On Monday night, whilst spending the few hours I had left with my family for the holidays, I stopped everything and hushed the room silent. Six seconds later, we are all still quiet watching one man be lifted by an entire city for an accomplishment he deemed "a group effort". New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees passed Miami Dolphins legend Dan Marino as the single-season passing leader with 5,087 yards. A record that stood for 27 years finally fell.
"Awesome," were the first words anyone said. My dad, a solid sports guru but more a noble man, continued "Nicest guy, too. Awesome."
That sentiment was echoed on the ESPN broadcast, on Twitter/Facebook, and every media outlet there is.
"Nicest guy."
Drew Brees, who I personally feel is the most under appreciated GREAT player at his position in the NFL, is one of the few you can call a better person than a player. The man who was shipped out of San Diego like a broken toy, arrived in New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He and his family took part in the rebuilding process financially, physically, and in Super Bowl XLIV, he did it emotionally.
The man is a class act, never asking for the spotlight and always deflecting it to someone else. You can tell just how much his teammates, coaches, and fans love being near him. After his record-breaking touchdown pass to Darren Sproles (in another dominant win, by the way), his entire team rushed him, and the Superdome had never been louder.
In the locker room after he acknowledged the efforts of everyone else, from the line who blocked to the receivers/running backs who caught for him. From the defensive players who gave the ball back to the offense, to the coaches who called the plays. Brees wanted EVERYONE to know they were a part of the record, just like he wanted everyone in the city to know they were part of that Championship.
While he may not get the MVP talk he deserves like a Tom Brady or an Aaron Rodgers, nor the "best QB in the game" discussion like a Brady or a Peyton Manning, he couldn't care less. He wants a win for his team, a win for his city, and a chance to play the game.
Now Brady or Rodgers or maybe even Eli Manning could be the eventual single-season leader in passing yards, but time will remember it was Drew Brees who broke it the day after Christmas. Why? Because sometimes, the nice guy really does win, a lot.
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Thursday, December 29, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Make Room For One More: It's Tebow Time!
In a world where our sports athletes are more of a role model than mothers and fathers, its upsetting to see basketball players whining about not enough money, or not going to play in a certain city; football players constantly cursing on the sidelines or illegally hitting a player and showing no remorse. However, in the last two months, we have seen the public (myself included) berate one of these athletes for what seems to be no apparent reason.
Look, it's no secret that Denver Broncos second year Quarterback Tim Tebow is not your "typical" quarterback. His throwing motion is slow and the ball looks terrible on 60% of his passes. He doesn't have, and probably never will have, the dazzling stats of an Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady or Eli Manning. But one thing he does have over all, is his true being.
This is a man whose faith was instilled in him at a young age, and he didn't let the trials and tribulations of life deter him from it. The prodigal son has shown loyalty, intensity, devotion to excellence, and desire to perform all with an air of humility lost in professional sports. He is motivated by performance, and ridiculed by all. Exalted by many, tortured by more.
Sure, his games are ugly to watch for the first 45 minutes but when it matters, boy is he exciting. But it isn't just himself that's fun to watch, and it's not just fun for us on TV. When you see a Broncos game, watch the sidelines. Every defensive/special teams/reserve player is standing up watching to see what this kid will do next. Those same players will play their hearts out for this kid because they want to win just as much as he does, which almost seems impossible.
More importantly, he does all of this the right way. Watch his post game interviews. He credits everyone else. The defense, the coach, the running back, the kicker and of course, his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. It seems to be that part that irks people. And if it does, that's your own issue. I, for one, am jealous of a man who has that kind of faith because it must be a happier world when your believe is so strong. What grinds my gears is the fact that some folks continue to give all the credit to him, as if he is solely responsible for everything. As much as he makes everyone around him better, and make no mistake about it, he does; there is too much that goes on to give Tebow 100% of the reason for the credit.
That being said, his intangibles as a leader are unfathomable, his ability as a winner is almost, dare I say, Divine? The guy is 7-1 as a starter and has his team in first place. He may not be the ideal version of a signal caller, but he is the epitome of a role model. So I'm done criticizing him as a player because if I had a child, I'd want them to exhibit the same characteristics as Tim Tebow. After all, he is making an NFL Quarterbacks salary. Not bad for a Dad who will probably be struggling to make rent.
.
Look, it's no secret that Denver Broncos second year Quarterback Tim Tebow is not your "typical" quarterback. His throwing motion is slow and the ball looks terrible on 60% of his passes. He doesn't have, and probably never will have, the dazzling stats of an Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady or Eli Manning. But one thing he does have over all, is his true being.
