Woods beats Henry 3 and 2 at match play
Peyton redoes deal, saves Colts cap room
Illinois G Smith surrenders to police
Pacers Tinsley, Daniels charged in fight
Dolphins sign Holliday for $20M, 4 years
DUI hearing for Colts’ Rhodes postponed
Cincy’s Thurman pleads no contest to DUI
Chief Illiniwek to perform for last time
Yahoo sports is listing 8 top stories this evening…amazingly half of them are drunken athletes out of control. Three athlete DUIs (counting Illinois G Smith, who was in fact detained over a horrible DUI wreck which left his teammate with a critical head injury). Four liquor-soaked ballers in all counting Pacers Tinsley who was charged with felony intimidation for his bar fight. And Cincy's Thurman has to do 90 days in the slammer for his repeat violation. Sadly, the days of alcohol fueled craziness and athletes are in full swing. Why? Perhaps the $20M in 4 year contract above sheds some light on the sense of entitlement some ballplayers have.
Compare the drunken free-for-all above with the maturity and sacrifice of Peyton restructuring his contract to keep the Colts on top, and the continued slaughter at the hands of the unstoppable Tiger Woods, Inc., and you either have a profound contrast or a world waiting for March Madness and baseball.
Meanwhile Chief Illegalwek has been banned, but is rumored that he will take to the streets of Champaign, IL for bootleg pep dances.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
Norv By Norv-west
The Chargers hiring of Norv Turner as head coach today can be compared to a date in which you offer to take your companion to Wendy’s, she objects, you offer to take her someplace better…only to pull your car into McDonald’s across the street. Norv is a poor man’s Schottenheimer – on a good day! Turner was noticeably ineffective in his years with the Skins and Raiduhs – earning a whopping one trip to the playoffs (with Washington). Just ask an Oakland fan about his 1-11 record in division games with the Raiders over his two years, and, assuming you don’t get a silver and black medieval mace to the face, suddenly Schottenheimer’s 5-13 playoff record won’t seem so terrible. Schottenheimer at least brings a successful regular season and a consistent competence at making the playoffs.
The Chargers, fresh off their botched showdown with Belichick and co. were nonetheless Vegas favorites moments after the Super Bowl ended. Vegas knows the casual fan who just suffered through three hours of Peyton in the rain would love nothing more than to dream that next year a new champion will emerge. The gaudy offensive production of Tomlinson and company and their 14-2 record perhaps MUST make the Bolts a favorite in the circular reasoning of America’s millions of brainwashed fantasy players.
One wonders, will Norv immediately have to inherit Marty’s “LaDanian is the best player ever” viewpoint as a condition of taking over? LaDanian can get four touchdowns in every game and they still wouldn’t be an inch closer to the Super Bowl if Norv can’t strategize a playoff win…likely against Belichick and/or Dungy no less. Norv’s inability to lead a team seemed to have him relegated to coordinator status for good, yet clearly the Chargers wanted to go with head coaching “experience” which is like saying we’d rather go with someone predictably mediocre than some young guy who is untested. No one has more experience being predictably mediocre than Marty Schottenheimer, who is a better Norv than Norv is, even.
The powder blue and yellow lightning bolts of SD seem forever doomed with this one to enter the realm of classic teams that apexed short of the Super Bowl. Not even a strategy of giving the ball to LeBron Tomlinson every single play will make these Cleveland Cavaliers of the NFL successful if they aren’t managed properly as a team, and remain unable to adapt to changing circumstances under pressure. Can Norv change that? You know the Raiders are licking their chops at two chances to show the world the answer is “no.”
The Chargers, fresh off their botched showdown with Belichick and co. were nonetheless Vegas favorites moments after the Super Bowl ended. Vegas knows the casual fan who just suffered through three hours of Peyton in the rain would love nothing more than to dream that next year a new champion will emerge. The gaudy offensive production of Tomlinson and company and their 14-2 record perhaps MUST make the Bolts a favorite in the circular reasoning of America’s millions of brainwashed fantasy players.
One wonders, will Norv immediately have to inherit Marty’s “LaDanian is the best player ever” viewpoint as a condition of taking over? LaDanian can get four touchdowns in every game and they still wouldn’t be an inch closer to the Super Bowl if Norv can’t strategize a playoff win…likely against Belichick and/or Dungy no less. Norv’s inability to lead a team seemed to have him relegated to coordinator status for good, yet clearly the Chargers wanted to go with head coaching “experience” which is like saying we’d rather go with someone predictably mediocre than some young guy who is untested. No one has more experience being predictably mediocre than Marty Schottenheimer, who is a better Norv than Norv is, even.
The powder blue and yellow lightning bolts of SD seem forever doomed with this one to enter the realm of classic teams that apexed short of the Super Bowl. Not even a strategy of giving the ball to LeBron Tomlinson every single play will make these Cleveland Cavaliers of the NFL successful if they aren’t managed properly as a team, and remain unable to adapt to changing circumstances under pressure. Can Norv change that? You know the Raiders are licking their chops at two chances to show the world the answer is “no.”
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Hoya Toughness
Georgetown showed Grind It Out tenacity in defeating Villanova Saturday, capturing the latest opportunity for a measure of revenge for the eternal Hoya pain from the ’85 title upset. Nine consecutive victories for Georgetown have fans dreaming that the current “Ewing Jr. Era” will represent not only Patrick’s role player son’s presence on the team, but also a taste of the same NCAA glory his pop achieved. Let’s just say they have at least achieved an “Iverson Era” level of success, which feels good for fans after a lean decade there.
Georgetown’s 7’2” Roy Hibbert may get the publicity, but the Villanova game showed it’s the sharp shooting and toughness of Jeff Green around which the Hoyas revolve. Green’s fake 3 and smooth step-out to drain a laser 15-footer put Georgetown ahead for good at 56-55, and was the last field goal of the game. The fake worked nicely because of Green’s silky quickness and also because he is potentially deadly from outside. Green absorbed a smack in the face in a rebounding scrum a play later and shook off the circling tweety birds to nail two clutch free throws as the Hoyas triumphed 58-55.
