Bleacher Report - Articles by Ken Knight

The Peyton Manning / Tom Brady Debate: Recent History

Ken Knight — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:01:40 -0500

In all reality, the NFL of today should be titled the WHYDLFL. That stands for the “What Have You Done Lately Football League.”

This is due to the fact that we live in the “here and now” age of glitzy bling, short memories, and instant gratification.

Allow me to put the recent numbers in front of you so you can decide the “Tom Brady or Peyton Manning?” debate for yourself.

Despite what I feel and what the numbers tell, I have a feeling where Patriots fans will stand on this issue.

There is only one side to that coin.

Based on the ‘here and now,” I am going back over the last three full seasons each of the two has played.

For Manning, it will encompass the combined averages over the ‘06, ‘07, and ‘08 seasons.

To be fair to Brady regarding his 2008 injury, I covered the combined averages amassed over the ‘05, ‘06, and also his record-breaking 2007 seasons.

I am separating regular and postseason comparisons. Many of these numbers are eerily similar and so very close.

The Regular Season Numbers

Please remember, these are the combined averages for each of the entire three-year spans. I believe in the “KISS” format: “Keep It Simple, Stupid.”

Win pct.: Brady .791 (38-10), Manning .770 (37-11)—Edge by .021 of a percentage points and 1 win = Brady

Comp. pct.: Manning 65.7, Brady 64.5—Edge by 1.2 percentage points = Manning

Total yards: Brady 12,445, Manning 12,439—Edge by 6 yards = Brady

4,000-yard seasons: Manning 3 (’05, ‘06, ’07), Brady 2 (‘05, ’07)—Edge = Manning

Yards per pass play: Brady 7.6, Manning 7.6—Dead even

Yards per game: Brady 259.3, Manning 259.1—Edge by 0.2 yards = Brady

TD passes: Brady 100, Manning 89—Edge by 11 = Brady

Interceptions: Brady 34, Manning 35—Edge by 1 = Brady

Quarterback passer rating: Brady 98.4, Manning 98.0—Edge by 0.4 points = Brady

Division opponents win pct.: Manning .535 (77-67), Brady .368 (53-91)—Edge by .167 = Manning

Head-to-head meetings: Manning is 2-1 and the Colts outscored the Pats 91-61—Edge = Manning

Taking into consideration how close these numbers and stats actually are, I would have to give an overall slight edge to Manning. Clearly, he has had to play in a much tougher division than Brady. He also holds a 2-1 edge in head-to-head wins.

I would like to pose this question: Would the Colts have won 11 games this past season had Manning been injured and lost for the entire season on the second offensive drive of the 2008 season?

You also must remember, Manning was entering the 2008 NFL season coming off of major knee surgery.

I just cannot wait to see how Brady compares when faced with the same situation, coming into the 2009 NFL season with an overrated offensive line that led the NFL in sacks allowed in 2008 with 47.

When It Really Matters: The Playoff Numbers

Win pct.: Manning .666 (4-2), Brady .625 (5-3)—Edge by .041 percentage points = Manning

Comp. pct.: Manning 63.9, Brady 61.6—Edge by 2.3 percentage points = Manning

Total yards: Manning 2,016, Brady 2,003—Edge by 13 yards = Manning

Yards per pass play: Brady 7.6, Manning 7.5—Edge by 0.1 yards = Brady

Yards per game: Manning 323.5, Brady 252.6—Edge by 70.9 yards per game = Manning

TD passes: Brady 15, Manning 7—Edge by 8 TDs = Brady

Interceptions: Brady 9, Manning 9—Edge = Brady (He played in one more game than Manning.)

Quarterback passer rating: Brady 88.2, Manning 86.2—Edge by 2 points = Brady

Head-to-head meetings: Manning is 1-0—Edge = Manning

Please remember this is based on each quarterback's last three full seasons played. THAT IS ALL THIS ARTICLE PERTAINS TO! Do not attempt to bring up any other numbers.

So again, if you are talking about the “here and now,” in my opinion, you would have to give the edge to Manning. He is 1-0 in the Super Bowl over the course of his last full three seasons, and Brady is 0-1 over the course of his last three.

I realize many of the numbers are similar and this subject is quite debatable, but I have got to go with the guy who has done it recently. By the time the next Super Bowl kicks off, it will have been five years since Brady had won one. That is almost ancient history.

Bawstonians: Ya Gotta Love 'Em! Well, Maybe Not...

Ken Knight — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:16:00 -0500

This is meant to be satire, although I’m quite sure some won’t see it that way. It is written as intended. In most instances I appreciate editors, but this piece is an extreme exception to that rule.

The Local Sports Scene

I was raised 18 miles north of Beantown.

Boston (pronounced Bawston) can be a fun place sometimes…if you are a masochist. There is never a shortage of estrogen- and testosterone-fueled attitude flyin’ around up he-ah.

I should know because I am one of them, although many of the others would debate that fact. That is due to my only supporting one of the local professional sports franchises. That would be the Boston Bruins. (Pronounced Bawston Brew-ins.)

Ever been a visiting fan at any Boston sporting event? Good time, huh? The essence of stale beer combined with pizza sauce makes for great cologne.

I surely miss the old Boston Garden (pronounced Bawston Gahden) and all its intimate charm. That is, if you could get past the pungent aroma of stale urine.

And let's not forget about the rats.

It was a great place to watch a game—as long as you weren’t in any of the many obstructed view seats.

These seats offered the challenge of viewing a game with a big fat pole right in your face, or a seventy-year old piece of dingy, dusty duct work hanging down directly blocking a quarter of your sight line to the under-sized hockey rink. Awesome!

I have never had an interest in basketball—and when I was an impressionable young lad, hardly a soul in my approximate age group had any interest in the Patriots. Many home games were blacked out.

This was mainly due to the lack of fan support and the franchise's continued futility.

I almost didn't know we even had a professional football team.

The Beloved Boston Red Sox (Pronounced Bawston Red Sawx)

Even though I’m not a huge baseball guy, there was a time many years ago when I did indeed support the Red Sox.

I even remember exactly where I was, who I was with and what we were doing when that historical ground ball trickled through Bill Buckner’s legs on that most-fateful October evening back in 1986.

I was NOT one of those folks who made poor Mr. Buckner’s life a living hell following that unintentional blunder. I truly had compassion for that man.

That could have happened to anyone.

Think about this. Between 1923 and the ye-ah 2000, the NY Yankees amassed 26 World Series titles.

Do the math. That is one world series title every 2.96 years. That is an astonishing stat, at least in my book.

Now the Red Sawx went 86 ye-ahs without winning ONE! That span covered the Yankees' 77-year span of excellence.

Do you remember, it was long prior to the Sawx recently winning a World Series when Sawx fans began loudly chanting this fraudulent phrase and began profiting by peddling “Yankees Suck” merchandise?

Talk about sour grapes!

Wouldn’t that kind of be the equivalent to the '07, 4-12 NY Jets fans loudly chanting “Patriots Suck” and profiting from selling “Patriots Suck” merchandise? Think about that for just a minute.

The Demise Of My Red Sox Allegiance

My allegiance to the Sawx was severed by the likes of Pedro Martinez nd especially by Manny Ramirez. Team owner John Henry also played an important role in this.

My disdain for Pedro resulted from him disrespecting America during the 2001 Danny Almonte Little League World Series fiasco. This was documented by Gerry Callahan in the Friday, August 31, 2001 edition of the Boston Herald.

And as for Manny, I grew very tired of his selfish antics long before most people. Folks in Bawston cherished him and “kissed his butt” for seven years.

It didn’t matter what this guy pulled—even assaulting a senior citizen was quite acceptable.

The only fallout which was not tolerated was when his actions began to affect the Sawx team chemistry, as it began to directly affect team play on the field during a playoff push in the 2008 season.

It is truly sad that it took that long.

Then you have an owner who allowed this “pimple on the ass of the Red Sawx” to grow and fester for seven years. Only after this pimple burst did Manny have issues worthy of John Henry‘s addressing.

Prior to this it was always laughed off as “Manny being Manny” and many Red Sawx fans adored him.

I don’t care what anyone says about this subject. It is clear to me that John Henry was fine with Manny showing up late, not hustling and doing whatever he wanted to do, as long as the end result was winning two World Series championships.

What kind of skewed message is that to send to young kids?

No matter how you slice it, it is clearly the wrong message to send. I cannot root for that—and I refuse to!

I was so hoping the Red Sawx would face—and end up losing to—the LA Dodgers in the 2008 World Series. That would have surely taught John Henry a valuable lesson.

If you remember correctly, Manny had so much worth at the time the Sawx finally sent him packing that they were forced to pay the approximate seven million dollars left on Manny’s 2008 salary.

