Unflappable Flacco is a Throwback to 70's Quarterbacking

When talking about Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, everyone is pretty much in agreement that he’s beyond his years in age just by being able to control a football game by not making the big mistake that costs his team the game.


The second year quarterback from Delaware does what it takes to win. He allows the Ravens to play to their strengths, running the ball and playing solid defense, while unselfishly taking a back seat himself.

He’s no statistical monger in this age of west coast and stretch offenses where it seems everyone has great passing stats. The only stat Flacco seems to care about is wins, and he does it well.

There is no better example of his unselfishness than last weeks AFC Wild Card game at New England where Flacco only made 10 passing attempts the entire game while easily winning the game 33-14. The win was fueled by their great running attack and defense that got them off to a 24-0 start in the first quarter.

"I don't care. If we win, we win," Flacco said. "Quarterbacks like to throw the ball and do it that way, but it doesn't matter. … C'mon, we were up 24 points after the first quarter.”

“You really think we're going to throw the ball 30 times? I don't think so."

That style of win makes him a throwback type of quarterback, not from this era. His season stat lines look similar to those greats of the 70’s with Bob Griese, Terry Bradshaw, Roger Stuabach, and Ken Stabler rather than his counterparts in current times.

Just like all of the greats from the 70’s, those teams were built on running the ball and playing great defense. The quarterback got to go along for the ride as long as he didn’t turn the ball over and as long he won games, especially playoff games.

As a rookie last season, Flacco did the amazing. He led his team to the AFC Championship game by beating two good opponents, including the No. 1 seeded Tennessee Titans. Winning a playoff game as a rookie is almost unheard of, but winning as a rookie on the road, and winning two playoff games in NFL History.

His career tally in post season play -- where most of the greats are measured -- reads three wins and one loss, that loss being to the eventually Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

The three playoff wins puts him in some pretty good company that include Dan Fouts, Phillip Rivers, Bernie Kosar, and Warren Moon. The wins also elevate him past Hall of Famer Joe Namath who surprisingly only had two playoff wins and the popularly publicized hype machine of Tony Romo who just got his first win last week in three tries.

To be fair to the older players, there are many more playoff games today than in the past, but it still takes a certain type of player to get his team to the next week when it’s do or die time.

Joe Flacco visits Indianapolis Saturday for the Divisional Playoffs, a place where he made one of his biggest mistakes of the season late in the week 11 game. With less than three minutes to go, trailing 17-15 on the Colts 14-yard line facing a third and 7 situation, Flacco threw a short pass that was intercepted -- his only pick of the game.

The Colts were able to run the clock out and remain unbeaten, but Flacco kept them in the game. Things may be different this time around. The Colts had a bye week after throwing away the last two regular season games.

It’s hard to say just how fluid the Colts offense will be, but do know the Ravens are in full playoff mode right now, just as they were last season when they beat the No. 1 seed. We also know Flacco will be as unflappable as ever for this contest just like the greats from the 70’s were in big games.

Saturday also happens to be Flacco's birthday. He'll be 25.

"I don't celebrate my birthday. Are you kidding me?" he said. "That will be after the season's all over. … I'm going to ignore it and hopefully celebrate it with a win."

There's No Place Like Home: Colts Are the Best Thing for Indianapolis

They deprived a town filled with anger. It was nearly 23 years ago when the franchise packed up and left a town in the wee hours to shock bitter fans. Once resentful citizens awakened and heard the sadden news, the Baltimore Colts relocated and renamed themselves the Indianapolis Colts. Ever since, owner Jim Irsay hasn’t shaking off the grim memories of abandoning and deceiving a sporting community.

He’s probably the most loyal owner in football, even though his father, Robert, transformed the landscape of the NFL. Fans were stunned to wake up March 30, 1984, with no pro franchise to root for, no players to admire, and no team to go watch at the local venue. In the aftermath of the Colts’ sudden departure, the bitter aftertaste lasts. But it isn’t fair to point the finger at Jim, when his father was foolhardy to evade town in moving vans, like a scoundrel initiating a charitable foundation as a way of scamming citizens.


If there’s someone holding grudges ever since the Colts traveled to a community that has truly worshiped the football culture, it’s for the idea of feeling betrayed. But, either way, there’s no franchise in the league nearly as singular as the Colts, a NFL brand name the people of Indianapolis embraces and aroused by its polish depth.

You’ve seen and heard about it all season: the Colts chase to perfection. Well, almost, the most entertaining franchise accomplished the unprecedented and the miraculous plateau other teams haven’t had much credit for simply because of midseason collapses or losing streaks late in the season.

At first, it seemed the attempt was to finish a perfection 19-0. But there’s more to sustain in a 16-game season, other than historic records or perfection. It wasn’t realized until rookie head coach Jim Caldwell no longer cared and based a season on capturing plateaus and history. Instead, he was smart and decided to bench the NFL Most Valuable Player, Peyton Manning, who's arguably the league’s greatest quarterback. What we know for sure he’s greatly valuable in the smallish town, where he has been the centerpiece.

In previous years, Manning has been more valuable than an outdated trading card and conducted the Colts to a number of playoff victories, including a lone Super Bowl title while at Indianapolis. Rarely does an icon receives 37 ½ of a possible 50 votes, but the incredible style answered all questions to why he achieved the unforeseen, breaking the all-time record for the most MVP wins ever. He had the Colts en route of becoming the first 19-0 team in history to complete such an astounding goal.

By prioritizing, president Bill Polian and Jim Caldwell were reluctant to endanger a prosperous adventure, which seemed too extraordinary to waste because of nagging injuries. In specifics, no team wishes to see their unhealthy stars nursing bruises and fractures when a postseason game is pivotal and immortalities are poor indications of faltering a dream season.

The average football lord is curious to know if the Colts has what it takes to reach a pinnacle, even though the average lord has predicted they’ll travel to Miami. And, indeed, Indianapolis is craving another Vince Lombardi Trophy, an award every athlete dreams and plays for. So now, it makes sense on why the organization decided resting Manning and key starters was a brilliant idea.

Absolutely!

Against the ferocious Ravens, a dangerous team that doesn’t quit, the Colts have to click on all cylinders. We can only hope, the Ravens-Colts contest emerges a bloody massacre on turf, a fascinating matchup and presents marquee superstars. As barbaric Baltimore defense is, Ray Lewis or Terrell Suggs aren’t committed to playing backyard, two-handed touch. Instead a fierce defensive front is physically and mentally planning to blitz and harass a vintage Manning on nearly every possession to disrupt rhythm and timing coordination.

For all the emphasis and hype pointed in the direction of Manning, the Ravens know he has a strong impact on the NFL, indeed, they know he has excellence accuracy and hand-eye coordination, and they know he has massive strength in connecting with primary target Reggie Wayne, who’s explosive running routes.

Or even second-year receiver Pierre Carcon, who’ll play with a heavy heart and deeply concerned of his relatives’ status recovering from the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti. That would be a mistake, discounting the rapid defensive ends of the Colts. How can you ignore the powerful tandem that makes them ten times superior defensive wise? It doesn’t take long to notice the toughness and agility of Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.

But the Colts have a rigid test to vanquish, if expecting to put away the city they abandoned. With 23-years of cheers, belief and devotion to football, the Colts are the greatest franchise to appear in a moving van. The marquee players are lovable, the new stadium creations of Lucas Oil Stadium are enjoyable and Manning is the town MVP.

Just because Indianapolis didn’t break the hearts of Miami, or popped the corks in celebration of a 19-0 record, doesn’t mean they won’t arrive to Mercury Morris’ block February 7th .

Meet New York's Main Attraction: Root for Rex, Jets

Only on Fifth Avenue in New York City, near the entertaining site of our country, Broadway absorbs much excitement and buzz. If you are from the city where the skyline defines the glamorous landscape and haven’t realized there’s a popular coach in the state, it’s because you haven’t heard or relished the funniest dude mustering veneration.

This rarely happens for a first-year coach, in a state where the media is critical and fans angrily lambaste underperformers. If a coach commits failures, rather than produce enough wins to expose all the positives, the New York tabloids are anything but compassionate or lenient and scorns the embattled coach. Rex Ryan isn’t a victim of mockery, after bringing reliance to a feeble franchise and giving an exhilarated population reason to utter “J-E-T-S”, repeatedly. For a season of ambiguity that altered to a season of improbability, Ryan prevailed in the biggest challenge and vindicated he’s an expertise for appointing a defensive mentality.

In fact, instituting and fortifying the New York Jets is a huge success, given the horrid days and long seasons before you could say Rex. The masterminded exertion paid off, to characterize a spectacular season. He reduced the agony, healed avid fans and season ticket holder Fireman Ed’s sore bones, willing to sit and witness misery on frigid afternoons at Giants Stadium.

But in a town where the Statue of Liberty stands tall, where taxi cabs crowds the streets, and where loud screams of opera is heard, Ryan has met expectations and dealt with petty scrutiny. He has shied all the criticism and ignored all the judgment, finding a friendly home in New York where he is more than a big clown or a crybaby. It wasn’t long before he became popular, liked for the comical press conferences and outlandish speeches that generated laughs.

Relatively speaking, the NFL needed a humorous speaker, someone daring enough to arouse the league with a bombastic personality. To hear Ryan talk and say some of the craziest things are laughable, and being able to complete an unimaginable mission makes it even better. As the wildest NFL coach, in fairness, it’s precise to think of him as the most popular resident in New York. The humor, sometimes, has a tendency to befuddle and annoy us, but usually it sends a message to his team and results in a victory to validate idealism.