The versatile Green, who finished with 19 points, 9 bounds and a career high 8 blocked shots, was aided by the sparkling play of NYC native playmaker Jessie Sapp, who thrilled audiences by sinking a shot at the halftime buzzer well beyond halfcourt in an effortless leaping shot putting motion. Told he was not winning a car for this effort, Sapp continued to hit clutch threes in the tight second half, also showing his ability to slice and dice in the lane.
Hibbert was not allowed to play offense by Nova, and got his only touch in the paint on his second of only two baskets with 2:59 remaining. G-town went right back to him off the inbounds on the next possession, but his sluggish and flat footed up-and-under move was easily blocked by Nova’s Sheridan. For whatever reason the towering Hibbert can’t seem to generate his own offense in the paint at times. Hoya coach John Thompson Jr.’s brilliance has been harnessing the giant project’s contributions while not allowing his rough spots to cost the team the game. With the clutch hands of Green waiting for the ball, Georgetown has been deadly.
Georgetown’s 7’2” Roy Hibbert may get the publicity, but the Villanova game showed it’s the sharp shooting and toughness of Jeff Green around which the Hoyas revolve. Green’s fake 3 and smooth step-out to drain a laser 15-footer put Georgetown ahead for good at 56-55, and was the last field goal of the game. The fake worked nicely because of Green’s silky quickness and also because he is potentially deadly from outside. Green absorbed a smack in the face in a rebounding scrum a play later and shook off the circling tweety birds to nail two clutch free throws as the Hoyas triumphed 58-55.
The versatile Green, who finished with 19 points, 9 bounds and a career high 8 blocked shots, was aided by the sparkling play of NYC native playmaker Jessie Sapp, who thrilled audiences by sinking a shot at the halftime buzzer well beyond halfcourt in an effortless leaping shot putting motion. Told he was not winning a car for this effort, Sapp continued to hit clutch threes in the tight second half, also showing his ability to slice and dice in the lane.
Hibbert was not allowed to play offense by Nova, and got his only touch in the paint on his second of only two baskets with 2:59 remaining. G-town went right back to him off the inbounds on the next possession, but his sluggish and flat footed up-and-under move was easily blocked by Nova’s Sheridan. For whatever reason the towering Hibbert can’t seem to generate his own offense in the paint at times. Hoya coach John Thompson Jr.’s brilliance has been harnessing the giant project’s contributions while not allowing his rough spots to cost the team the game. With the clutch hands of Green waiting for the ball, Georgetown has been deadly.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Rex a Tyranosaurus of Failure
Super Bowl XLI will always be remembered for a stirring, inspiring performance amid a torrential downpour. And in addition to Prince’s halftime show, the Colts won a football game.
Kelvin Hayden’s interception for the Colts closed out a soggy day for the Bears. On the ensuing challenge replays it could be seen that his foot touched down within a single blade of grass of the sideline before he took off on his 56-yard touchdown run, the only score of the fourth quarter, the one that iced it. Rex Grossman’s pass was a lazy looper, floated into coverage.
When Rex was intercepted by Bob Sanders two passes later, it was clear the much anticipated scenario of Grossman costing his team the game would be the story of the day, ahead of the monsoon (first inclement weather in Super Bowl history) and the sizzling opening with Devin Hester scoring while Billy Joel was still performing the national anthem. With Rex unable to sustain a drive (nothing longer than 2:22), the D was left out in the rain for days. Grossman allowed the Colts to control the clock with his inability to get first downs, then allowed them to win the game on his poor judgment on the two interceptions, thrown sloppily and deep downfield.
Peyton’s primary contribution was to facilitate the fine running of Rhodes and Addai by not dropping the ball. The two Colt runners deserved to be co-MVP’s in place of the suddenly monkey-free QB. The Hester return and five first quarter turnovers gave the game a wide open feel early, but Peyton’s conservative ball control march to victory made the second half considerably less entertaining.
Clearly, Peyton’s hours of experience at getting pelted by rain while filming Gatorade commercials proved very useful Sunday. Rex on the other hand could have been benched for his poor decisions and lackluster execution. If some purple shoulder pads could have been found for Prince perhaps the result would have been different.
Kelvin Hayden’s interception for the Colts closed out a soggy day for the Bears. On the ensuing challenge replays it could be seen that his foot touched down within a single blade of grass of the sideline before he took off on his 56-yard touchdown run, the only score of the fourth quarter, the one that iced it. Rex Grossman’s pass was a lazy looper, floated into coverage.
When Rex was intercepted by Bob Sanders two passes later, it was clear the much anticipated scenario of Grossman costing his team the game would be the story of the day, ahead of the monsoon (first inclement weather in Super Bowl history) and the sizzling opening with Devin Hester scoring while Billy Joel was still performing the national anthem. With Rex unable to sustain a drive (nothing longer than 2:22), the D was left out in the rain for days. Grossman allowed the Colts to control the clock with his inability to get first downs, then allowed them to win the game on his poor judgment on the two interceptions, thrown sloppily and deep downfield.
Peyton’s primary contribution was to facilitate the fine running of Rhodes and Addai by not dropping the ball. The two Colt runners deserved to be co-MVP’s in place of the suddenly monkey-free QB. The Hester return and five first quarter turnovers gave the game a wide open feel early, but Peyton’s conservative ball control march to victory made the second half considerably less entertaining.
Clearly, Peyton’s hours of experience at getting pelted by rain while filming Gatorade commercials proved very useful Sunday. Rex on the other hand could have been benched for his poor decisions and lackluster execution. If some purple shoulder pads could have been found for Prince perhaps the result would have been different.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
From McGee to Randel-El: Super Bowl Magic Moments
Brunch with your girlfriend. Laundry. Loading your iTunes. Reflecting on past Super Bowl glories. The two-week break before the Super Bowl provides opportunities for all kinds of enjoyment, on this the first Sunday Without Football. The sting of this day is taken away by the fact that we can look forward to The Biggest Sunday of Them All in seven days. Its as if the NFL has to wean its fans gradually off football; the break prevents the shock from being too great after the Bowl, since we have all gotten a taste today of the way Sundays will soon feel for many weeks. Suffice it to say that if you are sitting down to a plate of nachos and a beer to watch the Pro Bowl in a couple of weeks, you seriously need help letting go.
