The Cool Head

As another season comes to end.  All of us as fans, gamblers, fantasy football owners and band wagon riders – have time to reflect on the season that was and the story lines that come with it.  This season proved that a “spread offense” can work in the NFL of today because defense players aren’t allowed to play defense like they used too.  Defensive backs can’t breathe in the direction of a wide receiver or it’s pass interference,  and if a line-backer hits a player and it looks as if it was too aggressive a flag will be thrown for a personal foul.  Quarterbacks were lining up in shotgun with five wide receiver sets, having a field day.  Dan Marino’s record for most passing yards in a season, which was held for over 25 years, was not only broken this season by Drew Brees – but was in threat of being broken by 3 or 4 different qbs this year.  Even Cam Newton – a rookie quarterback on a struggling team was able to throw for over 4000 yards in his first season.  Ridiculous.  The days of “defense winning championships” are definitely in jeopardy but this is obviously the way the NFL wants it.  A league that scores lots of points and quarterbacks are the undeniable stars. . .

There were three stories this season that stuck out for me more than any others.

The first has to be Tim Tebow.  As I wrote earlier this year — build this kid a system to his strengths and he’ll find a way to beat you.  But forget about how he seemingly inspired an entire team to play better, win the division, make the playoffs and upset one of the NFL’s premier franchises, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in the playoffs.  Yes, forget all of that.  In all of my years watching football – I’ve never seen more coverage on a kid with below average stats throwing the ball and a team that was pretty much mediocre, my entire life.  The Broncos, by  years end, were the most watched NFL team in the nation.  People seemed to wait on the last 5 minutes of every Broncos game to see how Tim Tebow and the Broncos would muster a come-back.  They pretty much never disappointed and gave dramatic theatrics for the ages.  Fans of Tim Tebow and even “haters” of Tim Tebow – were captivated by this kid.  Happy-Go-Lucky, always smiling and in the age of the “greedy” sports player that is all “me, me, me” – Tebow was the breath of fresh air.  He’s the guy the fans wanted to see win because he knows how fortunate and lucky he is to be in the position he is in today.  What we also learned from this season is that for anyone who supports Kyle Orton – give it up.  He got replaced in Chicago by the horrendous Rex Grossman who took the Bears to a Superbowl and then gets benched for the unorthodox style of Tim Tebow and the Broncos make it to the second round of the playoffs.  Enough with Kyle Orton.  Enough.

The second story that amazed me by it’s popularity this season was that of Peyton Manning.  I say “amazed by it’s popularity” because it didn’t even happen on the field.  How can a guy who didn’t play a snap be in the news so much?  It’s because it is Peyton Manning.  There aren’t too many recognizable public faces in the NFL.  Peyton Manning is one.  Tom Brady is the other.  The NFL takes a big blow without keeping Manning’s name afloat  so ESPN and NFL made sure stories about him would come non-stop.  And they did.  Manning’s career is now at a point of : Will he play again?  Will he play again for the Colts?  I say “maybe” and “nope.”  Manning at times seems annoyed in interviews when asked about being replaced by Andrew Luck as quarterback for the Colts, and who can blame him?  This time last year people are still singing the praises of how “perfect” he can play the position at quarterback – and now he’s getting questions about a kid from Stamford replacing him?  It’s got to be tough.  But this is the NFL – where one injury can derail your livelihood and loyalty is minimal.

The third story which I thought didn’t get enough media play as the other two and definitely should’ve, is the death of Raiders owner Al Davis.  Al Davis,  is the stronger, darker version of Marc Cuban.  An owner who takes on authority, goes against the grain and stands by his beliefs one hundred percent.  He didn’t care how good a player was on his team – if he didn’t like your attitude or if you let contract talk get in the way of your play – you were gone (i.e. Kenny Stabler and Marcus Allen).   He wanted his team to be the “bad guys” of the league.  This was evident in 1963 when he unveiled the bad ass logo for the Raiders.  Besides his accolades as an owner, he was also an NFL owner very vocal during the civil rights movement.  Al Davis didn’t even let his team play a pre season game in Alabama because the laws of segregation that existed there made him sick.  He hired the first African American head coach, first female executive and the second Latino head coach in the league.  Sure in his later days he probably lost grip and made a lot of questionable moves, but there’s no doubt he left a lasting impression, not only in football but in the world of sports. . .

With that said, here’s my Super Bowl prediction.  First off, I’m from New York,  love my city – but am the furthest thing from a Giants fan.  My disdain for this team is unspeakable.  And I know as a writer I shouldn’t say things like that – but I just want to be honest with you guys. . . The Giants snuck into this years playoffs and once again seem to be making a remarkable run (seems at least 5 of the last 6 years, there’s been one team that does this every year – it’s amazing. . .). The playoffs once again show, it’s not how good you’ve been the whole season – it’s how healthy your team is and how “hot” you’re playing.  Granted – the Giants won the NFC.   The Patriots all seasons have seemed to be somewhat of a mirage.  They live and die with Tom Brady – they have a weak running game and a defense that me and my flag football team could probably hang 30 on.  They lucked out having to play in the AFC East this year and getting Denver in the second round (who was a good story, but no way was Tebow beating Brady).  If it wasn’t for a dropped pass in the end zone and a missed field goal by Baltimore, we’d have a different team representing the AFC in the Super Bowl.  As much as it kills me to say it, I see the Giants winning this win by a score of 33-27.  Belichek is a better coach than Coughlin, but Coughlin has better players.  Brady is the far more superior quarterback to Eli Manning, but Eli has a lot more weapons.  At this point Vegas has New England favored by 2  1/2 points.  I don’t get it, but that won’t stop me from swallowing about 45 buffalo wings that day.  Enjoy the game folks!