Bleacher Report - Articles by John Parker

In Honor of Chinese New Year:The Top 10 Asian Athletes In Sports

John Parker — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:27:16 -0500

Today is officially the Chinese New Year. This is a day where I celebrate half of my culture and ethnicity as a half Chinese/Caucasian American.

In case you are uneducated about the rest of the world, the Chinese New Year is the most celebrated holiday in China and it's in January. While the official holiday is only two days(New Year's Day and Eve) the entire country gets about a week off.

Growing up, I too was an Asian athlete like all of the people on this list and had to constantly disprove the following false stereotypes to every single redneck football coach from Texas I've ever had:

1. Asians are short

2. All Asian countries are communist

3. Asians are tiny/weak

4. Asians are nerdy and only book smart

5. Asians can't fight...they only do martial arts

These stereotypes have even kept Asian athletes off of the playing field.

Asian quarterback Timmy Chang, an NCAA record breaker was kept from being a quarterback because he was short. He's 6'1" which is about as tall as many current quarterbacks in the pros, if not maybe an inch short. When asked by scouts about his measurements their pathetic response was that he played short.

After an illustrious college career working alongside Pete Carroll at USC, Norm Chow was kept out of a job for the Tennessee Titans—despite the owner saying all the great things this guy had done.

When asked why he wasn't hired, he said "I didn't know Chow was Chinese!"

This article is about the celebration of Asian athletics, not their low points, but let me just say that the NFL needs to be more like the NBA and allow foreign athletes a chance at least.

Also, In case you didn't know: Martial arts these days are done by rich white guys who can't fight and have problems—like being short or weak.

In Asia, it's not a sport—it's a heritage and it's self defense—but the average Chinese person doesn't have the moves of Jackie Chan.

The four stereotypes that Asians are weak, short, tiny, and nerdy will be answered by this top 10 list of current Asian athletes (not just Chinese ones):

10. Yani Tseng (Taiwan)—She's like Michelle Wie but superior in every single way. With just one and a half years of experience, she already has three professional wins as opposed to Wie's three years without any professional wins. A winner of the LGPA championship, you cannot find another women golfer that's as on-fire as she is.

9. Vijay Singh (Fiji)—Singh has gotten better in his forties—not worse. He already holds the title for the most wins after turning forty, including last year’s FedEx Cup to recognize the PGA’s top golfer on the tour. But even if he stopped playing tomorrow, he’d still retire with 34 wins and 175 Top 10 finishes in 403 career events.

8. Yi Jianlian (China)—An incredibly talented and hardworking forward. He has the physique and nearly everything to succeed in the NBA. He's not as talented as many Asian athletes like Yao but he has everything else and might join the ranks of Yao in popularity and respect even if he's not as talented.

7. Daisuke Matsuzaka (Japan)—The 100-Million-Dollar-Man has pitched very well, after being very average last year. But he’s challenging Ichiro for the title of "Most Popular Asian Baseball Player,"—and he certainly plays for a far better team. If he were the No. 1 starter for the Boston Red Sox he might be ranked higher.

6. Hines Ward (Korean descent)—I really wanted to put him higher. A Korean descendant, Hines Wards' roots are a bit confusing. Such a physical man might not be thought of as Asian—but only if you were an ignorant redneck inbreeding racist.

The four-time pro bowler and a Super Bowl MVP will have another chance come Sunday to raise himself higher. The only thing keeping him at No. 6 is that there are athletes with more gold medals than pro bowls ranked higher.

5. Yang Wei (China)—10 Olympic gold medals says it all. Why so low? Well he's umm...a male gymnast—even if he does have 15 total Olympic medals.

4. Liu Xiang (China)—He only has five Olympic gold medals and nine total medals, but he's a real athlete—one of the best Olympic hurdlers in the entire world. Famous for a low profile appearance, Liu is still one of the most popular Chinese and Asian athletes.

3. Ichiro Suzuki (Japan)—He's know by only one name—ICHIRO—an eight-time consecutive Golden Glove winner and MLB All-Star. There is hardly a force in baseball that is as amazing or unstoppable as Ichiro. Unlike some pitchers, Ichiro has great batting and hitting prowess.

He broke the hitting record with 262 hits in 2001 and in 2004 he was the batting champion. The only thing you could complain about Ichiro is that he is on the Mariners—a team that hasn't nor will they ever win a championship. Ichiro is another player who has suffered because of fans ignoring the huge case for parity and a salary cap in the MLB.

2. Yao Ming (China)—Is there anyone as tall as Yao MingIn the history of the NBA or North American sports? At 7'6", it's a wonder how he doesn't have gigantism. He may be big, but he has as much finesse as power.

Yao is as famous and popular as any athlete in China and has been an NBA star from the time he was drafted by Houston with the #1 overall pick. He has been an NBA star every single year and has been selected to be an All-Star during four of those six years.

1. Tiger Woods (Chinese/Thai descent)—The only case for him not being the greatest athlete ever would be the sport he chose to dominate in—some consider it not to be a sport. I have not met a sane man who doesn't think he's the greatest golfer ever. A cultural mishmash, his roots are incredibly unclear and cloudy but what is for certain is that many of his roots are Asian ones.

What have we learned...

1. The NFL needs to let Asian athletes and coaches have a real chance. Even support them and the NFL could be more wealthy and popular than they already are. The only real Asian athletes are half-black so you can hardly notice, see: Hines Ward.

2. Once upon a time, African Americans were discriminated but they turned out to be not only as good as white athletes but better. Sports like the MLB and the NBA need to continue what they are doing and the NFL needs to follow in their footsteps. The U.S. isn't the only country in the world and we don't want any of our sports to lose to the grass fairy sport—Soccer—in world wide popularity.

3. Chinese people are as good as everybody else—if not better.

As Nice As Jerry Rice: How Larry Fitzgerald Stacks Up to the Legendary Wideout

John Parker — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 11:08:36 -0500

As historically inept as the regular season performances of recent Super Bowl teams have been, the 2008 Arizona Cardinals may just take the cake.

However, one man's performance has lifted the spirits and souls of thousands of fans and hundreds of players, coaches, and staff members. He has elevated an offense which struggled in December and united them together as 11, all with the play of one.

His name is Larry Fitzgerald and his postseason run has been one of the greatest in NFL history.

How does his epic performance stack up against the greatest receivers ever to play the game?

Could his playoff run be the best ever by a wide receiver, as good as Jerry Rice's?

The two actually have a lot in common, in fact so much that you could almost say Larry Rice and Jerry Fitzgerald. Here are some of the similarities.

Not The Fastest...

Fitzgerald admitted in a press conference that he isn't the fastest guy on the football field. In fact, the Steelers, Fitzgerald's opponent on Super Bowl Sunday, probably have at least two receivers on their roster who could outrun Fitzgerald in the 40-yard dash.

Without the speed to "blow by" opposing corners, Fitzgerald has been forced to find different ways to get open. His height, superior leaping ability, crisp route running, and amazingly soft hands have allowed him to do just that.

Utilizing such strengths, Fitzgerald has overcome his lack of pure speed and developed into the biggest deep threat in the game today.

Rice has a similar story.

Although I placed Rice at No. 14 on my list of top 15 fastest players ever ahead of Hall of Fame wide receiver Don Hutson, legend has it that Rice, the NFL player with the most career records, actually ran a 4.8 40-yard dash.

Defensive tackles and maybe even some nose tackles in today's NFL, run 4.8 40-yard dashes! Maybe even you ran a time similar to 4.8 back in high school before you had a 48-inch waistline. Although, probably not.

Regardless of what the combine or urban legends may say about his speed, there has never been a player who got as much separation as Jerry Rice. While Rice may have the strongest claim to the title "greatest football player in NFL history," Larry Fitzgerald may one day take that away.

Elevated Postseason Success

Win or lose on Super Bowl Sunday, Fitzgerald's 2008 postseason run is one that should be remembered for not only the record books, but also the history books. The Cardinals were called "the pathetic hopeless playoff contender who had no business of even being in the playoffs" by the so-called "pundit" annihilators.

Most people do not understand the significance of Fitzgerald's postseason run. They say to slow down, and that Fitzgerald really isn't the best.

But without Fitzgerald, the Cardinals would have probably been knocked out in the first or second round. Although Fitzgerald's 1431 receiving yards were second in the league this season, and his 12 receiving TDs tied him for first, he has elevated his game even higher in the postseason.

Just like Rice, who in 1988 raised his receiving yard average from 81 YPG in the regular season to 136 in the postseason, Fitzgerald has averaged 140 YPG in the postseason, compared to 90 during the year.

With at least seven catches, two touchdowns and one first down catch for 25 yards or more, Fitzgerald would surpass Rice's 1988 postseason performance.

The competition is amazing and Larry Fitzgerald has just out-danced Jerry Rice (the greatest football player ever) at the height of his powers when it matters most. If that doesn't secure the best active receiver spot along with his impressive regular season statistics, I don't know what will.

Desire to Win and Improve

A participant in four Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks, Jerry Rice was never satisfied with himself. Legend has it that he read all of the criticisms of him in the newspapers or on the Internet before every game to fuel his desire to win. Maybe that's why he decided to keep on going after the 49ers let him go. Rice never won a Super Bowl in Oakland, but he at least got there at the age of 39.

Fitzgerald said in a press conference recently that he wants to continue to elevate his play. He says he isn't where he wants to be.

Well I'll tell you one thing Larry Fitzgerald, 99.9 percent of all wide receivers in the history of the game would be happy where you are. The other .1 percent consists of you and Jerry Rice.

NFL, Who is the Most Valuable Person to Their Team?

John Parker — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:24:27 -0500

Who has earned it and who's meant the most to their team? Who's redirected their team in the right direction and who's continued to lead his team to triumph after triumph. In this article, MVP and Coach of the Year Canidates will be listed in a top 5 list. For every single player listed there will be a man who's made an impact to his team on the sidelines rather than the playing field.

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They Are Football: A Tribute to Sammy Baugh and the Top 10 People Who Changed the Game

John Parker — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:13:57 -0500

One of the great heros of football passed away recently. His name is Sammy Baugh, while he wasn't the greatest quarterback to grace the gridiron. No other quarterback or even football player has had quite the impact on how the game is is played today than Slingin' Sammy Baugh. As you can imagine in his honro we've made this list and he ranks quite high on it. Many of the people on this list have passed away and all of them have retiered from football. This is in thier honor. No T.O., Ocho Cinco, or any other loudmouth reciever today. No it's all about the people who've made the sport we all know and love so amazing...

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Who's The NFL's Biggest Donkey?

John Parker — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:06:44 -0500

don·key

1. The domesticated ass (Equus asinus).

2. Slang An obstinate person.

3. Slang A stupid person.

Well, all of those things perfectly describe the people on this list. The image these guys have portrayed in the hearts of fans ranges from tough guy to thug. While they may really be nice guys, they appear to be stupid, throwing away their talent and everything everyone has ever done for them.

If I had half the talent of any of these guys, I know I wouldn't shoot myself...but maybe it isn't their fault. One has to wonder why God would put so much talent into so many empty vessels?

The Top 5 NFL Donkeys

5. Vince Young

If NFL's 2008 Cindarella may go to the Super Bowl without its franchise quarterback, Young will have no one to blame but himself. In Young's first year with the squad, what he lacked in the pocket he made up for with his feet. His passing stats weren't terrific, but his legs and leadership earned him the Rookie of the Year trophy and spot in the Pro Bowl.