If this scenario would have taken place, the end result would have been John Henry paying Ramirez for the Dodgers to beat his own team in the World Series.

This would have been a ridiculously idiotic sports blunder of historical proportions.

It was poetic justice that a hustling team of genuine "good guys" like the Rays went on to represent the American League in the 2008 World Series.

The Fine Folks of Boston

I recently drove a ten-wheel truck to and around Bawston for five ye-ahs to make my living.

Many times this included venturing into Logan Ayahpawt's hostile territory, sometimes two or three times daily.

I used to daydream of mounting a high-powered rocket launcher on the hood of my truck so I could “take care” of all the courteous drive-ahs I had experienced on a daily basis.

I would then carve imaginary notches in the steering wheel.

Especially for all the cab and livery drivers I would encounter. They are right there on the life-form chart—just above O. J. Simpson, and just below the common cockroach.

If I had a dollar for every time three or four Bawston drive-ahs sped up to run the same red light, I would be a multimillionaire.

When I would give them a blast of my eah peah-cing ayah hawn, they would automatically shoot me the one- fingahed salute.

Like I was actually the one who ran the red light…geez.

Ever go to Logan to pick up a loved one upon their arrival? Just try to pahk somewhere which would make it even just a little convenient for them.

It will only take but a few seconds and you’ll he-ah the nasty-mouthed state trooper scream “What the %*&$ is the mattah with you??? You can’t pahk he-ah!!! Who the %*&$ do you think you ahh??? You gottah pahk way ovah they-ah!!! Now get the %*&$ outtah he-ah!!!”

Those spaces are reserved for those aforementioned cabbies and livery drive-ahs. And of course for all the crooked local dignitaries and money-grubbing politicians.

Ever been in a fast-food or convenience store around Bawston? You’ll be greeted with happy, shiny faces each and every time!

Yeah, right!

The City’s Inner Beauty

Almost daily you can read in the Bawston papers, or see on the news how another soul is gunned down in cold blood by another person who “is just a little mixed up” but is “really an awesome person.”

Many times this takes place in broad daylight directly in front of children. In many cases, these poor innocent children are struck and killed by stray bullets.

Everyone states how truly sad it is and how it must end. That is hard to believe when many know exactly who did the deed, but refuse to inform the authorities.

Then a liberal Massachusetts judge will contend how the guilty individual had been “tryin’ really hahd” to “pull it togethah”.

A light sentence will be handed down because the judge felt they “deserved another chance.”

Another chance at what??? Why, a chance to murder someone else, I guess

I have personally witnessed break-ins taking place in broad daylight.

No need to report it. The local cops couldn’t be bothered.

I can’t really blame them due to their past experiences with said liberal judges.

Yup, from all of the junkies booting-up in plain view on the Bawston Common, to the junk-filled streets of Roxbury (pronounced Roxberry), Bawston is a wonderful place.

Just don't dare to venture out at night.

Nothing quite like a toothless crack ho’s greeting in the morning and the homeless guy pissing on people’s pahked cahs in the afternoon, Bawston is always a “wicked good” place to visit.

“Wicked good”—that is a favorite saying up he-ah.

I spent almost five ye-ahs living in Floridah. On one occasion I used that “wicked good” statement in the presence of one of that state's dimmest bulbs on the string of brightness.

It was this Sunshine state’s native soul who finally made me realize how ridiculous that statement truly is.

Immediately after I uttered those words, this guy tilted his head to one side like a curious puppy and asked me “How can something possibly be wicked and good at the same time?”

Go figure.

What's with the Stereotyping of NASCAR Fans?

Ken Knight — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:33:05 -0500

I am not now and never will be a big fan of political correctness. I believe folks should be allowed the right to voice their true opinions with maybe just a select few restrictions.

Political correctness forces many people to censor their real feelings. In my opinion, this prevents us from learning about the true character of the individual speaking or writing.

NASCAR Fans

In the short time I have been anxiously cruising the content of bleacherreport.com, I have noticed a phenomenon which I feel warrants some of our attention. What is up with all the stereo-typing of NASCAR fans on this site?

If you would take a minute out of your busy schedule to check out the NASCAR section of B/R, you would notice that a large part of that community is made up of women. Quite possibly half of it. This would be women of all ages, and many are very intelligent, passionate contributors.

I have encountered uninformed writers referring to NASCAR fans as everything from “good ol’ boys” to “beer-chuggin’, tank top wearin’ guys munching on turkey legs.” Did you all forget about the "dumb," "toothless," "racist," "wife-beating," and "red-neck" labels?

Granted, I’ll agree that this element is still a part of this culture, but it is hardly the majority. You would have to go back to the late 1960s, the '70s and quite possibly the early '80s for that to apply.

Again, it really doesn’t bother me. I was raised—in what was in my opinion in many aspects—a much better time. A very popular phrase from those days was “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.”

I truly believe this is so very true. Words can only hurt you if you let them. They can only be applied if they are true. I guess folks had thicker skin back then.

My First Encounter

My first experience attending a NASCAR event live was the 1987 Daytona 500. Seven of us and a small dog departed from Peabody, Mass. early the previous Thursday evening in a Ford Aerostar mini-van. We returned on Tuesday, making this one of the most memorable of weekend adventures of my entire life.

Prior to people losing control and setting fire to them, rental trucks were allowed in the infield at NASCAR races. A U-Haul box truck would be our accommodations in the infield on that trip. For obvious reasons, that would be the last of that.

We had encountered many different types of colorful characters who surely enhanced our experience. Down by the infield restroom located in turns one and two, there were some of these characters who were conducting their own female beauty contest.

They had a huge bed sheet draped over the side of a van, and tried to persuade each and every woman who ventured down to relieve themselves to sign their name on it. They held up rating cards from 1-10 and rated the beauty of each and every one.

My girlfriend at the time had no problem at all fulfilling their request. They had no difficulty whatsoever filling that sheet with ladies names. Everyone realized it was “all in fun.”

My girlfriend...well, let’s just say she was blessed with a rump roast which would have had very little trouble receiving stamped, grade-A USDA approval. On this particular day it was clad in silk hot-pink short-shorts. You know the type, with sexy slits on both thighs.

Well, while walking back to our spot in the infield, an over-zealous NASCAR fan crept up behind us, bent down, and snapped a picture six inches from her butt.

We both thought it was funny, and I’ve always taken things like that as a compliment. No big deal—no harm, no foul. Still haven’t seen that pic on a website—I think.

We Cannot Assume All Things Hold the Same Meaning to All People

Another group of folks we had encountered that weekend were a group of “good ol’ boys” from Georgia. Like us, a rental truck was their home for the trip. However, these guys had something we did not.

They brought along everything but the kitchen sink—literally. Spread out on their part of the infield were a couch, a recliner, a coffee table and, believe it or not, a full-sized billiards table. Did I mention that they also had a fully stocked bar? Very popular group.

They also had something else that defined them on display for all to see. It was a Confederate flag, which was wafting in the Florida breeze.

There was something else which, at the time, did not seem like a big deal. One of their group of friends was black. Of course, there wasn’t as nearly much ado about those flags then as there is today.

There are many traditions of diverse culture in this country I do not care for. We are supposed to be tolerant of others views and traditions. Obviously, these guys were friends with a black man and he was friends with them.

You cannot deny one group of people their own traditions. That is quite discriminatory. That flag is a part of our history and, no matter how hard people may try, nothing can ever change that.

People need to realize the simple fact that that flag does not stand for all things to all people. Southerners are entitled to traditions of their land just as anyone else in this free country is.

When Does Stereo-Typing Need Apply?

I am not a big basketball—and much less of a soccer—fan. In fact, if there was never a game played ever again in either of these sports it would have no affect on my life whatsoever. I'm sure there are many who feel the same way toward NASCAR.

That being said, I believe if I made stereo-typed, assumptive comments towards the players or fans of those sports in a public forum, I would be skewered like a stuffed pig at a Polynesian Luau.

There have been several classic examples of prominent members of the media who have suffered serious ramifications due to uttering stereo-typed comments toward certain groups of people.

For respect of those offended, I shall refrain from detailing all parties involved. Just be sure to be careful with this oh-so-delicate subject. Your very future in the industry might just depend on this.

It just seems to me that the practice of stereo-typing certain groups or individuals is only offensive depending on which groups or people are stereo-typed. I don’t let people's words affect me.

We are not sure to what extent, but my dad is of Blackfoot Indian descent. We are extremely proud of that.

Personally, when I see and Indian mascot being used, I feel it is a tribute and not an insult. People could have forgotten about the injustices Indians suffered in the past.

