THE LEAGUE^©

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It’s Been A While, and I’ll take full responsibility for The League’s momentum being Staind a bit, but it’s time to regroove. Is that a word? About as much as “Staind” is, I suppose. But I Take My Chances and trust Mary Chapin Carpenter, that forgiveness (from our loyal readers) doesn’t come with a debt. Yeah, I know I’ve been hibernating from blogdom for quite awhile, and should probably cease with the music references and get on with it. After all, those who have failed to write something for as long as I have run the risk of the audience saying My Give A Damn’s Busted (Jodie Messina) if we don’t get into it quickly. So here goes.

Something amazing happened in the Valley of the Sun recently. If you haven’t heard – well, of course you have. Who hasn’t? Naturally, I’m talking about Shaquille O’Neal and his stretch of two games – vs. the Clippers on Thursday the 8th and the Mavericks on two nights later – where he made all of his free throws. That’s right sports fans, 7-7 in the first game, 5-5 in the second. History indeed. Not since he hit all 13 of his attempts on April 17, 2001 while with the Lakers, have we witnessed such a wondrous deed. And to think we all thought that was a once in a lifetime occurrence. But that was merely one game, and if you follow sports long enough, you learn that you really haven’t seen it all, even if you think you have. Shaq’s recent charity stripe binge was the first time in his career that he’s been perfect over a two game period. But alas, like a (diesel-powered) Nova, he crashed and burned almost as quickly, shooting 6-11 on Tuesday against Atlanta.

I’ve always said that the greatest sporting events I’ve ever attended in person were as a college student at the University of North Dakota, when I attended Fighting Sioux hockey games religiously. To this day, that’s still the case. The feeling that is, not the attending. But the first round playoff game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Atlanta Falcons was at least in the same ballpark. And had the roof been open like it should have been (temperature at the 2:30 kickoff was around 65 degrees and sunny), who knows? It may have been just enough to put it on par. The atmosphere was incredible, and many things that long suffering Cardinal fans had been longing for lo these many years landed with a bang. The possibility that the Cardinals may have exited with a bang (read: thud) the following week was a very real one, granted. But it wasn’t a worry. The sights and sounds at the University of Phoenix Stadium that day would not soon be forgotten by anyone in attendance; the fans, players, and franchise suits. It’s a drug we all took a hit of, and wanted more.

We had to wait only a week, partaking in the next-best-thing this past Saturday. The scene at Buffalo Wild Wings was just as crazy; it was at most watering holes, I imagine. Maybe even a little more raucous, though a fraction of the size, given the fact that 22 ounce beers were a mere $4.00. A bargain compared to the stadium version of the same name. [My son was with me again, which was great. I couldn't have explained the sports bar scene to him otherwise.]

From the moment myself, my son and the possible future son-in-law (PFSL) walked through the gates for the first round Atlanta game, it was obvious we were not in Kansas anymore. No, it wasn’t quite UND vs. Minnesota or Wisconsin, but few things are. However, I never walked down the aisle exiting one of those games passing a 50-ish guy high fiving whoever noticed while repeating, “I can’t believe it. Fourteen years I’ve been a season ticket holder. I can’t believe it.” He wasn’t overly exuberant or loud. He looked like Joe Normal, really. Probably didn’t even look all that excited to a distant observer, but he was. Hell, come to think of it, he was practically in tears. I wouldn’t be surprised if those came later. And I set a personal record was set for high fives in a single day.

Self, son, and PFSL were short on voice by the end of the first quarter on that first Saturday on the New Year. Thankfully, Atlanta grabbed the momentum late in the first half, so we had time to recuperate. And recuperate we did, along with everyone else. We also learned early that trying to communicate with each other was a task that involved a lot of timing, lest we waste our precious vocal chords while the noise level was deafening. I swear I actually saw the roof panels separate a couple times. Afterward, we dreamed that if the Cards somehow could get past Carolina, and the Eagles could beat the Giants, we’ll have the NFC Championship game back here. Either way, we were fine with it. Even at that point Cardinals fans had plenty to look forward to. Luckily, they’re still playing, so I can hold off on going into the off-season moves that should be made (re-signing Kurt Warner is not one of them), but there will be plenty of time for that later. But one of the caveats of being a sports fan is that the closer your team gets, the more intense the games and the interest level. And the disappointments. In other words, it would be better if the Eagles beat the Cardinals this Sunday 38-3 than 24-23 on a last second field goal. 