In 2007, things went down the drain. He refused to run as often because of critics, which led to 17 interceptions and only nine touchdowns passes.

The year after, fans started to boo him, and Young nearly went suicidal. We all thought he was crazy—and we were all probably right. Jeff Fisher told him to watch Collins deal with the pressure, and the Young-less Titans have been winning ever since. The sad thing is that his jersey is still the one that's worn the most by Titans fans.

4. Ocho Cinco

He has been louder and more obnoxious than T.O., and has played worse. In fact, Ocho Cinco, statistically, has had his worst season, which is a reflection of the Bengals' poor performance as a team.

It started in the preseason when he refused to play for the Bengals. He eventually gave up and challenged Michael Phelps to a swimming contest, saying he knew people that could beat Phelps right now.

Then he changed his name to Ocho Cinco. His teams sucks, and he isn't even the best receiver on the team (T.J. Houshmanzadeh). He plays terrible and is still mouthing off like when he said he was gonna score and kiss the star.

In the end, there's nothing illegal about being full of yourself or disrespectful, so he's at No. 4.

3. Plaxico Burress

His story is a well-known: A mediocre receiver has a good year, gets a big head, and predicts the biggest football upset of all time. He didn't have a spectacular day, but when it counted the most, Burress caught the game-winning touchdown.

During the preseason, Burress signed a new contract and does everything in his power not to earn it. He plays poorly and then gets suspended a couple of times for not listening in practice.

Then came the shot heart around the world.

Plaxico shot himself in the leg at a nightclub. Whether or not it was on accident, he was drunk, or he decided he had enough of life, it was the stupidest thing to do. He had it made! He could have been Joe Namath for the rest of his life, but Burress will instead be remembered as a donkey!

2. Adam "Pacman" Jones

You have so much support, so much help, so many chances. And you are screwing them all up and disappointing so many people, Pacman. What the hell man? It's like, what, 1,300 encounters with the law now?

The Titans drafted Adam in the first round as the first defensive player taken. To start things out, he refused to show up to training camp due to a contract dispute. Finally, when he came, he was a disappointment. The next year, though, Adam was a star. He had a fantastic season as both a punt returner and coverage cornerback.

Then he got suspended for many off-the-field issues. The Titans traded him to the Dallas, where he got support from Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Michael Irvin and future candidate Deion Sanders.

The most support came from Jerry Jones, who even provided Pacman with bodyguards. Unfortunately, he got suspended again, so who knows when he's coming back.

1. Michael Vick

You were a hero, man. You were a pro bowler, a superstar, and one of the richest and most exciting athletes alive. Did you want your life to go down the drain? Why??? You were one of my favorite quarterbacks ever, and you were the most mobile quarterback in the history of this game. It's not even close.

For some reason you thought it would be cool to be a hero (or lair) when you were on TV—and a cruel bastard whenever the cameras were away. You pretty much threw away all of your unlimited potential to be the best ever.

What did those poor dogs ever do to you? You are my No. 1 donkey because what you did will never be fixed. I'm not even going to go on.

Dishonorable mentions: Ricky Williams, T.O., Wade Phillips, etc.

Is Kurt Warner a Hall of Famer?

John Parker — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:21:35 -0500

Well, Mr. Warner is no longer a young gun. The little gas he has left in the tank is being depleted as we speak, and the raging question must be brought up. Is Kurt Warner a hall of famer, or is he just Brad Johnson? Is he Ken Anderson, or is he among the same league with the truly great ones, such as John Elway, Dan Marino, and even Dan Fouts.

The question cannot be answered unless we take an entire look at his career. Measure up all of his accomplishments and shortcomings on both sides of the same argument. Let's begin by learning a little bit about Kurt...

Career Summary/Recap

In 1994, Warner went undrafted and it looked like he wouldn't even be able to join an NFL team's bench. He refused to give up on his dream to be an professional quarterback. Since he couldn't join the NFL, he joined the Arena Football League.

This is the pro football hall of fame, so we cannot discount his accomplishment there. In the Arena League, he excelled like no other and in just two years he was already being mentioned as one of the great Arena Football Players. In 1998, he signed with the Admirals, another Arena Team AND the St. Louis Rams. This is where his NFL career begins...

In 1999, Kurt Warner replaced an injured Trent Green and their lives would never be the same again. Kurt Warner commanded and lead his team to win the Super Bowl in the single greatest season team turnaround this game has ever seen. In his first season, he also won the NFL MVP award with over 4,000 yards and a passer rating of 109.1.

"The greatest show on turf" was born and Warner was the ringmaster. In 2001, Warner won his second MVP award and the show was looking brighter and more exciting than it ever did an unfortunately ever would. Warner lost the Super Bowl in 2001, and he chances to establish a dynasty slipped away and so did his job.

It took many years before he finally got back up on his feet. In 2007, he finally got a second chance and started the majority of the games. He played well enough to convince the coaches that this man was their man. He has played every single game in 2008 in an MVP-worthy record-breaking season.

The Case For...

He has a super bowl ring, something just about every quarterback must do to join the elite class of gunslingers. If he wins the MVP in 2008, he will tie Brett Favre and Jim Brown for the Most MVP awards ever, and you can almost guarantee he will go to the Pro Bowl this year, which will make it four times, that's not a lot, but it's as much as Boomer Esiason and Kenny Anderson (individually).

It's also worth mentioning that in every season where he has actually started every game, his stats are amazing. To my information, he is tied for second with Peyton for the best passer rating in NFL history behind Steve Young. He's also one of the most accurate passers ever to play the game, with a very high completion percentage in just about every year.

The Case Against...

There is a strong case going for Kurt, but there is also a strong case going against him. His career stats look pretty damn good, but bring up his seasons next to each other and he's had his share of time on the bench.

How can you be one of the best ever if your coaches don't even think you are the best on your team? And it's not like when he was benched he didn't get his fair share of chances, which he screwed up, by the way.

From 2002 to 2006, he wasn't like Brett Favre throwing a lot of interceptions down the stretch. He was a bench warmer and during the "prime" of his career, too. When he does have success, he has a whole lot of play makers to help him...

"The Greatest Show on Turf" is arguably the greatest group of wide receivers ever in the history of the game. And the Arizona group is one of the best today. He may bee one of the mos accurate passers ever, but he's also one of the least mobile and most often sacked quarterbacks.

Final Verdict

If Warner wins the MVP this year, then everything looks brighter, and he goes in with a great case. It'll help even more if he leads the Cards to win their first playoff game in decades.

In the end, I think he hasn't crossed the border yet. Maybe if he delivers this year and the next, but if he doesn't, there are more deserving candidates of the past and present who need enshrinement before Warner.

The Top 10 Clutch Quarterbacks:Who Do You Want Taking That Snap When It Counts

John Parker — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:03:10 -0500

"I believe that games are won and lost in the last two minutes of the first half and the second half" said Vince Lombardi in an interview.

You couldn't be more right sir. If it's a tight game, a momentum swing in the first half or a last minute drive with two minutes left on the clock can often be the difference between winning and losing.

This list isn't about passing records or Super Bowl rings. It's about who do you want taking that snap with twp minutes left in the game and in honor of Lombardi we are starting off with his very own quarterback.

10. Bart Starr

The star quarterback (pun intended) of arguably the greatest dynasty in Pro Football. He was often the hero of many of the Green Bay Packers championship games.

His greatest moment was in the Ice Bowl, when he drove his team down the field by completing five of five passes and drove it in himself for the winning score.

In the Championship Game before that he also proved his great clutch ability and in the first two Super Bowls he dominated so badly he didn't need to come from behind and not to mention all the other great comebacks he has on his resume.

So why so low? Well he had 13 Hall of Famers on his team(record) and his coach was the greatest in NFL history. No other quarterback in the history of the game has had the luxury that Starr has had on the gridiron and you can't help but wonder if the Packers would have won more championships with someone else.

Not to mention that in the Ice bowl he had five minutes not today's customary two-minute drill.

9. Steve Young

What makes a clutch quarterback clutch? Well you either have to be able to read defenses like a book or you have to be amazingly physically gifted.

Young has both attributes and that's what made him so great in the clutch. No Young has had plenty of great clutch moments, like his amazing run against the Vikings. Or his super accurate pass to Terrell Owens. No other quarterback has even been as efficient in the league's history, as Young has the record for passer rating.(98.6)

8. Roger Staubach

Captain Comeback was in the driver's seat of America's team during the 70's. He led his team to four championships and won two of them.

He was called Captain Comeback for his amazing abilities to pull games out of the fourth quarter. Do I have do remind you that he invented the Hail Mary pass? Some would argue he's top five material and even I'm shocked how low he is, but they are only seven better quarterbacks in the fourth quarter.

7. Peyton Manning

For some reason, most people don't think of Manning as clutch. He has had plenty of great comebacks throughout the years and is a quarterback I would definitely want on my team when a play must be made.

What about his huge comeback against the defending champions, the Tampa Bay Bucs with the no. 1 defense? His team scored three touchdowns with less than five minutes left on the clock. That's about how much time Starr needed to pull off just one drive.

Or what about his huge comeback against the Patriots in the AFC title game in the second half? Manning hasn't gotten the respect he deserves in the clutch and there are only six QB's in NFL history who have done more in the fourth quarter, but being clutch is hardly something he strives for.

One of his great quotes is "I hear so many times about how many fourth quarter comebacks a guy has. What I want to know is how he got so behind in the first place."

6. "Snake" Stabler

He would sit back in the pocket all day long and strike like a snake. Many plays of his career personify clutch and without them the Raiders wouldn't be the quality teams they were in the 70's. Like the immaculate deception, the play before the immaculate reception, he ran the ball 50+ yards for a touchdown using his surprising speed.

Or what about the Holly Roller? He might have cheated on that play but he's an Oakland Raider and in the end his team pulled it off because of how good of a job he did faking that fumble.

The Ghost to the Post or the Sea of Hands also personify clutch and so does his career. He was never pressured when most quarterbacks were worrying and sweating and holding their hands together.

5. Dan Marino

Marino never won a Super Bowl, but has the second-most fourth-quarter comebacks in NFL history (37) and was at his best in the final two minutes of a game. His fake-spike and subsequent touchdown pass to Mark Ingram that beat the Jets in 1994 is one of the coolest plays ever by a quarterback.

Dolphins coach Don Shula said he knew they were never out of a game with Marino at quarterback, and opponents hated seeing number 13 over center when the clock was running down.

4. Johnny Unitas

How can you not have the man who invented the two-minute drill on this list? The man became a superstar when he led the Colts to a thrilling come-from-behind win in the 1958 NFL Championship against the Giants, considered by many the greatest game ever played. Johnny U was seemingly impervious to pressure, and you could never count his Colts out of a game.

Some may argue he's no. 1 and certainly he's very damn good, but three quarterbacks are still better in the fourth quarter and that's coming from a Colts fan. He still is one of the great clutch quarterbacks and the unquestioned no. 1 clutch guy of his era, but the man who comes next came year and years after Unitas...

3. Tom Brady

As much as it pains be to do this... The @sshole again makes another appearance very high on a very respectable list. The sixth(199 overall) round pick was also featured at no. 1 in my top 10 draft steals. This time he splashes in at no. 3 for driving down the field three times in three Super Bowls to win with three Adam Vinatieri field goal kicks.