To me, that would be the biggest injustice of all.

Ken Knight is and aspiring writer and author of a book released in August, 2008 titled “New England Bandwagon Nation.” Ken is also a contributing writer on sportslore.com.

One Word To Describe The 2008 NFL Season: Parity

Ken Knight — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:20:35 -0500

When you take a closer look at the 2008 NFL season, it is clear to see this is the season which can be described with one word—parity. I don’t feel that is necessarily a bad thing, for unlike many people, I felt just about every NFL team had a chance coming into this season. I love that.

Of course, there were just a couple of exceptions.

With the manner in which the New England Patriots lost Super Bowl XLII after completing a perfect 16-0 regular season, I believed there was a definite possibility of a let-down coming into 2008. I had no idea Tom Brady would be lost for the season, but there has to be a reason why six of the previous seven Super Bowl losers did not qualify for the playoffs the following season.

This season makes it is seven of the last eight.

Parity was clearly defined in many division races, and this was the polar opposite of last season, with the Detroit Lions posting the very first 0-16 NFL record.

Look at it this way, Lions fans, it can never possibly get worse for you. I truly feel for you all.

The AFC East Posted a Collective 38-26 Record

Of course, the odds-on favorites to win this division coming into the 2008 NFL season were the Patriots.

Their season began on an ominous note, with not only the injury to their star quarterback on the second offensive series. Many forget that New England fumbled the ball away on that play as well as on the first offensive series in the home opener against the Chiefs. The first two offensive series of the 2008 season resulted in two turnovers.

The Chiefs had a legitimate shot at pulling this game out. A hustling play by recent acquisition Deltha O’Neal where he chased down a rookie receiver inside the five-yard line following a sixty-five yard catch-and-run saved the day.

I had felt if any team would contend with the Patriots this year it would be the Buffalo Bills. They finished second in this division last year with a 7-9 record. However, it just wasn’t in the cards.

Nobody saw the Miami Dolphins turning the 1-15 worst record in the NFL in 2007 into an 11-5 record and Division Championship in just one season. It is amazing what great leadership at the top and key free-agent signings can do for a team in this era of the NFL.

The Patriots finished with an identical 11-5 record, and both teams posted identical 4-2 division records. The Dolphins were crowned champions due to the next tie-breaker, which is conference records. They went 8-4 in the conference, while New England fell just short, at 7-5.

The AFC North Posted a Collective 31-32-1 Record

The outcome of this division was a little more cut-and-dried. The Steelers' No.1 ranked defense played a key role in propelling the team to a 12-4 record to win the division.

The Ravens were a close second, as they posted an 11-5 record.

Upon further review, the Steelers surely earned this championship by defeating the Ravens twice during the regular season. I don’t mean to take anything away from the Ravens, as both games were close. The Steelers benefited from a very controversial call late in the second meeting.

The thing that impressed me the most was the Steelers beating the Ravens for a third time this season in the AFC championship game. The victory was impressive and difficult to accomplish.

The AFC South Posted a Collective 38-26 Record

The Tennessee Titans emerged as the class of the NFL during the 2008 regular season by jumping out to a 10-0 record. Their first loss would be to the New York Jets by the surprising score of 34-13. The Titans were totally dominated by the Jets in this game.

At the time, many felt the Jets were stepping forward as an AFC favorite. However, shortly thereafter they suffered a late-season collapse that included a shocking loss at Seattle in a game in which the Jets could only score three points.

The Titans would go on to lose twice more in their last five games. Tennessee’s 13-3 record proved to be the best in the NFL.

The Indianapolis Colts, who were the second place finisher in this division, sat at a very mediocre 4-4 after the first eight games of the season. A very impressive eight-game win streak to close out the season had them fall just short at 12-4. Wins over the eventual AFC champion Steelers, the Chargers and Titans highlighted this run.

In the divisional round of the playoffs, the Baltimore Ravens would go into Tennessee and knock out the No. 1 seed in the AFC. I’ve said this many, many times and this would also apply to the 2007 16-0 New England Patriots, as well as the 2008 Titans and Giants. During the free agency era in the NFL, the time to be peaking is not September or October. The time for that is clearly late November, December and January.

The AFC West Posted a collective 23-41 Record

This is the division which was the prime example of parity during the 2008 NFL season. While these teams did not post the worst collective record in the NFL, the division was won by an 8-8 Chargers team.

Credit must be given, for it could have been easy for this team to fold like lawn chairs when they sat at 4-8. They also went on a tear to win their last eight games. Everything was on the line in the season finale against the Denver Broncos. The Chargers prevailed to be crowned Division Champions.

Much ado was stirred as the playoff format forced the 11-5 Colts to travel to the 8-8 Chargers for a playoff game. The Chargers won 23-17 in overtime.

Ironically, prior to the 2008 NFL season, the NFL owners voted down a format change which would have allowed the lower seed with the better record to trump the Division Champion with the lesser record. This would have meant Indy would have hosted that playoff game.

The NFC East Posted a Collective 38-25-1 Record

The defending-Super-Bowl-Champion New York Giants began the season with a 4-0 record. A somewhat shocking 35-14 loss at Cleveland served as a wake up call. They would win the next six-in-a-row.

Division rivals the Philadelphia Eagles would snap that streak in the Meadowlands. The Giants would stumble and lose two of the next three games to close out the season.

Prior to kickoff of the final game of the 2008 season, the Eagles were pretty much left for dead. They needed to beat the Cowboys in their finale, as well as needing two other teams to lose that day.

One of these teams was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were playing at home against the Raiders. Anyone outside of Oakland who says they picked the Raiders to pull off this upset—well let’s just say to put it nicely—they are full of baloney!

Things were not looking good for the Eagles as the Bucs jumped out to an early 14-0 lead. The Raiders dug down deep and miraculously scored seventeen fourth-quarter-points to pull out the win 31-24. People in bars all over Philly must have been ecstatic. This game, to me, more than defined the parity that was the 2008 NFL season.

The 9-6-1 Eagles would put a serious hurting on the Cowboys in the season finale and thanks to much help, snuck into the playoffs. They would then easily handle a Viking team on the road which lacked solid coaching leadership and an NFL-experienced quarterback.

Next, they would return to the Meadowlands and dominate the fourth quarter of the divisional round playoff game against the Giants. This was highlighted by three consecutive defensive series which resulted with the Eagles stuffing the Giants on fourth and short and an interception. The NFC’s No. 1 seed had also been bounced. The peaking rule applies here, as well.

The NFC North Posted a Collective 25-39 Record

This is another division which brought parity to the forefront in 2008. This is the only division in the history of the NFL which benefited from a team losing all of their sixteen games—six automatic wins for the other three division teams—or so you would think.

Not so fast, though, as the Vikings struggled in both wins over the Lions and the Packers did as well in one of their two match ups with Detroit. At least they did early in that game.

As a Viking fan myself, I found no reason to celebrate this division win. Please don’t get me wrong. I am happy they won it, I just would have liked them to have closed the deal at home against Atlanta, who were led to victory that day by a rookie head coach/quarterback combination.

The Vikings then closed the deal in the home finale while facing mostly Giants back-ups the entire second half. I knew this would be exposed by the experienced Eagle Defense in the home Wild-Card game.

The Vikings finished with a 10-6 record and the Bears were 9-7. The rest of the division finished with a combined 6-26 record.

Parity, parity and more parity.

The NFC South Posted a Collective 40-24 Record

If you only consider the collective record of the division, this would be the best in the NFL during the 2008 season. That does not always tell the entire story, but thanks to Atlanta Falcons rookie sensation quarterback Matt Ryan, this was one of the tightest division races.

The Carolina Panthers managed to pull it out by posting a 12-4 record. A late-season loss at the Giants in one of the best games of the entire season, which went into overtime, cost the Panthers home field advantage for the playoffs.

The Falcons had no reason to hang their heads, as they went a respectable 11-5.

The underdog Arizona Cardinals would see to it that all three top seeds in the NFC would suffer the same elimination fate. They really took it to the Panthers in Carolina in a divisional round blow-out which shocked most people, including me.

The NFC West Posted a Collective22-42 Record

When not having a vested interest in a game, I usually root for the underdog. As much as I do like parity, I just don’t like when teams shut it down for any reason. People pay good money for tickets and television packages and get ripped-off when teams pull this kind of thing.

Case in point—the 2008 Arizona Cardinals.

After wrapping up their division championship with an 8-5 record, they celebrated like they had won the Super Bowl. The very next week, the Minnesota Vikings visited Glendale and put up twenty-eight points in the first half.

They cruised to a 35-14 victory in a game where the Cards defense made Tavaris Jackson look Montana-like. He is, in no way, shape, or form, even remotely close.