Superbowl.com provides a fun 5-question quiz which determines what team you should root for if still undecided. Give it a shot if you haven’t tried it yet, definitely good for a few laughs. The quiz told me what I already know, that I will be rooting for the Bears Sunday. Although I must say its hard not feel like the Colts are destined to win this one. More than anything in their epic come from behind win over the Pats last Sunday, I was impressed by Peyton Manning’s fire after throwing the interception that put Indy in a 21-3 hole. As annoying as it is to have his “being a leader” constantly drummed into our heads by the media, you could see his emotion at that moment, and he really did manage to keep his team focused and competitive when lesser players might sulk their way through the next couple of plays.
This week I ask the question, what were the great indelible moments in Super Bowl History? I take a personal approach, adding where I was, and the circumstances of my viewing the game into the mix. Beginning with my understanding of those early legendary Bowls before my birth, I give you the epic Grind It Out Sports Super Bowl Magic Moments.
Super Bowl 1 (1967) Green Bay 35 – Kansas City 10. Legendary night of partying for seldom used Packers WR Max McGee, who had an amazing 7 catches and 2 TDs motivated by pure fear, not wanting coach Vince Lombardi to know how hung over he was. After hiding under the covers and then sneaking back to the bars after curfew, McGee was still buying drinks for young LA ladies as the sun was coming up, since he didn’t expect to see a single pass, having only caught 7 all season in what was to be his last year. An injury to the starting WR thrust McGee into the spotlight. Future Super Bowl eve partiers would not exhibit McGee’s ability to bounce back and be a hero.
Super Bowl 3 (1969) New York Jets 16 – Baltimore 7. The legendary guarantee and equally legendary lambchops of Mr. Kissing Suzy Kolber himself, Broadway Joe Namath. This is the first known “guarantee” in sports, magically coming true against huge odds, and thereby for a short time giving credence to the word. Today, a sports “guarantee” is nothing more than a really strong prediction, a lock of the week if you will. Hundreds of “guarantees” since then have been false, with no consideration to the guarantor, the fans.
Super Bowl 4 (1970) Kansas City 23 – Minnesota 7. “They’re running around like a Chinese fire drill”. The late great Hank Stram of the Chiefs, first coach to be miked up on the sideline, pacing the sideline in his arrowhead-logo blazer, slapping his palm with his rolled up program.
Super Bowl 7 (1973) Miami 14 – Washington 7. Dolphin kicker Garo Yepremian picks up a wild snap and suddenly his dream of being a quarterback in the Super Bowl takes over. Garo's wobbly wounded duck of a pass goes sideways and is scooped up by rthe Skins for a 49 yard touchdown run the other way. Second only to the tumbling ski jumper on the Wide World of Sports, this picture of futility was ironically the only blemish on a Dolphins Super Bowl win which cemented their perfect season.
Super Bowl 8 (1974) Miami 24 – Minnesota 7. My brother Andrew is born on this day. This not only inspires years of mostly futile support for the Dolphins in our family, but also represents the first sign of my brother’s strange control over the Vikings, on whom he bestowed a curse which will prevent them from ever winning the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl 10 (1976) Pittsburgh 21 – Dallas 17. The concentration of Steeler WR Lynn Swann leaping to touch a long ball also touched by the defender, planting his foot and leaping again to snare the tipped pass out of the air.
Super Bowl 11 (1977) Oakland 32 – Minnesota 14. Raiders coach John Madden, in his black shirt and blue polyester pants, his curly hair swooped into a big puff, being carried off the field by his players with a classic look of joy…which allows him to “Boom!” - break into broadcasting.
Super Bowl 12 (1978) Dallas 27 – Denver 10. The first super bowl I can really remember watching although I can’t recall any of the game. My only memory is the image of the big beard of Broncos QB Craig Morton. Gimme a break, I was 8. However this began an uninterrupted run of Super Bowl viewings.
Super Bowl 13 (1979) Pittsburgh 35 – Dallas 31. Lynn Swann again, this time leaping into the endzone for the deciding TD.
Super Bowl 14 (1980) Pittsburgh 31 - LA Rams 19. I remember rooting for the Rams and their plucky underdog QB Vince Ferragamo, who held a 19-14 lead coming into the fourth quarter. Another Bradshaw bomb for the Steelers, this time to John Stallworth was predicted by family friend Bob Z, whose confidence in the favorite Steelers underscores my first taste of the perilous road of rooting for underdogs.
Super Bowl 15 (1981) Oakland 31 – Philadelphia 17. Scruffy Raiders linebacker Rod Martin grabs his third interception of the day, deflating the Eagles for good.
Super Bowl 16 (1982) San Francisco 26 – Cincinnati 21. Heroic and gritty goal line stand by the Niners D denied the Bengals on four attempts inside the three yard line and tips the balance to SF.
Super Bowl 17 (1983) Washington 27 – Miami 17. Bruising Redskin menace John Riggins, who had bullied the Dolphins all game despite my inept attempts to will the defense to stop him, turns a fourth-and-one attempt into a 43 yard back-breaking fourth quarter TD.
Super Bowl 18 (1984) LA Raiders 38 – Washington 7. Most remember Marcus Allen’s amazing reversal of field for a 74 yard TD. The real play of the game was the interception by unknown Raiders DB Jack Squirek. Redskins QB Joe Theismann, who was backed up deep in his own end threw a little toss in the flat which Squirek turned into a flash of a pick-6, a TD that kept the Skins out of the game.
Super Bowl 19 (1985) San Francisco 38 – Miami 16. A blur of disappointment and Joe Montana on another day of high Dolphins hopes in which no play is remembered.
Super Bowl 20 (1986) Chicago 46 – New England 10. I obnoxiously offered my friend Eric Klopfer (a Pats fan) a 20 point spread on a $20 bet which allowed me to relish the Bears 46-10 victory in smug satisfaction. Who can forget the Fridge scoring that touchdown?
Super Bowl 21 (1987) NY Giants 39 – Denver 20. Giants WR Phil McConkey scoops up a floating tip in the endzone for a TD in a game punctuated by my Mom’s cousin Bob Lichman’s shouts of “little Joe from Kokomo” every time Giants RB Joe Morris touched the ball. Cousin Bob’s joy was my first taste of a fan rewarded for years of suffering and unconditional support.