If he had trouble maintaining a coaching job in the NFL, devoting his life to standup comedy wouldn’t be such a bad suggestion. For weeks, the Jets were doubted and tossed to the backburner after stumbling, but survived on a hot winning streak to cap the season. Lives were salvaged, a remarkable 3-0 start was valuable, and Ryan was identified as a finesse savior. So don’t mind him, if he gripes or dwells every time the Jets losses.

This is a strategy that provoked his team to accomplish the improbable, a trait they’ve capitalized on well. After he griped and blubbered over abhorrent losses, the Jets improved as a unified core. Late in the season, they never strayed and won five of their last six games to qualify for the AFC’s fifth seed. With a win over Cincinnati in the season-finale, Ryan and company stayed alive to revisit the Bengals for an encore in the wild card round. The change of scenery wasn’t much of a factor as New York was dominant again, and advanced to the AFC semifinals for a date at San Diego Sunday night.

Their stunning growth in one season under Ryan has much to do with his original philosophy. It’s called the K.I.L.L—Keep It Likable and Learnable. His theory, thus far, has functioned brilliantly. Right now, the Jets lead the league in rushing offense and total defense. It’s not a joke whatsoever. By far, this is a dangerous team and easily could be mistaken or underestimated if you’re not prepared to stifle a compelling ground attack. Back in San Diego, coach Norv Turner might want to warn everyone of the discounted defense that will bring forceful hits.

Turn the attention to Darrelle Revis, a shutdown cornerback who has frustrated top receivers all season by merely allowing fewer than 30 yards a game. Focus on Malcom Floyd and Lito Sheppard, whom both consist of menacing speed that have broken down offensive assignments. As a result, defense wins games. Meaning teams relying totally on offense are favorites to subside.

Thanks to Rex, the amazing thought of winding up in the Super Bowl is floating through the minds of the wildest crowd. The Jets, indeed, could be least expected and advance to the biggest game, on the biggest national holiday in sports. There’s always another team out there, willing to shock us as Arizona stunned us a year ago. Based on the rookie quarterback, Mark Sanchez’s performance of late, advancing to fulfill the greatest dream is possible.


Living in New York, he’s the biggest attraction since Joe Namath, a legendary name that represented the Jets for a long time. Fans faces wore gigantic smiles, finally realizing a franchise quarterback had made its presence felt and earned fame. He’s loved because of his features, but also the style he brought from college such as mobility and accuracy, needed tools for a top-notch rookie.

You’ve given him a nickname, in which he’s now known as Sanchize? You’ve accepted him after he implored to play in an environment where underperforming is inexcusable. After dealing with much mediocrity and scrutiny, the Jets are playoff contenders under Ryan, a coach specialized in defense.

Those Jets, Those Jets. Yes, those Jets are tough and dangerous. Let’s all root for Rex, who's confident in his players and thinks they're the team to beat. Let’s all root for Rex, the interesting character who laughs and jokes about his belly. Let’s all root for Rex, the trademark of New York sports, that is.

Lane Kiffin Makes a Perfect Blend at USC, Despite Immoralities

If there is sensibility under the dim lights in Hollywood, the latest arrival of Lane Kiffin might be an antidote to abandon the ugly mess. Most are aware that a toxic wasteland has polluted the coolest and popular atmosphere in Los Angeles, with outrageous scandals diagnosing the uncertainty for an impaired program.

At USC, pending investigations are currently putting a freeze on a multitude of potential recruits, forcing the former coaching staff to flee the monstrous havoc. That’s not the case for Kiffin, who promptly came to the Trojans’ rescue, expected to be named the next head coach of USC. He is, the new football coach, reducing tears and generating smiles as Pete Carroll’s successor after the Trojans former coach left for the airport a day ago to prepare for an NFL coaching job.


Kiffin is the main attraction returning to the West Coast and departing from the South to attain employment in Southern California, an environment where he is used to the warm receptions, the traditional melody of the “Fight On” anthem. He worked under Carroll for six years, studying and mastering the formation and integral methods to football.

Never mind the horrific downfall at Tennessee, a program that gave Kiffin a shot to strengthen an impotent school after a divorce badly ended with the Oakland Raiders, during a brief assignment in the NFL.

Put aside the alleged NCAA violations, even though he’s still being probed for committing six infractions. Forget about the alleged female recruiting hostesses that the New York Times investigated and acknowledged that women visited prospects in North Carolina.

There are populace believing he’s not suitable to coach a program with a quantity of issues. USC cannot allow more sanctions to ruin credibility, arguably at the most respected program at least before the preface of scandals became ugly. If he committed minor crimes at Tennessee, the latest slip ups are hard to elude and makes it hard for Kiffin to convince that he has grown and past the rogue stages of his flowering coaching career.

In two-plus seasons, Kiffin’s 12-21 record isn’t flawless or something to rave heavily on. The demoralizing 37-14 loss to Virginia Tech wasn’t impressive in his first season as a college football head coach, especially when Kiffin hasn’t had much without his former boss Carroll. He leaves Rocky Top for a Hollywood makeover, given the privilege to take on a steeper role and excel as an acute successor.


Fourteen months in Knoxville, his reputation teetered for acting childish and blubbering with SEC coaches. He had a verbal confrontation with Florida coach Urban Meyer, when he accused him of illegal recruiting. And ever since losing to its archrivals, Kiffin was described as the laughingstock of the SEC, the little kid who wasn’t sure of how to manage a program alongside the old timers.

All over the nation, he was derided for all the foolish nonsense. Losing control of a disoriented team, three of his freshman players were arrested and charged with armed robbery. In an attempt to revamp a program of unforeseen failures, he’s a great suit for the program.


Lots has to do with Kiffin’s fiery attitude, bringing intensity and is powerful in luring top prospects. His ability to persuade goes a long ways, even though much of his crafty exertion appears impractical for the alleged conspiracies.

Bringing aboard Kiffin to a program when times aren’t suitable, the polarizing athletic director Mike Garrett isn’t terrified of a regal athletic department degenerating. Nor should the average Trojans fan.

If they are brave enough to understand and trust in Kiffin, very well he could be the next greatest head coach after he observed and listened to Carroll. One ghastly season isn’t enough proof to say whether he’s a joke as a head coach.

In Oakland, under an ill-tempered owner All Davis, he wasn’t given enough time to transform a pessimistic franchise. Same goes for the year spent in Knoxville, where simplicity and inexperienced underlined first impressions.

The headaches have yet to expire, and probing still persists whether former running back and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush allegedly was lavished with improper gifts and benefits by two businessmen who shouldn’t had been allowed to influence student-athletes.

And suddenly, prolific running back Joe McKnight is hightailing, trying to escape a sanction that he’s being held liable for. He has decided to expand on a promising future, and will declare for the NFL Draft as well as receiver Damian Williams.

However, the disturbing headline these days revolves around McKnight, who is being investigated for driving a Land Rover registered in the name of a businessman who has a website called www.4joemcknight.com.

The Trojans aren’t in bad shape able to rebuild around a sensational quarterback Matt Barkley, who has the potential and talent to lead the Pac-10 in statistics. Just a day ago, Matt’s father said he’s expected to return for his sophomore season.

It isn’t such a bad suggestion to rebound under the 34-year-old Kiffin, either. Bringing a reliable staff he has instituted, a workable nucleus that could present problems for the emergence of Oregon and Stanford.

While grudges are shown toward Kiffin, he’s bringing a crafty staff along, which makes the Trojans favorable. Monte, his father and defensive coordinator, and Ed Orgeron as his recruiting coordinator will travel to Los Angeles. And to top things, Norm Chow may revisit the Trojans as offensive coordinator.

With seemingly a lot of questions, the players are satisfied by the replacement. Kiffin could be mistaken as a student, but the players already have tremendous respect. Barkley and running back Marc Taylor calls it the perfect replacement for Carroll. And Garrett issued a statement, elated of the greatest gift since Carroll accepted the job last decade.

“Lane brings a lot to the table,” Garrett said. “He has a coaching background both in the pros and in the best collegiate conferences. He has a great command of the X’s and O’s. He is familiar with the Trojan landscape and will be a great representative of our university. He keeps the game fun. And, very importantly, he has proven to be one of the finest recruiters anywhere.”

Having familiarity is the key to building upon success, a brilliant recruiting coordinator, a father who has great knowledge of defensive methods to fight on. We’ll see if this measures up to multiple national titles.

But according to my senses, the Trojans will hoist the crystal football.

McGwire Is a Sham After All, but Shows True Remorse

I’m sure many of you still remember the congressional hearing at Capitol Hill. Being seen in the public and before congress, he seemed humiliated and hesitant to speak of possible use of steroids. Mark McGwire has been scolded for refusing to confront an issue that has contaminated the beautiful game of baseball, holding a sport hostage thanks to the infamous Steroid Era.

At this point, believing a word coming out of any player’s mouth seems like a sham when it could actually be the truth. But in this case, McGwire is guilty and has ruined his integrity, finally coming clean about coating his system with steroids for nearly a decade. What strikes me the most is this: He waited until a new decade arrived to admit to using performance enhancers.

Why did he wait all this time? We want to believe the Steroid Era has fled the scene of a toxic era, but it turns out baseball is still a sport in limbo. To this day, the mysterious list is lingering, unidentified names remains baffling and baseball is no longer America’s Pastime, but instead the Shamed Game.