The very next week, the Cardinals went up to New England to face the Patriots. They should have sent the best high school team in Arizona—they would have put forth a better effort. Yes, I had this game on one of my televisions—until about halftime.

A little cold and snow turned the NFC Super Bowl representative into a quivering pile of Jello in a 47-7 pounding. The first word which comes to mind to describe this performance was cowardice.

Where would they be if they were forced to play in the cold in the playoffs? This effort was eerily similar to the Vikings in the 2000 NFC championship game at the Giants, when they were throttled 41-0

I have no problem with a 9-7 team playing in the Super Bowl, and I surely have to give credit to the Cardinals for their stellar playoff performance.

That being said, I am less than thrilled with teams who lay down at any point during a football season, especially NFL teams. The players should have to refund money out of their deep pockets to fans who wasted their hard-earned money to buy tickets.

I can hear it now.

If Arizona wins the Super Bowl, people will be spouting off about how the Patriots pounded the Super Bowl Champions, so they are actually the best team in the NFL.

Nonsense.

Well, if that is what transpires and people do think that, then be prepared to call the 2007 Vikings the best team in the NFL from last year. In late November, they throttled the Giants in New York and made Eli Manning look like Tony Eason in the process.

Nonsense, as well.

The possibility of cold and snow is doubtful in Tampa for the Super Bowl, so I’ll have to settle for severe winds and driving rain.

I have to root for the Steelers. They hit a few speed bumps along the way, but never once laid down this past season.

Ken Knight is an aspiring writer and the author of a book released in Aug. 2008 titled “New England Bandwagon Nation”. Ken is also a contributing writer on sportslore.com.

Comparing the NFL of Today to Yesterday, Pt. 1

Ken Knight — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:03:06 -0500

With the recent passing of NFLPA president Gene Upshaw, much attention has been given to how his tenure has positively impacted the NFL. I actually witnessed Gene play the game. He was one of—if not the best pulling guard—ever to play the game.

I never met him, but I do believe those who did know him when they say that he is truly a classy individual. This is in no way intended to be a slight to Upshaw or his accomplishments. I just believe there is a reaction to every action. There is a negative for almost every positive and a positive for almost every negative.

Upshaw played a key part in raising NFL player salaries to the ridiculous, over-the-top amounts that they are paid today. We need to take a step back and look at how this has impacted the game for average NFL fans. I will use the term “game” loosely in this regard, as clearly the NFL is one of the biggest cash-cow businesses on the face of the earth.

Ticket prices

It is no secret today that an average, avid NFL fan earning a moderate income, can no longer afford to attend a game live—never mind if he would like to bring along his family. Just for a family of five to attend a single game today would cost more than a week's income for some. Many folks today are struggling and overwhelmed to just provide the essentials and make ends meet for their families.

It seems that these enormous player salaries have put the NFL team owners in a position to emphasize promoting and filling the luxury box seating sections of their stadiums. Many, including me, believe that many of the people filling these seats are not really avid NFL fans at all.

With the present economy crisis, I believe we will see a trend of stadiums gradually emptying. This will in turn trickle down to the owners forcing them to find ways to cut expenses. I hope the reaction to this action is NFL players being forced to eventually take a pay cut—just like many hard-working American families. Many have lost their jobs entirely causing them to lose their homes.

The way the game is played

I don’t care what anyone says, football is a game that was meant to be played full speed—no matter the situation. It was never intended for any player to take plays off. People pay large amounts of their hard earned dollars to attend NFL games. Many pay for NFL Sunday Ticket to enhance their home viewing experience or to watch their favorite out of town team. I am included in this group.

When teams who have clinched a playoff spot hold back, this seriously cheats the ticket buyers and viewers out of their entertainment dollars. It is a shame and there should be mandatory refunds.

I know some of you are asking, “What about the health of the players going forward?” I would answer that question by stating they should have considered taking up table tennis or golf. They never hold back and there are not many injuries in those sports.

I suppose there are fans who feel the same as the players on this issue. There are several examples of hungry NFL back-ups whose talents would not have been discovered had it not been for an injury. Many a back-up have gone on to NFL success in the playoffs—and yes, even the Super Bowl.

Guaranteed player salaries

This is one of my biggest peeves when it comes to today's NFL players. Playing a sport for a living is a choice. If you are intimidated by injury, then maybe you should have become an accountant—not much of an injury risk there.

What happens if the average Joe—sheet metal worker, truck driver, or construction worker—is injured on the job? Please allow me to fill you in—he gets workmen’s compensation which is usually eighty percent of his pay—unless of course he is fortunate enough to afford himself with supplemental or liability insurance. There is no such thing as guaranteed money for these types—no sir.

This poses a very valid question. Who on earth is in a better position to obtain this kind of security blanket? Is it the average Joe? Or is it the spoiled, overpaid, and pampered professional athlete? I say to hell with your guaranteed salaries and give up one of your Bentley’s or your indoor swimming pool and invest in some supplemental insurance. You surely can afford it.

Future earning potential

While I can’t place all NFL players in the same boat, many of them have no intention of getting a college education. Many only view this opportunity as their ticket to the NFL. You never know when a career-ending injury may strike. This has always been part of the game. If you would fully utilize your educational opportunity, you will have a back-up plan.

There was a time when players like Chuck Bednarik were forced to shovel coal during the offseason. It was difficult to stretch their $5,500 or so NFL salaries. By the way, Mr. Bednarik played on and excelled at both offense and defense. This meant that he faced twice as many opportunities of suffering a career ending injury.

Personally, when I’m viewing an NFL game, I only concern myself with what is transpiring on the field at the moment. I really could not care any less about where or how so-and-so will be earning their over bloated paycheck next season. This is why I love the players of yesterday. They rarely concerned themselves with future earnings and the only thing which mattered was the success of the team they were employed with at the present time.

Free agency and NFL merchandise

How many people out there have gone out and spent good money for a certain favorite player’s jersey? Then the next thing you know, this guy gets traded out of town and the jersey you had invested that chunk of change in has been rendered totally useless. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has experienced this, for lack of a better term—phenomenon. Thank NFL free agency for this.

There was a time prior to NFL free agency when a fan could go out and buy a certain player's jersey and feel confident that he would be around long enough to enjoy it. Think about how much revenue players and the NFL earn from merchandise sales. The NFL just loves free agency—you can bet on it!

There is one aspect of free agency which I view as positive—that would be parity. I love the fact that a team can go from the bottom of their division to the top in one season. I am not a fan of dynasties. I like surprises and love when curve balls are thrown into the Vegas betting world. Save your hard earned money and pay your rent or mortgage.

Closing thoughts

I have experienced the NFL of both yesterday and today—many of you have not. I believe the two M's—money and media—have seriously impacted the NFL today. Some of the impact has had a positive effect and some has had a negative effect. I believe the negative outweighs the positive.

I will be posting a series of these articles comparing the NFL of today to the NFL of yesterday. I think you will see that due to many rule changes it is pointless to compare on field accomplishments of players from yesterday to players of today. I respect all opinions on such matters.

Ken Knight is an aspiring writer and author of a book realeased in Aug. 2008 titled "New England Bandwgon Nation". Ken is also a contributing writer on sportslore.com.

We Should Be Ashamed Of Our Priorities Today

Ken Knight — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:59:09 -0500

Please let me preface this by stating this article is not intended to steal any thunder from Mark Gunza. Mark posted an article on Jan. 16, 2008 which was titled “Doing Right Thing Should be Rewarded: Not the Other Way Around”. This was an excellent piece and I could not possibly agree with the author’s views any more than I do.

This is intended to bolster his points. I am attempting to support all of Mr. Gunza’s contentions he touched on in the story.

In today’s world full of skewed priorities it does not surprise me in the least that I am the only one who responded to this article. I wish more of you would take time out of your busy schedule to read it.

They are just like us.

No matter how hard I try I cannot fathom why we put athletes and celebrities so high upon pedestals. When you really think about it they are not much different than you and I.

When their skin is broken their blood is the color red. Remove the facade of makeup, expensive hair care, and their appearance would not impress.

They appear just as rough as we do first thing in the morning. One hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth of plastic surgery can do wonders for a sagging face, and body.

Afforded the time, and access, to equipment professional athletes are so fortunate to enjoy anyone could be as fit and ripped as they.

Believe it, or not, these types suffer embarrassing bouts with flatulence. Although they think otherwise when they exit the restroom, an unpleasant odor does actually waft through the air in the surrounding area. They are far from perfect just like every average Joe.

I pay no mind what so ever to advice Hollywood types feel the need to spew out of their mouths. They fail to realize their words are not vital to my very existence, although they’d like to believe otherwise.