Super Bowl 22 (1988) Washington 42 – Denver 10. 35 points in a Redskins second quarter blitzkrieg, which I still use as the yardstick for the most points you can possibly expect to score in a quarter.
Super Bowl 23 (1989) San Francisco 20 – Cincinnati 16. I’ll never forget Bengals lineman Tim Krumrie breaking his leg and the gruesome image of his massive limb bending so disturbingly where there was no joint. The game, a rare thriller, came down to that winning drive by Montana as the clock was ticking down, capped by the pass to John Taylor in endzone traffic.
Super Bowl 24 (1990) San Francisco 55 – Denver 10. This one-sided slaughter is memorialized by the Simpsons in which Homer wishes he could be John Elway. He envisions himself spiking the ball in the endzone with a Super Bowl TD, only to learn the score is now 55-10 Niners. D’oh!!!
Super Bowl 25 (1991) Giants 20 – Buffalo 19. Buffalo kicker Scott Norwood goes wide right on a chance to win the game as I am down on my knees in the TV lounge of my college dorm, praying for Big Blue. The sweet taste of victory celebrated with a massive bucket of a margarita at Houlihans.
Super Bowl 26 (1992) Washington 37 – Buffalo 24. In a legendary mishap, Buffalo RB Thurman Thomas leaves his helmet in the dressing room and doesn’t notice until the game is about to start. Thomas misses the first possession, which features two running plays, the Bills have to punt and never recover. Thomas only gets 13 yards on the day.
Super Bowl 27 (1993) Dallas 52 – Buffalo 17, and Super Bowl 28 (1994) Dallas 30 – Buffalo 13. These were the dark ages for the Super Bowl. My girlfriend Joyce remembers how annoying, unemotional and formulaic these games were without recalling the exact teams involved, as many casual fans have, she has blocked out the details. Team America against the bumbling Bills provided no foothold for anyone not specifically rooting for one team. The two years run together without any indelible memories save for one. Huge Cowboys end Leon Lett showboating with a recovered fumble gets stripped by a hustling Bills WR Don Beebe at the one inch line. The fact that these two dismal Bowls are remembered for a quirky sideshow of play which did not affect the outcome of the game is a fitting statement.
Super Bowl 29 (1995) San Francisco 49 – San Diego 26. Only three plays into the game, Niners WR Jerry Rice is gone on a 44 yard breakaway TD. I am watching the game in my Mission District apartment in San Francisco and the crackle of gunfire and explosives can be heard at the exact moment of this early TD, the excitement of the rout being on that early was indescribable. Later there is dancing on the streets, waving of flags and bouncing automobiles in a wild scene.
Super Bowl 30 (1996) Dallas 27 – Pittsburgh 17. In a crushing moment which doomed this game to be remembered for failure, Steelers QB Neil O’Donnell threw a ball right to Cowboy DB Larry Brown, I mean right to him. Inexplicable for the Steelers and anyone rooting for either a good game or the breaking of 11 years of NFC dominance. I was at a San Francisco Super Bowl party where, naturally, we were unanimously rooting for the Steelers. The hostess comes in at that exact moment with a tray of snacks and lets out a big cheer. It was the fourth quarter and she was so focused on the chips and dips that she hadn’t picked up which team was in what uniform yet, and thought Pittsburgh just grabbed the INT. Her errant cheer echoes into the sullen room.
Super Bowl 31 (1997) Green Bay 35 - New England 21. Fleet footed Heisman winner Desmond Howard answers a Pats TD by scampering 99 yards for a Packer TD on the ensuing kickoff, slamming the door shut on the Tuna and the Pats.
Super Bowl 32 (1998) Denver 31 – Green Bay 24. John Elway scrambling for a first down gets knocked 360 degrees in the air, spinning the Broncos to an unexpected victory. Odd to remember rooting for Elway and the Broncos to break the 12 year NFC run and to upset what I assumed would be a dynasty by Brett Favre that never came to be.
Super Bowl 33 (1999) Denver 34 – Atlanta 19. Hanky panky in the late night hours by Falcons safety Eugene Robinson has him arrested for solicitation of a prostitute. After being awarded the Bart Starr award for “high moral character” earlier in the day, Robinson, a married father of two, caps his Super Bowl eve by offering a female undercover cop $40 for oral sex. His bust reverberates through the pregame discussions and when Robinson gets toasted on an 80 yard Elway bomb, his fate is sealed as a Super Bowl villain who feel prey to the bright lights of the big game.
Super Bowl 34 (2000) St. Louis 23 – Tennessee 16. Titans receiver Andre Dyson stretches out for a game tying touchdown as time expires, only to be tackled a yard short of the endzone, capping a thriller. Not to disparage the ending but you could kinda tell he wasn’t gonna get it.
Super Bowl 35 (2001) Baltimore 34 – New York Giants 7. I hosted a snow covered cookout with Giants fans. At a certain point in the third quarter everyone had fallen asleep except me. I had to wake everyone up to see replays of Ron Dixon’s 99 yard kickoff return, which was the only Giants score.
Super Bowl 36 (2002) New England 20 – St. Louis 17. Pats Adam Vinatieri with that clutch 48 yard game winner. But ya gotta remember Brady on that last drive with no timeouts. Great game and I feel nostalgic for the days of the Pats as loveable underdogs.
Super Bowl 37 (2003) Tampa Bay 48 – Oakland 21. In another disturbing example of pre Super Bowl partying gone awry, Raiders pro bowl center Barrett Robbins goes AWOL in Tijuana the day before the game (in San Diego), losing track of where and who he was in an alcohol-fueled bipolar episode. Unable to attend team functions he is sent home before the game. Backup Adam Treu is pushed around by Warren Sapp and company all game, as the Raiders are defeated while wondering why their offensive anchor wasn’t there.
Super Bowl 38 (2004) New England 32 – Carolina 29. After a great game-tying drive by the Panthers with 1:08 left, play of the game was a boneheaded kick out of bounds by Carolina kicker Jim Kasay. Starting at the 40 after the ensuing penalty gave the Pats plenty of time to maneuver Vinatieri into position for another Super Bowl winning kick.
Super Bowl 39 (2005) New England 24 – Philadelphia 21. Eagles QB Donovan McNabb throws up before an attempted fourth quarter drive and is strangely flat and unemotional while attempting in vain to lead his team.
