NFL Flavor of the Week - End of the Regular Season Edition

A few weeks ago I blogged about how it seemed that every week in the NFL, a couple of teams became the "Flavor of the Week", a squad that was anointed by the masses as the best in the league (http://klassybreeze.blogspot.com/2010/11/nfl-flavor-of-week.html). The week that I wrote on the subject, two teams that were getting that praise was the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Finishing the regular season with an NFL best 14 - 2 record, a head coach that is being considered the "Coach of the Year" (Bill Belichick) and a quarterback that seems to be the consensus league MVP (Tom Brady), the Patriots are certainly still a "Flavor of the Week" team. They have had impressive wins in the second half of the season, most notably a home assassination of the New York Jets and an equally impressive road crushing of the Chicago Bears in a snow blizzard. They finished off their regular season handily defeating the Miami Dolphins while playing all of their starters for a good portion of the game, regardless of the fact that they had the number 1 seed in the AFC already locked up. Many experts are picking the Patriots to hoist the Lombardi trophy in Dallas. I say "not so fast!!" I am very impressed with the Patriots especially the way they carried on after trading Randy Moss, which I thought was a critical mistake at that time. The experience of Belichick and Brady in the post season will be invaluable to the team as well. But there are teams in the post season that I think can win in Foxboro.  As a matter of fact, all of the AFC teams in the playoffs I think could beat the Patriots on their field. Ironically, I think the Indianapolis Colts, the long time playoff rivals of the Patriots, has the slimmest chance of winning at New England. The Jets, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens all have an excellent running game that could keep Brady off the field and good enough defenses to handle him when he is out there (though the Ravens secondary, sans Ed Reed, is questionable). One of the strengths of the Pats, is Belichick's knack for great game planning and in-game adjustments. He certainly gives the Patriots a chance to get to Dallas but my gut tells me that they won't make it there.

The Eagles certainly are not looking like the "Flavor of the Week" going into the playoffs. After nearly losing to the New York Giants, the Eagles finished the season with two consecutive home losses. More importantly, aside from the last eight minutes of the Giants game, the team has looked flat as they finished up their season. MVP candidate Michael Vick, definitely hit a bit of a bump in the road over the last couple of weeks. He started to turn the ball over more and he has been taking a lot of big hits. Eagles' head coach Andy Reid, wisely benched Vick for the season finale, if for anything, to give his body a much needed rest. I still think the Eagles are a dangerous team but they could be "one and done". The Eagles host the Green Bay Packers Wild Card weekend, a team that has emerged as a current "Flavor of the Week" themselves. Needing to win their last two games of the season to secure a playoff spot, the Packers came through with a blowout against the Giants and a gutsy defensive squeaker against the Chicago Bears. The Packers definitely seem to be the sexy pick in the NFC. If the Eagles get past the Packers, they will have to go to Chicago and play the Bears. The Bears already beat the Eagles in Chicago this year and some credit their defense for giving the league the blueprint for stopping Vick.  A win in Chicago would probably send the Eagles back home against the New Orleans Saints or down to Atlanta to play the Falcons (sorry, I mean no disrespect Seattle Seahawks. I do totally recognize your division championship despite your 7 - 9 record).  An Eagles - Falcons NFC Championship game would be a matchup made in media heaven. That of course would create a huge spotlight on Vick returning to Atlanta to try to beat his former team for the right to play in the Super Bowl. It would be a tough game for the Eagles as would a matchup at home against the defending Super Bowl champion Saints. Clearly the one time "Flavor of the Week" Eagles have a tough road and I don't hear many experts picking them. And as much as I would like to see the "Vick returns to Atlanta" NFC Champioship game, I don't think they will get that far either.

Now that the field of 32 has been cut down to 12, some former "Flavor" teams from the regular season have already been eliminated.  A few "Flavor" teams still do remain but not for long; Wild Card weekend will certainly eliminate some more. The Patriots, Steelers, Falcons and Packers seem to be the current "Flavor" teams. All of these teams except the Packers have a bye this week but that won't save them from possibly losing their "Flavor" status. Any team that plays lights out this weekend could suddenly find themselves with that moniker. Is it possible that the Seahawks will become a "Flavor" if they crush the Saints on Saturday? I doubt it, but crazier things have happened.

