Goodbye Coach Dungy

I have taken sometime to digest and think about Coach Dungy's retirement before I wrote anything. How do you say goodbye to the classiest man in professional football. He has been an inspiration to many including me. I was inspired by his book to be a better man and better father. I know the reason he is retiring now is to be an even better husband and father, which makes me admire him more. He understands that football is just a job and he can walk away anytime for something more important, not many coaches understand that. The simple way he talked and the way he never got out of control on the sidelines, the way his players look up to him, and the other coaches he has turned out are all thinks that I admire about him. While I wish he was staying on to coach another year, I understand. If I had the opportunity to spend more time with my family I would not pass it up. He truly is the best coach, in my opinion. Also, in my opinion he is one of the only coaches that didn't cut corners or bend the rules, which is another reason I respect him.

Coach, I am going to miss you!!!!

Is THIS the best there is?

The Arizona Cardinals vs the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl 43? Well, it could happen. The Cards and the Steelers are the last remaining regular season division champs still alive in the playoffs, but their opponents are more than capable of pulling off even more upsets. Who would've thought the hapless Arizona Cardinals would win a division title, let alone play in the NFC championship. Baltimore has been here before, except this time they have a QB, albeit relatively inexperienced, who can make plays and not force the defense to win a super bowl (sorry Mr. Dilfer). McNabb and Co. squeaked their way into the playoffs and show how some marquee running backs seem to step up their play towards the end of the season (thanks Brian W. (first round draft pick of the Doo Doo Crew, my ribs hurt ooooowwwwwww, but I can put superstar numbers up after your fantasy team is eliminated from the postseason....). And finally Pittsburgh, possibly the only real legitimate division winner still in the playoffs. But Pittsburgh is boring, so are the Ravens, and the NFC West is a joke, or are they? The Cards (9-7) definately benefited from having division rivals that would struggle against teams in the Mountain West Conference, but are they frontin' or are they 2 Legit 2 Quit? I think Kirtus Warnersaurus (ages maximus) leading the Cards to the Super Bowl would be a great story (The Rookie, Bull Durham, Old Yeller), but I am not sure about the rest of America. America might want a more intriguing story (enter Philly vs. Pittsburgh). Where is T.O. and his popcorn when you need him.

Should T.O. Go?

With the Pac-man out of a job, it seems that the Cowboys are looking for another head to chop and it might be highly paid wide receiver Terrell "get your popcorn ready" Owens. The question is should T.O. go? He has had an average year and not been much of a game changer or a play maker. He his paid something ridiculous like 8 million a year. I was listening to the Herd this morning and he was saying that a WR for San Diego slightly better stats than T.O. and he was only paid 800K. In fairness I think T.O. is a good player, overpaid, but good. I think with the right team and the with the right mindset on his part he could be a really great player. However, for this to happen he is going to get his head out of his rear and stop thinking he is the best. The stats don't lie. So, the question is should T.O. go? I think so, but to where?

Fantasy Wrap-Up

How in the world did Scott come from behind and win our league again. I can't believe it. I mean, I know IUfan was out a long time ago (he started calling himself the doodoocrew), but I was in the hunt until the end. I wrapped up the playoffs first, heck I was regular session champ, but then RomoisBurning (scott) swoops in and takes the trophy leaving me in third place. I just wish my guys, like Cutler, Parker, Wayne, etc., didn't crap out on me in the second half of the season. Oh, well there is always next year, I am going to win one of these years, did you hear me scott!!!

Great QB's

I know whose not a great QB:

TONY ROMO

Another Take on the Great QB

The previous post hit the idea of a great QB pretty much head on. I agree that a QB should be measured by his individual stats, along with winning, etc. What I don't agree with, however, is the idea that Tom Brady is not a great QB. I know that IU Fan is a Colts fan also, therefore he is a bit biased due to the rivalry between the Colts and the Patriots. But, you have to consider several things about Tom Brady. First of all, when he became a starter for the first time all he did was win. Secondly, out side of the 2007 season he has had ZERO supporting cast in terms of top 10 talent at WR or maybe top 20. Example, in his first Superbowl season (and the ensuing two) Tom Brady's top wideout was, Troy Brown? And, in their latest Superbowl conquest his best receiver was Deion Branch, who's not really tearing it up lately. There are also the intangibles. Brady is a field general, much like Manning, he can make all the throws and has a strong arm. The injury from 2008 may jeapordize his career long-term, but even so he is a Hall of Fame QB.

Great QBs are GRRRRREAT!!!!

I believe a great quarterback can be on a poor team due to a lackluster defense. A great QB is considered great by the stats they put up or the championships they win. For example, Peyton Manning is one of the greatest QB's of all time, regardless of a Super Bowl victory, that only quieted the critics and naysayers. How about QBs like Dan Fouts, Bernie Kosar, and more specifically, Dan Marino. Marino, had a Hall of Fame career, but unfortunately did not win a Super Bowl. Individual Accomplishments have a great deal in measuring a great QB, as does a "team QB". For instance, Peyton's little brother is far from great, but won a super bowl.....how about QB's like Trent Dilfer (really???), Kurt Warner (sorry, but a pass happy Off. Coord. and great surrounding team will get a QB a lot of yards and TD's...example Tom Brady. Winning a Super Bowl will make a QB great for the present, but not in the scope of a career. Regardless of this argument, I think any man that stands the chance of being flattened by 250-300lb men is considered "great" in my book. Go Horse!