Super Bowl 40 (2006) Pittsburgh 21 – Seattle 10. Steelers cement it on a trick play as wideout and former QB Antwan Randel-El catches a lateral and flings it 43 yards for a TD to Hines Ward.
Superbowl.com provides a fun 5-question quiz which determines what team you should root for if still undecided. Give it a shot if you haven’t tried it yet, definitely good for a few laughs. The quiz told me what I already know, that I will be rooting for the Bears Sunday. Although I must say its hard not feel like the Colts are destined to win this one. More than anything in their epic come from behind win over the Pats last Sunday, I was impressed by Peyton Manning’s fire after throwing the interception that put Indy in a 21-3 hole. As annoying as it is to have his “being a leader” constantly drummed into our heads by the media, you could see his emotion at that moment, and he really did manage to keep his team focused and competitive when lesser players might sulk their way through the next couple of plays.
This week I ask the question, what were the great indelible moments in Super Bowl History? I take a personal approach, adding where I was, and the circumstances of my viewing the game into the mix. Beginning with my understanding of those early legendary Bowls before my birth, I give you the epic Grind It Out Sports Super Bowl Magic Moments.
Super Bowl 1 (1967) Green Bay 35 – Kansas City 10. Legendary night of partying for seldom used Packers WR Max McGee, who had an amazing 7 catches and 2 TDs motivated by pure fear, not wanting coach Vince Lombardi to know how hung over he was. After hiding under the covers and then sneaking back to the bars after curfew, McGee was still buying drinks for young LA ladies as the sun was coming up, since he didn’t expect to see a single pass, having only caught 7 all season in what was to be his last year. An injury to the starting WR thrust McGee into the spotlight. Future Super Bowl eve partiers would not exhibit McGee’s ability to bounce back and be a hero.
Super Bowl 3 (1969) New York Jets 16 – Baltimore 7. The legendary guarantee and equally legendary lambchops of Mr. Kissing Suzy Kolber himself, Broadway Joe Namath. This is the first known “guarantee” in sports, magically coming true against huge odds, and thereby for a short time giving credence to the word. Today, a sports “guarantee” is nothing more than a really strong prediction, a lock of the week if you will. Hundreds of “guarantees” since then have been false, with no consideration to the guarantor, the fans.
Super Bowl 4 (1970) Kansas City 23 – Minnesota 7. “They’re running around like a Chinese fire drill”. The late great Hank Stram of the Chiefs, first coach to be miked up on the sideline, pacing the sideline in his arrowhead-logo blazer, slapping his palm with his rolled up program.
Super Bowl 7 (1973) Miami 14 – Washington 7. Dolphin kicker Garo Yepremian picks up a wild snap and suddenly his dream of being a quarterback in the Super Bowl takes over. Garo's wobbly wounded duck of a pass goes sideways and is scooped up by rthe Skins for a 49 yard touchdown run the other way. Second only to the tumbling ski jumper on the Wide World of Sports, this picture of futility was ironically the only blemish on a Dolphins Super Bowl win which cemented their perfect season.
Super Bowl 8 (1974) Miami 24 – Minnesota 7. My brother Andrew is born on this day. This not only inspires years of mostly futile support for the Dolphins in our family, but also represents the first sign of my brother’s strange control over the Vikings, on whom he bestowed a curse which will prevent them from ever winning the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl 10 (1976) Pittsburgh 21 – Dallas 17. The concentration of Steeler WR Lynn Swann leaping to touch a long ball also touched by the defender, planting his foot and leaping again to snare the tipped pass out of the air.
Super Bowl 11 (1977) Oakland 32 – Minnesota 14. Raiders coach John Madden, in his black shirt and blue polyester pants, his curly hair swooped into a big puff, being carried off the field by his players with a classic look of joy…which allows him to “Boom!” - break into broadcasting.
Super Bowl 12 (1978) Dallas 27 – Denver 10. The first super bowl I can really remember watching although I can’t recall any of the game. My only memory is the image of the big beard of Broncos QB Craig Morton. Gimme a break, I was 8. However this began an uninterrupted run of Super Bowl viewings.
Super Bowl 13 (1979) Pittsburgh 35 – Dallas 31. Lynn Swann again, this time leaping into the endzone for the deciding TD.
Super Bowl 14 (1980) Pittsburgh 31 - LA Rams 19. I remember rooting for the Rams and their plucky underdog QB Vince Ferragamo, who held a 19-14 lead coming into the fourth quarter. Another Bradshaw bomb for the Steelers, this time to John Stallworth was predicted by family friend Bob Z, whose confidence in the favorite Steelers underscores my first taste of the perilous road of rooting for underdogs.
Super Bowl 15 (1981) Oakland 31 – Philadelphia 17. Scruffy Raiders linebacker Rod Martin grabs his third interception of the day, deflating the Eagles for good.
Super Bowl 16 (1982) San Francisco 26 – Cincinnati 21. Heroic and gritty goal line stand by the Niners D denied the Bengals on four attempts inside the three yard line and tips the balance to SF.
Super Bowl 17 (1983) Washington 27 – Miami 17. Bruising Redskin menace John Riggins, who had bullied the Dolphins all game despite my inept attempts to will the defense to stop him, turns a fourth-and-one attempt into a 43 yard back-breaking fourth quarter TD.
Super Bowl 18 (1984) LA Raiders 38 – Washington 7. Most remember Marcus Allen’s amazing reversal of field for a 74 yard TD. The real play of the game was the interception by unknown Raiders DB Jack Squirek. Redskins QB Joe Theismann, who was backed up deep in his own end threw a little toss in the flat which Squirek turned into a flash of a pick-6, a TD that kept the Skins out of the game.
Super Bowl 19 (1985) San Francisco 38 – Miami 16. A blur of disappointment and Joe Montana on another day of high Dolphins hopes in which no play is remembered.
Super Bowl 20 (1986) Chicago 46 – New England 10. I obnoxiously offered my friend Eric Klopfer (a Pats fan) a 20 point spread on a $20 bet which allowed me to relish the Bears 46-10 victory in smug satisfaction. Who can forget the Fridge scoring that touchdown?
