'85 Bears vs. 2000 Ravens

Starting off the new series of posts are fantasy matchups from the past & present of pro football alongside some college football matchups as well.  Today's matchup is the '85 Chicago Bears vs. the 2000 Ravens.  Here's a breakdown of the matchup & I'll need some responses if your reading this on who would win.

'85 Bears Hall of Famers/Star Players: Walter Payton (RB), Mike Singletary (MLB), Dan Hampton (DT), Richard Dent (DE), Jim McMahon (QB), Willie Gault (WR/Olympic sprinter), Wilber Marshall(OLB), Otis Wilson (OLB), William "The Refrigerator" Perry (DT), Gary Fencik (SS) Head Coach: Mike Ditka. Defensive Coordinator: Buddy Ryan

Regular Seaon Record (1985): 15-1 (only lost came to Miami Dolphins Week 13)
Accomplishments:  Won NFC Central, Won NFC Championship, Won Super Bowl XX (Richard Dent named MVP), shut out two playoff opponents, only allowed 10 points the entire post-season, 4 total shutouts during the 1985 season. Buddy Ryan perfects the 46 Defense. Mike Ditka wins Coach of the Year, Mike Singletary wins Defensive MVP, NFC Defensive Player of the year for the 1985 season.

Road to Super Bowl XX:  def. NY Giants 21-0 Divisional Round), def. L.A. Rams 24-0 (NFC Title Game), def. New England Patriots 46-10 (Super Bowl XX).

2000 Ravens Star Players:  Ray Lewis (MLB), Jamal Lewis (RB), Priest Holmes (RB), Jermaine Lewis (WR/PR/KR), Trent Dilfer(QB), Shannon Sharpe (TE), Jonathan Ogden (OT), Sam Adams (DT), Tony Siragusa (DT), Rob Burnett (DE), Michael McCray(DE), Adalieus Thomas (DE/LB), Jamie Sharper (OLB), Peter Boulware (OLB/DE), Chris McAlister (CB), Duane Starks(CB), Rod Woodson (Safety; in Hall of Fame), Matt Stover (K).

Regular Season Record (2000): 12-4
Accomplishments: 2nd in AFC Central, won AFC Title, won Super Bowl XXXV (Ray Lewis named MVP), won three straight playoff games to reach Super Bowl XXXV, defeated the Tennessee Titans at home twice, Ray Lewis wins NFL Defensive MVP, shut out four opponents during the regular season. Went on a month long touchdown drought where the offense did not score a single touchdown for the month of October.

Road to Super Bowl XXXV: def. Denver Broncos 21-3 (Wild Card ), def. @Tennessee Titans 24-10 (Divisional Round), def. @Oakland Raiders 16-3 (AFC Title Game), def. NY Giants 34-7 (Super Bowl XXXV).

That's the tale of the tape for this matchup.  Comment on who do you think would win in this matchup.

Upcoming Posts for June

Hey everyone, starting next month (tomorrow actually), I will be starting a special series of blogs during the month of June on fantasy football matchups between some of the greatest teams in both college & NFL football.  Each matchup will have in detail the respected teams regardless if they won a championship or not & their influence on the sport.  Here's the 1st matchup to kickoff the new series: the 1985 Chicago Bears vs. the 2000 Baltimore Ravens.  Time to debate & your votes will determine who would win & you will get my take on who wins.

The influence of the 1981 San Diego Chargers

I happened to turn it on NFL Network last night to watch America's Game: The Missing Rings & happen to watch the episode of the 1981 San Diego Chargers. The team was lead by Coach Don Coryell, who developed the "Air Coryell" offense that was light years ahead of its time. Even though their defense wasn't that great, the Chargers were one cold day in Cincinati, Ohio away from Super Bowl XVI. The offense was operated by hall of fame quarterback Dan Fouts, that had a trendsetting tight end in Kellen Winslow, & another hall of fame wide receiver Charlie Joiner. The Chargers played the greatest game in modern football history against the Miami Dolphins in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs. Kellen Winslow played the game of a lifetime: catching the ball, blocking, fighting fatigue & cramps to even blocking the Dolphins' potential game winning field goal that led to overtime. The reason why I wrote about the 1981 Chargers is how their offense gave the blueprint to the modern era of football that people see now. They were able to utilize their skill players in a era of football that was still stuck in the old-school principles of playing ball-control offense & not taking any chances. If you look at the New England Patriots of today or the teams that have hybrid tight ends such as the Chargers (with Antonio Gates), the Packers, and many other teams have copied the "Air Coryell" offense in some way. What I found out interesting is that Joe Gibbs was on the Chargers coaching staff in 1980 before taking the head coaching job with the Redskins. He took the "Air Coryell" offense to the Nation's Capital & had a explosive offense but utilized his strong offensive line, John Riggins, & a strong vertical passing game. Even though the 1981 Chargers didn't win the Super Bowl, their influence on the game of football has lasted just as long as if they had won the Super Bowl.