Some will argue that Brady was simply making safe passes in the Super Bowl so that Vinatieri could kick unrealistically long kicks for any other kicker. Well Brady has had comebacks outside of those Super Bowls.

The 2001 tuck rule, the Week nine(2007)undefeated showdown with the Colts, and many other games have also been a big reason why Brady is so high, but Vinatieri and Belichick took away the sizzle from Brady's legacy, but he still probably had it harder than our no. 2 guy.

2. Joe Montana

His career was filled with dramatic performances under pressure. Starting with "The Catch" in the 1981 NFC Championship Game, Montana always found a way to help the Niners win the big game.

"Joe Cool" never let pressure affect his play and was at his best in the national spotlight. He was 4-0 in Super Bowls and was MVP of the big game three times. He was even clutch during college and led the Fighting Irish to many big comebacks even though he was only a part-time starter.

His amazing cool under pressure and what he was able to do to calm down his teammates was amazing. So why is he only no. 2 on this list? Well he doesn't have that many fourth quarter comebacks(31) because the 49ers were often on top of things, and he always year in and year out had a great group of wide receivers.(Jerry Rice, the greatest ever) A privilege our no. 1 quarterback only had until the very end...

1. John Elway

I doubt anyone will ever be as clutch as John Elway and I have no idea why so many people thought and still think Montana was more clutch. The prize talent in the 1983 draft refused to play for the Baltimore Colts. So he embarked on a quest to lead the Denver Broncos to the top of the NFL mountain and hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

On his magical quest he shattered an NFL record and replaced it with 47 career fourth quarter comebacks.

Elway could make all of the throws and nothing was too risky for him, he was even a very accomplished runner and scrambler. Before there was Brett Favre, Elway was football's Babe Ruth.

His determination showed up on one of the biggest drives in the history of drives, it was even called after the game "The Drive." He went up against the no. 1 cornerback tandem of all-time. Back up against his goal line in the dawg pound and made play after play.

Despite his efforts(three Super Bowl appearances) every time he got to the top he was pushed back down to the bottom. At the very end, Elways quest was completed at he pulled of one of the most shocking upsets in NFL history, when his lowly wild-card Broncos defeated the defending Packers. He loved the top and wanted the feeling again. He climbed the mountain again and nothing even attempted to stop him his second time around.

Due to his five Super Bowl appearances(NFL record), 47 fourth quarter comebacks(NFL record), two Super Bowl wins, impressive 300 passing touchdowns, mobility, "The Drive," and the extra gear when the pressure was on. John Elway is my no. 1 clutch quarterback. Agree or Disagree, but it cannot be disputed that great quarterbacks make plays when it counts.

Top 10 Greatest Upsets in Sports History

John Parker — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:55:17 -0500

Who doesn't love the underdog? From David vs. Goliath, to the tortoise vs. the hare, it seems in the end some upsets were meant to be.

Would pro football be the same if the Jets were blown out by the Colts? Great sports upsets have changed lives, sports, and even countries.

What about all the great movies that have been made about these upsets? In fact, that's where we start our list...

10. Cinderella Man (Braddock vs. Baer)

In 1935, two men squared off in Madison Square Garden for the heavyweight championship belt. When 10-1 favorite Max Baer was left gasping for air after the fight, someone had stolen his heavyweight championship belt.

The thief's name was James J. Braddock, and he had spent his whole life fighting for everything he had in New York's Hell's Kitchen and New Jersey. It was an accomplishment so stunning, it was made into a movie exactly 70 years later.

9. NC State Wins 1983 NCAA Championship

Give me some love! Lorenzo Charles' put-back of Dereck Whittenburg's 30-foot desperation shot at the buzzer in the 1983 NCAA men's basketball final left North Carolina State coach Jim Valvano running around like a maniac, looking for someone, anyone...to love.

Even more surprising: That Houston Cougars team had future NBA stars Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler.

8. Appalachian State Defeats Michigan

Like college hoops, NCAA football has given us many upsets throughout the years, from Centre College’s win over Harvard in 1921 to Notre Dame knocking off Oklahoma and ending the Sooners’ 47-game winning streak in 1957 and beyond.

Yet, as impressive as many of these upsets are, the simple fact is that there is one that outshines them all, and that is Appalachian State’s 34-32 upset of the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines in 2007.

By blocking Michigan’s last-second field goal attempt, the Mountaineers became the first Division I-AA (FCS) team ever to beat a team ranked in the Associated Press Top 25.

Why is this rated so low? Well, the Mountaineers were pretty damn good despite being an FCS team. They dominated the FCS year in and year out, and this upset showed the world they were underrated.

7. Denver Nuggets Embarrass Seattle Supersonics in 1994 Playoffs

In the history of the NBA only one No. 8 seed has defeated a No. 1 seed in a playoff series.

That was the 1994 Denver Nuggets and, like eighth-seed teams before them, they were expected to be an easy mark. An upset was even more improbable when the Sonics crushed the Nuggets in the first two games.

Yet Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Dikembe Mutombo, and Co. refused to give up. They won Game Three, 110-93, Game Four by a 94-85 margin, and Game Five, 98-94. It was a huge accomplishment and Seattle will always wonder what could have been.

6. The 1969 Miracle Mets

Since entering the National League in 1962, the New York Mets had never finished above .500. They had lost 100 games in five of their first seven seasons, and in 1969 they entered the season as a 100-to-1 long shot to win the World Series. True to form, they started off 18-23.

Then something amazin' happened. The Mets won 11 straight games and finished the season 100-62. They won the NL East, then swept the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS before stunning the Baltimore Orioles four games to one to win the 1969 World Series.

It was one of the most dramatic turnarounds in sports history and the greatest upset in baseball history.

But there are five upsets even more shocking.

5. The Upset for Upset

Man O' War is the unquestioned greatest racehorse ever. His great speed and amazing ability made him a 100-1 favorite at the 1919 Sanford Memorial, but when the horses came bursting out at full speed, one horse was faster than the Man and his name was none other than Upset. This was Man O' War's only loss ever.

4. Mike Tyson's Practice Session Goes Awfully

Like Baer vs. Braddock, the favorite was simply tuning up for a later fight, but the underdog was having none of it. The weight-challenged journeyman James "Buster" Douglas was a 42-to-1 underdog against the undefeated Tyson.

But when the smoke had cleared on Feb. 10, 1990 in Tokyo, the "baddest man on the planet" was lying on his back, and his heavyweight championship belt was missing.

3. Super Bowl III

Against amazing odds, young gunslinger Joe Namath guaranteed his 17-point underdog Jets from the inferior AFL would defeat a dominating NFL Baltimore Colts team.

The Colts were already being compared to the greatest teams ever to play pro football. Legends like Tom Matte, Johnny Unitas, and John Mackey were all waiting to win a Super Bowl ring for the first time to complete their careers.

The Jets had other plans. This single upset forever changed pro football and legitimized the merger between the two leagues. Without this upset, there might not be an NFL today, and the league would be a lot less exciting.

2. A Giant Upset in Super Bowl XLII

One game, just one game of perfection. Imagine if the Patriots had won that game and captured their fourth Super Bowl.

Tom Brady might be remembered as a better quarterback than Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw. The 2007 Patriots might be the best team of all time, and the 2000 Patriots might be the best Super Bowl dynasty of all time.

But they lost that game.

The Patriots were beaten by Peyton Manning's inferior little brother, who before that Super Bowl was considered a draft bust.

Michael Strahan was past his prime and he, along with Osi Umenyiora, was the only bright spot for the team. And they were against the greatest pass protection line I've ever seen.

But in the end, the Giants did everything right. Manning led his team from his own 17 to score a touchdown to seal a most improbable upset.

And if you thought Tom Brady wasn't the greatest ever before that game, it's unlikely you'll change your mind because another ring looks impossible.

1. Miracle on Ice

Upsets have changed lives, organizations, entire sports, and even major world powers. The USSR and the USA were at loggerheads in just about everything they did.

From going to the moon to sports, the USA usually came out on top, but in ice hockey it seemed that the USSR finally dominated at something. Then came an upset for the ages, and that's why this is No. 1 on this list.

The Americans were a group of untested college players in a culture that was hardly hockey-centric, and they entered the 1980 Games as the seventh seed among 12 teams.

The Soviets, meanwhile, were full-time hockey players who had played together for years, and they were representing a country that had produced eight of the last nine gold medalists in the sport.

The American college kids just before the Games were embarrassed, 10-3, in one of the most sickening events in USA Olympic history.

But the USA won four and tied one in pool play, including a last-minute equalizer against Sweden and a 7-3 thrashing of silver medal favorite Czechoslovakia. That placed the Americans in the medal round and a semifinal date with the mighty Soviets.

U.S. coach Herb Brooks had studied the USSR team inside and out. He knew how they played and he selected a team that he thought could counter the Russians' strengths. Brooks worked his team hard but had them fully prepared for the challenge, telling his team, "This is your time," before the Soviet game.

With the USSR leading, 2-1, and time ticking away in the first period, the game and history changed. Russian goalie Vladislav Tretiak misplayed a Dave Christian shot and Mark Johnson slotted home the rebound for a 2-2 score at intermission. Enraged USSR coach Viktor Tikhonov made a goalie change, replacing Tretiak, considered the best netminder in the world, in favor of Vladimir Myshkin.

That set the stage for third-period heroics. Captain Mike Eruzione scored the famous goal on a wrist shot to give the USA a 4-3 lead with 10 minutes to play.

With the cozy Lake Placid rink pulsating, the young Americans survived those final nervous minutes and won the game punctuated by Al Michaels' famous call, "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!!!!"

Lost to history is the fact that the USA did not win the gold medal that day. There was one more game to play, against Finland. And according to the rules of the day, the Americans would take the gold medal with a win, and with a loss could finish fourth—without a medal.

The Americans sealed the deal with a 4-2 win.

Do you believe in miracles? Or is the USA the best at everything in every possible way—and sports are not an exception? The answer to both questions is YES.

New York Jets' Off-Season Free Agents Have Made Them a Super Bowl Contender

John Parker — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:05:51 -0500

Last year, the Jets were mediocre at best. When they made a huge splash in free agency, many questioned whom they picked.

Many of the players were older veterans who had an understanding for the game. Fans and experts alike raised their eyebrows when the Jets picked Brett Favre, 39, and Alan Faneca, 31, when head coach Eric Mangini was only 39 and their offensive coordinator was 33.

But ever since the free agents have joined the team, they have played well and there's a good chance all these players will make the Pro Bowl.

Brett Favre

Many have called Brett Favre overrated as the years have passed, and especially when he was traded to the Jets. But is this the best thing that has ever happened to them? The Jets are 8-3 and currently tied for the second-best record in the AFC.

The Jets also upset the team with the best record in the AFC, the Tennessee Titans. Many consider the Jets the best team in the conference.

This year, there's been a turnaround. Since acquiring key players last season, the Jets have been on a roll.

The most famous and popular of all of these players is Brett Favre. But does Favre deserve all of the credit? Or any of it? Is he a game manager on a really good Jets team?

Well, his numbers are pretty darn good.

He has a career-high completion percentage of 70.6. He also has the fourth-best passer rating of his career at 94.1. He hasn't been reckless and doesn't try to do too much.