Super Bowl 21 (1987) NY Giants 39 – Denver 20. Giants WR Phil McConkey scoops up a floating tip in the endzone for a TD in a game punctuated by my Mom’s cousin Bob Lichman’s shouts of “little Joe from Kokomo” every time Giants RB Joe Morris touched the ball. Cousin Bob’s joy was my first taste of a fan rewarded for years of suffering and unconditional support.
Super Bowl 22 (1988) Washington 42 – Denver 10. 35 points in a Redskins second quarter blitzkrieg, which I still use as the yardstick for the most points you can possibly expect to score in a quarter.
Super Bowl 23 (1989) San Francisco 20 – Cincinnati 16. I’ll never forget Bengals lineman Tim Krumrie breaking his leg and the gruesome image of his massive limb bending so disturbingly where there was no joint. The game, a rare thriller, came down to that winning drive by Montana as the clock was ticking down, capped by the pass to John Taylor in endzone traffic.
Super Bowl 24 (1990) San Francisco 55 – Denver 10. This one-sided slaughter is memorialized by the Simpsons in which Homer wishes he could be John Elway. He envisions himself spiking the ball in the endzone with a Super Bowl TD, only to learn the score is now 55-10 Niners. D’oh!!!
Super Bowl 25 (1991) Giants 20 – Buffalo 19. Buffalo kicker Scott Norwood goes wide right on a chance to win the game as I am down on my knees in the TV lounge of my college dorm, praying for Big Blue. The sweet taste of victory celebrated with a massive bucket of a margarita at Houlihans.
Super Bowl 26 (1992) Washington 37 – Buffalo 24. In a legendary mishap, Buffalo RB Thurman Thomas leaves his helmet in the dressing room and doesn’t notice until the game is about to start. Thomas misses the first possession, which features two running plays, the Bills have to punt and never recover. Thomas only gets 13 yards on the day.
Super Bowl 27 (1993) Dallas 52 – Buffalo 17, and Super Bowl 28 (1994) Dallas 30 – Buffalo 13. These were the dark ages for the Super Bowl. My girlfriend Joyce remembers how annoying, unemotional and formulaic these games were without recalling the exact teams involved, as many casual fans have, she has blocked out the details. Team America against the bumbling Bills provided no foothold for anyone not specifically rooting for one team. The two years run together without any indelible memories save for one. Huge Cowboys end Leon Lett showboating with a recovered fumble gets stripped by a hustling Bills WR Don Beebe at the one inch line. The fact that these two dismal Bowls are remembered for a quirky sideshow of play which did not affect the outcome of the game is a fitting statement.
Super Bowl 29 (1995) San Francisco 49 – San Diego 26. Only three plays into the game, Niners WR Jerry Rice is gone on a 44 yard breakaway TD. I am watching the game in my Mission District apartment in San Francisco and the crackle of gunfire and explosives can be heard at the exact moment of this early TD, the excitement of the rout being on that early was indescribable. Later there is dancing on the streets, waving of flags and bouncing automobiles in a wild scene.
Super Bowl 30 (1996) Dallas 27 – Pittsburgh 17. In a crushing moment which doomed this game to be remembered for failure, Steelers QB Neil O’Donnell threw a ball right to Cowboy DB Larry Brown, I mean right to him. Inexplicable for the Steelers and anyone rooting for either a good game or the breaking of 11 years of NFC dominance. I was at a San Francisco Super Bowl party where, naturally, we were unanimously rooting for the Steelers. The hostess comes in at that exact moment with a tray of snacks and lets out a big cheer. It was the fourth quarter and she was so focused on the chips and dips that she hadn’t picked up which team was in what uniform yet, and thought Pittsburgh just grabbed the INT. Her errant cheer echoes into the sullen room.
Super Bowl 31 (1997) Green Bay 35 - New England 21. Fleet footed Heisman winner Desmond Howard answers a Pats TD by scampering 99 yards for a Packer TD on the ensuing kickoff, slamming the door shut on the Tuna and the Pats.
Super Bowl 32 (1998) Denver 31 – Green Bay 24. John Elway scrambling for a first down gets knocked 360 degrees in the air, spinning the Broncos to an unexpected victory. Odd to remember rooting for Elway and the Broncos to break the 12 year NFC run and to upset what I assumed would be a dynasty by Brett Favre that never came to be.
Super Bowl 33 (1999) Denver 34 – Atlanta 19. Hanky panky in the late night hours by Falcons safety Eugene Robinson has him arrested for solicitation of a prostitute. After being awarded the Bart Starr award for “high moral character” earlier in the day, Robinson, a married father of two, caps his Super Bowl eve by offering a female undercover cop $40 for oral sex. His bust reverberates through the pregame discussions and when Robinson gets toasted on an 80 yard Elway bomb, his fate is sealed as a Super Bowl villain who feel prey to the bright lights of the big game.
Super Bowl 34 (2000) St. Louis 23 – Tennessee 16. Titans receiver Andre Dyson stretches out for a game tying touchdown as time expires, only to be tackled a yard short of the endzone, capping a thriller. Not to disparage the ending but you could kinda tell he wasn’t gonna get it.
Super Bowl 35 (2001) Baltimore 34 – New York Giants 7. I hosted a snow covered cookout with Giants fans. At a certain point in the third quarter everyone had fallen asleep except me. I had to wake everyone up to see replays of Ron Dixon’s 99 yard kickoff return, which was the only Giants score.
Super Bowl 36 (2002) New England 20 – St. Louis 17. Pats Adam Vinatieri with that clutch 48 yard game winner. But ya gotta remember Brady on that last drive with no timeouts. Great game and I feel nostalgic for the days of the Pats as loveable underdogs.
Super Bowl 37 (2003) Tampa Bay 48 – Oakland 21. In another disturbing example of pre Super Bowl partying gone awry, Raiders pro bowl center Barrett Robbins goes AWOL in Tijuana the day before the game (in San Diego), losing track of where and who he was in an alcohol-fueled bipolar episode. Unable to attend team functions he is sent home before the game. Backup Adam Treu is pushed around by Warren Sapp and company all game, as the Raiders are defeated while wondering why their offensive anchor wasn’t there.
