While I apologize for the recent three-week layoff, I assure you that it came in the service of a worthy cause--namely, my relocation to the city of Philadelphia. After days and days of resume-sending and apartment-hunting, I've finally found time to write a bit about a few recent goings-on in the world of sport. Here it is--a hodgepodge of current thoughts:
AFC Championship Game: While the Patriots' loss angered me in light of the fact that they were my preseason picks to win it all, I must admit that I am extremely happy to see Peyton Manning reach a Super Bowl. I tend to dislike grandiose, overgeneralizing statements--but I feel comfortable in asserting that anyone who is a fan of the NFL should give a tip of the hat to Peyton Manning. Who could possibly deny that a Manning Super Bowl win would represent the epitome of a feel-good sports story? The guy is a first-rate gentleman, a statistical juggernaut who is creating his own record book--and he's doing it with grace, humility, and controversy-free style.
Andy Roddick: Were it not for the existence of Roger Federer, Andy Roddick may well have won five or six Grand Slams at this point in his career. Unfortunately, he'll never one-up the Swiss machine, and his career may eventually be defined by his inability to overcome the Federer Effect. Think of all those highly talented Western Conference NBA teams, e.g. the Suns, Sonics, and Jazz, who had the misfortune of being great at the same time that Michael Jordan was in the league. I'd go so far as to say that some of those teams were better than others who won the NBA Finals before and since. Still, athletes and teams are rightfully judged in relation to their contemporaries; as Ric Flair so famously said, "To be The Man, you gotta beat The Man. Woooo!"
Tom Coughlin: A one-year extension? Gimme a break.
NBA: Would it be possible to petition David Stern to amend the Association's rules so that the Suns and Mavericks could meet in the most entertaining, highest-scoring Finals series ever?
Tiger Woods: Kudos to Tiger for insisting that he'll skip the British Open if his first child's birth coincides with the tournament. Hard to imagine... especially if he's already won the Masters and U.S. Open...
Super Bowl Prediction: Colts 24, Bears 14
1.25.2007
1.03.2007
Frequent 5er
Frequent 5er
Song: Ryan Adams, "Dear Chicago"
Word: pertinent
Random/Obscure Sports Reference: Remember when Roger Clemens tossed part of a bat at Mike Piazza? That was lame.
Random/Obscure Non-Sports Reference: The fact that Gerald Ford served as both VP and President without being elected to either post is equal parts creepy and cool.
Quote/Quip: The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat. [Lily Tomlin]
Song: Ryan Adams, "Dear Chicago"
Word: pertinent
Random/Obscure Sports Reference: Remember when Roger Clemens tossed part of a bat at Mike Piazza? That was lame.
Random/Obscure Non-Sports Reference: The fact that Gerald Ford served as both VP and President without being elected to either post is equal parts creepy and cool.
Quote/Quip: The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat. [Lily Tomlin]
1.02.2007
Boise No More
As of yesterday evening, I had seriously considered extending my holiday hiatus for another few days. However, last night's Fiesta Bowl proved to be so entertaining and significant that I feel I must talk about it--now.
Aside from (perhaps) last season's epic Texas-USC showdown, the Boise-OU game may well have been the best college football game--or sporting event, period--that I have ever seen. It is not often that we are given a contest that carries pre-game biases, back-and-forth on-field action, entertaining "trick" plays, and monumental future implications. To be sure, last night's game had all of these.
I've written before about the biases that surround non-BCS-conference teams in the college football world (see: "Boise Among Men?," 11.21.2006). People everywhere disparage the achievements reached by successful no-name teams, a la this year's Boise St. Broncos, or Urban Meyer's undefeated Utah squad. What's more, this skeptical, dismissive attitude often extends beyond the mere question of whether or not such teams belong in the BCS Championship Game. Fans, commentators, and especially other players, tended to view this year's Broncos as "little brothers," as lightweights who did not belong on the same stage as the hallowed Sooners. These Idaho amateurs had no shot--why even play the game?
Fortunately for everyone (save, perhaps, OU fans), the Fiesta Bowl proved to be a classic. From Boise's quick start, to Oklahoma's comeback, to Marcus Walker's seemingly game-ending tiptoe interception return with 1:00 to go, this game had everything. There were three touchdowns scored in the final minute-and-a-half. There were two-point conversions. There was a hook-and-ladder. A hook-and-ladder!
Boise's unconventional play selections no doubt added to the thrilling nature of the game. First, there was the unbelievable 50-yard touchdown that came with less than ten seconds left on the clock. On fourth and eighteen, Jared Zabransky threw a mid-range pass to Drisan James, who then pitched it to Jerard Rabb, who proceeded to "take it to the house." Fans went nuts. Announcers went nuts. I went nuts.
As if this were not enough, Boise State saved the best for last. After Adrian Peterson scored a relatively effortless touchdown to put OU up by 7 in overtime, the Broncos answered with an option-style pass play on which Vinny Perretta threw a touchdown to to Derek Schouman. With nothing to lose, and everything to gain, coach Chris Petersen opted to try a two-point conversion--and who can blame him? Neither defense was playing particularly well at the time; why not, if you're BSU, try to end it quickly rather than go round-for-round with the bigger Sooner squad? Indeed, Petersen and his Broncos went for broke, and they did so in spectacular fashion. With three receivers lined up to the right side, Zabransky took the snap and appeared poised to throw in that direction. Instead, he handed the ball with his left hand--and behind his back--to running back Ian Johnson, who trotted effortlessly into the endzone and sealed victory. Everyone on the Sooner defense bit on the fake. Bob Stoops looked stunned, as did the rest of us. The Little Man killed the Giant, and he did it with cunning.
