Win gives Woodson redemption, hof stamp

For Green Bay Packer's conerback Charles Woodson, next week's super bowl in Dallas will have been eight years in the making. We all remember Woodson's seemingly game clinching sack and forced fumble on New England's Tom Brady in the 2002 playoffs. It seems that Woodson is known more for being victimized by the "tuck rule" than for being one of the special football talents of the past decade. Woodson lead the Michigan Wolverines to an undefeated season and national championship in 1997. Woodson also became the first primarily defensive player to win the Heisman trophy, a feat that remains to this day. And let's not forget that Woodson was also a dangerous receiver, and one of the most feared return men in the nation.

Woodson continued to produce in the nfl, earning defensive rookie of the year honors in 1998. Thirteen years later, Woodson is the reigning defensive player of the year. Throw in seven pro bowl appearances and six all pro selections. The only thing missing from this hall of fame resume is a championship ring.

Titans made right move

Although shocking, the Tennessee Titans made the right move in parting ways with long time head coach Jeff Fisher. After 17 seasons both Fisher and the organization mutually agreed it was time to move on, and I will amen to that. Yes, Fisher lead the transition from Houston to Memphis to Nashville. Yes, Fisher lead the Titans to their lone super bowl appearance. And yes, the Titans have lost at least five games in a row in five of the past seven seasons. The Titans learned from two of their fiercest rivals that change can be a good thing.

Legendary Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher went to the playoffs in 10 of his 15 seasons, winning super bowl XL in 2005. In 2007 Cowher stepped away and was replaced by Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator and relative unknown Mike Tomlin. In his second season, Tomlin lead the Steelers to a championship and will be aiming for another next Sunday evening.

Baltimore Ravens head coach Brian Billick took his team to the playoffs in four of his nine seasons. Billick also brought the Ravens their first title in 2000. After a disappointing 07 campaign, the Ravens replaced Billick with Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs coach and relative unknown John Harbaugh. The Ravens have remained solid under Harbaugh's watch, making the playoffs in each of his first three seasons. The Titans need to do their homework and resist the "inside our organization" mentality that lead to a mediocre team at best the past few years. Change is good, The time was now.

Michigan hoops mirror football program

With all of the hoopla surrounding the University of Michigan's football program this off season, no one has paid attention to little brother. The men's basketball program is without question the younger sibling on campus, and have been so since the fab five unceremoniously bolted for nba stardom in the early 90's. If you look closely at third year coach John Beilein's team, they bear a striking resemblance to this year's football team. Both are streaky and both are consistently inconsistent.

Michigan's football team started the 2010 season 5-0, loss their next three, won the following two, then tanked the last three with a combined score of 137-49. The Wolverine basketball team won their first three, lost the next two, reeled off eight in a row, and are currently in the midst of a six game losing streak. Neither team could or can bounce back from a loss. Rich Rodriguez had a dynamic sophomore in quarterback Denard Robinson, who went on to be the 2010 big ten player of the year. Robinson was the most improved player in the conference, and possibly the entire country. John Beilein has his own sensational sophomore in guard Darius Morris. Like Robinson, Morris improved by leaps and bounds from year one to year two. He is the leading scorer for the Wolverines at just under 16 points a game, and fifth in the nation with seven assists to match.

Of all the similarities, the most alarming is the lack of the success in the conference, and against their rivals in particular. Rodriguez went o for 3 against Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Ohio State. Beilein already loss to Wisconsin and Ohio State, and will travel to Michigan State on Thursday. Both programs are extremely young, and in some areas extremely talented. But how long do you give a program "rebuilding grace" before losing becomes a fabric of the culture and image of the university? For both the football and basketball teams, time is running out.