During his entire career with the Packers, he was always asked to do too much. Aging didn't make it easier.

Now he is allowed to rely on his running game and throw quick screen passes. He is a huge factor why the Jets are winning. Even if he isn't the Jets' best player, he is their leader and has had the most impact.

Kris Jenkins

Behind Shaun Rogers, many consider Jenkins to be the best 3-4 nose tackle in the NFL. He has four sacks and 33 tackles, which means he is on pace for the best year of his career. That's not bad when you consider the position he plays.

He is double- or triple-teamed on every play, but his great size and strength has forced triple-teams which has allowed the linebackers to make plays.

Jenkins is on pace for his fourth Pro Bowl.

At 6-foot-4 and 349-pounds, he is the monster in the middle who strikes fear into opposing centers. Imagine what practice against the 6-foot-4, 315-pound Nick Mangold must be like. As good as Shaun Rogers is, there is another defensive player who may be better.

Calvin Pace

Favre was a legend in Green Bay and Jenkins was a defensive anchor in Carolina, but in Arizona, many considered Pace to be a draft bust. In 2003, he was picked in the first round and 18th overall.

In his five seasons with the Cardinals, Pace played in 67 games with 38 starts. He recorded 186 tackles, 14 sacks, and 11 passes deflected.

Keep in mind that's in five seasons, not in one. But in 2006, he set career-highs and sparked enough interest from the Jets to sign as a free agent.

In 2008, Pace showed every bit of the potential he showed when he was in college. Pace is first on the Jets in forced fumbles with three, sacks with five, and third in tackles.

Pace also picked up a fumble and returned it for touchdown in a win over the St. Louis Rams. At 6-foot-4 and 270-pounds, Pace has the potential to be an elite linebacker.

Alan Faneca

The Jets have used many first-round picks on the offensive line, but it hasn't turned into much because the group lacked the veteran experience to guide the younger players.

That changed when Faneca was picked up. The former Steelers lineman was once the highest paid lineman in the league before Jake Long in Miami.

Many Jets fans look at Favre and Thomas Jones on offense as the key, but it wouldn't be possible without Faneca and the guys up front.

What Have We Learned?

Free agency is good for football, and sports in general, because without it these players would be stuck in their old cities. Without free agency, the Jets would still be losers. Many players would be cheated.

Will Detroit's Lousy Lions Go 0-16?

John Parker — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:57:54 -0500

Will the Lion's go 0-16? Well, let's get one very obvious thing out of the way. They are a very lousy team, and unless big changes come, they will not improve, but this looks like a team that's already getting ready for next year signing Daunte Culpepper.

But I'm talking this season, not next season, and it's time to look at the schedule before making any huge predictions or judgments.

The 10-1 Tennessee Titans at the Lions Ford Field

The previously undefeated Titans weren't expected at all as good as they were. In a tough loss to the Jets, the Titans are ready to treat the Lions on national television as if they were stress balls or practice dummies.

The Titans need to win this game to boost their confidence and to get their stars some more face time and it doesn't look like they aren't going to give the loser lions a chance to make any plays after going easy on NY.

But it's not like if the titans won against the New York Jets they would go easy on them. If the Titans were going to let a team spoil their perfection, it's not going to be the winless lions.

If anything, the Lions should be thanking the Jets for misleading some of their players to thinking they have a chance.

Verdict: No Chance of winning

The 6-5 Minnesota Vikings at the Lions Ford Field

For Adrian Peterson, this is a game of improving his stats and redemption. For the Minnesota Vikings, it's a must win to improve. Last time Peterson went against the Lions and he did decently, rushing for 114 yards but didn't score and fumbled twice.

I expect this week to be a lot different. Peterson is scoring and is first among running backs in yardage. The Lions are second to dead last in total offense and dead last in stopping the run. Expect Peterson to run all over the Lions. The Vikings defense isn't that bad either in stopping the run is second in the league.

Verdict: Little to no chance of winning (varies on Peterson's play)

The 7-4 Indianapolis Colts at the Colts Lucas Oil Stadium

The Colts are blue hot once again. Maybe last year, I might have predicted that the Colts go soft on the Lions because Dungy likes to rest his players, but the Colts need to win every game they can.

In the beginning of the season, Manning was unhealthy and Addai did not step up. So the Colts lost four games in a row, so expect the Colts to be going all out on the Detroit lions.

The strength of the Detroit Lions is it's passing games and the true is the same for the Colts, however. If Detroit steps up this week, expect the difference to be in the running game.

This will be the first time this year that the worst running offense went against the worst run stopping defense, but the Colts are fourth in the league in passing and the Lions are 23rd in pass defense.

There is little chance for any team on the Colts schedule to stop their winning streak and the Lions aren't the most likely team.

Verdict: Little to no chance of an upset (depends on Manning and Addai)

The New Orleans Saints at the Lions Ford Field

If any of these teams fell victim of an awful upset and a sad and pathetic scenario of the Lions beating them. It would be the saints. Drew Brees may have an impressive amount of yards but little of his other stats jump out at you.

Many of his yards just come by dumping it out to Reggie Bush, who may not play in this game (very unlikely).

While the saints may have plenty of playmakers and like to throw it all around the field it's not how you win football games in the long run. You've got to have some stability in your offense and neither team has that which is why they aren't full filling their potential.

The field in this matchup is leveled here than any other game and is the game to watch when you consider the little things like home-field advantage and possible injuries.

Verdict: Most likely game for the Lions to win

The Green Bay Packers at the greatest home field advantage ever in the history of the Packers (the only stadium) or all football stadiums or fields...Lambeau Field

In Week 17, the Lions will have no mercy. They will fact a Green Bay Packers team who must win in order to clinch a wild-card spot. Their poor defense must face an Aaron Rodgers with a new contract with his best receiver Greg Jennings.

They will also face an improved run game lead by last year's star Ryan Grant.

The Lions also do not have home field advantage, which is bad enough. It gets even worse when you consider they are playing at Lambeau Field which happens to be the greatest Wisconsin advantage ever. It's also at the end of the season, so it really will be the frozen tundra.

It's playoff weather up in Wisconsin, which is something the Lions will only get one taste of this season.

Verdict: No chance of winning

The Final Verdict

The game to watch at Ford's field against the Saints, but besides that game they basically have no chance of winning any of these games. It really does look like the Lions will enter the record books as the second team to go winless in the regular season, but you never know.

Remember the Dolphins?

NFL Quarterbacks Who Might Be Looking for a New Home Next Year

John Parker — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:34:09 -0500

Some quarterbacks might be looking for a new home next year. Not every quarterback on this list will leave their hometown, but I can guarantee at least one will. For the first time in a long time, an experienced 10-year veteran franchise quarterback might be leaving home and it's where we start are countdown...

Donovan McNabb

For some unfathomable reason, Philly fans think there is something out there better for the franchise. Kevin Kolb definitely isn't the man but if you don't want McNabb there, maybe he should leave. I mean, it's not like McNabb has been perfect, and maybe it would be better for both sides if he left.

I mean, maybe McNabb goes to Minnesota and produces a Randall Cunningham type of a season, and Philly learns to be grateful. I think both sides might benefit here. The last scrambling veteran Eagles quarterback to leave Philly had some great seasons and Philly learned half of their lesson. Maybe it's time to finish teaching them.

Matt Cassel (or Tom Brady?)

After two back-to-back 400-yard passing games. It's safe to say that Matt Cassel has been a pretty good replacement for Tom Brady. He's been able to do things that Tom Brady couldn't do in our wildest dreams. Like this unfathomable idea of leaving the pocket to make a play with your feet.

Many fans are even suggesting that you should trade Tom Brady. Maybe it was the wide receivers and the system this whole time. Tom Brady wouldn't be the first franchise quarterback to be traded for someone with more left in the tank. Just ask Drew Bledsoe.

Derek Anderson

Brady Quinn has a lot of potential, and I think it would be better for the franchise if he stayed in Cleveland, but what about Derek Anderson. Many are calling Derek a one-year wonder and was responsible for the fall of the Cleveland Browns' organization.

It can't all be his fault, after all, Braylon Edwards dropped all of his passes, but if it was the team that was doing so bad then how come Quinn has had success?

Matt Leinart

Is it time to call him a bust? Not yet, but if you are a Heisman-award-winning quarterback who has had Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin to work with his entire career, and you get benched by a 37-year-old quarterback who has great success with the same tools, it's pretty low on the pigskin totem pole but some there has go to be some stupid coach that thinks he can make this former draft bust into a star.

Rex Grossman (Kyle Orton?)

Some people have been calling Rex the weak link on a team that has had great potential and now the defense steps back he follows them. So Kyle Orton was the solution but many bears players don't like it. Brian Urlacher in particular was mocking fans for booing Grossman by raising he hands up in a mocking fashion.

The players know more about the behind the scenes action then we do, but Grossman hasn't been able to get it done in games like the Super Bowl. Kyle was hot at the beginning of the season but has slowed down a lot and may hurt him.

But who would want Grossman. I think that they will both stay in Chicago and Grossman will just have to get used to being a backup, but you never know.

Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid: Shouldering Too Much Blame

John Parker — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:19:49 -0500

The Philadelphia Eagles are a pretty good team, but have been knocking at the door of a Superbowl win, unsuccessfully, for many years now.

Instinctively, many Eagles fans have been blaming Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid for these loses, especially when they are not all that popular in Philly to begin with. The blame is heightened when you compare them to other Eagles franchise players or head coaches of the past.

McNabb's and Reid's personalities don't exactly fit the city of Philadelphia.

Instead of blue collared and emotional like the head coaches of the past, Reid is very quiet, calm, patient, and often takes the Eagles behind closed doors. He's a coach, not a player and it's his job to guide his players through the playbook. He asks his players, and doesn't demand.

McNabb will talk to the media and isn't exactly shy. But if you compare him to some former Eagles players like Terrell Owens, Randall Cunningham, and Chuck Benedarik, McNabb might as well be afraid of cameras.

Also, McNabb is a quarterback who doesn't like taking hits and has made poor decisions that led to interceptions. Two things which piss off the citizens of Philadelphia the most.

Even though McNabb and Reid aren't anything like Philly, they want to be there.

Eagles fans hear me out, YOU SHOULD WANT THEM TO BE THERE.

McNabb is the best quarterback over the last decade without a ring and Reid is arguably the best head coach ever without a ring. Reid has earned Coach of the Year honors twice!

They have won more than any Eagles coach or quarterback in the history of the franchise in both big games and accumulative effort ever since the 1940's!

They've gone to four NFC championship games, but of course things didn't go so well once they won one.

Many will blame McNabb and Reid for the Superbowl loss.

After all, they are the head coach and quarterback, which many believe to be the two most important figures in determining the outcomes of big games. But I think at least McNabb is shouldering too much of the game.

Many will remember the three interceptions he threw in their Superbowl loss. But there were other players who didn't fare so well, either: the offensive line and Brian Westbrook.

The New England Patriots entered the game with five linebackers who stopped McNabb from scrambling and Westbrook from getting much yards. They also put the pressure on McNabb, as he was sacked four times.

A lineman vs. a linebacker should be a favorable match up for the offense. Linemen are bigger and devote all of their time to blocking equally big, strong, and faster defensive lineman.

Yet, the line failed to block for Westbrook and McNabb, causing the QB to shoulder too much of the load.

