These are all truly amazing stories. It used to be rare when a team like the 49ers in 1981 and the Rams in 1999 turn it all around in just 1 season and win the Super Bowl. Well... it still is rare as hell. In fact, these are the only two teams ever to do it.
Just yesterday, I intercepted a few interesting communications between some big shots. These are fellows who write for Yahoo! and ESPN.com. They have their little secluded and confidential meeting places on the web where they can speak to each other as fellow experts without noise from partisan idiots. They were working through some serious research problems. Which teams have a serious chance to turn it all around in 2009 in the same manner as Baltimore, Atlanta, and Miami?
They quickly eliminated certain contenders such as Cleavland, New Orleans, Buffalo, Jacksonville, and Washington. These are all easy picks. None of those teams should have finished at the bottoms of their respective divisions in 2008. They are all much better than that. Granted, it will be a shock if Cleveland takes the central away from Pittsburgh and Baltimore, but it is not that big of a stretch. It is not unthinkable. The same goes for Buffalo and Jacksonville. New Orleans & Jacksonville are both long overdue for great things.
I was quite shocked by what I read on the posts. When asked to pick a far-stretch guess who they picked?
- Houston
- Kansas City
- St. Louis
This will bring great cheer to the hearts of those who live in Missouri for sure.
I considered Houston a cheaters pick because they were 8-8 last year and finished #3 in the AFC south. They were not at the bottom. The argument went like this:
- Houston is still a new franchise.
- They have no winning tradition yet
- They are expected to finish dead last in what should be the toughest division in football in 2009. Nope it ain't going to be the NFC East in 2009.
- With all due respect to Larry Fitzgerald, the Titans have the finest receiver in the league in Andre Johnson.
- They have a lethal defensive end in Mario Williams.
- They have a rookie of the year candidate in Brian Cushing
- If Houston defeats Jacksonville, Indianapolis, and Tennessee for the South Crown, it will be a monumental achievement nobody expected.
It is an interesting case. Certainly, the Texans were no pushovers in 2008. They ripped up some unexpected victims for sure *Denver*. They have been getting better and better every year. They were executing like a machine last year. If Indianapolis falls down in their coaching transition (as expected) and if Tennessee's defense comes unglued without Albert Haynesworth (as expected) then it is a shootout between Jacksonville and Houston.
Of course, most people don't see it that way. This is why it would be so shocking if it does go down like this.
So why Kansas City?
- Because they have been drafting extremely well now for 3 years.
- They have a fantastic offensive mind in Todd Haley, and he is a he is tremendous disciplinarian also.
- With a good, young, mature quarterback in hand, they should be a hell of a lot better in 2009.
- Denver has collapsed.
- The Raiders ain't going to be much better.
- San Diego is long overdue and should be a hell of a lot better. Unfortunately, they have been going backwards not forwards.
- Nobody has confidence in Norv Turner. Great coordinator. Terrible head coach.
- They have a relatively open road to recovery.
This is an interesting argument. There has been little or no joy in Missouri for two years now. Maybe there is reason to crack a slight smile.
The last one really caught my eye. Of course, you know I am a 29-30 year fan of the Rams. Ever since SB XIV against the Steelers. So why are you picking my team guys?
- The Seahawks are not going to be much better this year. They entered a rebuilding phase last year. It was not a simple injury situation as people thought. Nobody believes it, but is true. Expect things to be as bad or worse in 2009.
- The Cardinals are going to be cut low by the Super Bowl jinx. If Warner gets hurt, it is quarterback transition time, which is seldom smooth. Just look at Green Bay last season.
- The 49ers do not have a quarterback. Despite the tremendous force of their great coach, they are still among the worst run organizations in the league.
- The Rams offensive line is not as bad as people claim it is (HA! I dispute that!). The off season upgrade to the Center and Left Tackle will be sufficient.
- They've got the second best running back in the league in Steven Jackson.
- They still have a former pro bowl QB in Bulger.
- The Wide Receivers are the key weakness.
- The defensive talent is good.
- Spagnuolo will fix the defense with scheme alone.
- Spagnuolo was the pick of the litter in terms of Head Coach material... until Shanahan got fired.
The last five points I can agree with. Those are basically objective fact. Everybody knows Steven Jackson has been amazing running behind piss-poor blocking. Bulger has been to the Pro Bowl twice. The defensive talent is far better than anybody knows. Spagnuolo can fix the defense with scheme alone. Spagnuolo was indeed the pick of the litter
I have to dispute some of these points. I don't know that the Seahawks are rebuilding just yet. It might be. However, I could just as easily see them getting up off the carpet and giving the Cardinals hell for the division. Much depends on Jim Mora Jr. We'll see how he does in his second go round as a head coach with a much better organization behind him.
The Super Bowl losers jinx is real and powerful and effective. No team has lost the Super Bowl and then immediately won the Super Bowl the next year except the Miami Dolphins of 1972. They were also the only undefeated team in the history of the game. That includes you New England. Statistically speaking, the team that looses the Super Bowl doesn't even make it into the playoffs the next year. That includes you New England. This is a ghastly thing to face down if you are the Cardinals.
However, objectively speaking, if there were any team likely to bust that jinx I think it is the Cardinals. I do not believe they were a fluke. I believe they are loaded with talent. I think they may have quietly had the best draft in the NFL. People are going to be eating shit when Chris Wells wins Rookie of the Year in 2009. I believe that team flamed-on last year. I think they are truly committed to going back and winning this year. They may not do it, but they have to be the prohibitive favorite to win the West.
An injury to Warner would be a setback, but I for one, do not believe that Leinart is a busted pick just yet. This is one of the most infuriating subjects for me. I am infuriated for both QBs in this dilemma. Everybody keeps asking why Matt hasn't moved out that old man Kurt. Do you realize that is a two time league MVP (and Super Bowl MVP) you are talking about? This is the man who just led them to within 3 minutes of the world championship. This is the QB with the second highest all-time efficiency rating in history behind Steve Young. Yep, the stats say he is better than Joe Montana.
When Leinart has been allowed to play, he has shown flashes of brilliance. The problem is he can't yet inspire enough confidence in his head coach to sit-down a future hall of famer. That is tough to do.
I'm a little worried about the 49ers, but maybe that is just a legacy thing. Singletary is perhaps the most respected dude in the league right now. That is true for good reason. I am concerned that he is rapidly whipping the bums into shape and making them a military force. Still, it is an objective fact that they do not have a QB. That will place serious limitations on their prospects.
Finally, there is the issue of the Ram offensive line... What have I been saying all along here? What have I been harping on? The Rams have had the worst OL in professional football two years running. Yes, we did upgrade the Center and the Left Tackle positions, and these are the two most important positions on the line. Yes we should be better. But who is going to play guard?
They say bums off the highway can play guard. I don't believe it. You need men like John Hannah, Gene Upshaw, Russ Grim, Dennis Harrah, Larry Little, Mike Munchak, and Tom Mack to get the job done right.
Anyway I am glad to see my Rams got mentioned =))
