Sean Peyton won't be coaching the Saints in 2012
The Train is back, and the Madness of March has run the wheels off this high-speed locomotive. The proof is in the pudding, and the NCAA tournament is the most exciting form of playoff system in the country and in sports. Imagine a smaller tournament bracket for college football where there are 16 of the top teams in the country, and then imagine the excitement and pandemonium that the final four would cause in America. All of the money hungry big wigs out there would still be able to convert these games into bowl games and bring money to themselves and whatever cities host them. Just like college basketball has the NIT (the Not In Tournament), college football could do the same—another tournament bracket for the smaller bowl games and everyone stays happy and gets paid.
It’s just my idea but I know that format would work and be 100 percent more exciting than it already is with no question of who was the true national champion. Every year someone gets left out of the big game; 11 undefeated Division I teams have been left out of a title shot since the BCS was created. The college football system is flawed, and the big wigs should take note and listen to the most important voices out there, the fans’!
Just like the world is constantly spinning and changing, so is the world of sports. There is always something new to debate or discuss. The past few months have been pretty rough to the New Orleans Saints organization, and the paid-to-hit bounty program is fuel to the fire. After the facts came out, Commissioner Goodell took no time to begin punishment; Head Coach Sean Peyton was banned from coaching for a year, former Defensive Coach Gregg Williams was suspended indefinitely and GM Mickey Loomis for eight games. The Saints also lost two second-round draft picks and were fined $500,000.
According to investigation, the fund for the bounty program reached as high as $50,000, and players got paid $1,500 for a hit knocking a player out of a game and $1,000 for a hit resulting in an opposing player needing help off the field. During playoff time, the cash prize was tripled. We at least know that Sean Peyton is taking it in stride, playing bongo drums for a Jimmy Buffet concert and obviously keeping busy during his time off from football. There are 27 players that are being investigated, and it sounds like these boys better lawyer up. The commissioner and the NFLPA are warning these players they may face criminal charges, even though most legal scholars agree it’s very unlikely to happen. We all know Goodell can punish however he deems fit, but proving this stuff in court, come on!
Gregg Williams may never coach in the NFL again
First off, the legal system tends to let sporting leagues police themselves. Second, it’s too hard to say who, where, what or when a tackle injured another player. This is a difficult situation because I believe purposely injuring a player is wrong and a system paying players is wrong, but how bad is it, really? The NFL is violent, and all teams focus on taking out star players; you play to win the game!
The Saints were just spicing up that fact with a little cash. A thousand dollars to me is a lot; to a NFL player, it’s change, so money is a non-factor here. I don’t know who is wrong or right, I am just saying I don’t think there were any more violent thoughts in the mind of Saints defensive players than any other defensive players in the league. The game is rough, and any given hit or tackle can end your career. Maybe the bounty program was just an idea from Gregg Williams to get his players motivated and hitting harder. People say, “They put bounties on Farve, Rodgers, Warner and Newton. They could have killed them.” All opposing defenses playing those quarterbacks think the same—hit the QB, and hit him as hard as you can. The only difference with the Saints and other teams in the league is they got caught.
UK tops KU
The Kentucky vs. Kansas title matchup was rough. I have been a Kansas fan since I was a baby, and the Jayhawks made a comeback but ultimately were defeated by Kentucky’s defense. I still have the cloth “It’s great to be a Jayhawk” wall hanger that has hung over my bed since I was a little kid. I was born in Kansas and I still ride with Kansas. Both schools have great history, just look it up.
Kentucky's freshman phenom Anthony Davis, photo by Al Tielemans
Kentucky was just too much. On all sides of the ball, the Wildcats were the all-around better team and Coach Calipari finally got his much deserved first championship.
I have also been a fan of Tennessee basketball over the years, but most of that love was for Pat Summit and the Lady Vols. Pat Summit is a legend. I wish her well with her Alzheimer’s and hope she can bring another title to Tennessee before she retires. Once Baylor’s Brittney Griner graduates after next season, it will be possible. The negative attention Bruce Pearl brought to the UT program was no good, even though he was loved by fans and players; he lied to the NCAA and got caught. The program was growing with Pearl and I believe it has taken a back step to its future growth; it’s going to take a few signings and some serious motivation from new Head Coach Cuonzo Martin.
Titans Wrap-up
It’s time to wrap this baby up. It is always a good idea to wrap it up.
Poor old Bud Adams; he put it all on the table, and I applaud the old man for it. He knew it was his only chance for a possible quick Super Bowl title. The old man put an empty check in front of Peyton and pretty much told him he could fill it out. I was hoping for it also, but it may be more of a fairy tale than real life. Does Peyton really have a $100 million arm still? I am a fan of Manning and wish him the best, but I have real doubts he has it in him after 13 years of amazing play at Indy.
The old Bird Flicker Bud Adams knows that he has something special in Jake the Snake Locker and I am excited to see it. He showed some amazing play in his short fill-ins last season. Adams wanted a good three or four years of Peyton while Jake learned behind him. I also wanted that, but I am just as excited to throw Jake right into the Lions’ den. Matt Hasselbeck took it in stride and shows no signs of being upset over the situation. The guy is a class act pro athlete. I am glad Matt decided to stay around. He would be a fine fill-in and backup for the kid. I just hope the coaching staff and Matt think the same way and decide to roll with the Jake the Snake this season. Jake the Snake, Chris “Bobble Head” Johnson, Kenny Britt and Jared Cook could be the next Steve McNair, George, D-Mason and Wycheck, you never know. The group is young and full of flavor. Let’s fire up the pot and hope the stuff tastes scrum-diddly-umptious!