His admission on Monday was supposed to transpire back in 2005. The entire country should have known the truth, especially when all citizens admired McGwire’s record-breaking, baseball-saving season of 1998. Sadly, none of the gorgeous swings at nearly every at-bat was pure or done artistically. Instead he needed juice to elevate a streaky performance level, and now must pay the price for such a sin.

The perfect time came at Capitol Hill, a moment he could have told the truth, rather than keep the truth hidden for more than five years. He refused to deliver specifics, telling the congressmen, “I’m not going to talk about the past.” For declining to reveal the truth, much of McGwire’s reputation and credibility has disintegrated. Although he deserves an ample of credit for clearing his name, parts of his admission don’t make sense whatsoever.

There are plenty of confounding holes to solve after hearing McGwire confess, when he finally had the courage to reveal a regrettable secret, and man-up. The bottom line is, he cheated by putting an illegal substance in his body. Even though he has apologized and confessed of iniquity, that doesn’t make him eligible for the Hall of Fame. No tainted slugger belongs in the Hall, no tarnished legacy should earn any delightful achievement for poisoning the wonderful aspects of the game.

Worst is, McGwire fled and lived behind the scenes, shamed of the treachery he left confidential. Why should I vote a guy into the Hall when he clearly ran before he finally succumbed to reality? Why should I vote a guy into the Hall for depriving a sport we once cherished? Doesn’t anyone feel hoodwinked by the everlasting steroid scandals?

When he emotionally broke down during an interview with Bob Costas, he spoke out with class and forgiveness; he was sincere about letting down fans, former teammates, and the St. Louis Cardinals. At last, McGwire sat to talk about the past, ostensibly contrite of what unfolded during a record season of 70 home runs. However, I’m not buying into his admission and have no sympathy for McGwire, particularly for insisting that he believes steroid use enhances his performance level.

That’s why steroids are classified as performance-enhancing drugs. So, to say the substances didn’t aid his fraudulent home run total is utterly ridiculous. If he believes he produced off of natural or God-given talent, well, at least he was certain. But he’s naïve to presume that all of his strength was natural.

“It’s very emotional. It’s telling family members, friends, and coaches, you know, it’s former teammates to try to get a hold of, you know, what I’m coming clean and being honest,” McGwire sadly said in a 20-minute interview with the Associated Press. “It’s the first time they’ve ever heard me, you know, talk about this. I hid it from everybody.”

We know you hid it from the world. I tried not to think McGwire was a fraud, but it’s now clear he’s an asterisk. But anyone with the right state of mind knew he was infected after the congressional hearing. For most of his career, he was a con artist and cowardly became a suspicious hypocrite. Like unintelligent people, we embraced the greatest milestone in baseball, an achievement that is now viewed with an asterisk.

If there’s anything legit about McGwire, mind you, we cannot tell because of a long decade of shams. Sure he has all the homers, but a gloomy cloud would always hover over him. He never committed perjury, but he kept a secret hiding and killed perception. The greatest accomplishments of his lifetime are tarnished for good, wrecking the mindsets of those who actually believed at one point. So the gratifying moment has turned into a wicked moment.

The distressing past began to hunt McGwire, and he realized he wasn’t a natural-born slugger. He phoned commissioner Bud Selig, Cardinals general manager Tony La Russa, and the widow of Roger Maris, Pat Maris, to apologize for the disruptions and transgressions.

What bothers me the most is flimsy excuses when someone is caught for sinful actions. McGwire swore that he pleaded for the Fifth Amendment before congress because he wasn’t given immunity, and he was afraid he would have been forced to spent time behind bars. Still, that’s not a good enough excuse to allow McGwire off the hook.

“On the advice of my attorneys, they could not advise me to talk about my past,” he said offensively. “If I did that, and there was a possibility of being prosecuted or summoned to a grand jury, I’m throwing my whole family and close friends and other people that were with me—I’m putting them in jeopardy for some act that I did and I totally regret. I told my attorneys that I would take the hit and protect my family. So I elected to take the hit, and I’ve taken the hit for five years. That was the worst 48 hours of my life on Capitol Hill. I wish I did get immunity; I would have come clean five years ago.”

I’m not so sure if we should buy into that excuse as well. We’ve reached a point when it’s hard to believe anything. Another excuse hard to stomach is McGwire claimed he used steroids to heal from injuries. Then again, maybe he decided to take drugs to care for health. But he still should say it does affect his productivity, adding he’d still have the same total of homers without steroids.

You’d never know. And as far as it goes now, he's tainted no matter what. He said his steroid use mounted in 1994. If you hadn’t noticed, maybe that answered the question to why his batting average was a .249 lifetime and averaged homers every 14 at-bats.

Here is where it’s confusing: suddenly the percentages rose during a season he dominated. He started to approach a paramount site in the majors, a standard that had a large impact on baseball. In what become the engaging era, McGwire's average was .277 with a home run deposited every 8.4 at-bats.

So we’ll never know the true colors of Big Mac, right?

Right! In a period when baseball is contaminated with a juicy aftertaste, productive numbers could be a sham for all we know. All those linked to performance-enhancing drugs, such as a secretive McGwire, an obvious Sammy Sosa, a phony Barry Bonds, a lying Roger Clemens, a confused Alex Rodriguez, a naïve Manny Ramirez, and whoever else I left out, don’t earn my vote for casting distasteful features on the game.

As for McGwire, he was the game’s greatest hitter until steroids played a role, after the usage of steroids provided energy and treated health, which led to his sleazy statement.

“There’s not a pill or an injection that’s going to give me, going to give any player the hand-eye coordination to hit a baseball,” he told Costas on the MLB Network.

What happened has long past, but knowing he committed such a crime is agonizing when many admired him.

McGwire was known for the incredible resurgence; now he’s known for breaking down the game, deemed as the newest sleaze in baseball.

Pete Carroll Ditches School for Pros as USC Hurts

For years, he has built a foundation and declared citizenship. The masses, in the Southland, are wondering why a college genius has chosen to ditch the campus life, where he has clearly been the symbol of USC football. As a baffled community tries to figure out why he’s fleeing the Hollywood lifestyle for the rainy days in Seattle, Pete Carroll is running and leaving behind a corrupted athletic department.

Maybe it doesn’t have to do with all the scandals, but maybe he feels it’s time to make a transition to the next level. People in Los Angeles were used to seeing ferocity, built and formed by the clever-minded Carroll. The crafted coaching trait were signs of brilliancy, thriving as a valuable architect USC never envisioned losing.

However, the unforeseen fiascoes last season and repugnant scandals, may have dictated Carroll’s future. You can’t blame, arguably, the greatest coach in USC history of evading the toxic haze. All the grotesque messes are headaches, are enough to make a successful coach resign. So Carroll isn’t on vacation, but leaving for the airport, where he’s ready to catch the next flight to Seattle.

In a country where decisions are suitable usually in any giving situation, there’s no law stated in the constitution that he must remain the coach at USC. There’s much negativity floating around USC in which Carroll could be burned out, nauseated of the pending investigation and alleged infractions.

Because issues continue to unfold, the Trojans are caught in a horrific predicament and mystique is ripped, not grasping a sense of what is transpiring such as the latest outbreak. Of late, the messes have stained the pride of a prominent program, facing all sorts of headaches. But the latest spill came when news surfaced that tailback Joe McKnight allegedly drove a Land Rover owned by a businessman.

Meanwhile, there’s an investigation still pending on if Reggie Bush received gifts and cash, including renting a free home while attending USC. Four losses last season could’ve compelled him to leave and not spend the rest of a productive livelihood in Southern California.

Where he presented nine years of excellence, Carroll is thrilled and takes on a greater challenge. He’s leaving the campus for the pros. He’s leaving USC for the Seattle Seahawks, a franchise where he has to start from scratch, similar to the arrival at USC.

For years, NFL teams organized interviews and pleaded for Carroll’s assistance. But every time, he ignored and turned down NFL jobs to relish an illustrious profession at the college level.

As the executives in Seattle were desperate and elated to give Carroll a wealthy deal, he refused to turn down a chance at redemption. Reportedly, the five-year deal ranges at an estimated $32.5 million to revitalize a stagnant organization that has won nine games in two seasons. From two standpoints it seems unforeseen.

First of all, hardly, everyone in L.A. is stunned Carroll has resigned and is leaving for the NFL. Secondly, everyone in the Pacific Northwest is shocked the local franchise faltered instantly in Jim Mora Jr.’s renaissance era. Agreeing in principle with Seattle, seems like a perfect fit in an atmosphere where he has a chance to vindicate to all doubters.

Last time he coached the pros, Carroll seemed mediocre and committed failure by rupturing an image. But now, he has a chance to redeem burdens and confirm his magnitude of success, if meeting the pro criteria is as simple as the college game.

And the idea now, after he graduated from the campus life with a degree of prosperity, is to make a statement by surviving the pros. But given his horrid track record, Carroll isn’t supposed to survive in a game that recruiting isn’t a factor for overhauling and assembling resurgence.

During all head coaching stints in the NFL, Carroll was fired by New England and the New York Jets and failed in producing enough victories to procure recognition. The Trojans' reign has suddenly come to an end, in which the genius who assembled almighty classes during a nine-year stay understands triumphant ages eventually vanishes.

