Leave The NFC West (and the Rule Book) Alone!!!

I have been hearing a lot of debate over the last couple of weeks on whether the NFL should change the rules regarding how teams qualify for the playoffs. This debate arose when the possibility that a team could win the NFC West with a losing record was starting to look like a reality. Going into the final weekend we now know that the winner of the NFC West will either have a .500 (8 - 8) record if the St. Louis Rams win or a sub .500 (7 - 9) record if the Seattle Seahawks win their head to head matchup. Not only is it possible that a sub .500 team could make the playoffs and have a home playoff game but other NFC teams with better records will be shut out of the post season completely. These facts have some people outraged to the point that they want the NFL to change their playoff qualifying rules in the future. I've heard some say that under no circumstance should a team be allowed to make the post season with a losing record. I've heard others say that it's ok for a team to reach the playoffs with a losing record but they should have to concede their home game to a team with a better record.

I think the NFL should leave the rules the way that they are! Every team starts out 0 -0 and know what they need to do in order to reach the playoffs. Every team should strive to win their division and if it takes 12 wins or 7 that team should be rewarded for doing so. It is not like a sub .500 team makes the playoffs every year. It is even rare to see a 9 - 7 team make it.  Most folks use the 10 win mark as guide for playoff certainty and even that benchmark isn't guaranteed. The 2008 New England Patriots finished the season 11 - 5 and tied for 1st place in the AFC East with the Miami Dolphins. But because they were on the short side of tiebreakers, they missed the playoffs (8 - 8 San Diego Chargers won the AFC West to make the playoffs). Tough break but hey, if they had won one more game they would have made it in. These situations are very rare. Most of the time, the top teams record wise within a conference make the post season. I think the rules are solid and they shouldn't make changes to it because of a handful of exceptions. If they make changes like the one's that I have heard, they should just abandon divisions all together and just have two conferences (AFC & NFC). As long as divisions exist though, you have to appropriately reward division winners as they do now, regardless of their record.

Turn Out The Lights, The Streak Is Over!

Whew!! Finally!! Minnesota Vikings QB Brett Favre was listed as inactive for tonight's matchup against the New York Giants which effectively ends his streak of starting 297 consecutive games. This streak was an amazing feat. Any football player that starts that many games in row has to be TOUGH. We all know that football can be a violent game. As we have witnessed this season, the hits can be bone chilling as well as bone breaking. But football can be an unlucky game (getting injured) as well. Sometimes guys don't get injured on contact directly from tackles and blocks. Sometimes they hit the ground wrong or someone falls on them awkwardly. I'm always amazed that football players are not injured more. Quarterbacks are afforded a lot more protection on the field than other players. To the disgust of many defensive players, the NFL has designed different rules in order to help protect the star position on the field. But even with Favre having the benefit of these protections, it is still unbelievable that he was able to avoid serious injuries and start so many games in a row. To think that he has started every single game he has played in since 1992 is really unreal. Like the Cal Ripken streak in MLB, I'm sure there was pressure to keep starting him even though it may not have been the smartest thing to do. Who would want to be known as the head coach to end that streak? I'm sure Favre put pressure on himself as well - there were probably times he would have sat if the streak was not ongoing but mustered up enough strength to get through his aches and pains. But tonight was a different night. His shoulder injury (which occurred last week)  was too severe to overcome. He barely practiced all week. On Friday he was only able to throw light tosses. Then early Sunday morning Favre caught somewhat of a break. A winter storm that dumped a tremendous amount of snow in Minneapolis caused damage to the roof of the "Metrodome" (Mall of America Field). The Sunday game would be postponed until Monday night, giving Favre just a little more time to heal. But it wasn't meant to be. His shoulder was not healthy enough for him to play.

It will be very interesting to see what transpires with Favre after tonight. The Vikings have only three games after tonight this season (barring a miracle and they slip into the playoffs). Have we seen the last of Favre? Maybe his injury is severe enough for him not to play in the next three weeks. Now that the streak is over, will the Vikings keep Favre on the sidelines, even if he's healthy, so they can get a solid look at backup QB Tarvaris Jackson? What about the sexting situation with Jenn Sterger? The NFL is still investigating, could they find Favre of wrongdoing and possibly suspend him for part or all the final games? Whatever happens I'm pretty sure of one thing, Favre will not return next season. I do believe this is truly it for him. No doubt he is a future Hall of Famer but I really can't see any teams bending over backwards for him anymore. Plus he probably won't want to return anyway (he already said he does not want to come back but we ALL don't really believe him completely, do we?).  If by chance we have seen the last of Favre on the field, his last pass was an interception. I hate to see a great player end his career that way (and injured on the play to add insult to...well.. injury). But I think most folks that will reflect on his career will remember this amazing streak more than anything else because it was symbolic of  his toughness and his heart.

