Unless you’ve been stuck on a deserted tropical island, it has been impossible to miss the super-suave Don Cheadle in the NFL Playoffs spots that have been airing lately. So far, Cheadle’s name will be synonymous with the playoffs because 2003 looks to offer the most exciting football in years, just like Cheadle promises. In a single weekend, God’s gift of football delivered the NCAA’s greatest championship game ever, two incredible come-from-behind NFL victories and a multitude of stories that will ensure that no SportsCenter from now until the Super Bowl will be boring. And because it all started with Don Cheadle, we recap the week in a way that would make the man proud.
The first bestowing of Cheadle respect goes to Ohio State for downgrading Miami to a weak tropical storm. Talk about a team that got no respect: the Hurricanes were favored by 13 points (I know this because I slap myself 13 times for ever putting money on Miami). Everyone said there was no way Ohio State could win, that they were simply outmatched. Miami is not a team of college athletes; they are freakishly grown men who happen to be college eligible. Ohio State did not win the championship because of talent; they won because of heart. The play that stands out was during the first overtime when Miami had taken the lead and then shut down OSU for three plays leaving the Buckeyes 14 yards and one play away from crying on the bench. What could Jim Tressel have possible told his kids at that point to make them play? They had just been demoralized by an incredible punt return and last-second field goal that stole a game they had fought three months to win. Then, Miami scored and the game seemed out of reach, the same way it was impossible for Boston to win the ‘86 World Series after Game 6. There are just some things that are so demoralizing that makes it impossible to win. But then Craig Krenzel scrambled right and found a receiver sent from God for fifteen yards and a first down. The rest is history.
A more mediocre shout-out goes to Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons for going into Green Bay and destroying years of Packer lore. Prior to Vick’s arrival, the Packers were 13-0 at home in the playoffs. The Falcons are going to beat Green Bay in the “frozen tundra of Lambeau Field”? Impossible! That’s how big the playoffs are—”They’ve changed the English language. They made the impossible, possible.”
Is there really a better coach in the NFL right now than Herman Edwards? As an ex-Eagle, Herm has always had a special place in my heart, but after his fiery press conference where he uttered the immortal line, “You play to win the game. Hello. You play to win the game,” Edwards became one of my favorite sports personalities. There is no cooler cat under pressure than Herman Edwards. He’s Joe Namath on the sidelines. And following a 41-0 trouncing of his mentor, Tony Dungy, and the Colts, Edwards is coaching the hottest team in football. You heard it here first: the Jets will play in San Diego (against the Eagles, of course).
If only there were five seconds on the clock in the debacle that was the 49ers and Giants. Alas, there were six seconds and so the Giants had to lose. I hate to say it, but it was a joy to watch the Big Blue blow this game. I’d been waiting a few weeks for them to do something stupid, but they were unstoppable. And then comes the biggest game of their season, and they blow it. I don’t care that a pass interference call was missed because-and stupid Giants fans never get this-if the Giants hadn’t absolutely melted down in the fourth quarter, it wouldn’t have even mattered. Blame the refs all you want, it’s a New York tradition, but look no further than your own pathetic team. (That felt really good, almost too good.)
This should be an interesting weekend on the gridiron. Look for the Jets and Titans to square off, as well as the Eagles and the Bucs. And to anyone who thinks the Eagles are a better team with A.J. Feeley: Put down the crack, it’s time you get help (or in Ray Buchanan’s case, the steroids).
