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?

LA BASEBALL HAS COME DOWN TO ONE GAME, THE NEXT ONE.

No one would have believed that both the Dodgers and the Angels would be down three games to one in the ALCS and the NLCS. This season both the Dodgers and Angels were leading their respective divisions practically all year. For a time, the Dodgers had the best record in baseball but then, here come the mighty Yankees. The Bronx Bombers did not start out on fire but their flame is burning bright in the playoffs. As Joe Torre has told us many times, it's not over till someone wins four games. I think Mike Socia would agree and no one is giving up. Are the east coast Yankees and the Philly's stronger than the west coast boys? Maybe, or maybe they have just been hot so far.

In baseball it's all about getting hot, being in the zone. Seeing the ball well. And it can happen at any time. If the Dodgers and Angels intend to move on to the big dance, they will have to get hot and get in the zone in the next game. If they can do that, it may just carry them on to the next game and the next. Don't worry about looking up how many teams have some back from a three to one deficit. The Red Sox did it to beat the Yankees and Manny Ramirez and Doug Mientkiewicz were apart of that team. Both players will tell you it all comes down to not giving up, no matter what.

Sometimes baseball is so infuriating from the players perspective. They are always confident, never up and never down. (They do seem to be excited after a win when they all pile on top of each other but that is about it.) For the fans, they are standing in the ninth inning, clutching their team shirts and praying their team comes out on top. Hoping beyond hope, this will be the magical year that their guys will win it all. Crying, screaming and yelling for that last out. And while the players appear to be cool, trust me inside, they are praying for the same dream.

DRINKING THE BLUE KOOL AID

The Dodgers have stuck together this season, which has not always been easy. When Manny Ramirez was suspended, Juan Pierre stepped up. Even Jamie McCourt stood behind Manny.

Heroki Kuroda who was arguably one of the best starting pitchers the Dodgers had, got hit in the head and had an injury that prevented him from being able to play in the first round of the playoffs. In comes Ned Colletti on his white horse with Vincente Padilla.

Chad Billingsly slipped down the stretch, so much so that Ned Colletti got back on the horse to find Jon Garland who was literally traded during a game at Dodgers stadium while he was sitting in the D'Backs dugout. Thankfully for Ned, the horse did not have to travel too far.

Most of the season, everyone held their breathe. Now after a sweep of the St.Louis Cardinals in the first round of the playoffs, we can breathe a little easier. There is still the nagging question for Joe Torre, you swept the Cubs last season and then lost to the Philly's in 5 games, so how do you get through the next round and on to the World Series?

I will tell you this, the kids are growing up. The Veterans are stepping up. And the chemistry in the clubhouse is making even the saltiest reporters smile. Why? Because this team believes they can win. And it's contagious.

Adversity can lead to victory, just ask anyone wearing Dodger blue. After a very tough 5 game slump at the end of the season, most people started to write them off, but they stayed positive. That is what Veteran leadership does for the younger crowd. "Been there, know that." Even when Manny wasn't hitting, he was lifting everyone up in the clubhouse.

It matters.

Now after all the adversity, the Dodgers move on and everyone is drinking the
Blue Kool-Aid.

Jerry, what are you thinking?

I am completely perplexed that for some reason unknown to me, Jerry Jones thinks that Tony Romo is his "Guy". His Roger, his Troy, even his Danny! He is not even close! It was embarrassing on Monday Night Football to open your new Billion dollar stadium with a QB who is not a leader. Yes, Romo can and has put up big numbers but he is not a finsiher. Not a guy who can win a playoff game. How does Jerry think this guy is going to get them to the Superbowl? And even further, how much time do you get to Figure it out?
Romo came out after the loss against the Giants and said that it was his fault and he was going to fix it. Why didn't he fix it at half time, if he was going to fix it? I am not sure Romo has it in him to be a QB for the Dallas Cowboys. This team is expected to win and finds ways to rebuild and get the job done. All they are doing now is wasting valuable time. The rest of this team is solid. Marion Barber is the real deal, the offense and defensive lines are strong. How much longer will these guys put up with Romo's mistakes?
Even guys like Troy Aikman and Tony Dorsett are speaking out that Romo simply does not understand what it means to be a QB for the Dallas Cowboys. This is an honor and an opportunity to play for a very proud franchise. That is why when Romo decided to go on vacation with Jessica to Cabo prior to the playoffs did not go over very well with Cowboy fans.
There so no question that Wade Phillips is not head coach material. He is a great defensive coordinator but there is not a head coach in his right mind that would have made Romo the starter AGAIN and thought that Jon Kitna would be a good back up, the same Jon Kitna who went winless last year with the Lions.
And everyone thought that TO was the problem! Wake up Jerry. I am undecided as to weather it would be better to loose this season and get Colt McCoy and throw all the rest of your money Jerry to Bill Cowher or Jon Gruden and get back in the right track next season. Or do we keep the faith that Tony Romo is going to "Fix It" in 2009? You make the call.