Even so, many fans insist that McNabb screwed up on the final drive.

I disagree.

During that drive, Westbrook caught a pass in bounds but didn't gain any yardage, forcing the Eagles to run a hurry-up offense, resulting in an incompletion.

The next play was a pass which would have been within the grasp of LJ Smith if he reached out just a little further.

Also, McNabb has done great this year so far, considering that Westbrook is probably fantasy football's great disappointment—honestly, he's 23rd running the football. Last year, McNabb abounded them and now Westbrook thinks it's okay to give them payback.

McNabb doesn't have that many weapons (exception: DeShaun Jackson) yet, he's fourth in total passing yards above the legendary Peyton Manning (fifth).

Fans may not like McNabb or Reid, but the experts do. McNabb has been elected to five consecutive Pro Bowls, and has won many awards.

Reid is a two-time Coach of the Year. I think eagles fans are just too whiny.

With the Philadelphia Phillies winning the city's first title since the late '80s, suddenly Eagles fans insist that it's time for change.

They want a new quarterback, a new coach, but with all the same players?

The Eagles aren't that good, and where exactly will you find a better head coach or quarterback willing to come to Philly?

The 15 Fastest Football Players of All Time

John Parker — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:00:57 -0500

Football has evolved through the years. Players are now stronger and bigger than ever before, but the huge difference from yesterday's game to today's game is speed.

Some players have just stood out for their amazing speed, but pure speed isn't the only thing that this list measures.

It's what you did with it that counts. No use putting any college draft busts on this list if they couldn't put their speed to good use.

Many players on this list are more modern because the NFL has gotten faster, but that doesn't mean that I haven't looked at the Hall of Famers who burned the competition with their impressive speed at the time. I even have a white guy on this list...

15. Don Hutson

The only white guy to make this list. If you watch a highlight real of the guy, all of the plays are deep with his arms stretched running past that unlucky cornerback. Don Hutson is a player for any age and all ages and is the only football player that I would even mention in the same sentence as the legendary...

14. Jerry Rice

The only player on this list to have a mediocre 40 time. For some reason when he had on those shoulder pads he was blazing fast. Regardless of what his 40 time says, if you watch film of him, he is running past people.

13. Eric Dickerson

Dickerson's signature play was one where he was running into open space with two defensive backs chasing right after him but unable to catch up. Dickerson's great ability helped him set records which have stood the test of time, most notably his mark for most rushing yards in a single season.

12. Herschel Walker

Like Dickerson, he was an amazing athletic specimen. Many will recall the great strength he possessed for someone his size, but his speed was just as impressive. His athleticism translated into great success in the NFL, yet for some reason I always expected more of him than he gave.

11. Ron Brown

A St. Louis Rams wide receiver with great hands and even better speed. Brown was an Olympic gold medal winner. Unfortunately, that did not always translate to great success in the NFL which is the only reason he isn't higher on this list.

10. Champ Bailey

The first of four current players on this list. If you are a shutdown corner, you have to have great speed and that's what Bailey has. Bailey has had a stunning career so far with the Redskins and Broncos.

9. Bo Jackson

There are many what-ifs in Jackson's Career. If they had all been answered, who knows how good he might have been. The fastest running back on my list still had his fair share of success with the Raiders, but that doesn't answer the what-ifs.

8. Cliff Branch

If this list shows anything, it's that speed kills. Many football players with the No. 21 were super fast, like LT. However, out of all of the great running backs to carry that number, Branch, a wide receiver, could outrun them all. Unfortunately, as many great plays he made with his speed in big games, it didn't always translate into wins just like...

7. Randy Moss

Even in his 30's Moss was still the deep option in 2007 for Tom Brady despite a blazing Donte' Stallworth. You really should have seen him as a Viking. Those were arguably the best and unarguably the fastest years of his career.

6. Joey Galloway

Even today, as he gets older, it doesn't seem he is getting that much slower. Even as his 37th birthday approaches, he can still run past defenses with his great speed and most people would put him higher. He would be in my top five if it wasn't for...

5. Devin Hester

Despite a historical kick return on the first play of Super Bowl 41, the Bears couldn't pull off a victory against Peyton Manning and the Colts on the NFL's biggest stage, but let's not take anything away from Hester. In my mind, he is without question the greatest and fastest punt/kick returner of all time. However, his scouting report says differently and so does his 40 time. It's yet more proof that all the answers aren't on paper.

4. Willie Gault

The first of two players on this list of have a championship ring and Olympic Gold. Gault was blazing for his time. He was also featured in the 1985 Bears Super Bowl Shuffle and was a key part of that overlooked offense.

3. Darrell Green

This Washington Redskin was the ultimate team player and always did his responsibilities before trying to show off. His many interceptions are impressive and so was his speed, but what amazes me is his off-the-field contributions to the world unlike most current players who are getting in trouble (Pacman Jones).

2. Deion "Primetime" Sanders

The most versatile football player of the modern era, he was also the fastest. Primetime wasn't his only nickname, but it was the most fitting. He had big play potential any time he had the ball. Whether it was on special teams, returning interceptions, or catching passes, he used his speed to catch the football and take it all the way to the end zone.

1. "Bullet" Bob Hayes

"Pure" Speed. Hayes didn't have great hands, wasn't a superb route runner, and wasn't that great getting in and out of his cuts. He was just too fast for that era...or any era.

Bob Hayes has been forced to wait while lesser talents have surpassed him for the Hall of Fame such as Michael Irvin, who is second to Bob Hayes in Cowboys touchdown catches.

Hayes had the speed to run by cornerbacks and make them look silly and slow. The second player on this list to have a famous nickname and to win an Olympic gold medal and the Super Bowl. Bob Hayes is probably not in the Hall because he unfortunately used drugs after his career instead of helping to community like fellow super-fast freak, Darrell Green.

So Many Awards, So Many Canidates

John Parker — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:50:29 -0500

This is a unique year. For so many years, the NFL MVP award was so obvious. All of the following players had record breaking season and were so obvious candidates for the NFL MVP award. Peyton Manning (2004), Shaun Alexander (2005), L.T. (2006), Tom Brady (2007) were all slam dunks for the MVP award, but for the first year, the decision isn't so obvious.

There will be a lot of award to give out at the end of the season, and it's really to early to tell. But that won't stop me from predicting who will win the following awards: NFL MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Rookie of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year, and the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

NFL MVP Prediction

Drew Brees will NOT get 5,000 yards and break Dan Marino's record. Even if he did, how possibly can a quarterback be hot if his team doesn't make the playoffs. I don't think the Saints will make the playoffs or Brees will break Marino's record.

My prediction to win the MVP award is Kurt Warner. ColdHardFootballFacts.com named Arizona Cardinals the overall worst team in NFL history, yet Warner is basically going to make the playoffs and will more than likely be favorites to win a playoff game. Something the Cardinals have only done two times in the franchise's history.

He is the highest-rated passer in the NFL and almost every week he plays so well with so few mistakes. Warner is also second in total yard behind Brees and is second in total touchdowns behind Phillip Rivers, who is having a great year, despite a disappointing Chargers team.

Warner also leads the league in completion percentage with what will be an NFL record 70.9, if he continues to have his success.

Honorable Mentions: Clinton Portis, Adrian Peterson, Drew Brees

Defensive Player of the Year

I will give a nod to James Harrison for this award. Before this season, Harrsion was famous for body slamming a Cleveland Browns fan into the ground. Now he is the premier of elite linebackers in the NFL. He is second in the NFL in sacks behind Joey Porter. Harrsion also leads the top five sack masters in tackles with 67 and has more than Porter and Abraham combined. (Porter has 38 tackles and Abraham has 26)

The Steel Curtain has always been know for its great linebackers. From the legendary group of the '70s, to the pretty good group of the '90s, to the Sack Masters of today. Harrison is the anchor of the No. 1 rated defense in the NFL.

Honorable Mentions: Joey Porter, Gary Brackett, Albert Haynesworth

Offensive Rookie of the Year

The undefeated Titans are undefeated not because of an aerial attack (although Kerry Collins has been pretty good) they've won so far because of a great defense and a dominating running attack. Johnson has been the perfect complement to power runner LenDale White in a Titans one-two knockout punch

Chris Johnson is my Rookie of the Year because of his great open-field running, versatility, and speed. He has been a huge part of why the Titans have been so great this season. How he cannot be the rookie of the year will surprise me.

Honorable Mention: Matt Ryan

Defensive Rookie of the Year

When the season first started, I was very skeptical about Jeord Mayo. The Patriots haven't had a great draft recently and this year looked worse than the that awful draft nobody made the team. It's actually turned out to be a very good draft and one can't help wonder what if Tom Brady was there.

Jerod Mayo leads all of the rookies in tackles. He hasn't been very explosive. He just gets the job done on every play. He makes solid tackles and wraps up and has been such a great fit for this defense. He is my Defensive Rookie of the Year

Honorable Mentions: Chris Long, Chris Horton

NFL Comeback Player of the Year

This award usually goes to somebody who comes back from injury or an awful season and excels at a Pro-Bowl-caliber level. Ronnie Brown has fulfilled all three requirements. Last year he lost every game with the dolphins and at the very end he had a knee injury.

Ever since a Patriots upset, Brown has been great. Thanks to a unique Wildcat formation, Brown ran for four touchdowns and threw for one. Brown has been great ever since.

He has used the Wildcat formation to confuse and destroy defenses and is arguably the most important player in one of the greatest team turnarounds in NFL history.

Vince Lombardi: Everything That Is Great About Football

John Parker — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:05:07 -0500

The first half of the 2008 NFL season is already over. When the second half has unfolded, we will be witnesses to the lucky team who carries away the most coveted prize in North American sports today, the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Who is Vince Lombardi? If you don't already know prepare to be educated, and if you do know well you should take notes to further expand your knowledge on football's greatest coach and it's single greatest football force ever too bar none.

Vince Lombardi's beginning

Vincent Thomas Lombardi was born on June 11, 1913 in Brooklyn, NY. Lombardi was born in Brooklyn to a Neapolitan-born father Henry Lombardi, a butcher, and a Brooklyn-born Matilda Izzo, the daughter of a barber, whose parents had immigrated as teenagers from just east of Salerno in southern Italy.

Lombardi was raised in Southern Brooklyn and attended its public schools until the eighth grade.

As a player, Vince Lombardi was a good but undersized guard on Notre Dame's imposing line: The Seven Blocks of Granite. In a semi-professional career with the Brooklyn Dodgers, he bulked up from 185 pounds to 205 pounds.

It seemed his height and size was still too much of an issue to play professional. Lombardi never gave up, though. If he couldn't contribute to football as a player, he decided to contribute as a coach and accepted a assistant coach job at St. Cecilia.

To think that the greatest coach of all time began his career as an assistant coach at a Catholic High School only strengthens his story and legacy.

Vincent eventually won the head coach job and trained those soft future ministers into a football gridiron machine of destruction. His hard work paid off and eventually would go on to coach for West Point.

Lombardi was recruited to be the offensive coordinator for the NY Giants in 1954 at the age of 41. Thus, a legend finally began his professional career. Lombardi taught his players to be versatile and hard working. Attributes that would later describe many of the players on those great Packers teams.

The team would go on to win the championship in Lombardi's third season with the team, and he went on to be the head coach of the Packers.

