The Tennessee Titans started the 2008 season 10-0, and finished with the best record in the league at 13-3. They entered the playoffs with the number one seed and home field advantage. They also ran into a red hot rookie quarterback Joe Flacco and his Baltimore Ravens (no diss to Ray Lewis). Those same Ravens face the Indianapolis Colts this weekend, this year's number one seed. It's not like it hasn't happened to Peyton manning before. The 2005 Colts were a number one seed and fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In fact, that team was far more explosive than this year's Colts.
The New Orleans Saints are the nfc number one seed. They have far from resembled a dominate team lately, losing their last three after starting 13-0. The Arizona Cardinals roll into the Big Easy on all cylinders, well at least offensively. And let us not forget the beat down they put on heavily favored Carolina in last year's playoffs. That was a Cardinal road game as well. History does not fare well for a number one seed vs number one seed Super Bowl. I certainly do not anticipate this year being any different.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
09 unkind to Cinderella
2009 was the year of the giant. The year of the favorite. In fact, if Cinderella's ball was in 2009, she would have never gotten out of the carriage. The underdog captivates the average fan, and reaches that part of us that "think we can". The underdog was a mere after thought in 2009, a year dominated by the name you know.
The Florida Gators starting things off in January by winning their second national championship in 3 years and third overall. All galaxy quarterback Tim Tebow kept the Gators front and center all year, and they delivered. The following month, the Pittsburgh Steelers won their record sixth Lombardi Trophy as they knocked off the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. The victory was their second in four years. North Carolina continued their dominance over men's college basketball with their fifth national title and second under coach Roy Williams. Their victory over Michigan State was a blowout, which is fitting because the Tar Heels started the season ranked number one.
The Los Angeles Lakers won their fifteenth world title against the underdog Orlando Magic. Head coach Phil Jackson won his record tenth championship, and Kobe Bryant won his fourth overall title. The victory was no surprise, as the Lakers were clearly the best team all season. The New York Yankees finished 2009 off by winning their twenty seventh World Series title, cementing themselves as not only the team of the year, but the team of the decade. In short, Cinderella was shown no love in 09. 2010 starts off with Alabama winning their eighth national championship, and head coach Nick Saban winning his second with as many teams. You guessed it, Alabama was a four point favorite. With the nfl playoffs underway, recent trend is telling me to bet the farm on the Cowboys.
The Florida Gators starting things off in January by winning their second national championship in 3 years and third overall. All galaxy quarterback Tim Tebow kept the Gators front and center all year, and they delivered. The following month, the Pittsburgh Steelers won their record sixth Lombardi Trophy as they knocked off the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. The victory was their second in four years. North Carolina continued their dominance over men's college basketball with their fifth national title and second under coach Roy Williams. Their victory over Michigan State was a blowout, which is fitting because the Tar Heels started the season ranked number one.
The Los Angeles Lakers won their fifteenth world title against the underdog Orlando Magic. Head coach Phil Jackson won his record tenth championship, and Kobe Bryant won his fourth overall title. The victory was no surprise, as the Lakers were clearly the best team all season. The New York Yankees finished 2009 off by winning their twenty seventh World Series title, cementing themselves as not only the team of the year, but the team of the decade. In short, Cinderella was shown no love in 09. 2010 starts off with Alabama winning their eighth national championship, and head coach Nick Saban winning his second with as many teams. You guessed it, Alabama was a four point favorite. With the nfl playoffs underway, recent trend is telling me to bet the farm on the Cowboys.
Friday, January 8, 2010
QB comeback curse strikes again
The football gods have once again been unkind to the great college quarterback who shuns the NFL for a quest at a BCS title. Texas Longhorns qb Colt McCoy was the latest to fall victim last night against Alabama in the BCS title game. McCoy was knocked out of the game on his fifth offensive play. Not only did the Longhorns lose the game, McCoy's NFL draft stock could take a hit as well depending on the severity of the injury. Millions of dollars could hang in the balance. He is certainly not alone.
Oklahoma's Heisman trophy winning quarterback Sam Bradford said no to the Detroit Lions in hopes of a college championship. Bradford's season was cut short due to a shoulder injury, and the Sooner's title hopes went up in flames. So did any hopes of a number one draft pick, and subsequent contract. Florida's Tim Tebow returned for his senior year after winning the Heisman and two titles in a three year span. True, Tebow's professional desire may not be the NFL Hall of Fame, but his quest for back to back titles fell short. Tebow was also not perceived as "effective" as years past, finishing a distant last in the Heisman ballot.
On the flip side, when you look at the early careers of rookie quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Matthew Stafford you could only deduct that forgoing their senior years were great moves. What I am suggesting is politically incorrect. All of you juniors that have NFL scouts salivating, go! Don't look back.
Oklahoma's Heisman trophy winning quarterback Sam Bradford said no to the Detroit Lions in hopes of a college championship. Bradford's season was cut short due to a shoulder injury, and the Sooner's title hopes went up in flames. So did any hopes of a number one draft pick, and subsequent contract. Florida's Tim Tebow returned for his senior year after winning the Heisman and two titles in a three year span. True, Tebow's professional desire may not be the NFL Hall of Fame, but his quest for back to back titles fell short. Tebow was also not perceived as "effective" as years past, finishing a distant last in the Heisman ballot.
On the flip side, when you look at the early careers of rookie quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Matthew Stafford you could only deduct that forgoing their senior years were great moves. What I am suggesting is politically incorrect. All of you juniors that have NFL scouts salivating, go! Don't look back.
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