While the fans are hurt wondering whether Carroll is worth describing as a traitor or quitter, he considers finishing out a phenomenal career in the NFL. Three weeks away from national signing day, and Pete is gone. More than millions paid out now is the least worry at USC. Two national titles, seven Pac-10 titles, seven BCS bowl games and 97 wins in 116 games will always exist as Carroll’s legacy lingers.

Whenever a coach groom student-athletes and produce victories at an ideal program, many become attach to an incredible play-caller, recruiter and mentor. And, indeed, he had the personality to nurture sports figures. Not many players were unknown under Carroll. In fact, many were identified as legends and were All-Americans. What we are seeing now is a man leaving school for a bigger challenge, an exciting journey in the pros.

If the average fan is disappointed and feels betrayed, having a critical attitude or lambasting him comes as no surprise. Carroll knows he’s departing the prestige lifestyle for a hapless town.

That pretty much describes where it stands as far as sports. Though the Trojans have won 11 national championships and seven Heisman Trophies, he views a surreal transition as an effulgent juncture. Thanks to Carroll -- USC was obsessed with well-balanced quarterbacks.

Of course, each had the complete package and displayed unmatchable precision and mobility. The big men stood on campus in prior years and were gunslingers and runners, such as Matt Leinart, John David Booty, Mark Sanchez and Matt Barkley, who Carroll molded and taught the fundamentals of the game.

So, maybe leaving for the NFL isn’t bad after all. Now he’ll be able to make personnel decisions, something he has had very little of while in his seasons as head coach. As the Seahawks are expected to hire a general manager, the announcement could come as early as Tuesday or later in the week.

But, either way, Carroll is the next head coach and filled the coaching vacancy in a matter of days following Mora’s dismissal.

With several recruits stressing uncertainty, the tougher hassle is filling the coaching vacancy. The next head coach may not be USC alumni Jeff Fisher or frontrunner Mike Riley, who singed a three-year contract extension late Sunday to remain Oregon State’s head coach.

It’s clear the Trojans may be expressing interest in Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio and former USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian could be in the mix as well.

Even though he admitted his “dream job” is Washington, Sarkisian may be interested and a perfect blend for the program. His familiarity is considerable, adapting to Carroll’s tactics and understanding the formulas in the offensive playbook. That name makes the most sense out of all candidates, but which ever way you visualize it, USC hurts without an attractive guru like Carroll.

Even if agreeing in principle mocked the Rooney Rule, Carroll has been welcomed aboard to coach an NFL franchise.

Yes, the Seahawks ignored the Rooney Rule, but stealing a genius hurts the Trojans. Somehow the program must Fight On.

Colt McCoy's Painful Blow Is Just Too Bad

He wasn’t scared to showcase agility, nor was he horrified in the national title game. Not when a game was considered the grandest of a four-year career at Texas, where Colt McCoy emerged and evolved into an endearing citizen.

That is, in a four-year period, he was the likeable athlete on campus as many became attached with a prosperous legacy that developed before their very eyes. For the folks in Austin, there’s much to like about McCoy; like the humbleness, poise, and passion for the most physical and famous sport in America.

When the winningest quarterback in college football history reached the final game dreaming to depart a relentless sport that constituted fame, winning the crystal ball would’ve capped a momentous career. But sustaining a critical injury, sadly, diminished belief and abstracted liveliness from an electric crowd that traveled from Texas to root on McCoy and the Longhorns.

The final game of his superlative career would’ve dilated a remarkable stint, where he has accumulated all the greatest deeds in sports. His goal, of course, was to win the national championship; a jubilant accomplishment that would’ve elevated an indomitable legacy, and mounted his draft status as he anticipates flourishing on the next level. Leaving the campus life to build a foundation in the NFL is a gigantic advancement.

However, to make such a transition, health is an element for forging a future in the pros. It’s emphatically mind-blowing to watch a career end in a despairing fashion. One win away from immortality, McCoy witnessed a nightmarish scene that drastically shifted momentum and spirit towards Alabama. It’s very sad to witness an impact player take a fall in the most significant showdown of an exhausted and tedious 12-game season.

It was painful to watch the final three quarters without McCoy’s presence. His absence killed the souls of the energetic and rambunctious Longhorns’ fans, a large crowd wearing orange to represent school spirit.

They suddenly turned petrified and perturbed, realizing McCoy stood as a symbol and a must-needed centerpiece to have a legitimate advantage against a fully talented Alabama. But, unfortunately on this night, he couldn’t be a savior in Pasadena, where the stars arrived to witness what was supposed to be the classic game of the ages.

Turns out, the Longhorns' weakest link is not having a well-experienced quarterback, engineering greatness with his masterful arm-strength and excellent precision. On the fifth play of the first quarter, a night suddenly declined.


By the end of Thursday night, the headlines focused strictly on the health of McCoy and draft status come April. Like an average quarterback would effectuate when in duress, he took matters into his own hands and carried the ball on an option.

At the time it seemed like a smart idea, until his body collided into the helmet of defensive end Marcell Dareus. From there a different outlook was cast on a team that could have beaten the top-ranked team in the nation. Moments later, he dropped to the beautiful turf at the Rose Bowl. His arm rattled in pain. He walked to the sideline as medical staff treated the senior quarterback.

The scary faces finally showed while despairing fans stared nervously as he walked to the locker room to have an x-ray on his throwing shoulder, the shoulder he badly injured. The saddest thing is, he never returned. Nor did he warm up on the sidelines for a potential return.

He was done, even though temptations were high. So for the first time in his career, McCoy had to painfully watch from the sidelines, and observe his teammates attempt dominance without him.

Only can we imagine it was painful to bear, after having a healthy career. His arm was wrapped. His teammates perpetuated a comeback, but it wasn’t enough to forestall the explosive and starved Alabama. Brave enough to survive late off of the heroics of the inexperienced and freshman quarterback, Garrett Gilbert, who wasn’t bad for a replacement. As confident and titillated the Longhorns seemed about winning a national championship, McCoy’s absence lowered their confidence level.

But more impressive is the fact that Texas hung in there, even though Alabama pulled away late to preserve a 37-21 victory to tell the world the prestigious program is back. Nick Saban, the coach responsible for retooling an unbalanced program, was drenched with Gatorade. It was a thrilling win for a school known for its dominance in the sport. But it was disappointing to watch the Longhorns in what became a long night, a game that didn’t finish in their favor. The Longhorns could have won, if the doctors and coach Mack Brown cleared him to play. But to be cautious, he noticed McCoy had severe pain in his throwing shoulder.

“He was in pain at halftime, and he and his dad were sitting in there with the doctors,” said Brown. “I never even asked the doctors because I could tell, he didn’t need to be back out on the field.”

It really didn’t seem like a serious hit, when McCoy suffered the contact. But it was, removing him from a night he had patiently waited to participate in. It hurt Texas’ offense mightily, unveiling when Gilbert heaved four interceptions on the night, with a few carrying towards the direction of Alabama’s All-American cornerback Javier Arenas.

There were times when he built up momentum and assurance to put aside the blunders. There were several plays where he found Texas’ top receiver Jordan Shipley, a reliable target that has dangerous speed and is great at spreading out the field. As we know, McCoy’s favorite target, roommate, friend and miracle performer who happened to catch McCoy’s accurate throw while riding in a boat on Lake Whitney, was involved in the offense and helped finish a few well-executed plays.

Shipley finished the night with two touchdowns and changed the complexion of the game. Suddenly, the lead was cut within three after the Longhorns trailed on the scoreboard. For much of the night, it was 24-6 before turning into a threatening situation when Alabama led 24-21. Momentarily, the frenzied crowd had a difficult time watching and accepting the latest comeback.

But when linebacker Eryk Anders eased the fear of losing, the crowd increased the intensity level. With three minutes left, he sacked Gilbert and forced a fumble. None of the Longhorns’ players were successful in recovering the loose ball, in which Courtney Upshaw recovered to relax a much-tensed crowd.

Wow. What a sigh of relief.


McCoy, a wise player, was supposed to win, to elevate a sheer legacy. But, unfortunately, it was heartbreaking as our country witnessed an Alabama team that appeared lackadaisical and careless in the first half.

Although he missed the critical part of the game, McCoy had his work cut out for him, meeting a dynamic defensive force that Saban has cultivated. By far, in college football history, we may have witnessed the best defensive class in Tuscaloosa.

Next year, the Crimson Tide may have a much-depleted defense if Terence Cody and Rolando McClain, a pair of powerful defensive stars, decide to declare for the NFL. Meanwhile, we never had a chance to really find out if McCoy could withstand the potent defense.

Early on, the Longhorns made a strong case by forcing the Tide to commit turnovers, which is why Saban’s team didn’t look prepared for the challenge until McCoy left for the night. There’s no doubt in our minds, we never expected the greatest quarterback to collapse. Despite predictions of Alabama trouncing the Longhorns, McCoy painfully going down was never forecast. His devastating loss completely hooked the 'Horns.

Sadly, we never saw this coming as it seemed too special to implode.

Believe It or Not: Colt McCoy Is The Heart of Texas

For all the pontificating and controversies about the BCS system being a fraud, refusing to anoint the unbeaten programs with glorious memories of mastering the ultimate season. For a lifetime, the Texas Longhorns are privileged and elated, invited to play on the greatest stage in college football.