Does Race still play a factor with Black Quarterbacks?

If you haven't noticed yet, but the NFL Draft is three days away and yet again the same issue is in the forefront of the draft: character. Late last week, an no-named NFL scout reported that potential #2 pick Robert Griffin III/RG3 was a "very selfish" player, with a diva attitude.  What irritates me about the whole story is that it came out with less than a week before the draft.  Where was this during the Combine or during RG3's pro day at Baylor?  The better question is where is the criticisms of Andrew Luck?  If these so-called scouts think that Luck is a sure-fire pick at #1, then they need to look at the two big games he lost the last two season against Oregon.  Not only did Luck lose those games, he was no where to be found when his team fell behind.  In simple terms, when the game was on the line, the game wasn't put in Luck's hands to go win.  Another thing that bothers me is that Todd McShay (yes that guy) was on record saying that RG3 would be a 4th string wide receiver in the NFL; pretty much saying that RG3 wouldn't cut it as a quarterback at the next level. Once again our friend Todd was wrong. RG3 won the Heisman Trophy, resurrected a doormat Baylor program, & willed his team to its first victory over annual National Champion contender Oklahoma.

The story of race and the quarterback position is getting old & tired. It's pathetic that it's 2012 & race is still being brought up when it comes to black quarterbacks.  Throughout the entire draft process of this upcoming season, I personally heard RG3 being compared to Mike Vick just because they are athletes playing quarterback.  The comparison is further from the truth.  At this stage of their respected careers, RG3 is a far better passing coming out of college than Vick was, who almost beat a powerful Florida State team in the National Championship game.  In my opinion, RG3 is in the mold of Aaron Rodgers based off the simple fact that both can beat you from the pocket first, then run as a second option.  

This issue doesn't surprise me at all because the same no-name sources & scouts in the NFL were saying the same thing about Cam Newton last season before he had a record-breaking rookie season. Stereotypes are damaging careers before they even get started.  Not all black quarterbacks are fast, undisciplined,or in RG3's case, selfish.  Before making a final say on who will be a star or bust, cut through the nonsense that the unnamed sources are giving & watch the game tapes before saying somebody is selfish.

The Iron Man: London Fletcher

If you haven't heard by now, the Washington Redskins & middle linebacker London Fletcher agreed to a new two-year contract deal over the weekend.  This ensures that Fletcher will end his career as a Redskin.  Fletcher entered the league as a undrafted free agent from Division III John Carroll University to the St. Louis Rams in 1998. 

What makes Fletcher special is he hasn't missed a game since entering the league in 1998.  He has played in over 224 consecutive games, over 1,782 tackles, 34 career sacks, & 18 career interceptions at a potition where bodies are usually destroyed by the time a player hits his early thirty's.  No, he  doesn't  dance  around like Ray Lewis or make Old Spice commercials like Brian Urlacher. All London Fletcher does is makes plays & shows up to work every day like the blue collar worker.

There's no doubt that London Fletcher is a sure shot hall of famer, with a Super Bowl title on his impressive resume, but the debate will come when he retires.  Will he go in on the first ballot like Ray Lewis will or will he get the run around like another Redskins great, Art Monk got for all those years until 2008?  The best example that comes to mind to great players in sports is Cal Ripken Jr. Cal came to work every day for 2,632 consecutive games in a sport that has over 162 games plus playoffs.  London Fletcher is pro football's Iron Man.

