PERFECTION OR SUPERBOWL?

Two weeks ago we were looking at not one but two undefeated teams 14-0. Conveniently one in the NFC and one in the AFC. With just a handful of games remaining the rumbling started. Could the Saints and the Colts stay perfect all the way through and play each other in the Superbowl? We now know that the Dallas Cowboys woke up in New Orleans and knocked the Saints out of the running for perfection. A week later, Jim Caldwell made a decision that would allow the 72 Dolphins to once again pop that perfect bubbly. With 5:36 remaining in the third quarter and a five point lead over the New York Jets, the head coach took out his starters including their MVP Peyton Manning. With the best record in the NFL and a first round bye secured, Coach Caldwell told his team he was planning to take out starters to avoid injury. Peyton Manning said he knew this was a possibility but did anyone get a look at his face when he was banished to the sideline? He was clearly not Ok with the decision. He would not be the competitor that he is to be content with any decision that would take him out of a game. Let alone one in which his team would end up loosig the game. Meaningless or not.

Bottom line is this. Every year when a team is close to perfection, it becomes a story. It hasn't been done since the 1972 Dolphins. The Bears tried, the Patriots missed by one, the BIG one which is why Peyton and his fellow starters paced anxiously on the sideline. The stress of answering the same questions each week, the pressure to be perfect will eventually ware you down. Players always want to win every game, they play to win. But there is the Big picture. Play Peyton and the starters and possibly you stay perfect. Play Peyton and the starters in a meaningless game and they get hurt, it will be called the most idiotic decision in NFL history. Especially for a first year head coach who took over from an icon.
When you start the season the goal is to win the Superbowl. The Colts have been in a rhythm this season to reach that goal. Should Coach Caldwell have had enough faith in his team to pursue perfection? Or is the coach sticking to the main goal first and foremost? Either way, the Colts do not have to answer any more questions about being undefeated and I have no doubt that the Jets sent Coach Caldwell a fruit basket.

When Will Mike Dunleavy say UNCLE?

Covering the Los Angeles Clipeers is an interesting prospect. You have a wealth of experience and talent on the roster but they seem to have no real plan when they are playing on the court. Then you have coach and GM Mike Dunleavy. Nice guy and knows the game of basketball but does not seem to be getting through to his team. Last season, the Clippers were a MASH unit with all the injuries. They finished below
500. Even with the addition of Baron Davis, Mike Dunleavy could not find a game plan that produced wins. This season is turning out much the same. Number one pick Blake Griffin is nursing an injury and the Clippers are finding new ways to blow 18 point leads in a game.

Sitting practically court side while covering these games,(yes that is the perk I get for covering the Clippers)I have heard alot of suggestions as to what needs to be done, from season ticket holders no less. One in particular makes sense. When will Mike Dunleavy fire himself as coach, get Byron Scott in and then put all of his energies into being the GM? Has Dunleavy thought about this scenario? It certainly is not working the way that it is. It is unfortunate that owner Donald Sterling is not interested in anything more than his court side seats at Staples. He says he is committed to spending money to make the Clippers a winning team but the Clippers need more than just money, they need a plan.

During Clipper games there are numerous "Fire Mike Dunleavy" signs seen throughout the Staples Center crowd. I guess Sterling does not notice them. Over the years I have seen the loyal Clipper fans dwindling. The ones that have remained tell me that buying season tickets for the Clippers is a cheaper way to see all the good teams in the NBA, including the World Champion Los Angeles Lakers. By the way did I mention that the World Champioon Lakers locker room is right next to the Clippers locker room?

The Clippers need a change, something to shake them up. Come on Mike, think about the suggestion of your season ticket holder. What do you have to loose?