It befuddles me to the core why people look up to the likes of Brittney, and Paris. When I think of these types words like selfcentered, arrogant, and obnoxious spring to mind.

The same could be applied to athletes like Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrel Owens as well.

I only pay attention to the “good-guys” in sports, but with the mainstream media today this seems to get more difficult with each passing day. They waste so much time on the Adam Jones and Michael Vicks.

For every one of those types there are twenty like Adrian Peterson and Warrick Dunn.

Many folks who were brought up in poverty and suffered through adversity have been motivated to succeed. These are the stories, which need to be highlighted.

That rarely is the case, because good doesn’t generate ratings nearly as much as the bad does. Shame on us.

We all must carry on following the death of loved ones.

While I surely feel for Brett Favre and Matt Cassel, or anyone else for that matter who loses a loved one, I don’t feel they did anything special following the loss of their fathers.

Each and every day hundreds, possibly thousands of average folks return to their jobs and perform well after losing someone close to them.

That is life, and it is imperative that we carry on. At the very least we owe that to the ones we have lost. Personally, I believe it would be much easier for a multimillionaire who plays a sport, or a game, for a living to get back to business as usual than all of the folks who do the same who are employed in lousy, low paying, mundane positions.

Back in 2000, we lost our beloved mother after 58 years of smoking. She was ill for 10 years, and having endured this ordeal, I was motivated to quit smoking after 24 years. I am sure there are many who experienced similar situations with loved ones who can relate.

For the final few months of her life her entire world was viewed through a hospital window. She suffered from Emphysema, Congestive Heart Failure, Diabetes and near the end suffered multiple strokes. The only comfort we could offer was to occasionally bend her stationary left limbs, or dab her pale forehead with a damp towel.

Her final request was to end her pain as I struggled to make out the words she was mouthing. The doctor insisted she would not last more than an hour without the respirator, which had been breathing for her.

The image of her frail chest violently heaving up and down will never go away. This contraption made disturbing loud noises similar to some kind of primitive manufacturing machine.

I held her tight as she drifted off to sleep. Just as in life this woman was stubborn in death as I maintained my embrace while she hung on for three more hours. I had to get away from there, and she finally passed the next morning.

It was a few days later when I returned to my job, which at the time involved lumping cold smelly fish in and out of trucks, and dark, dingy warehouses all over Boston.

I performed the task well, just as millions and millions of other regular Joes and Josephines have, and will in the future. I give Favre and Cassel credit, but see nothing special in what they did. Nothing what so ever.

Who says crime does not pay?

Has anyone noticed that the old adage “crime does not pay” isn’t used nearly as much as in the past? That is, because in many cases today, depending on the persons status, it just doesn’t always hold merit.

It matters not the severity of the act whether it be murder, child molestation, vehicular homicide, or embezzlement I can give you many examples, but only have time and space for a few. There was a time in this country when anyone committing these types of crimes would end up just that an example. Not anymore.

Let’s see, O. J., Leonard Little, Michael Jackson, many prominent and trusted members of the Catholic Church, and even Massachusetts beloved Senator Edward Kennedy all fit the bill. In mine and many other people’s opinions, covering up a crime is just as bad as committing it.

Contrary to what many people believe, the Chappaquiddick “incident” actually did take place. At least according to eyewitness accounts provided by Senator Kennedy’s own cousin and lawyer, Joseph Gargan. His conscience forced him to reveal all in 1988, twenty years after the July 1969 car accident.

I believe the world could use many more people like Mark Gunza. It would surely make it a much better place to live. Mr. Gunza I thank you, and you surely have a new fan.

Ken Knight is an aspiring writer and author of a book released in Aug. 2008 titled "New England Bandwagon Nation". Ken is also a contributing writer on sportslore.com.

Is NFL Commissioner Fit To Hold the Most Important Position in the NFL?

Ken Knight — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 07:22:15 -0500

This is a question which must be addressed by the "powers that be," and it must be answered promptly. I see the leadership of the NFL since Roger Goodell took the reigns as problematic at best. His punishments have been profoundly inconsistent, at least in my humble opinion.

It was his reaction to the Spygate scandal which first brought this to my attention. In my book, titled New England Bandwagon Nation, I dedicate Chapter six to this very subject.

I chronicle the entire time-line of events which took place beginning with the NFL's mandate which was issued to all 32 NFL teams on Sept. 6, 2007, warning them that this practice would not be tolerated "in any way shape or form."

Just three days later, Bill Belichick felt it necessary to flaunt this warning in the commissioner's face. It is well documented the Pats were openly practicing this "tactic" if you will in their 2007 opener on Sept. 9, 2007 in a game versus the Jets at the Meadowlands.

At this point in time, all evidence was confiscated by the NFL and Belichick insisted that no other such tapes existed. At this time, Belichick privately informed commissioner Goodell he had employed this tactic since he had become the Patriots head coach in prior to the 2000 NFL season.

The evidence was promptly destroyed by the NFL. Bill Belichick was immediately fined $750,000 and team owner Robert Kraft $250,000, case closed.

Not so fast, my friends.

At the very least, a suspension for compromising the integrity of the National Football League was surely in order. What commissioner Goodell was hoping would happen was that Joe public NFL fans like you and me would never learn was that the original batch of evidence was destroyed in of all places...Foxborough, MA! What's up with that?

Wouldn't NFL offices in New York have been a much more appropriate place for that deed to have taken place? I'm just saying.

Now we get to the week prior to Super Bowl XLII which is when former Patriots assistant Matt Walsh came forward with eight more tapes which Bill Belichick had previously stated did not exist.

According to the Boston Herald's John Tomase, Walsh claimed this included a tape of the Rams walk-through practice which was held the day prior to the Pats winning their first of three Super Bowls.

Now, commissioner Goodell felt it was time to make public that Belichick had informed him privately back in September that this had been taking place since the 200 NFL season.

Please bear in mind the fact that the 2001 St. Louis Rams, who had earned the moniker "Greatest show on turf" averaged 32.9 points per game that season. That Super Bowl was played in the Superdome...on turf. And the Pats held them to just three points until late in the fourth quarter. Hmmm.

Now mind you immediately following Super Bowl XLII the NFL engaged in three-and-a-half months of talks which included Matt Walsh, the NFL powers-that-be, and a whole bunch of fancy, high-priced lawyers.

And wouldn't you know that after these talks, Matt Walsh and John Tomase flipped one-hundred and eighty degrees on their earlier contentions.

You want to talk about fall guys! It kind of brings new meaning to the term for me anyway. An NFL public relations nightmare was averted by the commissioner...Phew!

Now, if I were a business owner in the vicinity of the old RCA dome, Heinz Field, or any other AFC stadium who may have been cheated out of possible income by the New England Patriots, I would want to see jail time as part of the punishment.

Anyone who states that the NFL is "just a game" is a fool. It is one of the biggest, most profitable businesses in the entire world. It is vital that the outcome of each and every game that is played be on the "up and up."

That is why Congress had every right to get involved in this matter. To protect us from unethical business practices is a large part of the reason this segment of our American Government exists.

I delve into this subject much deeper in my book. Now, I'd like to touch on some of the suspensions that were doled out by Mr. Goodell since he has taken over the most important job in the entire NFL.

I'll leave Mike Sick alone in this article, as that will be one in of itself. As a Viking fan and native New Englander, I have taken much "heat" for voicing my concerns on the Spygate issue.

A lot of that has been generated since the Vikings Williams boys Pat and Kevin, have been suspended for ingesting a substance called Star Caps which contains an ingredient which is known to mask drug tests.

First of all, these are not "problem children." Nothing remotely about these two would indicate they are trouble-making punks. The product is a diuretic, which is legal to take in the NFL.

The aspect of this incident which many don't realize is that these guys went through all of the proper channels. They checked the banned list of substances offered by the NFL. Star Caps was not found on the list.

These two players, as well as others in the same exact situation were suspended for four games by commissioner Goodell. It was well-known by the NFL as early as the 2006 season that Star Caps contained this banned substance, but failed to add it to the list!

How could this possibly be the Williams's fault?

If anyone deserved to be reprimanded it should have been the person or persons responsible for maintaining that list. Make any sense? Of course not! That would mean the NFL would have to admit fault. Thankfully, a Minnesota Supreme Court Judge saw through all of this nonsense and blocked the two suspensions.

Now take a look at the Jacksonville Jaguars Matt Jones. He was caught by police in a vehicle with two other individuals who were using cocaine. Jones insisted he was not using the drugs and actually passed a drug test.