This is a man whose faith was instilled in him at a young age, and he didn't let the trials and tribulations of life deter him from it. The prodigal son has shown loyalty, intensity, devotion to excellence, and desire to perform all with an air of humility lost in professional sports. He is motivated by performance, and ridiculed by all. Exalted by many, tortured by more.
Sure, his games are ugly to watch for the first 45 minutes but when it matters, boy is he exciting. But it isn't just himself that's fun to watch, and it's not just fun for us on TV. When you see a Broncos game, watch the sidelines. Every defensive/special teams/reserve player is standing up watching to see what this kid will do next. Those same players will play their hearts out for this kid because they want to win just as much as he does, which almost seems impossible.
More importantly, he does all of this the right way. Watch his post game interviews. He credits everyone else. The defense, the coach, the running back, the kicker and of course, his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. It seems to be that part that irks people. And if it does, that's your own issue. I, for one, am jealous of a man who has that kind of faith because it must be a happier world when your believe is so strong. What grinds my gears is the fact that some folks continue to give all the credit to him, as if he is solely responsible for everything. As much as he makes everyone around him better, and make no mistake about it, he does; there is too much that goes on to give Tebow 100% of the reason for the credit.
That being said, his intangibles as a leader are unfathomable, his ability as a winner is almost, dare I say, Divine? The guy is 7-1 as a starter and has his team in first place. He may not be the ideal version of a signal caller, but he is the epitome of a role model. So I'm done criticizing him as a player because if I had a child, I'd want them to exhibit the same characteristics as Tim Tebow. After all, he is making an NFL Quarterbacks salary. Not bad for a Dad who will probably be struggling to make rent.
.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The 2011 Heisman Trophy Winner is....
If Michigan Cornerback Charles Woodson beat out Tennessee Quarterback Peyton Manning for the 1997 Heisman Trophy, then LSU's Tyrann "Honey Badger" Mathieu could easily edge Baylor's Robert Griffin, III, right?
Well, if you look at the numbers, Mathieu has had a better year than Woodson did; similarly, RG3 has had a better season than Manning. Fourteen years ago, Manning led the Volunteers with 3,819 yards with a 60.17 completion percentage to go along with 36 touchdowns to just 11 picks en route to an Orange Bowl loss against Nebraska. However, he also lost the best college football player award to a Wolverine who racked up only 44 tackles, 5 sacks, 11 pass breakups, and just four combined TD's (2 punts, 1 receiving, and 1 rushing) on the way to a Rose Bowl win and a share of the National Title.
In 2011, Mathieu has gone crazy leading the LSU Tigers in tackles (70) while also piling up 1.5 sacks, 7 pass breakups and 9 passes defended along with two picks, five forced fumbles, and four scores. BUT what has the Honey Badger on a plane to New York this Saturday is his outstanding play as a punt returner (he only returns punts) where he has 420 yards and two touchdowns, not to mention multiple jaw-dropping returns that didn't reach pay dirt. Something Woodson never really had that year. However, they both were on top teams in the NCAA.
As for RG3, the dude just burst on to the scene this year and has put up probably the best season any Baylor Bear has had. He has thrown for just shy of 4,000 yards (3,998) completing 72.4% of his passes for 36 TD's to just 6 INT's AND he has rushed 644 yards and nine more scores. But, he plays for a team ranked much lower, in a conference much worse off, and won't have a shot at winning the Coaches Trophy.
In a world where the MVP generally goes to the best player on the best team, Tyrann Mathieu would be a logical choice considering he is the face of a program that has no true steady hand on the offensive side of the ball and will probably win the rematch of the "Game of the Century" (more on that in a later post). However, as amazing as it would be to see a non-QB/RB win the Heisman, I can't see the voters truly going against the video game numbers and awe-inspiring moments the other three players have given us.
Andrew Luck, the Stanford QB and soon-to-be number 1 NFL draftee, has had one of the more remarkable two years we've seen in recent memory and he will translate in to the type of player a lot of folks are projecting him to be. Over 3,000 passing yards (3,170) and 35 throws to the end zone are probably not enough to overcome an embarrassing loss to Oregon and an 11-1 record. Especially when he was the favorite ever since losing it to Cam Newton last year.
Wisconsin running back Montee Ball went out and dominated a power hitting conference with a blend of Big 10 brash and SEC speed. He is fourth in the country in rushing yards per game at 135.3 and has 32 touchdowns, 12 more than the next closest guy. Yet, he will only be in the Rose Bowl after being unable to power the Badgers to an undefeated season. On a positive, he'll probably break Barry Sanders touchdown record with two more in the "Granddaddy of them All".
Another power-back, Alabama's Trent Richardson, was heard of two years ago when he backed up the Tide's first ever Heisman winner in Mark Ingram. This year, Richardson has racked up 1,583 rushing yards while shaking and baking his way home 20 times over the year giving 'Bama another shot at conference champion LSU in the national title game.