Speaking of the NFC Championship game, I normally tire quickly of fans saying their team is getting no respect. But I now understand where that comes from. Though I am in no way saying the Arizona Cardinals have earned anything lasting with their little hot streak, I still have to shake my head when a New York Times article mentions coach Ron Whisenhunt (sic). The Philadelphia Inquirer’s John Gonzalez spews some matter with very little thought involved as well. It always cracks me up when a writer or broadcaster from thousands of miles away tries to sound like he knows what he’s talking about regarding a team. On top of that, numerous other outlets have stamped the Eagles’ ticket to Tampa in two weeks. In fact, I haven’t seen one prediction that picks the Cards to win. Which is a good thing. I’m sure they’re out there. Some one has to be different. (Not even two straight Sports Illustrated covers, though merely regional, can jinx this team. Nice try, SI. You will be another believer soon enough.)  

Every breakdown of the NFC Championship matchup – okay, I should say all two of them, as time is a terrible thing to waste – has the Eagles winning easily. (Isn’t the position-by-position grading about the most overused angle in sportwriting? No? Okay, maybe it’s just me.) The more I think about it, the less I see it that way. Without going into detailed analysis like the “experts” do, I see it this way. The criticism has been rampant that the Cardinals haven’t been able to run the ball effectively this season. Neither has Philly. While every fantasy player loves Brian Westbrook during the season, would you rather have him banged-up or Edgerrin James healthy and relatively fresh? (Look for James to be key this Sunday, by the way. He’s one of the few Cardinals who’ve been there before). I’ve also read ad nauseum that the Eagles defense will be too much for the Cardinals. Yes, Jimmy Johnson is probably the most well-respected defensive coordinator in the league. Soon, Clancy Pendergast will be in the same church, if not the same pew. Pendergast was the lone holdover from the Dennis Green regime for a reason, and yes, he is who I thought he was. The Cardinals went pretty vanilla the last few games of the season after clinching the NFC West, but no more. And the fact that there isn’t a lot of meaningful late-season footage on their up-and-coming D full of young, quick playmakers is a plus for Arizona. But back to my point, the Cardinals defense will have their way with a one-dimensional Eagles offense. Whether Brian Westbrook is 100% or 50%, their offense has had a terrible time both running the ball and scoring points the last month or so. A final thought or two on the defenses; both lines are smallish by today’s standards, relying on quickness and pursuit. Filling the gaps. Running to the ball. Don’t be surprised by a big misdirection play or two by either or both offenses. The secondaries are perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this game. Asante Samuel or Dominick Rodgers-Cromartie? Common sense would point to Samuel obviously, but he’s also the one who will be matched up with Larry Fitzgerald or Anquan Boldin. Cromartie is not. And I do like his matchup with DeSean Jackson.  Brian Dawkins or Adrian Wilson? Again, most would opt for Dawkins, in no small part because he’s more well-known and the Eagles have had much success the past several years. But I’ll take Wilson any day of the week, and twice on Sunday, including this one.

In the Give Credit Where Is Due department, Cardinals left tackle Mike Gandy has been stellar so far in the off-season, rendering first John Abraham and then Julius Peppers into non-factors. An injury to him could be as damaging as nearly any other Cardinals player on either side of the ball, as we all know the Eagles will come after Warner. Despite the fact that I’ve now sufficiently jinxed him, keep an eye on him this Sunday. He’s playing at an All-Pro level, and is as crucial to their success as anyone. On the other side, Jon Runyan is ailing a bit. These little things add up. And don’t be surprised if the Eagles defense suceeds in knocking Kurt Warner out for a play or two, or maybe more. I like my chances with Leinart. He’s been fortunate enough to develop like most QBs did back in the day; hold the clipboard for a few years, play a little now and then, and step in.

Would this be a good time to mention that I’ve been 3-1 each of the first two playoff weeks? I missed Indy over San Diego the first week and San Diego over Pittsburgh last week. Luckily, San Diego is no longer a factor, so I don’t foresee missing any more. Ravens 19, Steelers 13. Cardinals 26, Eagles 13.  So you better lay your money doowwwn. No need to thank me. But soon we can all joke about the “experts” picks going over like a Led Zeppelin.

Thanks for taking the time to read. And the game time temperature for the NFC Championshp game is going to be about 70, with a high that day of 74. The roof needs to be open. If not now, when?

Posted by Ricko on Thursday, January 15th, 2009 at 10:52 pm.