In the most substantial game, a legitimate test in a neutral site, Colt McCoy and his stampede traveled from Austin to Pasadena where the ecstatic team isn’t wasting energy griping over a fraudulent system or rebuffed schools. Viewed as underdogs at the greatest venue in college sports, the Longhorns are titillated to race out of the tunnels at the Rose Bowl on Thursday night.

In a mystic Big-12 conference, McCoy is starting in the most imperative game and witnesses the brilliant symmetry as an upperclassman. He is, indeed, in good position to leave behind the countless hours of homework, pesky exams and heavy textbooks by wearing a huge smile for departing the campus life on top. If he captures a victory and send myriads of Texas’ fans home exhilarated, he would typify immortality and shock the world with a win.

Amid an endeavor, the Longhorns are encountering the steepest challenge against ferocious Alabama, a test greater than penciling in the adequate answer on a multiple-choice exam. But a four-year journey was wonderful for McCoy, and could suddenly culminate as a convivial stint completes. Despite a bad senior season, he still dilated a legacy and preserved his own territory on the campus. Deeds amplified popularity and likeability, when the citizens in the heart of Texas endorsed him.

Taking on a tough role, McCoy endured the pressure of replacing the unprecedented of his successor Vince Young, formerly an explosive quarterback who led the Longhorns to a stunning defeat against USC in 2005. Had he not been cultivated and molded by Mack Brown, McCoy may not have adapted quickly. Everyone is accustomed to Brown installing an effective system, by exploiting an entertaining style through the air whether than relying on a rush attack.

That’s why, however, McCoy has felt comfortable acclimating to a shotgun format. Ever since, he become a perennial icon and assured a chase for the title remained unblemished. This season alone, mind you, he was mentioned in everlasting debates and heavily favored the Heisman Trophy award, but finished second behind his opponent Alabama’s tailback Mark Ingram.

Being 12-0 describes a season of perfection, but the Longhorns ran into a few obstacles. Judging the slow start, McCoy had a letdown season and the nightmarish outing against Texas Tech, where he threw a pair of interceptions. Although he’s extremely confident and optimistic about beating the well-prepared Alabama, it’s petrifying to know the Longhorns had sluggish starts in the regular-season.

The national title game is where we’ll see if McCoy leads the Longhorns, where we’ll witness if Texas is a fluke or perceptible. Until then, realize they are a typical underdog, expected to lose to a swaggering SEC school, a program Nick Saban has instituted since arriving to Tuscaloosa.

The storyline is, a quarterback who was eligible to declare for the pros, decided to return for the senior season to claim his own crystal ball. This is an effulgent opportunity, a time he could bring triumph to his native state and cap a wondrous, record-breaking career. For all the uncertainty, the Longhorns are overlooked when most haven’t forgot McCoy’s late struggles, which stifled the idea of earning a fair share in limelight. In his final six regular-season games, he completed 16 touchdowns and had two interceptions, nearly trouncing the Big 12 foes. But in a meeting against the cross state rivals, the Longhorns stumbled a bit to close the season.

It’s a game of momentum, so if anticipating to preserve a win, they’ll have to strike early with intensity and compile enormous numbers on the scoreboard, a well-known trait in the Big 12 Conference. More troubling is, Texas managed to survive in the Big 12 Championship game against Nebraska, whose pass-rushing defense fiercely manhandled McCoy. Much of the night he took physical abuse, sacked nine times and advanced to the end zone once in a 13-12 win. Following the harassment of a mighty Huskers’ defense, healing an aching body in a warm spa was convenient.

Any team is capable of running a dangerous pass-rush to forestall the mighty arm-strength of McCoy. He has all the accolades in the world, with a NCAA record-breaking 76.7 precision rate and he has received a number of awards, but never won the title every player dreams about.

“This year, it’s been a challenge to win 13 games,” McCoy said. “To do it the way we did, to go from really shaky now and then to be good and then shaky and then good has kind of taken a toll on us. But when you look at the grand scheme of things, it’s still been a special ride.”

The incredible joyride, either way, that is, ends to night. It’s obvious his eyes are set on winning the grandest prize, but he has to realize it’s not easy overpowering or stopping Alabama’s explosive ground game. Mark Ingram is a specimen, consisting of excellent speed and vision making times harder on the college football’s national stage.

More alarming is Alabama’s defense, in which it’s built with toughness and comprises of All-Americans such as Javier Arenas, Terrence Cody and Rolando McClain. By now, Kirby Smart, Alabama’s defensive coordinator has studied and discovered Texas’ weaknesses, which seems to be the offensive line after it had problems maintaining Nebraska’s blitzes.

In our minds, McCoy is portrayed as the most productive quarterback in Texas history. But what remains to be seen is if he could sustain the grandest reward of his career. He has thrown for 3,512 yards, the second highest total in school history. He has a wonderful 45-7 record in his four years of work, the most victories in major-college football history.

With all credit given to offensive coordinator Greg Davis, he has thrown for 13,244 yards and 112 touchdown passes, and completed 70.3 percent of his passes. He won his second Walter Camp Award before collecting the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Davey O’Brien Award and the Maxwell Award, enough to tell us he’s a superb quarterback.

“At this point, we’re here, we’re happy and we’re excited,” said McCoy. We’ve worked really hard, but we’re going to go out and have fun and what we’ve worked for the last year.”

No. He has never won the national title.

But he can have fun, and win it now.

Where is Mr. Stern? Gilbert Arenas' Stupidity Indicates Zero Tolerance

The last thing the District of Columbia needs is a gun duel in Barack’s backyard, in the nation’s capital where homicide rates are a disgrace, overwhelming and repulsive. Years ago, the local basketball team had enough sense to change its name from the Washington Bullets to the Wizards.

However, for years, the NBA has dealt with disturbing scenes because of firearms, and players have been comfortable with lugging around concealed weapons. Wasn’t it David Stern, the intolerant NBA commissioner, who cracked down on those who committed fraud and reckless crimes, and said players should leave their guns at home or they would levy massive suspensions or fines?

If so, Gilbert Arenas warrants the same type of punishment. His recent actions define stupidity and ignorance, and it must be taken seriously.

By using poor judgment, arguably the most beloved and entertaining sports figure in Washington brought four unloaded guns to stash in his locker at the Verizon Center.

Arenas’ flimsy excuses are even more pathetic than his obnoxious shouts of “Hibachi” anytime he takes a shot.

On Monday in a statement, Arenas wrote an I-want-you-to-feel-sorry-for-me message. “I brought them without any ammunition into the District of Columbia, mistakenly believing that the recent change in D.C. gun laws allowed a person to store unloaded guns in the District."

Shut up, Mr. Know It All Arenas. Point of the matter is, you had weapons in your locker.

And fact is, you have to pay the consequences for pulling out a gun on your teammate, Jarvaris Crittenton.

When someone commits a foolish mistake, it’s funny that they usually soften the truth. Well now, Arenas tries to clear his name and put aside all the headaches of a potential indictment on gun charges, jail time and even a harsh suspension.

What he considers to be a prank isn’t a joke, and he could endanger his career. Before Christmas, Arenas disclosed he had guns, and revealed a horrendous side of his life, after pointing a gun at Crittenton in a conflict over a card-game gambling debt.

Isn’t that stupid?

For a player known as the vintage Agent Zero, he's earning damn near $111 million over six years. Two years ago he became the sixth player, since the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement was established in 1999, to sign a large deal. He gave his side of the story when he met with officials Monday.

Following the meeting, he wrote: “I took the loaded guns out in a misguided effort to play a joke on a teammate. Contrary to some press accounts, I never threatened or assaulted anyone with the guns and never pointed them at anyone. Joke or not, I now recognize that what I did was a mistake and was wrong. I should not have brought the guns to D.C. in the first place, and I now realize that there’s no such thing as joking around when it comes to guns—even if unloaded.”

Sorry, I don’t buy into Arenas' story. He doesn’t have the guts to man up and admit to his wrongdoings. And now, instead of referring to him as Agent Zero, he has become the man of Zero Tolerance. That said, Stern has the audacity to suspend the contemptible superstar, but has yet to hammer Arenas for his faulty judgment.

There’s enough evidence to issue a suspension, sending an influential statement to all players for a problem that has transpired in the NBA.

From my perspective, Arenas deserves to miss the remainder of the season and should be banned immediately.

Hell, if Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest was banned an entire season for charging into the stands in Detroit and igniting the Malice at the Palace brawl, then Arenas deserves a steep punishment as well.

Put it this way, he violated NBA rules by carrying a gun to a venue.

A player having possession of firearms is worse than a player jumping into the stands.

There was even the Tim Donaghy point-shaving scandal, a corrupted ordeal that forced Stern to dismiss Donaghy from officiating games. In a league trying to remove itself from a diabolical era, punishing disobedient athletes is a way to minimize the thuggish behavior.

Nonetheless, Stern can issue multiple suspensions and fines, as the league is still investigating Cleveland’s Delonte West, whose mental issues may have related to his arrest in Maryland last summer for possession of two loaded handguns and a loaded shotgun while he was speeding on a motorcycle. There was Stephen Jackson, who acknowledged that he fired a gunshot into the air outside a strip club in Indianapolis for protection.

Sebastian Telfair carried a loaded handgun on Portland’s team plane years ago, too. There are, believe it or not, a number of NBA stars that own firearms. Even New Jersey point guard Devin Harris believes so, and told reporters he’s convinced 75 percent of the league’s players own guns. I wouldn’t be surprised, with the endless troubles it has advertised in recent years.