Say what you want about these five, and the fact the Matt Barkley isn't among them, but this is a tough decision despite what some "projections" have. Going based off of "best player on best team" then it is easily Tyrann Mathieu. If you want precedence and impressive stats, Luck or Ball is there. You want true value to the whole of the parts, Richardson. But the best player in the country is Baylor's Robert Griffin, III. He has been the most exciting guy to watch moving the Bears in to the top-15 at one point this year and three wins over top-25 teams on national TV. He is tops in the country in passer efficiency, and points responsibility, while being in the top five in total offense, touchdown passes, and completion percentage.
A lot of projections say it is a comfortable win for RG3, a lot of people say a guy who plays at a sub-par school shouldn't win it, but whatever they say, they will all say Robert Griffin, III is the 2011 Heisman Trophy Winner.
.
Well, if you look at the numbers, Mathieu has had a better year than Woodson did; similarly, RG3 has had a better season than Manning. Fourteen years ago, Manning led the Volunteers with 3,819 yards with a 60.17 completion percentage to go along with 36 touchdowns to just 11 picks en route to an Orange Bowl loss against Nebraska. However, he also lost the best college football player award to a Wolverine who racked up only 44 tackles, 5 sacks, 11 pass breakups, and just four combined TD's (2 punts, 1 receiving, and 1 rushing) on the way to a Rose Bowl win and a share of the National Title.
In 2011, Mathieu has gone crazy leading the LSU Tigers in tackles (70) while also piling up 1.5 sacks, 7 pass breakups and 9 passes defended along with two picks, five forced fumbles, and four scores. BUT what has the Honey Badger on a plane to New York this Saturday is his outstanding play as a punt returner (he only returns punts) where he has 420 yards and two touchdowns, not to mention multiple jaw-dropping returns that didn't reach pay dirt. Something Woodson never really had that year. However, they both were on top teams in the NCAA.
As for RG3, the dude just burst on to the scene this year and has put up probably the best season any Baylor Bear has had. He has thrown for just shy of 4,000 yards (3,998) completing 72.4% of his passes for 36 TD's to just 6 INT's AND he has rushed 644 yards and nine more scores. But, he plays for a team ranked much lower, in a conference much worse off, and won't have a shot at winning the Coaches Trophy.
In a world where the MVP generally goes to the best player on the best team, Tyrann Mathieu would be a logical choice considering he is the face of a program that has no true steady hand on the offensive side of the ball and will probably win the rematch of the "Game of the Century" (more on that in a later post). However, as amazing as it would be to see a non-QB/RB win the Heisman, I can't see the voters truly going against the video game numbers and awe-inspiring moments the other three players have given us.
Andrew Luck, the Stanford QB and soon-to-be number 1 NFL draftee, has had one of the more remarkable two years we've seen in recent memory and he will translate in to the type of player a lot of folks are projecting him to be. Over 3,000 passing yards (3,170) and 35 throws to the end zone are probably not enough to overcome an embarrassing loss to Oregon and an 11-1 record. Especially when he was the favorite ever since losing it to Cam Newton last year.
Wisconsin running back Montee Ball went out and dominated a power hitting conference with a blend of Big 10 brash and SEC speed. He is fourth in the country in rushing yards per game at 135.3 and has 32 touchdowns, 12 more than the next closest guy. Yet, he will only be in the Rose Bowl after being unable to power the Badgers to an undefeated season. On a positive, he'll probably break Barry Sanders touchdown record with two more in the "Granddaddy of them All".
Another power-back, Alabama's Trent Richardson, was heard of two years ago when he backed up the Tide's first ever Heisman winner in Mark Ingram. This year, Richardson has racked up 1,583 rushing yards while shaking and baking his way home 20 times over the year giving 'Bama another shot at conference champion LSU in the national title game.
Say what you want about these five, and the fact the Matt Barkley isn't among them, but this is a tough decision despite what some "projections" have. Going based off of "best player on best team" then it is easily Tyrann Mathieu. If you want precedence and impressive stats, Luck or Ball is there. You want true value to the whole of the parts, Richardson. But the best player in the country is Baylor's Robert Griffin, III. He has been the most exciting guy to watch moving the Bears in to the top-15 at one point this year and three wins over top-25 teams on national TV. He is tops in the country in passer efficiency, and points responsibility, while being in the top five in total offense, touchdown passes, and completion percentage.
A lot of projections say it is a comfortable win for RG3, a lot of people say a guy who plays at a sub-par school shouldn't win it, but whatever they say, they will all say Robert Griffin, III is the 2011 Heisman Trophy Winner.
.
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