Before addressing the larger implications of this game, I'd like to ensure that no one views BSU's use of trick plays as meaning that this game was some sort of "fluke." On the contrary, the Broncos outplayed the Sooners for much of the night, and Oklahoma was fortunate to get back into it later. Boise State proved that they deserved a spot on the big stage--and that perhaps they should have been given the right to play on an even bigger one.
Hopefully, this victory will carry the implications that it ought to. With Utah and Boise State, we've seen that mid-level teams are fully capable of playing with--and beating--the big boys. I expect teams like Boise State to start beefing up their non-conference schedules in order to expand their growng credibility--that is, assuming that any legitimate powerhouse programs will be willing to play such a scary early-season game. Teams like Texas, USC, and Ohio State might certainly be scared to travel to Boise, lest they lose and squander any chance at a national title.
Nonetheless, the Broncos' noble mission was greatly enhanced by the dramatic nature in which they won last night's game. Most people watching must have surely thought that the game was over once Zabransky threw the costly interception--or when OU scored rather easily on their first overtime possession. On both occasions, however, Boise responded. They then capped things off by showing the kind of moxie that most top-tier programs likely would have avoided. I'm not sure that Mack Brown, Pete Carroll, or Lloyd Carr would have gone for two. Chris Petersen did, and it paid off.
If Boise State happens to go undefeated again in the coming years, voters should remember New Years' Day, 2007. It was the day on which Cinderella went to the ball, wined and dined with the elite, and proved that she is fully capable of dancing with a prince.
Aside from (perhaps) last season's epic Texas-USC showdown, the Boise-OU game may well have been the best college football game--or sporting event, period--that I have ever seen. It is not often that we are given a contest that carries pre-game biases, back-and-forth on-field action, entertaining "trick" plays, and monumental future implications. To be sure, last night's game had all of these.
I've written before about the biases that surround non-BCS-conference teams in the college football world (see: "Boise Among Men?," 11.21.2006). People everywhere disparage the achievements reached by successful no-name teams, a la this year's Boise St. Broncos, or Urban Meyer's undefeated Utah squad. What's more, this skeptical, dismissive attitude often extends beyond the mere question of whether or not such teams belong in the BCS Championship Game. Fans, commentators, and especially other players, tended to view this year's Broncos as "little brothers," as lightweights who did not belong on the same stage as the hallowed Sooners. These Idaho amateurs had no shot--why even play the game?
Fortunately for everyone (save, perhaps, OU fans), the Fiesta Bowl proved to be a classic. From Boise's quick start, to Oklahoma's comeback, to Marcus Walker's seemingly game-ending tiptoe interception return with 1:00 to go, this game had everything. There were three touchdowns scored in the final minute-and-a-half. There were two-point conversions. There was a hook-and-ladder. A hook-and-ladder!
Boise's unconventional play selections no doubt added to the thrilling nature of the game. First, there was the unbelievable 50-yard touchdown that came with less than ten seconds left on the clock. On fourth and eighteen, Jared Zabransky threw a mid-range pass to Drisan James, who then pitched it to Jerard Rabb, who proceeded to "take it to the house." Fans went nuts. Announcers went nuts. I went nuts.
As if this were not enough, Boise State saved the best for last. After Adrian Peterson scored a relatively effortless touchdown to put OU up by 7 in overtime, the Broncos answered with an option-style pass play on which Vinny Perretta threw a touchdown to to Derek Schouman. With nothing to lose, and everything to gain, coach Chris Petersen opted to try a two-point conversion--and who can blame him? Neither defense was playing particularly well at the time; why not, if you're BSU, try to end it quickly rather than go round-for-round with the bigger Sooner squad? Indeed, Petersen and his Broncos went for broke, and they did so in spectacular fashion. With three receivers lined up to the right side, Zabransky took the snap and appeared poised to throw in that direction. Instead, he handed the ball with his left hand--and behind his back--to running back Ian Johnson, who trotted effortlessly into the endzone and sealed victory. Everyone on the Sooner defense bit on the fake. Bob Stoops looked stunned, as did the rest of us. The Little Man killed the Giant, and he did it with cunning.
Before addressing the larger implications of this game, I'd like to ensure that no one views BSU's use of trick plays as meaning that this game was some sort of "fluke." On the contrary, the Broncos outplayed the Sooners for much of the night, and Oklahoma was fortunate to get back into it later. Boise State proved that they deserved a spot on the big stage--and that perhaps they should have been given the right to play on an even bigger one.
Hopefully, this victory will carry the implications that it ought to. With Utah and Boise State, we've seen that mid-level teams are fully capable of playing with--and beating--the big boys. I expect teams like Boise State to start beefing up their non-conference schedules in order to expand their growng credibility--that is, assuming that any legitimate powerhouse programs will be willing to play such a scary early-season game. Teams like Texas, USC, and Ohio State might certainly be scared to travel to Boise, lest they lose and squander any chance at a national title.
Nonetheless, the Broncos' noble mission was greatly enhanced by the dramatic nature in which they won last night's game. Most people watching must have surely thought that the game was over once Zabransky threw the costly interception--or when OU scored rather easily on their first overtime possession. On both occasions, however, Boise responded. They then capped things off by showing the kind of moxie that most top-tier programs likely would have avoided. I'm not sure that Mack Brown, Pete Carroll, or Lloyd Carr would have gone for two. Chris Petersen did, and it paid off.
If Boise State happens to go undefeated again in the coming years, voters should remember New Years' Day, 2007. It was the day on which Cinderella went to the ball, wined and dined with the elite, and proved that she is fully capable of dancing with a prince.
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