The Best Game of THIS Weekend Debate – Hey Tim Tebow, Do You Play Defense, Too?

November 26, 2009

Read the arguments from Bleacher Fan and Loyal Homer about which game they believe is the BEST of this Thanksgiving weekend.



Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! It is our first Thanksgiving in existence her eat TSD, so we are thankful that we’ve survived and that we have such wonderful readers (see the reader nominated badge we earned on the top right!). Thanks, everyone. We hope to still be cranking out the kind of sports content you like to read for a long time!

While today, and the weekend, is mostly about pro football, I like a college football game that SEEMS to be decided before the teams take the field. Not only is it easy to orient on a rooting interest, it sets up the possibility of seeing the unexpected. The unexpected happens less frequently in sports these days, so it is all the more welcome when it makes an apperance. The chance for the unexpected is precisely why the Florida State-Florida match up in Gainesville this Saturday is the best game of THIS weekend.

I anticipate the unexpected here because the situation just feels strange. Florida, the team that was believed to have the best defense in the country by many last season – and returned all of its starters this season – seemed to be set up to dominate the competition in what was widely regarded as the best conference in college football (though that presumption is rightly questioned now).

Florida’s defense has not really disappointed this season. It is ranked first overall in points allowed per game, second in yards allowed per game, and first in passing yards allowed per game. Those are excellent statistics through 11 games… especially when considering the 9.8 points allowed per game.

But we must also consider Florida’s competition, especially as it relates to the quality of the offenses the team has faced. Lest we forget, Florida has played one – that’s right, ONE – ranked team all season, the dubiously highly ranked LSU Tigers. At the time LSU was ranked fourth, but the Tigers have since lost three games and have plummeted to 17th… which is still questionable with three losses. The Tigers also have one of the worst offenses in college football, ranked behind Western Michigan, Buffalo, Ohio, Louisiana-Monroe, etc. Not impressive.

The other stout offenses the vaunted Florida defense has faced? Charleston Southern, Troy, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas (a team that actually can play some offense, scoring 20 and only losing by three), Mississippi State, a dreadful Georgia team, Vanderbilt, South Carolina, and the impressive Florida International. The SEC stinks. While the defenses are good, the offenses are so bad that it inflates the perception of the league’s defenses. Florida has not played a good offense team, yet.

Now the Gators are facing a good – even excellent – offense for the first time this season. While Tebow will put up Tebow like numbers against the porous defense Florida State seems to have adopted for venerable defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews’ last season in Tallahassee, Florida State’s offense has been revived this season with Jimbo Fisher as the offensive coordinator. After losing junior quarterback Christian Ponder in a play at the end of the game against Clemson, EJ Manuel has come in and shown the ability to win by running the Florida State attack-style offense well enough. Manuel turned the ball over three times against Maryland, but has the ability to extend plays and scramble… the type of ability that is difficult for even good defenses to prepare for. For the first time, perhaps all season, Florida will face a team that is capable of scoring points against its defense. A lot of points. In fact, Florida State is the second best offense, statistically, in the ACC, ranking just behind the CJ Spiller led Clemson Tigers.

Florida State’s offense also ranks 26th nationally and converts nearly 50 percent of the time on third down. Manuel already averages, in a few brief appearances (including just one start), 5.2 yards per carry and a 65 percent completion rate. While it is true that Christian Ponder is a better quarterback, Manuel has stepped in effectively to this point, already notching his first collegiate win over the aforementioned Maryland (a team that shut down Clemson’s high powered offense).

Running back Jermaine Thomas has game breaking speed, too, with seven touchdowns and an average per carry north of five yards. As the season has progressed the Seminoles have run the ball more effectively. Florida should expect a balanced attack from a desperate team.

As Jimbo Fisher continues to improve as offensive coordinator in Tallahassee, he feels the pressure to construct a winning gameplan not just for the sake of the team, but for his future as future head coach. Florida State is a desperate team. Florida has “been there before” but the Seminoles are scratching and clawing for every inch, trying to regain elite statsus. In a big rivalry game where records are neutral but hatred is not, anything can happen. The circumstances surrounding this game – Florida expected to win the game, to win the SEC, to win the national championship game – is the perfect opportunity for Florida State – a team that appears down and drifting without its starting quarterback – to score a major blow in the rivalry.

Of course Florida is expected to win. Of course… except for the unexpected.

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Posted by Sports Geek

The Best Game of THIS Weekend Debate – Holiday Traditions

November 26, 2009

Read the arguments from Sports Geek and Loyal Homer about which game they believe will be the best game of THIS weekend.



Happy Thanksgiving!

Turkey Day is a time of tradition for many people across our country. Whether it is getting together with friends for the annual “Turkey Bowl” football game at your local park, a favorite dish that you look forward to all year at your Thanksgiving dinner, or a special activity that you share with your friends and family, tradition is a big part of how we give thanks. Another annual Thanksgiving tradition is Detroit Lions football!

It doesn’t matter that the Lions are 2-8 this season or that they are likely to get CRUSHED by their division rival Green Bay Packers. This is the game to watch this weekend. Why? Tradition!

The Detroit Lions have been a part of Thanksgiving Day since 1934. Like the Macy’s parade, the Lions have become an indispensible piece of the holiday experience. With the exception of a five-year layoff between 1939 and 1944 due to World War II, the Detroit Lions have played football on every single Thanksgiving Day for the past 75 years. Generations of Americans have gathered together on the last Thursday of every November to celebrate their lives, families and friends, and those parts of life they are most thankful for. After the feast every year, those same generations have gathered together to hear or watch the Lions play football.