The Vince Lombardi Packers—The Greatest Dynasty Ever in Pro Football

In just St. Vincent's second year on the team, he lead the Pack to the NFL championship. Unfortunately, great plays by center/middle linebacker Chuck Bednarik cost the Pack the championship when he wrestled Jim Taylor to the ground at the nine and time ran out.

Vince was furious and said that losing a championship was unacceptable and would never happen again under his command. It didn't.

After that loss, the Packers never lost a playoff game and won five NFL championships. Three of them were consecutive championship wins including the first two Super Bowls.

Vince Lombardi had 13 Hall of Famers on that great Packers team, most of whom have to thank all of their success to Lombardi. Even in today's day and age, many players are still waiting to get inducted that played for Vince. Jerry Kramer for example is still waiting and may still get into canton.

With Vince many players full-filled their potential (Paul Hourning) and many more shattered expectations (too many to list) considering their physical abilities. Lombardi would always rather have someone that tried their hardest and never gave up even if he wasn't the biggest or the fastest than with a lazy showboat with with great talent and physical abilities.

A philosophy that's lost in today's NFL, yet it lead Lombardi to five NFL championships and the first two Super Bowls.

The Packers of the 1960s were a team. A team with morals such as selflessness, hard work, courage, fearlessness, determination, and toughness. Many of these morals don't apply to some of the NFL's most talented players and respected teams, but you will not win football's greatest trophy without those morals. Just ask Ocho-Cinco or T.O.

Post Packers and Legacy

Lombardi did not want to give up football, even though he had so many championships. In his first year (1969) with the Redskins, he turned around a franchise to its first winning record since 1955. Who knows what the Redskins team might have turned out to be.

Unfortunately, we will never know. Lombardi passed away on Sept. 3, 1970 in Washington DC. It was Lombardi's final struggle, but even he could not fight away or defeat the evil and cruel spirits of death.

Even though he is gone, his legacy still remains and grows with each passing year. Just fully so he was named the "Coach of the Century" and the NFL named the Super Bowl trophy after him.

Plenty of coaches will be hoping to lead their team to the promise land which this year happens to be Raymond James Stadium. No matter who they may be, they will still look at the name on the trophy and will still look up to him at the sky.

Jon Gruden: The Buccaneers' Future or the Next Nick Saban

John Parker — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:52:52 -0500

Maybe this comparison isn't fair but I can't help but bring it up. Is Jon Gruden really what the Buccaneers of the future need or would he be a better head coach in Tennessee and belongs in college. Gruden says absolutely not and says he wants to stay with the Bucs as long as they will have him, but if he turns out to be lying...

He won't be the first head coach to be such a despicable liar. Nick Saban has would have beaten to the punch and they are both shockingly similar. Let's learn a little bit about these two head coaches and you might be surprised how similar they really are.

Nick Saban

Saban was an assistant coach at Kent State, Syracuse, West Virginia, Ohio State, Navy, and Michigan State, and with the Houston Oilers and Cleveland Browns in the NFL. Having worked under Bill Belichick in Cleveland, he is part of the Belichick coaching tree.

As an assistant coach, Nick would prosper and gain experience, so he could lead LSU to some of the best years of the college's existence as far as the football program is concerned.

Under Saban the Tigers would be National champions for only the second time in the program's existence. Naturally, with so much success and experience at the college level, it's only natural for the dolphins to pick up Saban after the retirement of Don Shula and mediocre years that followed.

The Nick Saban era had begun with a 34-10 blowout against the Denver Broncos. He had instant success with the dolphins with such a great scheme but he couldn't coach the players and Miami had little other success.

Many of the Dolphins players despised Saban and was given the nickname the "Nicktator." Only one player liked Saban and that was all pro defensive end and linebacker, Jason Taylor.

In the middle of the season rumors were brewing that Saban would leave. He insisted that it was crazy to be talking about a college job opportunity when the season was still underway. "I'm not going to Alabama," Saban insisted, but in the end he went to Alabama in January after a loss to the Indianapolis colts.

A combined 15-17 record isn't that bad, but how he was despised by his players and the fact he left the dolphins landed Saban a No. 7 spot on the NFL Network's list of coaches who belonged in college.

Jon Gruden

Coming out of Muskingum college, Gruden did not have the skills to be a player in the NFL, so he stuck to coaching. In college, Gruden was a behind the scenes type of guy. A quarterbacks coach and Wide receivers coach from Southeast Missouri and the University of Pacific, Gruden entered the NFL for the 49ers as an Offensive Quality Control Coach after the departure of Bill Walsh.

Gruden began his career as a Head coach with the Oakland Raiders. When he was there he was a pretty good coach and was unfortunately robbed blind by the Tuck Rule in 2001. I can't blame him for wanting a fresh start to a team that officials might be kinder to. So he packed his bags for Tampa Bay after Tony Dungy got fired.

When he went to the Bucs, he had instant success, winning a Super Bowl. But the reason that team won the Super Bowl was because Tony Dungy rebuilt that team from the worst team in NFL history to a team of all-stars. Credit should be given where credit is due, and I think they Bucs front office should give Dungy the ring on Gruden's finger.

After that Super Bowl, Gruden has done nothing to make me think that Super Bowl XXXVII wasn't a fluke. In Tampa Bay, Gruden has had absolutely no playoff victories so far, and a completely mediocre record of 53-52. Of course the only reason his record is that good is because of a 6-3 start so far into the 2008 season.

This year Gruden has had success but with a team full of aging veterans. He can't win a ring with these guys they are all going to retire soon. Jeff Garcia, Derrick Brooks, give me a break. Warren Sapp is already retired and pretty soon so are these guys.

The comparison and what should the Bucs do

They are strikingly similar. They are both, in a way, micro-managers and dictators on the practice field and during game time. Neither one is that popular with football players currently playing. In a recent survey, Gruden was one of the top five coaches players would least like to play for.

And with the exception of Jason Taylor, just about no one on the dolphins liked Nick Saban. They both have had about .500 records in their time in the NFL. Nick was a little bit below the .500 mark and Gruden is a little bit above.

You like the success you are having now Bucs fans, but if you care about your future, you will fire Gruden before he quits. The Bucs team is winning, but they won't be when their veterans get too old and retire. Age can ruin a team's Super Bowl success. Just ask the New England Patriots.

The Greatest NFL Draft Steals Of All Time

John Parker — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 10:43:17 -0500

My last article was the greatest draft busts of all-time. These selections would often kill and destroy teams. My friends that helped me construct my last article picked Ryan Leaf as the unanimous decision for the number one draft bust of all-time.

This list however is the greatest draft steals of all-time. For one reason or another, Hall of Fame caliber players slipped through the cracks of the draft and often sparked dynasties. Bart Starr, Joe Montana, and Tom Brady are all in my top five and one of them is number one on my list. Instead of disgust, for these players I just felt awe.

10. Roger Staubach-10th Round Selection by the Dallas Cowboys in 1964.

How in the world did Staubach fall so low in the draft. He won the Heisman Trophy in college for crying out loud. It was probably because he was a Navy guy. Many teams were afraid to take Staubach because they knew they were not going to get a full career.

Staubach was no exception. He did not start his first season until he was 29, but when he got there he took the NFL by storm. He led the Dallas Cowboys(America's team) to multiple Super Bowls and won two of them. His passer rating is also remarkably high for his time and is number one among pre-1980 quarterbacks.

9. Andre Reed-4th Round Pick Selection by the Buffalo Bills in 1985.

A small school in Pennsylvania produced one of the NFL's all-time wide receivers. Andre Reed was featured at number three in my all-time QB to WR passing combinations with Jim Kelly. Reed has been one of the most productive NFL wide receivers of all-time and still ranks in the league's top 10 in receptions (951), receiving yards (13,198) and touchdown receptions (87).

8. Larry Wilson-7th Round Pick by the Arizona Cardinals(then St. Louis) in 1960

Today's safety gets to do a little bit of everything. The responsibilities range from blitzing, to dropping back into coverage, to guarding the tight end one-on-one. It didn't use to be that way. In fact the only thing yesterday's safety ever did was drop back in deep coverage and make sure he wasn't beat deep.

Larry Wilson changed the safety and defensive back position. He didn't make eight Pro Bowls by dropping back and doing nothing. His ability to blitz and disrupt the passing and running game with his pressure earned him a spot in the Hall of Fame and on my list. The ironic thing is that he has more interceptions than most with 52.

7. Dan Marino-1st Round Pick by the Miami Dolphins in 1983.

John Elway was the first overall selection and the first overall quarterback and led the Broncos to five Super Bowls. Jim Kelly dominated the AFC for four years straight, and Tony Eason led the Pats’ to Super Bowl XX, but Blackledge and O'Brien were terrible. Arguably the greatest quarterback of the 80's was selected last among these quarterbacks in the first round. Incredibly, the Pittsburgh Steelers passed up Marino even though he's lived in Pittsburgh and had a stellar college career at Pitt.

Marino obviously would go on to shatter records. With arguably the greatest season of all-time in 1984. He rewrote the passing yards and the passing touchdowns records in just one year. The Steelers took seven years to recover and in those seven years they only made the playoffs just one time.

6. Terrell Davis-6th Round Pick by the Denver Broncos in 1995.

Without Terrell Davis, John Elway doesn't win those two super bowls at the end of his career. Davis has quite a record: one MVP, 2000-yard rushing season, two rings, one Super Bowl MVP, four times was elected All-Pro, and he's part of the 1990's All-Decade team. To think he was selected in the sixth round is just so mysterious to me.

5. Joe Montana-3rd Round Pick by the 49ers in 1979.

Arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time was a part-time starter at Notre Dame. Many of the "so called experts" called Montana weak and frail. They looked at his lack of a giant rocket-arm. They forgot to mention his cool under pressure, his accuracy, his ability to read the defense, his not fast, but nimble feet, and his hard work and timing.

He led the 49ers to four Super Bowls and has three Super Bowl MVP awards. He even has won the regular MVP award once. Some call Montana the greatest quarterback of all-time. Even the most annoying old school football site ranked Montana number two on their all-time quarterback list. I don't know where I would rank Montana, but certainly higher than any other quarterback in that same draft.

4. Shannon Sharpe-7th Round Pick by the Denver Broncos in 1990.

In my list of all great tight ends, Shannon was #3 for his ability to catch passes no matter where he was at. But his greatest moments will always be in Denver where he was lucky enough to play under John Elway at the end of his career and helped lead the broncos to win 2 super bowls.

Sharpe's play making abilities were amazing. He wasn't the best blocker but the fear he struck into opposing defenses was pretty amazing. When you double cover a tight end that says a lot about the respect many teams give him and it lands him a #4 spot.

3. Bart Starr-17th Round Pick by the Green Bay Packers in 1956.

The 17th round pick from Alabama has been to the NFL championship more than any other player on this list. The MVP of the first two Super Bowls led his team to the Championship five times. A mark, which has only been passed by Otto Graham.

He had great Hall of Fame talent all around him(13 Hall of famers and still counting in this day and age) and the greatest NFL coach of all-time(Vince Lombardi), but Starr made it all happen. His best performances came in Championship games. Very few quarterbacks can compare to the kid from Alabama (Not Ken Stabler).