As the local citizens in the D.C. region describe Arenas as a franchise player, I’ll take matters into an opposite direction and refer to him as a worthless S.O.B.

By being objective, he has an arrogant personality every time he shoots a long-range jumper or aggressively drives to the paint. Sadly, Arenas is a perfect example of someone who illustrates ignorance of the law, and he must be held accountable for his gruesome misdeeds.

Our society must recognize the danger guns could bring in the workplace or the public in general. For an immature, careless Arenas, who has ignored Stern’s plea of leaving guns at home, tells us more about a league full of scoundrels, a league without guidelines to rid all the unnecessary madness.

If there are a myriad of players who own firearms, it poses a problem in the NBA. The league is ridiculed and many superstars are described as thugs for infamous brawls or shootings at birthday bashes.

To be straightforward, Stern must wear his stern face and announce a suspension. Or else the NBA could quickly turn into a CSI scene, and would remain the league known for its thugs.

NFL Is Your Sport, but Who Is Super Bowl Bound?

This was a season of suspense, a season that defined a team’s longevity and willpower.

We are witnesses of an incredible journey from a league that has paranoid our senses.

If you’re wondering why we suffered greatly and have impatiently waited for the season-opener of a 16-game regular season, well, it’s because we grasp the mindset of intense, non-stop drama.

Isn’t this what we live for, a dramatic year that could magnetize our minds and raise our self-consciousness? Aren’t fans essentially infatuated with football until the Super Bowl?

Despite a potential lockout in the 2011 season and merciless concussions and head injures that have raised much concern throughout the year, fans are in for football.

As sports depart from a relentless age of sleazes who cast shame on a league, our society truly admires an indelible season that expunges a dreadful period of DUI criminals, dog-killers and psychotic goons.

It doesn’t take long to cure a league where rebellious players try to get away with their despicable actions.

Whenever there’s a stern, narrow-minded commissioner willing to eliminate touchdown celebrations and constitute a personal conduct policy, crimes vanish and much tension mitigates.

Besides cracking down on mischievous megastars, the Indianapolis Colts excited us with their successive streak, a franchise that almost reached a historic plateau.

On Bourbon Street, the New Orleans Saints intrigued the hearts of avid fans as the home team achieved the improbable and captured an historic milestone by finishing the entire season unbeaten.

Early on, the Denver Broncos were in conversations for their incredible streak, and were unbeaten before collapsing midway.

But now, teams such as the New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens and Green Bay Packers are surprising us, as we sit back and relish an engaging postseason.

Any team can win the grandest prize on the biggest stage at this point. It’s impossible to ensure that any of these teams are ultimate champions. This has the makings to be a riveting postseason.

There’s no telling if the Minnesota Vikings are worthy of flying to Miami, even though they have arguably the most weapons, entering the playoffs.

There’s no telling if the shaky Saints deserves to dance in South Beach, after losing three consecutive games. And there’s no telling whether the Colts would falter in the AFC Championship game if they meet the San Diego Chargers, the villains and hottest team making it to the playoffs.

Until further notice, we don’t know which team will dominate. It depends on the environment, weather conditions and momentum, though.

Football is a sport of momentum, and vital fundamentals are required at a time when winning is meaningful.

By the end of the first round, maybe it would be easier to forecast. But until then, analyzing the likelihood of a franchise’s status is unpredictable.

Where tailgate parties reside, the Jets played their final game at Giants Stadium in the frigid climate

Amid a night of playoff ramifications, die-hard Jets fans renamed the venue, “FINAL GAME AT JETS STADIUM."

What turned into an exhilarating site, Jets coach Rex Ryan’s mental toughness and inspiration paid off. Whether he’s portrayed as a sensitive moron or someone who’s just ill tempered, he has cultivated an adverse group.

As we all know, media personnel in New York are critical of underperforming sports teams.

So clinching a playoff berth is huge for the Jets, a franchise that has coped with much scrutiny and mediocrity. Sure enough, the Jets can beguile us all by advancing to the AFC Championship game.

There’s no need to place a hot team on the backburner when Ryan has been specialized in defense.

Don’t forget there’s a rookie quarterback by the name of Mark Sanchez, who was willing to take on a steep challenge and implored the Jets to select him in last April’s draft.

Isn’t it fair to refer to him as Sanchize?

But more so, credit the lethal defense for elevating the intensity level in the late weeks.

In a rematch against the inspirational Cincinnati Bengals, who they routed in a 37-0 win, the Jets will have to attempt to win two games in six days.

In general, I’m impressed by the Jets’ tenacious defensive core.

On any given week, a forceful defense could spoil an opposing team’s optimism.

The NFL’s best defense happens to be the Jets, despite their 9-7 record that barely qualifies for a legitimate taste of the postseason.

Mind you, Darrelle Revis and Dwight Lowery are shutdown cornerbacks, with quickness and awareness. That hurts for an explosive wideout as proficient as Chad Ochocinco, when these two teams meet again for a significant matchup.

The Bengals are practically ailing in the receiver core, and Ochocinco is nursing a sore knee. That raises concern, especially when prolific quarterback Carson Palmer could use his primary target to exploit an unparalleled passing game.

Either way you view it, the best team, the scariest team and the team nobody wants to play are the Chargers.

Turns out they are the Super Chargers, exposing an outlook that defies logic with their ability to move the ball efficiently on the ground.

LaDainian Tomlinson is a decisive factor in the Chargers' chase for a potential Super Bowl appearance, as is a sturdy Philip Rivers. Late in the season, Coach Norv Turner has relied on the growth of Rivers’ passing game.

His powerful throws are significant, if the Chargers expect to pass the test of wills, which includes advancing to the Super Bowl.

In recent weeks, the masses have anointed San Diego and have given the Chargers the edge.

If so, tight end Antonio Gates must play a large role. To be honest, he has been, by far, the most productive star in the receiver core and amassed 79 catches for 1,457 yards.

Near the goal line, Tomlinson is lightning fast and he’s not to be reckoned with.

He has 12 touchdowns and isn’t easy to slow down inside the 20.

Doesn’t that remind you of Ravens’ running back Ray Rice?

There’s no doubt that he’s the difference in the Ravens’ entertaining offense.

The arrival of offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has improved the Ravens' offense mightily, offsetting a typical 3-4 defense. His offensive recipe is designed to force the 3-4 into a nickel or dime formation, making life easier for Baltimore’s running game to explode.

No wonder Rice is the biggest star of an emerging offense and discards all of the weaknesses.

He’s the most entertaining and dangerous runner in the AFC, lethal with a remarkable 1,338 yards and a 5.3-yard average.

This should be enough to put a scare on the faces of New England.

Yes, Bill Belichick and the Patriots are well experienced, but they’re deteriorating before our very eyes.

After losing all its veteran leaders, New England is amid a rebuilding stage and has been dealing with road woes.

Wipe away an effortless win at a neutral site in London, and the Patriots would’ve officially been 1-6 on the road this season.

Because they have much mystique and dominated in the prior decade, the Pats aren’t forgotten just yet.

Then again, they might be out of the picture for good. The last thing New England needed was a severe injury to change the complexion, especially when it involves a speedy receiver.

Wes Welker, a primary target and a dynamic weapon, sustained a left knee injury. It’s believed to be a torn ACL and MCL.

That could cost New England a trip to Miami. He was a receiver the Pats relied on heavily, in what appeared to be Welker’s breakout season.

He led the league with 123 catches for 1,348 yards and four touchdowns, but Belichick is now forced to rely on a temperamental Randy Moss, who not long ago, created a distraction when many acknowledged that he had quit on his team.

Good luck facing a tough-minded Baltimore defense.

Seems safety Ed Reed is healthy enough to disrupt and frustrate Tom Brady in the first round of the postseason. This season, Reed was sidelined for four games with a groin injury, but his presence intimidates any team's offense.

There’s also the hard-hitting Ray Lewis, the veteran linebacker who applies unsympathetic hits to players.

Let’s not leave out the Dallas Cowboys, a franchise that owner Jerry Jones has earned his money from a new and colossal venue.

For once, Dallas avoided derision and further doom in December.

For the rematch, the Cowboys will face the Philadelphia Eagles next Saturday. For the longest time, they were fragile in December and couldn’t steer clear of letdowns.

Still, Dallas is a much-scrutinized franchise, until it captures its first playoff victory.

After escaping T.O. drama and after Tony Romo dumped Jessica Simpson to leave alone the celeb lifestyle, he's focused on improving as a quarterback and the Cowboys started performing at a high level.

Wade Phillips is delighted and confident he has salvaged his job status by winning a playoff game.

Like anything else, we try our hardest to guess which team will survive the next few weeks, leading up to the Super Bowl.

Did you know nothing is guaranteed?

How about you just watch and see what happens.

After all, it’s the NFL where drama lives.

Terrelle Pryor Wins Roses For Ohio State, Big Ten To Illustrate Bright Future

From my perspective it was a Big Ten coming out party, at the most prestigious venue in college football -- below the Hollywood sign and near the beautiful mountains. In what was the biggest game for Ohio State, where coach Jim Tressel wore his red vest and where fans in Columbus waited anxiously for a big victory, the large population screamed at the top of their lungs.

They finally can scream O-H-I-O! Given a few meltdowns, in a big conference with its own network, the Buckeyes used to stumble and collapse on the biggest stage in college football. Jim Tressel, the man in the vest, found redemption and recovered from a disgraced era.