It is well-known that cocaine only stays in one's system for up to 72 hours. Commissioner Goodell saw fit to only suspend Jones for three games! Does it really make any sense at all to anyone to impose suspensions of only three games to Jones and four to the Williams. Not to me it doesn't.

It is time to get to one glaring example which profoundly backs my contention of Roger Goodell not being fit to oversee the professional sports league to which I have dedicated 40 years of my life to following.

Nick Kaczur is a New England Patriots' offensive lineman who was caught red-handed in his car with a trunk full of prescription drugs by police. I could be wrong, but the last time I checked, it is impossible to legally purchase bulk quantities of prescription drugs at any of our retail warehouse discount chains.

If this is possible, please inform me when this became a reality.

Is it at all fathomable that Mr. Goodell saw no need what-so-ever to suspend Mr. Kaczur? This non-action kind of makes me want to gouge my own eyes out.

And wouldn't you know, this was another serious incident involving the New England Patriots, which resulted in no suspensions being handed down by commissioner Goodell. Nice to hold a prominent position on the NFL's competition committee, eh Mr. Kraft?

I believe it is imperative to the future integrity of the NFL to promptly find a new person to oversee the most critical of matters pertaining to the league. Mr. Goodell is obviously no Paul Tagliabue or Pete Rozelle.

Ken Knight is an aspiring writer and author of a book released in Aug. 2008 Titled "New England Bandwagon Nation". Ken is also a contributing writer on sportslore.com.

Stock Car Racing: A View to a Thrill!

Ken Knight — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:53:33 -0500

Sit back, relax and allow me to take you on a thrilling adventure which was one of the most hair-raising, exciting thrill rides of my life. I have a brother who is 14 years my senior.

When I was a very young boy, he introduced me to stock car racing. On many a Saturday night, he would take me to the old Pines Speedway in Groveland, Mass. It was a quarter-mile paved oval located on the banks of the raging Merrimack River.

There was never a shortage of excitement. We would also follow the big boys of NASCAR way back when they were called Grand Nationals, and there were but a few select races televised. That organization has come quite a way from those early days.

My brother always wanted to field a Saturday night stock car of his own, and following a divorce in early 1979, he turned this dream into a stark reality. He went out and paid very short money for an old, battered 1967 Mercury Cougar stock car.

There wasn’t a body panel on the heap which did not have a dent on it. “Dents will never slow a stock car down!” he proclaimed. It was painted red, white and blue and sported a shadowed number 32. It didn’t take him long to paint it black, orange and white.

By this time, the old Pines Speedway had been sold and developed into a municipal complex. The places to race now were Star Speedway in Epping and the Hudson Speedway, both paved quarter-mile ovals located in southern New Hampshire.

Prior to registering the car with the tracks, he so desperately wanted to have the number 13. Unfortunately, that number was taken so he just transposed the digits and went with 31.

At the age of 15, there was nothing cooler than being seen in the back of, or in the passenger seat of the pick-up which was towing a stock car down a busy street.

My brother had long since taught me how to drive vehicles including ones equipped with standard transmissions. He was now beginning it teach me how to operate a vehicle with a trailer in tow.

We had so much fun that first summer, and for not having much experience and seriously inferior equipment to many competitors with much larger budgets, he did pretty well for himself.

By late July he could tell I was champing at the bit to get behind the wheel. When most other 15-year old boys were playing Babe Ruth baseball, he decided to let me have a go at driving the race car during an “open” warm-up session at Star Speedway.

This was almost more intimidating than actually driving in a race due to the fact that our car was in the Street Stock class and at that point in time, the only class lower were the spectator races.

I was going to be sharing track time the much more powerful Late Model Sportsmen, Small Block Modified, and the fuel injected, 600-plus horsepower big-block Super Modified classes…GULP! Hit one of these guys and I wouldn’t live to see my 16th birthday.

Fortunately, all my previous driving experience paid off and my brother felt I did so well, he then informed me he would allow me to drive in a qualifying heat race the next following Sunday at the Hudson Speedway.

He was dueling in a points race at Star Speedway, and season points were awarded for heat races, as well as feature races.

He only raced at Hudson when funds would allow. He also said that it would be best to not tell mom and dad about this, for he wasn’t sure they would sign the required parental waiver.

He knew they planned to attend the next Sunday and wanted to surprise them. He was always a pretty cool guy when it came to such things as this.

I did not sleep well the following Saturday night. When I woke the next morning, to say I felt butterflies in my stomach was an understatement. It felt more like bats.

We arrived to the track early, so I could get warm-ups in before the folks arrived. This session went well and surely helped with calming the nerves. I felt as ready as I could possibly be for being so young and green.

After our parents arrived, my bro’ and I went over to the pit shack to check the starting line-up board to see which of the two heat races in our class I would be in, and in which starting position.

“Man!” I said as we both looked at each other wide-eyed after realizing I would be starting, of all places, on the pole in the first heat race. So much for remaining calm.

Another tidbit I just happened to notice is the fact that two of the three “top guns” in the Street Stock class were going to be competing in this same heat race.

The “zero hour” had arrived. In order to succeed in pulling this off, we sent the folks to get some refreshments. While helping to strap me into the driver’s seat, my brother gave me some last minute advice.

“Just keep your cool, don’t try to be a damn hero and whatever you do, stay low and keep out of their way!!! Don’t even think about trying to stay with the big boys!!!”

Of course at this time the last of the two Late Model Sportsmen qualifying heat races is taking place, and then the call comes over the PA system, “Street Stocks in the first heat…let’s get ‘em over there and get lined up!!!”

I take in a deep breath and swallow hard. I flick the ignition kill switch to the “on” position and then I press the start button and the completely stock Ford Windsor 351 cubic inch engine comes roaring to life. I feel goose bumps cover my youthful body.

I put the heap in reverse and then my brother guides me out of our pit spot as it is impossible to turn my head completely around all strapped in like that. I didn’t want to run anyone over in the pits. Then it was off to the access road to get lined up.

The actual lining up in the pre-determined starting positions will take place once we are circling the track during the pace laps. I am the one on the pole, so one car will have to line up to my right and everyone else will have to line up behind us.

At this time our folks arrived back at the pit spot and notice something just wasn’t right. My dad asked my brother, Where the hell is your car?”

He replied, “It’s over there lined up waiting for the heat race.”

My father then asked, “Where the hell is your brother?’

“Surprise! He’s sitting in the driver’s seat. He’s helped a lot and I thought he deserved a chance to drive. Don’t worry, he’ll be OK.” was his reply.

“For your sake, he’d better be!” the old man said.

One by one all the cars come to the access road. I can’t really tell how bad I was shaking due to all of the idling race car engines, but I know I am.

Sitting there was the worst part of all. I try to swallow, but now that is impossible. At this point I just can’t muster up the saliva needed in order to pull it off.

I notice the prior race is over, and now the pit steward is waving us out onto the track. It has clearly come to the “point of no return.”

We roll out onto the track and cars begin to file into place to my rear as I muster up enough courage to peek in the rear-view mirror. This mirror is not what you are used to, for it is the large, rectangular type your dad had mounted to the front fenders of his car when towing the camper and it was mounted side-ways inside the car on the right side of the roll-cage.

This afforded me a panoramic view of the cars behind me swerving violently from side-to-side in an attempt to scruff any foreign material off the tires, as well as to heat them up for extra adhesion.

Drivers try to “psyche” each other out by depressing their clutch pedals in order to rev their powerful engines…and at least on me, it’s working!

We continue around at a snail's pace as I decide to take a peek to my right. I get a little freaked-out when I notice the driver of the car on the outside pole, a purple and gold No. 26 1965 Chevy Chevelle has something on his face which resembles a storm trooper’s mask like in all those scary movies I had watched in the past.

The flagman displays the white flag, which is a definite indication that the next time we pass this point, all bets will be off!

We enter turn three, and I peek far to my left and see the green flag is about to be waved. I grab hold of the steering wheel with the proverbial “kung-fu” grip while simultaneously stomping on the gas pedal. I can feel the car behind me applying pressure to my rear bumper.

We fly down the front straight and as I enter turn one, I am shocked to see the points leader, a shiny red 1966 mustang with a prism colored No. 8 is attempting to pass me.

This cat was special. I was in complete awe. I think to myself, “Where the %$#& did he come from?”, as he had started in eighth place four rows behind me!

At this point, I was so distracted by what was transpiring that I realized I was heading directly towards his driver’s door. “Oh #%&$!!!” I think to myself. It’s a really good thing I have always had good reflexes.

I was able to quickly jerk the steering wheel to the left in order to spin the car into the infield to miraculously avoid a major incident…phew!!!