Super Bowl 38 (2004) New England 32 – Carolina 29. After a great game-tying drive by the Panthers with 1:08 left, play of the game was a boneheaded kick out of bounds by Carolina kicker Jim Kasay. Starting at the 40 after the ensuing penalty gave the Pats plenty of time to maneuver Vinatieri into position for another Super Bowl winning kick.
Super Bowl 39 (2005) New England 24 – Philadelphia 21. Eagles QB Donovan McNabb throws up before an attempted fourth quarter drive and is strangely flat and unemotional while attempting in vain to lead his team.
Super Bowl 40 (2006) Pittsburgh 21 – Seattle 10. Steelers cement it on a trick play as wideout and former QB Antwan Randel-El catches a lateral and flings it 43 yards for a TD to Hines Ward.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Pats Protected By Glowing Light
After the Patriots stunning performance against the Chargers, I am changing the name of this column to “Hang Around Sports” for just one week, as the Pats proved that being outplayed by a more talented team is no reason to go losing a football game all of a sudden.
I must admit how colossally wrong I was. Xs and Os are more important than the Belichick/Brady mystique and playoff record? What on earth was I thinking? Of course the Brady/Belichick factor is more important. Of course the Pats were not struck by lightning as I had predicted (perhaps due to the fact that the original New England Patriot, the loveable tri-cornered hat wearing Ben Franklin, actually invented the lightning rod). Of course the Pats amazing run would roll on in the time after Deion Branch and into the year 2007. Jabar Gaffney? Doesn’t matter. Brady, smirking in the postgame press conference, relishing the fact that he could somehow still be an underdog in the Fantasy Football obsessed perception of America, even though he always wins.
The Pats were surrounded by a glowing light all game; realizing this made me want to recant my prediction halfway through the first quarter. When they lost the ball they magically got it back. Brady has the ball come flying out and get tracked by an invisible force field into the arms of Matt Light (one of his Visa 5 layers of protection). SD gets the big interception by McCree with an 8 point lead and Troy Brown is able to stop time, calmly walk over and poke out the ball, and then allow the game, and their drive, to resume. I've seen stuff like that happen on "Heroes", but never before in football. Drives extended by headbutting penalties due to imps buzzing in Chargers' heads. Calling it "Brady/Belichick magic at work" is just man's attempt to explain the shielding light that seems to protect the Pats.
Martyball may not have been responsible for these turnover mishaps, but in the category of things you CAN control, the blame lies squarely on Martyball for the worst, most horrible call of the game. Talking about 2nd and 5, tie game, late fourth quarter. Ya gotta hand the ball to LaDanian, yes, again, just like you did on first down. Marty was unwilling to fully embrace the use of his deadliest and most dependable weapon. He put the ball in the hands of the rookie QB and allowed himself to get beaten on poorly thrown Rivers incompletions, and punted the ball away to Brady and Co. with the perfect 3:30 left, practically leaving milk and cookies in the endzone for them. I contend LaDanian could get you close enough on second down that you wouldn’t be stuck throwing again on third. It’s the playoffs, you go back to the well again and again if you have to.
La Danian lost his cool at midfield after the game – nice job defending the disturbing “dance” of your steroid abusing teammate. Shawne Merriman’s Roid Rhumba is a repeated, annoying taunt in the face of his opponents. It would seem to be the most basic rule of taunting that after you’ve done it ad naseum you can expect to have it done in your face when you lose. LaDanian’s call of “disrespectful” for this case of taunting back the taunter is way off, the only thing disrespectful is the final score being disrespectful to the San Diego fans. Take some responsibility for that instead of playing your sour grapes cards on the Pats organization.
Since I obviously have clouded judgment with my picks, and since I witnessed the Pats surrounded by the glowing light, I have to reverse what my picks would ordinarily be looking at the “Xs and Os”. Its apparent to me that the Pats will win the Super Bowl, beating the Bears in an 85 revenge bloodmatch.
Grind It Out Sports play of the weekend, however, comes courtesy of the Saints Deuce McAllister, when he plowed the pile forward for a TD, his body twisted in a J-shape and his helmet removed by the shifting continents, keying a courageous victory against a game Philly squad.
I must admit how colossally wrong I was. Xs and Os are more important than the Belichick/Brady mystique and playoff record? What on earth was I thinking? Of course the Brady/Belichick factor is more important. Of course the Pats were not struck by lightning as I had predicted (perhaps due to the fact that the original New England Patriot, the loveable tri-cornered hat wearing Ben Franklin, actually invented the lightning rod). Of course the Pats amazing run would roll on in the time after Deion Branch and into the year 2007. Jabar Gaffney? Doesn’t matter. Brady, smirking in the postgame press conference, relishing the fact that he could somehow still be an underdog in the Fantasy Football obsessed perception of America, even though he always wins.
The Pats were surrounded by a glowing light all game; realizing this made me want to recant my prediction halfway through the first quarter. When they lost the ball they magically got it back. Brady has the ball come flying out and get tracked by an invisible force field into the arms of Matt Light (one of his Visa 5 layers of protection). SD gets the big interception by McCree with an 8 point lead and Troy Brown is able to stop time, calmly walk over and poke out the ball, and then allow the game, and their drive, to resume. I've seen stuff like that happen on "Heroes", but never before in football. Drives extended by headbutting penalties due to imps buzzing in Chargers' heads. Calling it "Brady/Belichick magic at work" is just man's attempt to explain the shielding light that seems to protect the Pats.
Martyball may not have been responsible for these turnover mishaps, but in the category of things you CAN control, the blame lies squarely on Martyball for the worst, most horrible call of the game. Talking about 2nd and 5, tie game, late fourth quarter. Ya gotta hand the ball to LaDanian, yes, again, just like you did on first down. Marty was unwilling to fully embrace the use of his deadliest and most dependable weapon. He put the ball in the hands of the rookie QB and allowed himself to get beaten on poorly thrown Rivers incompletions, and punted the ball away to Brady and Co. with the perfect 3:30 left, practically leaving milk and cookies in the endzone for them. I contend LaDanian could get you close enough on second down that you wouldn’t be stuck throwing again on third. It’s the playoffs, you go back to the well again and again if you have to.
