still embarrassed the Jets, it was clearly unnecessary. This form of cheating, however, is common enough that VP of Football Operations, Ray Anderson, wrote a statement to coaches and GMs right before the start of the season.
The part of this whole thing that just sickens me is the fact that this has tainted Belichick. He definitely was making his path to the Hall of Fame and now I am not sure how easy it will be for voters to erase this from their memories. (If this is common practice, then how many other Hall of Famers are cheaters?) If Belichick is able to lead the Pats to the Super Bowl and win, then it will be completely lackluster no matter what.
Living in San Diego, this is a story of Biblical porportions. The Chargers and all their fans have not stopped crying foul since their loss last year. If you remember correctly (and I do because like I said they have not stopped talking about it), then you will recall that the Chargers called the Pats cheaters and unethical back then.
Let's take a look on Sunday and see how many coaches call plays with something covering their mouths...
Bowie 2.0
Everyone knows the saying we avoid making future mistakes by learning from the history. Apparently, the Portland Trail Blazers need to catch up on their history because as it seems they did not learn from the 1984 NBA Draft. If you were unsure on the exact happenings of this draft that occurred 23 years ago, then simply reading recent news about Portland Trail Blazers rookie center Greg Oden would clear everything up for you.
In 1984, the Trail Blazers had the second overall draft pick. After Olajuwon was taken, Portland had two top prospects: Sam Bowie and Michael Jordan. Of course, the Trail Blazers took Bowie over Jordan and the rest is history. Bowie's first four years at Portland was plagued with injuries. Now, in 2007 it seems as if the past is roaring back with a vengeance. Oden, the number one NBA draft pick coming out of Ohio will miss his entire rookie season. Things are starting off poorly for the seven-foot tall center who has experienced injuries before he was ever drafted but things intensified after that draft day in June.
For whatever reason, the Trail Blazers decided not to pay attention to him missing a few games while at Ohio State. They decided that it was not that big of a deal that he needed surgery to remove his tonsils and to repair his wrist. The Trail Blazers also seemed to accept the fact that he had to pull out of the Olympic tryouts due to exhaustion. Well, they cannot disregard Oden's injuries anymore. He is only a 19 year old rookie and already he walks around as if he had a long career and is now retired. The only positive for the Trail Blazers and Oden at this point is that he is able to take a year off and possibly take some of the pressure off. The other advantage is that with the injury to Oden, the Trail Blazers will almost certainly be in the same situation as last year and possibly have a top draft pick. Maybe when Oden returns and have a new draft pick, the Trail Blazers may be able to begin to build a better team.
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