The whole pack of the 10 other cars screams by as I steer the car onto the back straight. There was no contact, so no caution flag was thrown. By the time I get up to speed, there is quite a distance between me and the rest of the pack.

I peek in the mirror to see the horrifying sight of all of the leaders fast approaching the rear of my car. I catch a lucky break when on lap two, three cars come together to cause a caution. This would move me from last place up to eighth.

After all that had transpired, I was beginning to feel a little more comfortable in the seat. The real pressure was off.

As we circle under caution, I begin to jerk the steering wheel from side-to-side and I think “what the hell” as I depress the clutch pedal and rev the engine in a kind of rite-of-passage. It’s time to get racing again, as the green flag is waving.

Coming out of turn four I feel a tap on my rear bumper. Then another and then a third even harder one makes the rear of my car start to slide to the right.

At this point my brother’s past infinite wisdom came rushing back into my head, “Always steer into the skid gently, so not to over-correct and lose control…and whatever you do, DON’T step on the brake!!! Lightly step on the gas to power out of the skid!!!”

Well what do you know…it worked, as the car which had been behind me, a No. 55 primer black 1970 Chevy Nova screams by me to my left while making contact with my driver’s door. What a thrill!!!

I am determined to keep the other two behind me, but one of them has too much power. This was a dark green No. 66 1967 Chevy Chevelle, and he wasted no time passing me on the right.

I am determined but not optimistic of keeping the last place car behind me. This is a No. 09 white 1967 Chevy Chevelle. We get a few more laps in, and by periodically checking my mirror I was able to determine that hey, what’s this? I am actually pulling away from him! This is awesome!!!

My fragile young mind is much to distracted to realize this is in no way due to my superior driving skills. Nor could it be attributed to a finer machine, no sir.

It was only because something had happened to his machine in the earlier incident with the other two cars but hey, that’s racing. In this game, you take things any way you can get them.

This heat race was scheduled for 10 laps. I am actually gaining on the two cars directly ahead of me who are in a heated side-by-side duel. As we enter the first turn on lap seven, the two cars make contact and get a little out of shape.

Something, I think it was a small piece of sheet-metal, flies off of one of the cars and sails end-over-end directly at the center of my windshield and glances off.

Somehow I am not rattled by this as I recognize a golden opportunity and pounce on it. I dive low and make slight contact with one of their driver’s doors.

Then I stomp on the throttle exiting turn two and scream down the back straight ahead of both of them!!! I think to myself how proud my bro’ must be right now.

That incident did not cause a caution and I was able to hold serve for the rest of the race. I was so happy to just finish eighth out of an 11-car field. Not bad at all when you consider the fact that I went from first to last, and then to eighth in just 10 laps.

On a quarter-mile track that is just a total distance of two and a half miles. I was one happy camper. This had been the most thrilling day of my life, at least up until that point.

I went on to own my own car by age 18. I would own several different race cars over the next 10 years. I loved racing and was successful enough to actually win a few.

Eventually finances became an issue and forced me to give it up. I had spent a lot of money over the years, and owning a home became a priority.

I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything, and I learned valuable life lessons in the process. Many folks outside of racing place stereotypes on some of these folks.

Granted, there are some bad in any group of people. Many of these folks I encountered were dirty and scruffy in appearance. This experience was instrumental in teaching me to not judge a book by its cover.

Over the years, many of these fine folks would reach out and offer help such as advice to fellow competitors like me.

Some would even help work on my car and even lend parts, only for me to go out and finish ahead of them. These were truly some of the most thrilling times of my life!

Ken Knight is an aspiring writer and author of a book released in Aug. 2008 titled "New England Bandwagon Nation". Ken is also a contributing writer on sportslore.com.

NASCAR Has Lost Luster For This Old-School Fan

Ken Knight — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:34:43 -0500

I began viewing NASCAR racing way back in the very late 1960s when but a few select races were televised. NASCAR's television appeal was heightened in 1979 when the Daytona 500 was nationally televised for the very first time.

It was a thrilling finish—when on the final lap—race leaders Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison made contact on the back-stretch and both went spinning into the infield in turn three. The duo was one-half of a lap from tasting victory when things went bad.

Richard Petty, who had been far behind the leaders sailed by and went on to take the checkered flag. This was not the reason for NASCAR's sudden gain in popularity. No sir.

The reason was that even before the dust had settled, Yarborough and Allison climbed out of their rides and began duking it out right there on the spot in front of millions who were watching at home on their televisions. Many of these folks were tuning-in for the very first time. Prior to the PC police setting up shop in this country it was healthy to fight for what you believed was right.

I dearly miss those good old days. The drivers actually had to "pay some dues" in order to reach the sports pinnacle. This was achieved by proving themselves in the lower divisions such as ASA, ARCA or the Grand National division.

I can remember for the longest time it was called the Busch grand National division. Now that corporate America has gobbled up every major sporting event known to man, I can't—nor do I care—to keep track of what they are calling any of NASCAR's racing classes these days. The names change far too often for me to even want to notice.

Compared to the lack of personality the top drivers of today display, the old-school guys were a little "rough around the edges." That being said, their life experiences surely added a dimension which NASCAR is sorely missing these days.

Long gone are the likes of the fun-loving persona's of the late Benny Parsons, Darrell Waltrip and Cale Yarborough. Even the nose-to-the-grindstone types like the late, great Dale Earnhardt Sr. could always make light and pull a good prank once in a while.

Today it's like watching robots who seriously lack personality. If you look good in front of a camera, are well-spoken and have marginal talent driving a race car you get to pass go and get right in a seat. Of course there are exceptions to every rule.

It completely blew my mind when NASCAR decided to do away with the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway which had cemented it's rightful place in NASCAR tradition. It was automatic on every Labor Day weekend for me to tune in. What a shame as this was a "must see" annual race which was never short on excitement. There was a reason that NASCAR drivers named this place "the Lady in Black."

This race first lost it's appeal when NASCAR reconfigured the track by switching the front straight with the back. This move made absolutely no sense to me. Why fix something that is not broken? Unfortunately, NASCAR seemed to forget who and what had got them to where they had reached. Darlington, S. C. was forsaken in the name of corporate profits.

The thing which really ruined it all for me was losing Dale Earnhardt. I realize NASCAR had no control over this horrible development. I was a fan of Dale's from day one, and feel he was the greatest talent in the history of earth. NASCAR lost a lot of it's luster on that fateful day back in February of 2001.

I will never forget he had won the final race he had ever finished, which was the 125 mile Daytona qualifier three days prior. My wife and I were on a ski trip in Maine, and she was upset that I went back to our room to watch that race on that afternoon. I am quite thankful I did, and in hindsight, she is happy and realizes I made the right decision.

I still tune into select NASCAR races, but do not avidly follow anymore. NASCAR has "sold out" to the corporate world, and I firmly believe I am not the only old-school fan who holds these views. I sorely miss those "good ole boys" from those "good ole days" and eventually, NASCAR will as well.

Hey ESPN, C'mon Man!

Ken Knight — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:06:59 -0500

Does anyone watch ESPN's NFL Monday Night Countdown? Have you seen this segment? The main cast criticizes the boneheaded plays, which had taken place in the NFL from the previous day.

Well ESPN, it works both ways, my friends! Let's take a closer look at this colorful cast of characters. This was intended to be "in jest" and all about poking fun.

Tom Jackson, aka TJ. In my opinion, you were an underrated NFL player who played the way the game was meant to be played—with great heart. You were never blessed with a Super Bowl ring, and were a little undersized for a LB.

Unfortunately, you will never live down your "They (the Pats) hate their coach right now!" statement you uttered a few years back. That team proved you wrong and went on to win it all.

Hey TJ, C'mon man!

Cris Carter, aka CC. You were blessed with quite possibly the best pair of hands to ever grace an NFL field. You are one of my all-time favorite receivers. I truly love ya, man.

However, it may be difficult to maintain credibility as an NFL analyst, or anywhere else for that matter when making statements like "All TO does is make plays." Immediately followed with stating "Oh yeah, he's done some other stuff, too." Really??? What does CC actually stand for, "Captain of Contradiction?"

Hey CC, C'mon man!

Keyshawn Johnson, aka Key. You were a good wide receiver who won a Super Bowl ring. You weren't as good as the guy sitting to your left. I really admire the way you matured during the course of your NFL career.

I do enjoy your commentary and feel you surely add to this show. But sometimes the lot of you prompts the urge to stab myself right in the eyeball! So Key, "Just gimme the damn awl!"

Hey Key, C'mon man!

Mike Ditka, aka Coach. Your '85 Bears defense could be described with words such as "awesome," "dominant," and "lights out." That team was most definitely "special."