For a long time, Ohio State stood as a misrepresented symbol, tarnishing a prosaic Big Ten Conference. There are people still categorizing the Buckeyes as a worthless program. That was fair when the Buckeyes had flaws and couldn't ever hoist BCS titles.

Rarely were the Buckeyes invited to play in an enormous bowl game, where biased folks ridiculed them, insulted them and neglected them. After problematic losses were suffered on the national stage, like in those dreadful meetings against the powerhouses of the Southeastern Conference, folks have been skeptical of Ohio State.

But now, a losing streak no longer exists, a Big Ten losing streak is snapped and Terrell Pryor is a savior by delivering the greatest win to begin a new decade. After being demolished in consecutive BCS games, after being doubted for winning much-needed BCS games, Ohio State experienced triumph and has finally established itself in a weakened conference.

In an ecstatic environment, before thousands of Buckeyes faithful, Pryor silenced disbelievers with a 26-17 breakout victory of seventh-ranked Oregon in the Rose Bowl game. For an entire week, Ohio State prepared for this moment and dreamed of roses.

Never mind shriveled roses. Pryor blossomed into a superlative hero, and greatness was sustained through his overwhelmingly tremendous dominance. The Buckeyes have a shot at legitimizing relevance within a prestigious program, where an entertaining marching band performs and where football games are hosted in an illustrious structure known as the "Horseshoe."

For much of the week, Tressel seemed humiliated by prior letdowns and burdens that had brought down the Buckeyes.

There was a loss of sprit, a loss of regard with the disintegration of a program. But now Tressel, who has three years remaining on his contract, is breathing a sigh of relief. And because he’s an old-school coach, Tressel's offensive schemes were routes opponents never saw coming.

Everyone should be impressed by his ability to change the style and exploit different schemes. He grasps a wise sense that Pryor should be involved in an average offense, and has nurtured and cultivated his superstar.

And, indeed, Pryor was mentally and physically prepared to withstand the grandest moment of his career. Pryor, the energetic sophomore, has stamina and the rushing ability that can help catapult the Buckeyes to championship victories. Instead he tried new options, with his aerial spectacle, and proved to the world he’s a stellar passer just as well as he runs and races to the end zone.

Even though Ohio State has been able to win five straight league titles, it has faltered to win meaningful games and harmed its reputation. Suddenly, in the second decade of the 21st century, Pryor has restored belief, not only for the long-waited masses in Columbus, but the Big Ten Conference as well.

It was sort of like witnessing an endless nightmare, in an unfavorable conference unworthy of regards. Before Ohio State celebrated together on New Years Day, this was a catastrophic conference.


The Big Ten went 4-11 in BCS games in the last nine games, thanks to Pryor, who had career highs in 266 passing yards and 23 completions. And he absolutely carried a reliable rush attack and ran for 72 yards. On greater imports, he led an energetic offense and was responsible for such a brilliant afternoon by converting 11 of 21 third downs.

To start, he played like the running icon everyone idolizes, and now he's compared to Michael Vick. To start, he was unstoppable moving the ball on his successive ground game, something the nation pictured when the Buckeyes recruited Pryor to become the nation’s No. 1 quarterback two years ago.

This was a program predicted to win a BCS title in 2002, but it’s never too late for a school to win. If this was a statement, the Buckeyes are bound to return and capture national title respectability. There’s a good chance Ohio State may not be the erratic school we viewed it to be before Pryor emerged into stardom, and paralyzed Oregon’s improbable chase.

Chip Kelly's high-powered offense wasn’t nearly as effective as it was during Oregon's storybook season. Although Ducks’ tailback, LeGarrette Blount, stormed to the goal line and broke the plane for redemption after he was forced to serve a suspension for punching a Boise State player in the face during an ugly melee in Oregon’s season-opener, a wonderful tale wasn’t completed.

The Ducks committed two turnovers inside the Ohio State 35. Their creativity wasn’t relentless or befuddling to throw off a well-aware Buckeyes’ defense. Missing in action was talented quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who completed 9 of 20 passes for a season-low 81 yards.

But Pryor clearly was the marquee player and stud, lifting the Buckeyes out of devastation and granted the team with the ultimate prize.

Watching many painful seasons of Big Ten flaws, Pryor has been named the biggest hero in the Big Ten.

He’s a remedy in a conference that badly needed joy.

For Such Heartless Nature, Leach Needed To Be Dismissed

It’s a heartless story that doesn’t settle to well, within our sympathetic hearts. We knew it was coming, a decision on the future of Mike Leach. There’s no doubt he was the symbol of rehabilitating a program in default. That is, of course, until his name surfaced of atrocity against a player, egregious nature at a much-thriving program.

The average program, particularly in the athletic department, much is emphasized on the meaning of discipline, not the essence of abuse or mistreatment to players. If Leach hadn’t orchestrated inhumanity and insubordination at Lubbock, where he established a culture of magnitude, he wouldn’t have been fired by a disappointed Texas Tech administration. It’s good to know the Red Raiders reacted to an investigation and player’s complaint, immediately minimizing Leach’s possibility of salving his credibility and coaching job.

Shame on a petulant Leach, for the burdens he has left within a school where parents may take a moment to hesitate and ponder. But in these circumstances, some folks in the heart of Texas might feel better about sending their kids to Lubbock, while others are advocates, angry of Leach’s ugly departure. That usually happens when a coach strengthens ideal during a flourishing decade.

But as long as there are senseless misdeeds, insanity by an enigmatic man could tarnish Texas Tech. It’s very disturbing to hear a redshirt sophomore, Adam James, suffer a concussion during a practice that Leach reportedly denied. Instead he believed James was unhappy of limited playing time, and assumed he was finding a convenient excuse. A day following the severe blow to the head, he was diagnosed with a concussion and an increasing heart rate.

As a coach, Leach didn’t have sense enough to care for his player as if he personally despised him. He wasn’t compassionate of the welfare of his health, nor aware of the dangerous matters a severe hit to the head could cause. Even worst, according to reports, he told a trainer to move James to an isolated room, to a dark spot. To be frank, it’s mind-boggling when a large university trusts a coach to discipline, structure kids to strengthen upon a brighter future.

You’d expect coaches to help a student mature for the real life. But instead, the irritable nonsense and lamentable personality is traumatic, featuring barbaric scenes enough to brainwash kids and scare away a recruiting class. Even more malicious is when the Lubbock Avalanche Journal reported the room was a dark shed, where Leach forced James to stand inside for two hours.

But when the truth surfaced that he was forced inside an electrical closet, tremendous respect was lost, much credibility was sabotaged. How dare he stuff another individual into a closet? How dare he mistreat another individual? And lastly, how dare Leach think he could get away with the biggest malicious and despicable stunt in sports. Hearing the upsetting news makes me sick to my stomach, as reality kicks in that James could’ve possibly been a relative of ours.

For committing such depravity, Leach deserved to be fired, losing out enormously on an $800,000 bonus by the university on New Years Eve. What a jerk, for cowardly forcing a kid to stand in a tight, dark closet. Even if James plotted his concussion or was a rebellious teammate, it doesn’t give Leach the justification to commit such a heinous act.

According to Ted Liggett, Leach’s attorney, James added to what was merely a “mild concussion”. He told the Associated Press, “I believe that James was a disgruntled student-athlete that like many, were not happy with playing time.” His attorney is missing the whole point. Either way, nobody deserves to spend time in a tight closet. James isn’t an animal or a prisoner. He’s a normal citizen as everyone else.

Fine, if Leach felt he had to punish him, he should’ve penalized James in an appropriate manner. Texas Tech saved credibility by dismissing the troubled coach. He was once known as the famous coach in Texas, a symbol within Texas Tech athletic program. But now, he’s known as the infamous coach who may never coach on the collegiate level for refusing to corporate with Kent Hance, Texas Tech’s chancellor.

Many believe his insubordination and rudeness, such as filing a restraining order to coach in the Alamo Bowl, cost Leach his job. Later on the telephone, Hance said in an interview. “I like him and I wanted him to be my coach, but insubordination and this type of activity just cannot be permitted.”

If you can recall, Leach ripped his players following an October loss to Texas A&M. He suspended an offensive lineman for violating team rules. He also ceased Twitters, after Marion Williams Tweeted sarcastic remarks. An outrageous predicament, in fairness, is resolved. They couldn’t allow Leach to get a free ride, if Kansas removed Mark Mangino for allegedly abusing players.

As issues look to get uglier, Liggett is filing a lawsuit no later than this week against the university. Even though matters are ugly, Texas Tech protected its credibility before it crippled. Having a violent, wacko coach isn’t a cure, and makes it worst. Getting rid of the spitefulness is, indeed, the only option to avoid outrage.

Can Vikings Rebound? Yes, Childress, Favre Must Get a Grip

In a way, that is, if you’ve forgotten, Brett Favre ignited a controversy. The timing of all the friction is unnecessary for a team attempting to erase any flukes and illusions. But everybody knows the Minnesota Vikings are mired in self-destruction, if the timeless interruption plays a role in the playoffs. What seems to be a minor issue, can jeopardize the rest of their season season.

Earlier this week, the Vikings were headline news and the epicenter of a nonsensical letdown. Once again, the annoyance of Favre grasped the center of attention, stealing much of the spotlight. For much of the week he acted like an infant, behaving selfishly when coach Brad Childress clumsily tried removing Favre from the game at Carolina, at a moment when the Vikings led by a point. That led to a 19-point loss to the Panthers, followed by Favre’s sound off during a press conference.