Round 1 Goes to LeBron

LeBron James came into Cleveland and absolutely torched the Cavaliers! He scored 38 pts, 24 of which he scored in the 3rd qtr when he just dominated the Cavs. There wasn't a jump shot or baseline move that he didn't like. And there is no telling how many points he would have scored if he played the whole game (he didn't play much after his 3rd qtr showing). His great performance was to the dismay of the Cavs' fans who displayed witty signs and came ready to boo him out of Quicken Loans Arena. The crowd was loud and prepared; they blasted James when he initially hit the floor for the shoot around and every time he touched the ball during the game. When the PA announcer introduced him to the crowd he also was showered with boos.  They tried to stick it to him more when current Miami Heat teammate Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who is also a former Cavalier, was greeted with a warm, loud applause. James certainly quelled the boos as he dazzled his way around his old court in the 3rd qtr, giving his ex-fans a good look at what they are now missing. The Cavs' fans were seething; you could see it on their faces as shot after shot fell in for James.Thankfully the night was without any crazy fan behavior, though there were reports of fights breaking out in the stands and a couple of items were thrown in James' direction as he sat on the bench. I think the Cavs' fans wanted nothing more than to see James go 0 for 25 from the field and the Cavs win by 30. But as it happens much in life, emotions trumped reality. As much as they may hate James, he is still an all-world talent and his team is a lot better than the Cavs. So, the actual result really should not have been too surprising. Now that this game is behind us, I doubt if we will see this much drama and emotion in Cleveland surrounding James. Oh, he will still be booed and it might go up a notch if these two teams ever meet in the playoffs but for the most part the worse should be over. Could you imagine if they ever did meet in the playoffs and the Cavs pulled the upset and James choked? Cavs' fans I bet would take that over winning last night!! But for now, round 1 goes to James. He didn't gloat afterwards, but you know after enduring a lot of venom directed his way for months he had to feel great. And when he hit his sheets last night, he probably slept like a King.

Here We Go! LeBron Returns to Cleveland...

Tonight's game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat has been one of the most anticipated regular season matchups in the NBA in recent memory. The return of Heat superstar LeBron James to Cleveland marks the first time Cavs' fans get to let him know "face to face" how they feel about him leaving them. Most folks are expecting a not-so-friendly response to James' appearance and from everything I have been hearing over the last few months, I do believe it will be overwhelmingly negative. I can understand some of the bitterness that Cavs' fans have; no one wants their superstar player to spurn them for another team and do it in such a "cavalier" way. We can all agree that the platform that James chose to communicate his choice in free agency was ill-advised. But I really hope that the stuff I heard this morning about fans wanting to storm onto the court to display their feelings, having no fear of being arrested, is just talk. Fans have a personal and financial stake in their teams but they do not have the right to do whatever they please. I don't care how much you paid for tickets, how long you've been a fan, how much you've spent on merchandise etc. - you do not have the right to try to get on the court and do anything. As a fan you also do not have the right to throw any objects, which I'm sure someone out there may be plotting. Surprising as it might seem, there will be some James supporters in Quicken Loans Arena. Some of these folks may decide to wear a James jersey or t-shirt. Angry fans should not harass these James devotees. Get some control folks. Loudly boo James and hold up signs displaying your displeasure with him if you wish. Try to shake his game with your voices - let him know you don't care for him anymore - from your seats. Also, James may have burned the bridge with Cavs' fans forever but what's up with fans burning his jerseys? What is that all about? Did he not do any good in Cleveland? I do remember a woeful Cleveland franchise before James was drafted. Though he didn't win a championship for Cleveland, he did get them to the Finals and carried them to multiple playoff appearances. He gave Cleveland national exposure on a level they may have never enjoyed. Now fans want to try their best to emasculate him; in particular calling him "Queen" (in mockery of his nickname King) and displaying photos and t-shirts of him with lipstick on and the sort.  Really? Some of this is in jest I'm sure, but for those that are serious about it, why? It's just basketball, it's just entertainment. I know we are passionate about our sports but there are way more important things in life. I digress.....
Well, in a matter of hours we will all "witness" James' return to the place he called home for seven years. I can only hope his former family will show some level of respect because it is apparent that the love is all gone.