La Danian lost his cool at midfield after the game – nice job defending the disturbing “dance” of your steroid abusing teammate. Shawne Merriman’s Roid Rhumba is a repeated, annoying taunt in the face of his opponents. It would seem to be the most basic rule of taunting that after you’ve done it ad naseum you can expect to have it done in your face when you lose. LaDanian’s call of “disrespectful” for this case of taunting back the taunter is way off, the only thing disrespectful is the final score being disrespectful to the San Diego fans. Take some responsibility for that instead of playing your sour grapes cards on the Pats organization.
Since I obviously have clouded judgment with my picks, and since I witnessed the Pats surrounded by the glowing light, I have to reverse what my picks would ordinarily be looking at the “Xs and Os”. Its apparent to me that the Pats will win the Super Bowl, beating the Bears in an 85 revenge bloodmatch.
Grind It Out Sports play of the weekend, however, comes courtesy of the Saints Deuce McAllister, when he plowed the pile forward for a TD, his body twisted in a J-shape and his helmet removed by the shifting continents, keying a courageous victory against a game Philly squad.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Lightning Will Strike Pats
I have to give props to the Boise State Broncos for the most exciting moments in football for a long time. Imagine an old black and white football film from the 50s, the Boise St. players with their perfect hair listening to the coach on the sideline. “We’ve run the fumblerooski. And we’ve run the hook and lateral.” The coach is pacing. “Now we need a play to get this two point conversion.” Silence. Then, little Frankie pipes up. “Hey coach, they’ve never seen the Statue of Liberty play, have they?” The coach is puzzled, then his wrinkled brow melts into a mischievous grin. “The ol’ Statue of Liberty….”
Three brilliant trick plays in one game, all of which resulted in scores and all of which left the Oklahoma Sooners looking flat footed and stooge-like. Climaxing in the most perfect Statue of Liberty, the ball magically hidden behind Boise QB Jared Zabransky’s back after the “follow through” of his fake throw, grabbed by the RB for an easy walk to the endzone and a game winning 2-point conversion. The tricks provided a larger than life, courageous, nothing-to-lose victory which allowed the lowly Smurfturfers to capture the hearts and fancy of a nation. May the NFL deliver a fraction of that excitement this weekend.
In the words of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven: “Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; - This it is, and nothing more.” The Colts will be nothing more than a visitor scraping at the door of their abandoned city of Baltimore, and will be rebuffed by McNair and Co. The Colts fled their native Baltimore in a fleet of trucks loaded in secrecy, under cover of night, and were already in Indianapolis by the time anyone noticed. Now its time for the good people of Baltimore to savor some revenge. Ravens 27-Colts 21.
Philadelphia fans consider themselves “long suffering.” Go to a Phillies game in your Mets gear and you’ll quickly find the fans will gladly take out their suffering on you. Nawlins has suffered too, in life not sports and in a much more meaningful sense. They also have only won one playoff game ever. What gives? The rules of karma say the Phila underdog card gets trumped in the Big Easy by the strong arm and leadership of Drew Breezy, and a crowd that will be off the heezy. Saints 34-Eagles 27.
All the talk about New England is about the intangibles, the x-factors, the Brady factor, the Belichick factor, the Brady playoff record, the Brady sex appeal, the Belichick playoff record. Everything except the actual X’s and O’s. A few years ago Brady got his first playoff victory in the swirling snow, with a “tuck rule” call that robbed Da Raiduhs. Sunday, the streak of good luck will end, and Cali gets its revenge. La Danian lightning will strike the Pats, and QB Philip Rivers will be good enough. Brady can go back to complaining about the Deion Branch trade after they fall to earth. Chargers 40-Patriots 31.
The long layoff is not good for the Bears. Too much time to contemplate. The layoff wasn’t long enough to bring the return of two of their defensive stalwarts, Mike Brown and Tommie Harris. Rex Grossman will try “extra hard” and that right there will doom the Bears. Seahawks meanwhile, have some mojo working after the way they defeated Dallas. Seahawks 20 - Bears 17.
Three brilliant trick plays in one game, all of which resulted in scores and all of which left the Oklahoma Sooners looking flat footed and stooge-like. Climaxing in the most perfect Statue of Liberty, the ball magically hidden behind Boise QB Jared Zabransky’s back after the “follow through” of his fake throw, grabbed by the RB for an easy walk to the endzone and a game winning 2-point conversion. The tricks provided a larger than life, courageous, nothing-to-lose victory which allowed the lowly Smurfturfers to capture the hearts and fancy of a nation. May the NFL deliver a fraction of that excitement this weekend.
In the words of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven: “Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; - This it is, and nothing more.” The Colts will be nothing more than a visitor scraping at the door of their abandoned city of Baltimore, and will be rebuffed by McNair and Co. The Colts fled their native Baltimore in a fleet of trucks loaded in secrecy, under cover of night, and were already in Indianapolis by the time anyone noticed. Now its time for the good people of Baltimore to savor some revenge. Ravens 27-Colts 21.
Philadelphia fans consider themselves “long suffering.” Go to a Phillies game in your Mets gear and you’ll quickly find the fans will gladly take out their suffering on you. Nawlins has suffered too, in life not sports and in a much more meaningful sense. They also have only won one playoff game ever. What gives? The rules of karma say the Phila underdog card gets trumped in the Big Easy by the strong arm and leadership of Drew Breezy, and a crowd that will be off the heezy. Saints 34-Eagles 27.
All the talk about New England is about the intangibles, the x-factors, the Brady factor, the Belichick factor, the Brady playoff record, the Brady sex appeal, the Belichick playoff record. Everything except the actual X’s and O’s. A few years ago Brady got his first playoff victory in the swirling snow, with a “tuck rule” call that robbed Da Raiduhs. Sunday, the streak of good luck will end, and Cali gets its revenge. La Danian lightning will strike the Pats, and QB Philip Rivers will be good enough. Brady can go back to complaining about the Deion Branch trade after they fall to earth. Chargers 40-Patriots 31.
The long layoff is not good for the Bears. Too much time to contemplate. The layoff wasn’t long enough to bring the return of two of their defensive stalwarts, Mike Brown and Tommie Harris. Rex Grossman will try “extra hard” and that right there will doom the Bears. Seahawks meanwhile, have some mojo working after the way they defeated Dallas. Seahawks 20 - Bears 17.
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