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.

Hating The Heat

There is one thing that seems to be clear about this young NBA season so far: the Miami Heat are taking a lot of heat. I cannot remember the last time I've seen so much venom displayed towards one NBA team. No doubt when free agents, LeBron James, Chris Bosh & Dwayne Wade decided to sign with the Heat there was going to be some resentment towards them; but that should have been more of the natural "let's hate the biggest, baddest team" type. I think we are seeing a "hate" that is much deeper and larger. James I think has a lot to do with it. Though we are in the age of instant everything, we have probably never witnessed someone fall from grace so quickly. James turned off a lot people starting with the loss with his former squad, the Cleveland Cavaliers, in the playoffs to the Boston Celtics last spring.  Some people felt that James quit; flat out gave up in the last couple games of that series. Then came the off season and free agency period in which James had been courted by a few teams but ultimately chose the Heat. What really irked most folks wasn't the actually decision but 'The Decision", the primetime show on ESPN dedicated to the announcement of his free agency choice. If he hasn't already, I think he will one day regret ever doing that show. It really tarnished his reputation and every thing he has done since to reverse it has made things worse. Everything from his tweets to the infamous "What Should I Do" Nike commercial has only seemed to sully his name even more. Now, nothing would satisfy these haters of LeBron more than to see his new Miami Heat team fail. These feelings are displayed every time the Heat loses a game. It's almost like a party when they are defeated. You even hear the negative talk from the media. I heard a lot of media folks predict that the Heat would challenge and break the Chicago Bulls' NBA record of 72 wins in the regular season. I scoffed when I heard these lofty expectations. No way could you expect a team that was just pieced together to have that kind of success, regardless of the new talented nucleus. I think they are more in line to challenge the 60 win mark. But now that the Heat has only won 8 of their first 13 games, folks in the media is wondering "what's wrong"? Well, first give the team a chance to meld.  Why do we always expect things to occur overnight in this microwave society? Now while I have heard some disturbing quotes come out of South Beach, (one in particular about them wanting to chill instead of being worked hard, to paraphrase something allegedly said by Bosh) I still think this team will not disappoint by season's end. With that being said, don't be surprised if they don't win the championship and heck, don't be surprised if they don't represent the Eastern Conference in the finals. But do expect to see this team compete and play at a very high level. By the time June rolls around, most will forget about the sluggish start if they do win the championship but anything short of that, I would expect the hate to continue.

2010 AL Cy Young Award Goes to King Felix

With a plethora of dominating pitching performances, 2010 had been dubbed the "Year of the Pitcher". Today, Seattle Mariner Felix Hernandez was crowned the 'King' of pitchers in the American League when it was announced that he won 2010 AL Cy Young Award.  Hernandez received 75% of the first place ballots, with Tampa Bay Ray David Price finishing a distant second. King Felix defied the traditional odds of winning this prestigious award, which usually counts wins as a heavy determinant. As a matter fact, his 13 wins is the lowest ever for a Cy Young award winner. His 2.27 ERA and 232 strikeouts for a team that finished with over a 100 losses was stellar. I congratulate Hernandez and in no way want to diminish his accomplishments, but I contend that pitching with the pressure of a playoff push should weigh heavily. Pitching while your team is languishing in the cellar does not bring the same pressure that it does for those hunting for the post season.  A lot of baseball experts predicted that Hernandez would win over the likes of Price and New York Yankee C.C. Sabathia. Most of these experts expressed that they had significantly more support than Hernandez. I do agree with that fact but I feel you can't penalize these guys for it. If Price's ERA was 9.00 and he won 19 games then I would fully support that argument but his ERA was 2.72, not much higher than Hernandez. I think that Price should have won the Cy Young.  His numbers are somewhat comparable to Hernandez's but he pitched for a division winning team that had pressure games all year long. I definitely would have voted for Price but that is not to say that Hernandez was a terrible choice.