However, I have often pondered how much of that team's success could be attributed to defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan. After all, you were never able to repeat the Super Bowl championship without him running your defense.

I have often heard you utter nasty remarks towards my beloved Vikings and their dome. I believe this was due to the Vikes playing a large role in your departure from Chicago following the 1992 NFL season.

Early that season, da Bears held a 20-0 lead over the Vikings in a game at the Metrodome. Bears QB Jim Harbaugh called an audible, which led to an interception return for a TD. You came unglued on the sideline in front of millions.

The Vikes went on to an improbable 21-20 win, and went on to win the NFC Central division. 1992 was your last season as the Bears coach.

Hey Coach, C'mon, man!

Ahh, I have saved the best for last.

Chris Berman, aka Boomer. When you first began the practice of nicknaming players it was kind of cool. Your enthusiasm could not be matched. Unfortunately, that act has grown so old and tired.

You can sometimes be so annoying. Everyone else on the show just picks a winner, but you feel the need to pick the damn scores. Nobody cares!

I can vividly recall your off-air tirade from a few years back. That kind of behavior leads me to believe you may be the one at the company holiday party who, when you approach a woman, she begins screaming "Back, back, back, back, back, back, back!!!"

Are you the one passed out in the corner with a lampshade on your head and lipstick and mascara on your face (compliments of Kenny Mayne, of course) and you wake in the morning with a pocket full of rotten shrimp???

Hey Boomer, C'mon man!

Ken Knight is an aspiring writer and author of a book released in Aug. 2008 titled "New England Bandwagon Nation". Ken is also a contributing writer on sportslore.com.

Ravens and Eagles Will Win AFC and NFC Championships

Ken Knight — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:46:03 -0500

Over the course of the last few NFL seasons, I have often been left to ponder the reasons why many people refer to Bill Belichick as a "Genius"?

It almost seems like the true and very popular cliché "defense wins championships" is but a hollow statement. Obviously, Belichick has not learned a damn thing from the '98 Vikings and his own '07 Patriots.

Two of the most powerful and highest-scoring offenses in the history of the NFL could not close the deal. The Giants defense was clearly the difference in the Super Bowl, and New England’s lack of defense was the main reason they missed the playoffs this season.

You can point to the New York Jets scoring effortlessly on their overtime drive at Gillette Stadium in these teams’ second meeting, or allowing 38 points to the Miami Dolphins at home in their first meeting.

It was clear to me that the New England’s defense was ill-prepared to play an NFL game on that fateful day. It is possible to attribute this to their failure to make a stop in the game at Indianapolis as well.

Of the final four teams left standing after the 2008 season and the first two rounds of the playoffs, three rightfully boast 2008 Top Three defenses.

That would include yards allowed, as well as points allowed.

Coincidence? I think not!

It was quite impressive for the Arizona Cardinals to go into Carolina and dominate last week. I must give them credit for that feat. However, Carolina does not employ the likes of Jim Johnson.

He is a big-time, big game defensive coordinator, and in my opinion, one of the best in the league. He will have the Eagles defense well prepared to physically outplay this explosive Cardinals offense.

In two playoff games, the Eagles have allowed an average of 12.5 points per game on the road. The question for me will be if the Eagles will score enough points to outpace the Cardinals’ offense.

They have posted an average of 24.5 points on the road in two playoff games versus the Vikings and Giants, who's defenses were much better than the Cardinals during the 2008 season.

Based on this information, I really like Philadelphia's chances to advance to Tampa.

So much for the finesse side of this year’s NFL Championship weekend.

Although I am not looking forward to the AFC Championship game between the Ravens and Steelers due to what I believe will be a lack of offensive scoring, that does not mean I won't be looking forward to it at all.

My favorite part of any football game is the brutal, bone-bruising physical contact. There will be no shortage of that aspect in this game. For this, I am eagerly awaiting this contest with baited breath. This game will not be for the faint of heart.

This will be a little Bednarik and Lambert, mixed with a lot of Lott. (No pun intended, just pain.) They had better employ extra trainers and extra stretchers for this one.

I can't tell you how impressed I am with the rookie head coach and rookie quarterback combination of John Harbaugh and Joe Flacco. I realize they benefited immensely from a stellar defense, but let's not lose sight of the fact that prior to their arrival in Baltimore, this team had won only five games during the entire 2007 NFL season—not to mention the fact that they served up the 1-15 Miami Dolphins their only win.

I take nothing away from the Steelers. How could I when they posted the no. one defense in total yards allowed, passing yards allowed, and points allowed, with 13.9. They also were No. 2 in rushing yards allowed.

Just be aware that the Ravens did not get to where they are with offense, although their No. 11 offense was quite respectable. I just believe it is extremely difficult to beat a team twice in one season, never mind three times.

Let's not forget about the last meeting between these teams.

Remember there was a bogus call late in that game as there was clearly not nearly enough evidence to over-turn a non-touchdown call.

After enduring that Patriots "miraculous" scoring drive in which the Ravens defense were flagged three times on third down while leading 24-20 in the Monday Night game on Dec. 3, 2007, combined with the call this past season and the Ravens must have had their fill with bogus referee calls influencing the outcome of their games.

I cannot blame them for that. If any defense could muster up a goal line stand from the 1-yard line, it surely is this one. The Ravens just seem to be the team of destiny to me this season.

This will be the fourth time in the history of the AFC Championship game when division rivals have faced off. The road team is 3-0.

Predictions

(Note: All rankings are for the entire NFL during the 2008 regular season.)

NFC Championship Game: Philadelphia Eagles @ Arizona Cardinals

These teams met on Thanksgiving night, which turned out to be the climax of a Turkey Day where the NFL action in all three games caused many more folks to nod off than the tryptophan in the turkeys they had devoured.

The Eagles pounded the Cardinals 48-20. This meeting will be much more competitive—one would hope.

This matchup features the Eagles ninth ranked offense in total yards by averaging 350.5 yards per game—sixth in passing with 244.4 yards per game and 22nd in rushing with 106.1 yards per game. Philly's scoring offense was ranked sixth and averaged 26.0 points per game.

The Cardinals defense was ranked 19th in total yards by allowing an average of 331.5 yards per game—22nd in passing with 221.2 yards per game and 16th in rushing with 110.2 yards per game. Arizona's scoring defense was ranked 19th by allowing and average of 26.6 points per game.

The Eagles defense was ranked third in total defense by allowing an average of 274.3 yards per game—third in passing with 182.1 yards per game and fourth in rushing with 92.2 yards per game. Philly's scoring defense was ranked third by allowing an average of 18.1 points per game.

The Cardinals offense was ranked fourth in total yards by averaging 365.8 yards per game—second in passing with 292.1 yards per game and 32nd—dead last—in rushing with 73.6 yards per game. Arizona's scoring offense was ranked third by averaging 26.7 points per game.

I firmly believe in the "defense wins championships" theory and it should apply here. Jim Johnson should be the difference.

Predicted outcome: Eagles 27, Cardinals 24

AFC Championship Game: Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers

As previously stated, these teams are division rivals.

The Steelers were on the winning end in both meetings. The first on Sept. 29 was won in overtime, 23-20. The game could have gone either way.

The second was a hard-fought 13-9 win by Pittsburgh in which the aforementioned controversial call by the officials was made. Let's hope it will be a different crew calling this game.

Roger Goodell pulling off anything which makes absolutely no sense at all could not possibly take me by surprise...seriously.

This match-up features the Ravens 18th ranked offense in total yards by averaging 324.0 yards per game—28th in passing with 175.5 yards per game and fourth in rushing with 148.5 yards per game. Baltimore's scoring offense was ranked 11th by averaging 24.1 points per game.

The Steelers defense was ranked first in total defense by allowing an average of 237.2 yards per game—first in passing with 156.9 yards per game and second in rushing with 80.2 yards per game. Pittsburgh's scoring defense was ranked first by allowing 13.9 points per game.

The Ravens defense was ranked second in total defense by allowing an average of 261.1 yards per game—second in passing with 179.9 yards per game and third in rushing yards with 81.4 yards per game. Baltimore's scoring defense was ranked second by allowing 15.2 points per game.

The Steelers offense was ranked 22nd by averaging 311.9 yards per game—17th in passing with 206.3 yards per game and 23rd in rushing with 105.6 yards per game. Pittsburgh’s scoring offense was ranked 20th by scoring 21.7 points per game.

There is no doubt defense will win this game as these teams are fairly evenly matched and have the same M.O.

"Bloodbath" seems like a reasonable term to sum it up.

Predicted outcome: Ravens 16, Steelers 13

I realize I am picking both road teams. In my opinion, home field advantage has become a thing of the past in the NFL.