2. Deacon Jones-14th Round Pick by the St. Louis Rams in 1961.

The Minister of Defense is arguably the greatest pass rusher of all time. At 6 foot 5 and 250 lbs he was the smallest member of the rams fearsome foursome, but he was the fastest, leanest, and most feared. He resides in the hall of fame as one of the most athletic and feared defensive end that football has ever seen.

But he wasn't always like that. In fact coming out of college Deacon was actually overweight and out of shape. The rams hadn't invested much in him with a low paying contract and a 14th round pick. So, Deacon did what he did for most of his career. He scared the crap out of people. He famous head slap and hatred for quarterbacks got him a starting job not only on the rams but at multiple pro bowls.

1. Tom Brady-6th Round Pick by the NWE Patriots in 2000.

I feel so awful making this decision. My all-time favorite team is the Indianapolis Colts and my favorite all-time player is Peyton Manning. I have spent so much time arguing about why Manning is better than Brady. Yet as much as I hate the @sshole, I cannot dispute his greatness.

Tom Brady has lead his team to four Super Bowls and won three of them. He had arguably the greatest season of all-time by any position in 2007. He's lead three last minute drives in the Super Bowl. Yet he slipped to the sixth round in 2000.

At 199th overall pick only Bart Starr(200) was selected lower than Tom Brady. Of all-time quarterbacks that Tom reminds me of, he represents Joe Montana the most. Both are draft steals, dynasty quarterbacks, very accurate, and players with the ladies.

Yet, Joe is the gold standard for a draft steal. Brady is the platinum standard. The draft every single year will have blue chippers. But it's a draft steal like Tom Brady, which will really make the difference for a team.

The Top 10 NFL Draft Busts of All Time

John Parker — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 05:20:16 -0500

The greatest (or really worst) NFL draft busts of all time. I had some help constructing this list. At times when we were making this list we felt disgust for some players and pity for others.

Our No. 1 draft bust was a unanimous pick and you probably know who he is. It's not Brian Bosworth if you looked at the picture, although Bosworth is in our top five.

Some of these players would have success elsewhere like Brian Bosworth, some are pathetic everywhere like our No. 1 draft bust.

10. Todd Marinovich

Marinovichdidn't have the top-ten draft status of the others on this list, but he was a first-round pick of the Raiders. He makes this list because he was strictly groomed from childhood to be an NFL QB by his father Marv.

After leading USC to the Rose Bowl as a freshman, drug problems ended his college career, so he entered the 1991 NFL draft. He became a starter in his rookie year and played in one postseason game, but continuing drug problems ended his career the following season.

9. Ki-Jana Carter

Let's be fair. Carter did have a 10-year-career and it wasn't his fault he was a draft bust. He tore an ACL in his first preseason game and never returned to form. He failed to live up to the No. 1 overall pick with 1,144 yards over 10 years and that's why he's on this list.

8. Jim Druckenmiller

The only quarterback selected in the 1st round of the 1997 NFL draft. Druckenmiller was selected by the 49ers with the 26th overall pick, and was expected to be the next Steve Young or Joe Montana. Scouts said he could launch the football 100 yards down the field

Jim was nothing like Joe Montana or Steve Young. He was inaccurate and wanted to launch it deep down the field every play. He only started six games and threw for only one touchdown pass.

7. Bruce Pickens

The Atlanta Falcons have had some of the worst draft picks of all time. This, however, was the worst draft bust the Atlanta falcons have ever had. Bruce Pickens was selected with the 3rd overall pick. In his five NFL season with the Falcons, he only registered a very mediocre two interceptions.

6. Heath Shuler

Shuler was a dominant QB at the University at Tennessee, impressing Washington Redskins scouts so much they selected him with their first pick (3rd overall) in the 1994 draft just like fellow draft bust Bruce Pickens.

Billed as the quarterback of the future, a contract holdout, poor play and a shoulder injury saw Shuler lose the starting job to fellow 1994 draftee (7th round) Gus Frerotte.

He lasted three years with the Redskins before being shown the door, moving on to New Orleans and Oakland, where his poor play continued and multiple injuries to his foot eventually ended his undistinguished career.

The story ends well for Shuler and Washington D.C., even though he was a draft bust he still contributed to the nation's capital as a pretty good congressman.

5. Brian Bosworth

A two-time Dick Butkus award winner, Brian came out of college with funky hair and a unique style. He was kicked off of the Oklahoma Squad due to steroid use. Brian came out of Oklahoma with such a huge amount of hype unless he turned out to be like Brian Urlacher he'd be a disappointment.

He actually played pretty well, but he only played for 3 years. Injuries and his inability to live up to his mouth landed him a No. 5 pick on this list. It also hurts him he got signed to a 10-year, $11 million contract, which is the most any rookie was ever paid up to that point.

4. Lawrence Phillips

The powerful running back out of Nebraska had so much potential Scouts were willing to overlook the problems he caused off the football field. He was chosen sixth overall in the 1996 NFL Draft by the Rams, based primarily on his outstanding performance in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl.

Phillips would prove the scouts made the wrong choice over the course of his career, brushes with the law and insubordination combined with mediocre play, he never reached the potential he showed in college.

3. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After so many disappointments from this football team, no list would be complete without mentioning them. No other team in the history of football destroyed more football talent then the Buccaneers.

Coming into the league they set a record that will probably never be broken. A 26-game losing streak.

Unlike many other Draft Busts, Tampa Bay Players had success elsewhere. Steve Young is in the Hall of fame and Vinny Testaverde has been to the Pro Bowl twice. Football experts will always wonder what all of those countless football players could have been if they didn't waste their time in Tampa.

When that great draft came and Derrick Brooks and Warren Sapp were both selected in the first round and the hideous orange uniforms changed, the franchise turned itself around. The memories of the constant failures in the draft will always be there though.

2. Tony Mandarich

Sports Illustrated called him the Greatest Offensive Lineman Prospect ever. In his draft he was the No. 2 overall pick. He's also sandwiched between two future hall of famers, Troy Aikman and Barry Sanders in the 1989 draft.

How do you live up to the hype? By doing the opposite of what Tony did. Mandarich got benched and then released by the Green Bay Packers after just two seasons. Even though he was 6-foot-6 and 315 lbs, he just seemed to get pushed around by defensive lineman.

Look at the 1997 draft. It's full of future pro-bowler linemen like Walter Jones, Orlando Pace, and Tarik Glenn, all selected in the 1st round. Linemen in the first round are hardly ever draft busts. In fact they excel and live above expectations.

Yet Tony Mandarich is the HUGE exception to this rule. (pun intended)

1. Ryan Leaf

The unanimous worst draft bust ever. Next to the creation of the XFL, he is the worst professional sports disappointment ever! That's as bad as it gets. A winner of the Sammy Baugh award, many scouts actually preferred him over Peyton Manning!

They couldn't have been more wrong. Peyton is one of the best quarterbacks of all-time. He has more 4,000 yard seasons than any other quarterback and until very recently has had the second greatest passer rating ever.

Motivational Coaches will always be compared to Vince Lombardi. Great draft busts will always be compared to Leaf. The San Diego Chargers gave up two players and multiple draft picks to move up one spot just to select this guy. He was given lots of money and love the second he got there.

How does he repay them? By destroying the franchise. He threw for so many picks and so few touchdowns. He had poor relationships with his team and the media. He tried to attack a reporter after he was asked some difficult questions and was physically restrained by former teammate Junior Seau.

Everywhere he has went he has been a failure. Whether it was the Cowboys or the Buccaneers. How can such a talented Quarterback be such a failure. Scouts to this day will tell you that Leaf was bigger and stronger and more physically talented than Peyton and Peyton is pretty big at 6-foot-5 and 235 lbs.

I think its because he's immature and impatient. He always took big risks. He had a bad attitude. He refused to fix his wrist when it got hurt. And that's why his life never took flight as a player.

When it seemed he made peace with his past recently his screwed up his future again when he asked a player to give him a certain pill and got fired again from a football organization.

The Top 5 Quarterback to Wide Reciever Passing Combinations

John Parker — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:02:38 -0500

My friend and I were talking the other day about our favorite teams. He is an Eagles fan. I always make fun of him and the Philadelphia Eagles and make jokes about how great of a passing combination McNabb to T.O. was. He then said that Peyton Manning to Marvin Harrison hasn't been that great this season.

I think about the Peyton to Marvin combination and I start thinking about how great they have been in the past. You look at both of their stats and you are just amazed. I start to think where they rank among the greatest combinations ever and that's how I came about to make this list. You'll also be surprised who in my opinion was the greatest quarterback with Jerry Rice.

5. Unitas to Berry—Timing routes and two minute drills are things that in this day in age are something that is coached into the mind of young receivers and quarterbacks from the point they start high school football. Anybody that changed the game deserves recognition and this combination basically invented the two minute drill. They don't have the stats of many passing combinations but their impact was just as great.

The unique thing about this pair is that they weren't supposed to be on the Colts. Johnny Unitas was cut by the Steelers and Raymond Berry was a very late draft pick. There was a point in their career when they only wanted to be on the team yet both are now in the hall of fame.

4. Aikman to Irvin—You can't have two more different personalities. Micheal Irvin is flashy, showy, and flamboyant. A very deep, unique and real character. His hall of fame speech has been replayed over and over and shows what an honor it is to be in Canton. His great size allowed him to shove around defenders and leap up high to get the catch.

Troy Aikman is not flashy or showy. He was very humble, even shy and reserved, he was pinpoint accurate even if he wasn't big and didn't have the huge arm. As different as they were, they are supposedly the best of friends and to this day keep in touch. This great combination lead the Cowboys of the 90's to a dynasty.

3. Kelly to Reed—Jim Kelly is a great quarterback, everyone knows that and knew that. Not everyone knew Andre Reed was a great receiver but when you look a the numbers you say "wow Andre Reed did that". This combination is unique and special.

Until very recently this combination had the records for most yards and completions every by a passing combination. The Bills ran an effective, fast paced, no huddle offense which couldn't be possible without these two. They lead the Bills to four Super Bowls and they are No.3 on this list even if they couldn't win one of those four games.

2. Young to Rice—Steve Young was trained to be great. You sit under Joe Montana, you get to play with the greatest wide out ever, and you inherit one of the greatest offensive systems ever. How can you not be in Canton?

Jerry Rice is the greatest Wide receiver ever, and he had his best games as a 49er but under Steve Young not Joe Montana. With Young, Rice has 85 receiving touchdowns, 50 more than with Joe Montana. He even had his best Super Bowl performance with Young.

Everyone remembers Young passed for six touchdowns in the Super Bowl and Jerry Rice caught half of them. This pair was greater than the Montana to Rice combination.

1. Manning to Marvin—Look at the statistics. Peyton Manning has the second highest passer rating ever, more 4000 yard seasons than any other quarterback, and has over 300 touchdowns. He is also on pace to break every other passing record. The former No.1 overall pick looks great on paper and even better in games.

Marvin Harrison has lots and lots of catches. In 2002 he shattered the receptions record with 143 and per season has 10 more catches than Jerry Rice. Until very recently Marvin Harrison has always been the No.1 receiver on a team full of explosive play makers.

Together they have secured every single QB to WR major record. They further raise the bar with finally earning their first Super Bowl ring. How good is this passing combination, just ask opposing defenses or Chad Ocho Cinco and Carson Palmer. After all, they both have been to Hawaii so many times. Even though over the past two years they have slipped they may still raise the bar for future passing combinations.