Ever since, we’ve wondered and speculated about the relationship between Favre and Childress, a holocaust that blinded triumph. And ever since the news-draining episode surfaced, regarding an unsteady relationship, the Vikings are seemingly nearing the end of a conceivable journey. Unless the Vikings somehow elude the likelihood of becoming one-and-done victims in the postseason, and dismiss a dreadful ruckus, a season of glory can transform into an indelible year.

For now, morale has diminished ambition, constituting what seems to be an incurable waste. Minnesotans should shut their eyes after witnessing painful weeks of inexcusable meltdowns on turf. This week at least, the Vikings pose as harmless crusaders en route of a wreck in the first round of a probable voyage to the Super Bowl.

In late December, we are normally critical of the doomed Dallas Cowboys, but instead we are now ridiculing the Vikes, laughing at the Vikes, and shaking our heads in disbelief at the Vikes. So you felt Tony Romo was a disgrace in Dallas, a celeb bust rather than a football bust, a tabloid magnet who’d never win a playoff game? Well, think again.

There’s a team residing where the land of 10,000 lakes exist, a team residing where the greatest and colossal mall in the world lives. Times, in December, are fragile for the Vikings. Nothing is flawless, when an ultimate menace suddenly collapses. And to relapse late in the year only spells misfortune.

This is a team armed with tremendous weapons in an unblemished receiver core. This is a team, which has healed a spiritless town. This is a team, in which the dauntless Childress coaxed and seized a former villain from Green Bay, where Favre implanted a memorable legacy. This is a team, in which owner Zygi Wilf issued disciplinary actions and dismissed four-star players from the roster for the involvement in the infamous boat scandal. This is the franchise that was embarrassed, when former coach, Mike Tice, scalped tickets.

So with the shameful era long gone, now the Vikings can revoke memories of the age of the sleazes in Minnesota. And now rectify a winning mindset within an organization, where droughts commonly happen in recent memory. This season alone, they’re 0-2 in December since Childress’ mind-blowing decision of benching the future Hall of Famer frustrated Favre. They’re 1-3 since the loss to Arizona in early December.

Instead of a full-blown, sideline confrontation Favre and Childress should’ve resolved a heated dispute behind close doors. Courtesy of NBC cameras, the Sunday Night Football audience discovered the two men in an argument when a stubborn-minded Favre was merely upset with Childress’ intentions of removing him, realizing the emphasis of keeping the 40-year old veteran healthy and rested for the playoffs.

Besides resting the temperamental gunslinger, according to reports, Favre’s boss was furious when he called an audible in a Monday night game earlier in the season against Green Bay. Even though ongoing conflict ignited a mess in Favre’s rebirth, you’d like to believe all the commotion is put behind them. If it wasn’t for Childress’ persuasiveness, Favre might have spent the entire season at home watching from his couch and mowed the loan in the rural area of Mississippi.


There are two reasons to believe why the Vikings accepted such a controlling, egotistic maniac to conduct a much-depleted franchise. Since the arrival, Favre is a superstar who became the team’s primary consumer by filling up seats, increasing ticket sales and revenue. He’s also good friends with Childress, a desperate coach willing to bring aboard a self-centered, egotistic superstar to call plays and showcase customary arm-strength as he ages.

Favre is even good friends with Darrell Bevell, after building an attachable bond at Green Bay. Although he could’ve made the surreal transition for vengeance on the Packers, the Vikings couldn’t be more exhilarated, certain he’s the answer for legitimizing hope. And when it’s still outlandish today to glance at Favre wearing a purple uniform, the Vikings were favorites to advance to the Super Bowl.

After they were in position for the NFC’s No. 1 seed and the postseason home-field advantage and a first-round bye, Minnesota quickly lost possession and watched an opportunity slip away. As it stands now, Childress’ team could fall into the Wild-Card category. The Vikings could have a date with the Packers in the first-round. If expecting to have any luck in the postseason, Minnesota has to retool as a team and find its rhythm and momentum.

The fundamentals of football starts with momentum, just as much as it’s a game where each player must bond as a unit. But most of all, Adrian Peterson must make his round to the nearest pit stop and rotate his tires. Without his wheels, Favre looks as if he’s confused and pressured by a bulldozing defense. In the last five weeks, Peterson has played poorly.

And in Chicago, he had a fumble in a 36-30-overtime loss. For the lack of ball security flaws are still hurting Peterson. By halftime, Favre’s night was silent, and had only 36 yards in passing. His running back bailed him out in previous weeks. But lately, he can’t even hold on to the football.

Childress doesn’t know if he should leave the starters in or sit them. No to mention the constant distractions are affecting the way the team plays.

The Vikings have to turn things around in a hurry. Or else they’ll go home.

Meyer's Gator Stunner Is Riddles, Leaves Us Guessing

It’s kind of hard to tell where he’s coming from, hard to tell his next decision. When the stunning development unmasked, he broke down into tears, helpless and saddened of his sudden departure.

He alarmed us all with his announcement of periodic chest pains. He shocked us all by informing the world of frequent health problems. Lastly, the announcement was a stunning development when he told the Florida football program that he’d resign.

This meant Mr. Meyer would never return to a program he installed, standing as a symbol of greatness. In the meantime, Gators’ faithful aren’t scowling or scorning Urban Meyer of a bizarre story. It leaves us scratching our heads, searching for reasonable answers to why suddenly Mr. Meyer misled us the last three days.

Wasn’t he resigning to spend valuable time with his family and care for health? Wasn’t he ailing and couldn’t measure up to the stress level of coaching? At least a resignation was understandable and his intent, until he arrived to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for the Gators’ Sugar Bowl practice in Gainesville. The population at the Swamp emotionally had tears draining down their faces, along with immediate speculations on the next in line to coach an endearing program.

But there’s a clear understanding that Meyer hasn’t made up his mind. He pondered before an official resignation was declared. Maybe it’s difficult to aloof from the game he has mustered a tremendous passion for. Or maybe adjusting to a peculiar seen is tough. He’s accustomed to and relish mentoring players willing to mature into prospering men. He’s used to building a contiguous relationship with each of his players. Leaving all behind is burdensome to adapt to.

So suddenly, an emotionally departure of his coaching job was lightened into a leave of absence. Guess there won’t be any reason to search for a coach, or theorize if offensive coordinator, Steve Adazzio, steps into command. That means we don’t have to hear rumors and names of Bob Stoops or Dan Mullen. Of course, it would’ve been a good coaching campaign, but if there’s a sublime coach unsure of his status, looking for another coach is the least priority.

Isn’t Meyer coaxing the program enough, by informing us he plans on staying in Gainesville? Doesn’t his obligations to stay in contact and within the program tells you Meyer is aspiring for partial decision-making? From ailing and withstanding chest pains and an arachnoid cyst on his brain forced him to take a hiatus. At a point spending quality time with his family seemed more valuable, he stressed the importance of family values and faith.

And as a coach he had already accomplished a lifelong adventure, owning the highest coaching percentage in college football. He could leave the game and lift his head proudly, for leading Utah to an unbeaten season in which he built an eye-catching future in college football. Therefore, he grasped our attention and became a much-beloved coach in parts of Florida.

But we can’t ensure he’s leaving the game for good. You should be confused, of course, trying to put together pieces of this missing puzzle. For those in Gainesville, life is a riddle. Yes, Mr. Meyer has baffled us all. And ever since he returned the next day to inform us all that he expects to coach next season, believing Meyer is like believing Pinocchio. What’s difficult to grasp is why draw a huge distraction, by telling us about a resignation when Florida’s huge bowl game against Cincinnati is looming?

If it was the case, it could have waited until a day after the bowl game. Now, the Gators are likely to play with heavy hearts, worried of Meyer’s health status. The last thing a program wants to happen amid a substantial bowl game is questions to circulate, strictly on the health status of Meyer’s. When he spoke of his vital chest pains following the lost to Alabama in the SEC Championship game, he looked worn down, fatigued as if he was ready to call it a career. If so, then was the exact moment to depart. Either way, he would’ve left the game atop coaching at the collegiate level. But when winning is taking into consideration, the Gators are caught in a continuous riddle.


At 45, Meyer feared the mischief of mortality, valuing his life before reconsidering he’d rather salvage the coaching job. And Florida athletic director, Jeremy Foley, discerns the significance of health, but doesn’t feel he has to find a replacement if Meyer is in good condition to recruit a potent class and mentor kids, teaching the fundamentals of winning, so they can leave as a better individual.

That is, of course, before he told his wife, Shelley, and three children he was quitting for health problems and family. Not too sure if he stayed true to his word, when his wife believed he’d spent every second with his lovable family. His wife text a message to the Orlando Sentinel that said: “No chance… This is the best decision for him and us right now.”

Foley has a careless demeanor, insisting on Saturday for Meyer to take a leave of absence. It’s obvious he knows what Meyer brings to the program, diligence and charisma. But also it’s apparent he’s ignoring the health of a man, facing a tremendous amount of uncertainty.

Times next fall may seem a bit stressful without the likes of Tim Tebow, who’s a top name in April’s NFL Draft. Florida’s challenging schedule within a superb conference is when Meyer should absorb pressure, in which we’ll actually find out if he still does well in controlling the program.

But until then, his status remains a crazy riddle.