AMERICA’S GAME ’07–‘08

It has been quite a year for America’s Game.  From the tragedy that was Michael Vick to the loss of Sean Taylor to the miracle of Kevin Everett.  The perfect (to date) Patriots and the almost perfect Dolphins, the arrogance of ‘Spygate’ and the class of the Washington Redskins.  The collapse of da Bears, the Ravens, the Bengals, but “how about those Browns?” As the regular season winds down and we go marching into the playoffs and the Super Bowl, I ask only one thing of the billionaire owners, the billionaire broadcast networks, and the billionaire league —don’t forget about us.  Not Coca Cola, not Viagra, not even General Motors; the FANS as always turn the wheel and have made it America’s Game.

BREAKING NEWS

In a letter, Senators Patrick Leahy D-Vt. and Arlen Specter R-Pa., both members of the Judiciary Committee, Leahy Chairman, expressed concern over the NFL’s “adopting strategies to limit distribution of game programming to their own network.” “Congress may need to reexamine the need and desirability of their continued exemption from the Nation’s antitrust laws,” they wrote.  I’ll bet the league was thrilled to get this missive.  Apparently the NFL’s efforts to get the “government” involved in its war on the cable companies is working but maybe not exactly as planned.  

THE PLAY

Unless you had been captured by gypsies, held for ransom over the weekend, and denied access to television then you saw “the play” either live or on the dozens of post game shows.  Brian Westbrook blows through the line and then blows through the Dallas secondary on his way to an unmolested touchdown to go up 17 – 6 with 2 minutes to go in the game.  But wait, one yard short of the goal he takes a knee – what in the name of Bill Belicheat is he doing?  Preserving the victory for the Eagles, that’s what.  With no time outs left, the Cowboys cannot stop the clock and all Donovan McNabb has to do is take a knee three times to secure the ‘W’ 10 – 6.

Coach Andy Reid credits Westbrook’s Villanova education, but Westbrook himself gives credit to his offensive right tackle Jon Runyan who said to him, “Listen, if you’re down to the 1 take a knee.” Whether the inspiration came from Villanova, Runyan, or divine intervention it was a heady TEAM play.  Philly scores and kicks off and some Cowboy does a Devin Hester imitation or at least the league’s second most explosive offense finds the end zone quickly.  A two point conversion and an onside kick later and Dallas is a field goal away from OT.  Crazy, unlikely—the ball has pointed ends and strange bounces are always possible in the last two minutes.

Can anybody out there imagine T.O. putting his TEAM first and foregoing the opportunity to call attention to himself and going for the score? 

COPYCAT

Three of the last four Patriot games, Pittsburgh didn’t really scare them, showed significant chinks in their armor.  As a matter of fact both the Eagles and Ravens should have beaten them.  Philly, provided the blueprint.  You ignore New England’s attempt at running the ball and bring as much pressure as you can on Brady.  The Pats should cruise into post season perfect with only the Dolphins left and the Giants who have chinks in their own armor, but possibly facing the Steelers, Chargers, Jags, and of course the Colts will not be a “walk-over” getting to Glendale, Arizona in February.

Beating the Cowboys is easy.  Just keep track of whatever celeb Romo is dating at the time and make sure she’s at the game and very visible.  Dallas needs to be careful at Carolina and Washington because a loss could require a post season appearance at Lambeau and even Jessica Simpson doesn’t want to be in Green Bay ever, but especially in the winter.

Besting the Colts also involves the Simpsons.  You beat Indy if you convince Dungy to start Homer in place of Peyton.

PARCELLS

So Bill Parcells is going to become head of football operations for the Atlanta Dolphins, or is it the Miami Falcons.  Whomever, both these franchises need help.  My advice to Bill is to go with Miami; they’re on a hot streak.

FINAL FINAL

Jessica Simpson was advised to stay away from the Cowboy games because her presence makes Tony Romo nervous or jinxed or whatever.  It was basically a locker room joke until a real live Cowboy exec seriously suggested the same thing.  Perhaps it is merely crowds that disrupt Tony’s play and no one should be allowed in Texas Stadium period.  Maybe the Eagles had something to do with it, you think?

Broncos WR Brandon Marshall was fined $7500 by the league for celebrating a touchdown catch December 9 by throwing a handful of snow in the air.  There was no such fine levied against Terrell Owens throwing popcorn all over his face.  Double standard?

The NFL has finally chosen Ticketmaster as its official ticket reseller.  Terms of the deal were not announced.  Going are the days when on the street corner outside the stadium some guy was holding up a sign that said “I got tickets” or “I need tickets.”  Curiously this scalping activity was against the law and discouraged by the league before they figured a way to cut themselves in on it, or do you believe Ticketmaster got this concession for nothing.  The bigger question is, however, how long before this ‘legalized scalping’ becomes leaguelized scalping and all tickets are sold to the highest bidder, thus allowing the league to share in the premiums for the big games where ducats are in demand.  Should this come to pass the net effect will further cut the non-corporate average fan out of his financial ability to attend games in person.  Did you feel something fellow fan?

Santa is coming and you’re thus reading the last ‘rants’ for the season.  Hope you have enjoyed them and please feel free to make comments or suggestions AND, most of all Happy Christmas.

Phred