The Legacy of Sean Taylor

Yesterday marked the 29th birthday of the late Redskins safety Sean Taylor.  Even though he has since passed away at the age of 24, his legend has grown into mythical proportions since that dark day on November 27, 2007.  At the time of his untimely & tragic passing, Taylor was on the path to becoming the most feared & dominating safety of his generation and even possibly of all-time.  If anyone can remember the path of devastation he left at The U (in only 3 years might I add), then they knew that the NFL wasn't safe for anyone that crossed his path on the field.  Gregg Williams was once quoted saying that Taylor was the greatest natural athlete he ever had the chance to coach.  Former teammate & current Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark said that Taylor was the best player he ever played along side.

There are many that will argue that Ronnie Lott was the greatest safety in NFL history, some will say Larry Wilson of the St. Louis Cardinals was the greatest or even Paul Krause of the Minnesota Vikings.  In this generation, Ed Reed gets the overall vote along side Troy Polamalu.  What set Sean Taylor apart from the safeties that I mentioned was that he wasn't one dimensional.  Some safeties can only cover, while some can only hit.  Sean was the complete package.  He could hit like a middle linebacker, but could cover a lot of space with the speed & grace of a finesse shutdown cornerback. Ed Reed is known for his play-making ability once he got his hands on the ball, but Sean wasn't far behind in that regard as well.  Whenever Taylor got his hands on the ball, something special was going to happen.  How could people forget the two fumble touchdown returns he had at the end of the '05 season & in the Wild Card playoff game against Tampa Bay? Even though he made his mistakes on & off the field, the "thug" that the media portrayed was far from it.  He was misunderstood if anything.  A reserve, quiet man, all Taylor wanted to do is play football & be a father to his newborn daughter, that's all he wanted to do.  His love for his newborn daughter Jackie changed his life completely & he found a happiness that many might search an entire life for.

What I loved about Sean Taylor's game was how rooted in the old-school it was.  If you didn't wear the same jersey, it was gonna be a long day.  He was a quiet enforcer, who had no mercy for an opponent & would let them know that if they crossed his path, they would know it.  Sean Taylor's legacy is the same as Len Bias in this area. Both were beloved by the DC metro area & their untimely deaths have affected the area in more ways than the casual out of town person sees on ESPN. The question that stays on many people's minds are "What could've been? or Would they both be legendary players in the pros?"  The day that Sean passed, I was in my first year at Frostburg State University & getting the phone call from my older brother before going to class will always stay with me.  My neighbor Marty seen me wear my Sean Taylor jersey that day & gave me a hug when I got off the elevator.  Both of us were in disbelief because the man was loved by every Redskins fan & football fan.  It's 2012 & the Redskins have yet to fill the legendary void that #21 left behind.  Taylor's #21 jersey is the last Redskins jersey that I brought & will probably stay that way for a while now.  How I think Sean Taylor should be honored by the Redskins? Retire his number along side Sammy Baugh's #33.  Its only right.

Is Roger Goodell extorting the NFL?

Recently, Roger Goodell gave the New Orleans Saints the league's version of the "Death Penalty", by suspending head coach Sean Payton (entire season), general manager Mickey Loomis (8 games), & former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams (term not determined) for the bounty program over the last 3 seasons.  Goodell wasn't finished laying down the law, he took over $36 million from the Redskins in salary cap space & took $10 million away from the Cowboys for the next two years.  It's safe to say that the commissioner has no problem laying down the most severe punishment to set a precident, but the important question is Goodell extorting the league in a power trip?

For starters, Goodell suspended Pacman Jones for an entire season as soon as he began his reign as commissioner, then he suspended Mike Vick for his involvement in a illegal dogfighting ring & then suspended him for the first four games when he was released from prison.  Before "Bounty Gate", those were the two most severe punishments Goodell levied.  However, he only suspended Ben Roethlisberger only six games for sexual assualt, which was later reduced to four games.  There's been a lot of inconsistency with Goodell when it comes to player conduct. The case that caught my attention about Goodell's heavy handed ways was with rookie Terrell Pryor.  Goodell suspended the rookie quarterback for the first five games of last season, a punishment that originated from the NCAA the previous season to force Pryor back to Columbus for his senior season.  Goodell made a precident by continuing a punishment that didn't even happen in the NFL the season before.  That shows that Goodell is more worried about abusing his power than doing the right thing. 

Goodell is turning into a dictator than a commissioner now and the evidence is as clear as day.  What I would recommend the NFLPA do is create a commission type panel that would balance some of Goodell's power.  If not, the punishments that's being levied out now will be child's play to what could happen in the future.  "No one man should have all that power..."