NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE This weekend we have the beginning of the playoffs, which, to the NCAA, is such a UNIQUE way of determining who has the best team in football! In the strong AFC, we’ll see the upstart Kansas City Chiefs go to Indianapolis to play the Colts, and we’ll also watch the New York Jets head to Foxboro to face their division-rival Patriots.
In the mediocre NFC, the reeling Dallas Cowboys travel to the Pacific Northwest to face the Seattle Seahawks, while Tom Coughlin takes his Giants down the street to play their nemesis, the Philadelphia Eagles. Going into these playoff games, each team has a different attitude and feel about them, and it’s quite interesting to see how they will play, considering certain circumstances. The Colts have had an atrocious time stopping opponents’ rushing offense, which is great for the Chiefs and their workhorse RB, Larry Johnson. It seems as if Indy will simply have to outscore Kansas City to win their game.
The Jets and Pats contest seems to be more about the two head coaches, Bill Belichick, and his former assistant, Eric Mangini, than the actual players. Each team beat the other during the regular season. This will be the ultimate chess match.
Fans and media alike are wondering what has happened to the Cowboys. Their inconsistent play has led to bad losses, and Bill Parcells is totally befuddled. The Seahawks haven’t played as well as they did last year, mainly due to injury, but seem primed to take advantage of Dallas’ weaknesses.
And then you have the struggling Giants, who wouldn’t be playing were it not for RB Tiki Barber. Common perception dictates that they will have no chance against an Eagle squad that has found a nice little groove, becoming the favorite to win the NFC.
These games are always interesting, and we’ll see who comes out ready for the next round. JAGUARS This week, head coach Jack Del Rio axed five assistant coaches. Three were from his offensive staff, along with his two special teams guys.
You would think, with these changes being made, that Del Rio could throw some of the blame for the 8-8 season on these guys. Is that fair to say they should assume some blame?
Obviously, there are areas the team needs to give consideration to, other than coaching personnel. The Quaterback issue will rage throughout the off-season, with people now taking sides over what to do with Byron Leftwich, David Garrard, and now, Quinn Gray. Who is the man? Who will BE the man? It’ll make for a great soap opera, for sure.
There is also the question of what to do with the passing game and the corps of receivers now employed by the Jags. Are THEY the guys the Jags should keep to generate a better product? Should they go find a free agent, or do they take an WR with a draft pick?
It should certainly make for a tasty few months of decision-making. Del Rio and VP of Player Personnel James ‘Shack’ Harris have a lot of to do.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL On Monday night, the Florida Gators will play the Ohio State Buckeyes for the BCS National Championship. Please note, this is not the NCAA Championship, because there is no such thing. In this area, plenty of fans of the Gators are in a frenzy over this game, with the firm belief they have a solid chance at beating a dominant, undefeated Buckeye squad. In his second season, Urban Meyer has produced great results in getting his team to this point. The Gator football program is at a peak level, and will continue to stay at this level for what seems like quite a while. If Florida were to win this, then Meyer will certainly be canonized. Those around the country don’t believe the Gators have a chance.
FINAL THOUGHT On New Years Day earlier this week, Robert Montgomery Knight, known as Bobby to most of you, broke the record for most wins for a head coach in college basketball history. The previous record was held by Dean Smith from North Carolina.
The man certainly is one damn good coach. In his forty-one years in the college ranks, he has only posted TWO seasons with losing records, with one being last year. While there’s absolutely no question whatsoever that Bobby Knight has established a legacy that is unmatched, it is also fair to say that he has developed a personality and style that can easily grate on a lot of those who follow and love college basketball as a sport. There are plenty of talented kids who chose not to play for Knight during his years at Indiana and now at Texas Tech. His limited record of coaching players who went on to greatness in the NBA is an item of note.
He has his critics, for sure. While his three National Championships at Indiana are certainly noteworthy, he has not won one since 1987. Texas Tech is certainly not a high-profile program, and his term there has been one of tempered success. Bobby Knight certainly will be respected and idolized for his track record of producing results. But he will also be remembered for his nasty attitude and temper.
Tom Weppel talks trash on Thursdays from 7-8 p.m. on WIOJ-AM 1010, and on SportsAvengers.com 24/7.
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