NFL football!.... Week One QB thoughts...

Ahhh, NFL football. Finally. Lets take a look at week one. The RAIDERS have a heartbeat again, and more important soul. J'Marcus Russell went back into the game in the fourth quarter hurt and lead his team into the end zone. That is the heart and soul of football. The Raiders should have won the game Monday night against an over rated San Diego team. Tired of Phillip Rivers who thinks that his team is better than everyone else in the AFC West. We will see. Staying in the AFC West, Denver is the luckiest team in the NFL after that horrid performance. Who is even leading this team?

Most disappointing performance was the lack of interest by Kurt Warner. In the Superbowl a year ago and now no drive at all. It's week one Kurt you are suppose to be up for this one! Jake Delhomme, not sure what is wrong with him, but 6 interceptions and benched in week one? You might need therapy since training camp did not help you any.

Who should be kicked out of the NFL after week one? That is easy, Jay Cutler. Talk about lack of anything and what is with the pouting face every time the camera was on him. He is a spoiled brat and does not belong in the NFL. Poor BEARS!

Favre is old but he is still better than most of the QB's playing. Still going to take some time to get use to seeing you in purple. Now we wait to see if he can keep the streak of starting every regular season game alive. Heads up Brett, just hand the ball off and stay the heck out of the way!

Mark Sanchez, nice move signing with the Jets and not with the Trojans. I only hope Pete Carroll watched your game. You also seem like you have a good head on your young shoulders. Please, don't turn into Tom Brady or Matt Leinart. Arrogance and Entitlement are not attractive. Even if you are in GQ.

As far as McNabb and Vick....it is only a matter of time before we see Mike Vick behind center. McNabb will run the show while he is healthy.

And Tony Romo...no more Jessica and you are already playing better. Since the Cowboys have not been to the promised land in way too long, I can only hope and pray.

Welcome John Garland to the "Otherside"

Ned Colletti has been busy. Last night in the 7th inning of the Dodgers/Diamondbacks game there was a buzz in the press box that a trade was upon us. One reporter thought he could actually see John Garland shaking hands with his now former team mates in the D'Backs dugout while the name Jim Thome was being mentioned among the whispers. Could the Dodgers have acquired them both?
A few minutes later, Dodgers PR Director Josh Rawitch came in and informed us they did indeed acquire Thome and Garland and Ned Colletti would be available to take questions. We all know the Dodgers were looking for Pitching help, but another big bat? Ned Colletti said he was looking for another Matt Stairs who could come off the bench and be productive in the playoffs. Interestingly enough,Thome called Ned and told him to keep him in mind because he wanted to come to the Dodgers and help out wherever he could. Regarding Garland, that was one of the strangest moments I have ever been a part of as a reporter. After the Dodgers game was over, the media who was already in the Dodger locker room were asked to stay there because John Garland would be right over...from across the hall. Garland sheepishly walked into the "Otherside" to greet reporters. He told us that he was told in the 7th inning to go in, take a shower and pack his bag because he was just traded to the Dodgers. I asked John if he knew anyone in the Dodger locker room and he said "No". Just then James Loney came over and welcomed him. I also welcomed him into the "Otherside". I caught up with Joe Torre in the elevator and asked him if he has ever had a player walk to the "Otherside" during a game. Torre said, "Not one who is going to start against his former team in a few days".
So the Dodgers add two more to the fold. In exchange, a minor leaguer will go to the White Sox for Thome. Colletti would not say who will go to the Arizona clubhouse in exchange for Garland. The big question remains, will someone in the Dodger locker room be walking to the "Otherside"?