2008: Yet Another Great NFL Season

John Parker — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:08:46 -0500

Ah it's the halfway mark of yet another NFL season which means the real season has begun. This season has given us many surprises and it's time to write about which ones have shocked me the most.

The AFC South

The Tennessee Titans have took the NFL by storm. They finished third in their division last year, but this year they are the NFL's only undefeated team.

We all know about the Vince Young situation. When Kerry Collins took the helm, absolutely no one expected it to turn out like this, but with the way this team has been playing it wouldn't matter if Colin Powell was the quarterback.

The AFC south also features disappointments. After Tom Brady went down, many expected the Colts to go to the Super Bowl or at least be on top of the AFC. The Jaguars were expected to be a breakout team and were the most likely team to conquer the Colts, not the Titans.

Well after handing the Bengals their first win it doesn't seem likely Jacksonville will make the playoffs. The Titans took the NFL by storm while the Colts and the Jaguars have been disappointments so far. I'm a Colts fan and I hoped better from my favorite team.

No division has shocked me more than The AFC South

The Browns and Broncos

Brady Quinn will be making his first career start on NFL Network's first live football game of the season against the Denver Broncos in just hours. Both teams have shocked me this year.

Many experts expected Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards to have career years in 2008. It's been the opposite of that. Edwards leads the league in dropped passes and Winslow hasn't been doing great either

Some would say it was about time Cleveland made the QB change and is finally starting Brady Quinn, but Anderson had an amazing NFL season last year and was selected to the Pro Bowl.

Jay Cutler has been doing pretty good this season considering his diabetes problem in the offseason, but Champ Bailey has only one interception and is currently injured.

The AFC East

It's been the league's most boring division this decade. The New England Patriots have won the title every year since 2001 except for 2002 when they lost in a three-way tie. This year all four teams are in the hunt for an exciting division.

Tom Brady's injury was shocking, but then again injuries can't be predicted. Matt Cassel has done a nice job filling in for Brady, but Randy Moss hasn't seen his usual share of catches.

Other than the decision to pick up Brett Favre in the offseason nothing shocking for the Jets.

The Dolphins have matured and so has Ronnie Brown. Can we forget his five touchdowns out of the Wildcat formation against the Pats in Week Three. It was a sight to see. Chad Pennington has actually had a better season than Favre apart from the six touchdown passes. Buffalo has also done pretty well this season.

The NFC East

There has been nothing that shocking about this division but the NFL's greatest division this season.

After winning Super Bowl 42 and orchestrating the greatest upset in the history of pro football the Giants got no respect. Experts insisted that they couldn't win without Michael Strahan and were a fluke. The Cowboys were favorites to win the division after losing to them in the playoffs.

The G-men now are atop the NFL's most competitive division. They have only one loss. They lead the league in rushing and sacks, and they punished the Cowboys in a 35-14 blowout. Eli Manning has had a solid season so far and the Giants have proven the "so called" experts wrong.

Even if they can't win the division, the Redskins and Eagles will most likely go to the playoffs. Clinton Portis has had an MVP-type season and Donovan McNabb has recovered from injury.

The Cowboys are part of a huge mess. The signing Roy Williams, a broken pinkie finger, Terrell Owens having a disappointing season, Pacman Jones sucker punching his bodyguard, secondary injuries, Wade Phillips being called soft, and Jerry Jones... sorry that sentence was unorganized and a mess. Just like the Cowboys.

Of Course the season isn't over yet; in fact most of it isn't over if you count playoffs. But some teams have gotten it done and others have not.

The Top 10 Tight Ends of All Time and The AFC West

John Parker — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:09:23 -0500

It's the midpoint mark of 2008 and so far the AFC West is arguably football's worst division.

Look at the four teams above in the photo. The Chiefs are dead last against the run and Tony Gonzalez wants to pack his bags. The Chargers have failed to live up to last year's hype. The Broncos have started off the season strong but have struggled over the past few weeks. Do I even need to tell what's wrong with today's Oakland Raiders.

There used to be a time when this was the NFL's most exciting division. From Air Coryell to LT's record breaking season, the Chargers may have never won a Super Bowl, but they have been a lot of fun to watch.

The rest of the teams have all won the Super Bowl and all of them have featured great playmakers. Especially at the tight end position. In Fact half of all of the great tight ends on this list are from the AFC West. Every single one of those teams in that picture have has had a tight end on this list who spent the majority of his football career with them.

10. Antonio Gates—Every single year Antonio Gates is always first or second among tight ends statistically. The Chargers have embarrassed teams with Antonio Gates because opposing defenses are terrified of LT, but they forget that Gates can punish them on any play.

9. Jackie Smith—When you think of Jackie Smith you don't remember his 480 catches. You don't remember he leads all tight ends in the Hall of Fame with 7,918 yards. You don't remember the brilliant 15 years he spent with the Cardinals. You just remember one dropped catch with the Dallas Cowboys.

8. Mark Bavaro—Mark Bavaro is an ideal Bill Parcells New York Giant. He's tough, big, and not scared of anything. His amazing blocking ability paved the way for an amazing rushing offense, and his ability to run over defensive backs struck fear into opposing teams.

7. Ozzie Newsome—Nicknamed the Wizard this tight end wasn't the best blocker, but his ability to catch the football has earned him a spot in Canton and on this list.

6. Dave Casper—I've always been curious how he got the nickname The Ghost. He's in the Hall of Fame for his big-play ability. He was always there when Ken Stabler needed him the most. Plays like Ghost to the Post and The Holly Roller aren't possible without a converted offensive tackle from Notre Dame.

5. Tony Gonzalez—Gonzalez has many records for catching the football. His stats are mind blowing and might break every single major tight end receiving record. Over the years he might not be a Mark Bavaro, but he has improved as a blocker. Even though he wants to leave Kansas City, he will always be remembered as a Chief regardless of what happens.

4. Mike Ditka—Toughness! Some of today's tight ends have forgotten that word. Mike Ditka never will. It's how he played and how he coached, and his mindset has earned him a No. 4 spot on this list.

3. Shannon Sharpe—One of the greatest draft steals of all time. Can you believe he was drafted in the final round by the Denver Broncos! Hands down the greatest receiving tight end ever. But he's undersized and that's why he isn't higher on this list.

2. Kellen Winslow Sr.—His soft hands, enormous size, and great speed revolutionized the tight end position into today's versatile playmakers. He doesn't have the best numbers but he changed the game and that's why he's No. 2. In fact, a lot of people would argue that he deserves to be No. 1...

1. John Mackey—...but I'm not one of those people. I think Raymond Berry always got too much credit for Johnny Unitas' success. People don't remember the greatest run-after-the-catch receiver of all time and that's John Mackey.

His ability the block defensive ends but still go out for a pass was phenomenal. His seven-broken-tackle play is also arguably the greatest single play in NFL history. His athleticism was only matched by one other player of his era and that's Jim Brown.

Even though he didn't spend the majority of his team with an AFC West team, he spent the final year of his career as a San Diego Charger. The Colts front office man who decided to draft John Mackey should be proud of himself.

Champ Bailey Vs. Clinton Portis: Who Struck Gold in 2004

John Parker — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 01:49:11 -0500

Prior to the 2004 season, the Broncos traded Portis to the Redskins for cornerback Champ Bailey and a second-round draft pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, which the Broncos used to select Tatum Bell (and Bell wore Portis's No. 26 in Denver).

The Redskins signed Portis to an eight-year contract worth $50.5 million. At that time, there were criticisms regarding the trade, namely that shut-down corners like Bailey were hard to come by and that adding a second-round pick for Portis was too much and one-sided.

Popularity

In every single trade someone has to win in the end. So who was it? The Broncos or the Redskins? I live in Northern Virginia right now, where Redskins fans wear Clinton Portis's jersey the most. They are Broncos fans in Washington, and all of them for the most part wear Champ Bailey's Jersey.

Verdict: Tie

The Pro Bowl

Champ Bailey has been a regular in Honolulu his entire career and his move to Denver didn't change anything. Bailey has been to the Pro Bowl eight times in his career and Portis has only gone to the Pro Bowl one time as a Denver Bronco. Going to Honolulu or not going shows not just what fans from other teams think of you, but the players and coaches of other teams.

Verdict: Champ Bailey

Statistics

Neither of these guys look that good on paper, and it's pretty hard to compare the stats of a running back to a cornerback. When I look at Clinton Portis's numbers, he look like he'd be better off in Denver. His average YPG (yard per gain) pales in comparison to his two years in Denver.

In Denver his YPG was 5.5 both years. In Washington, it's been: 3.8, 4.3, 4.1, 3.9, and in 2008 it was 5.0.

Champ is 30 years old and has 43 interceptions over 10 years. That isn't a lot but when he retires he is on pace to have more interceptions than Deion Sanders, who only has 10 more interceptions than Champ. Having more interceptions than the greatest cornerback in the history of the game is pretty good.

Verdict: Champ Bailey

2008 and the Future

The future looks pretty bright for Clinton Portis. In 2008, he has a YPG of five yards and 995 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Since we are halfway through the season, it's only fair if we double his yards and touchdowns to guess what the end of the year will be like. That's 1,990 yards and 14 touchdowns!

Fantasy experts across the country are already calling Clinton Portis the fantasy MVP. He also could win the NFL MVP with his only competition this season so far would be Drew Brees for those awards.

Champ Bailey only has one interception this year, so I have to go with Clinton Portis. Champ also isn't getting any younger. Clinton Portis is 27 and still has three more years of the prime of his career.

Verdict: Clinton Portis

It's now time for the Final Verdict. Which of these franchise players is better than the other.

Final Verdict: Champ Bailey may be struggling this year but he is so good I guarantee he will get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first try. I can't do that for Clinton Portis. Even if he wins the MVP this year.

Peyton Manning Throws Two Touchdowns in Huge Win Over Patriots

John Parker — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:11:16 -0500

The Indianapolis Colts have been a huge disappointment this year.

Before Sunday they were 3-4 and had the worst rushing offense and the fifth worst rushing defense. The offensive line is huge reason why they have been struggling. Even with Pro Bowler Jeff Saturday at center, the line has not made holes for the running game or given Peyton the time he needs to read the defense.

But Peyton looked solid in a huge game against New England on Sunday. He threw for two touchdowns, both to Anthony Gonzalez, in a must win for Indianapolis.

Bob Sanders returned from injury and the Colts defense had a huge game against Matt Cassel and the Patriots. Adam Vinatieri also proved to be worth the money after he sealed an 18-15 win with a 52-yard field goal.

In my opinion, Matt Cassel was way too conservative in the game, but who can blame him after Jabar Gaffney dropped a sure touchdown catch.

A huge penalty also hurt the Patriots late in the game when tight end David Thomas pancake blocked Colts defensive end Robert Mathis after the play, drawing a flag for unnecessary roughness. A team that rarely makes mistakes, had far too many late in the game on Sunday.

If the Colts lost that game they would be 3-5 and would probably be out of the playoff picture with half of the season already over. Since they won, they are 4-4 and still very alive in the playoff hunt.

They can't beat The Titans in the division, but a wild card spot is very possible. With Joseph Addai and Bob Sanders back in the mix, who knows what's going to happen with the Colts.

Maybe they could go to the Super Bowl as a 10-6 wild card team and win in a huge upset. One manning brother already did that, why not Two?