Once again today, millions of people around the country are gathering together for some turkey with all the fixin’s. After second-helpings (or in my case, third-helpings), and a piece or two of pumpkin pie, many family will settle down into a sofa, loosen their respective belts, and tune in as Aaron Rodgers and the Packers travel to Detroit.

With the Minnesota Vikings at the front of the NFC North with a record of 9-1, the Packers are not likely to win the NFC North this season. Instead, the Packers are competing for one of the Wild Card spots. Currently they stand at 6-4 and are tied with the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles for the two remaining postseason spots. Because the Giants and Eagles both have seemingly more difficult schedules to close out the season, the Packers need to make sure they capitalize on “gimme” games like a matchup today against the Lions. They cannot afford to get caught looking ahead, because each game could make the difference in whether or not they reach the playoffs.

The Detroit Lions, despite a very exciting come from behind victory against the Cleveland Browns last weekend, will likely finish out this season in very bleak fashion. Adding to the struggles of the Lions (like they didn’t have enough problems already), they will be playing today without quarterback Matt Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Without two of their primary offensive weapons available, the Lions will have to rely on their worst-ranked defense to stop Aaron Rodgers, who has been one of the top quarterbacks in the league so far this season. I hate to say it, but I don’t think the Lions will be up to the challenge today.

The game may turn out to be a one-sided affair, but it is a Thanksgiving tradition that cannot be beaten. Spending the day with friends and family, enjoying good food, celebrating all that you are thankful for, and watching the Lions play football is what makes Thanksgiving so enjoyable. Besides, this game will also provide the perfect excuse for slipping into a turkey-induced nap before your second round of dessert begins!

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Posted by Bleacher Fan

The Best Game of THIS Weekend Debate – A Clash of Titans in N’Awlins

November 26, 2009

Read the arguments from Bleacher Fan and Sports Geek.



Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I hope you are enjoying your holiday with your family and friends (Editor’s note: and The Sports Debates!). If you’re like my family you stuff your face with turkey and all the fixings, then you kick back and watch football. Maybe you’ll enjoy today’s Packers-Lions game, or perhaps the mid-afternoon game between the Raiders and Cowboys. I am personally going to enjoy tonight’s game between the Giants and Broncos because it has massive playoff implications for both teams. However, I am looking further into the weekend to find the best game. In fact, I am going all the way to Monday night, when the Patriots travel to New Orleans to take on the undefeated Saints.

I know the Patriots (7-3) are coming off a win over the Jets last week in which they played pretty well. I had a chance to watch a good bit of that game. Wes Welker, who has 79 catches for 854 yards and four touchdowns, is quietly having a phenomenal year, a fact I did not really realize until last week. But I think we can all agree that Bill Belichick’s reputation took a serious hit in Indianapolis two weeks ago with the fourth down gamble. The Patriots and the coach need this game to get some swagger back, and beating the undefeated Saints would go a long way. Not to mention the Patriots are currently fighting the Chargers and Bengals for the number two seed in the AFC, a position that would give the winner a first round bye and at least one home playoff game. We all know how critical that is during January… who wants to go to Foxboro in January to play in those conditions?

The real focus on this game, however, is on the Saints. The buzz for this game has been building for weeks. The Saints have not exactly been hitting on all cylinders of late like earlier in the season. But, at 10-0 it is hard to be too critical. Either way, the Saints are still averaging a robust 36.9 points per game. Looking at the schedule, the Patriots game also represents one of the last remaining hurdles for the Saints to clear to make a run at a 16-0 finish to the season. Yes, they still have to host the Cowboys in December and they still have a possible tough game in Atlanta but the combined won-loss record of their opponents after the Patriots is 20-30 (with the Cowboys being the only team yet to face the Saints with a winning record). What is cool about this season so far is that there is a decent shot that both the Colts and Saints finish 16-0, two years after the Patriots finished the regular season undefeated. Wouldn’t that be something? It is something to keep an eye on as the season comes down the stretch.

For this week, I am focusing on the Patriots and Saints. It should be a highly entertaining game. Remember that it is on Monday night, so expect the hype to be monumental over the coming days, especially if you watch a certain network. The Superdome is sure to be rocking!!

In the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving!

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Posted by Loyal Homer

The Starting the Back Up Quarterback Debate – Leinart Is Ready To Leave the Nest

November 25, 2009

Read the arguments from Bleacher Fan and Loyal Homer about which NFL backup quarterback SHOULD be starting for their team right now.



Matt Leinart should be starting at quarterback in the NFL this season… at least, somewhere. Since Leinart was drafted as the tenth overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2006, a series of unfortunate events (i.e. a broken collarbone, a horrendous preseason, Paris Hilton) derailed Leinart from the fast track to superstardom. Now, during just his fourth season in the NFL, he finds himself blocked on the depth charts by a surprisingly resurgent fossil – I mean, quarterback – Kurt Warner. Leinart deserves a shot at a starting gig, if not in Arizona then somewhere.

Leinart has demonstrated immense talent. His college accolades are a testament to that, but he also has NFL experience. Leinart displayed flashes of brilliance his first season in the league throwing for 11 touchdowns and rushing for two more. In just 11 starts during the 2006 season, Leinart amassed 2,547 passing yards proving that he is more than capable of starting in the NFL, but he has not been given the opportunity to develop further. Leinart’s critics will point to his 12 interceptions that season and claim it was a sign of problems to come. Those critics should remember that a young Peyton Manning threw 26 touchdowns and a league leading 28 interception across four more starts than Leinart during his first season, and he turned out okay.

Serviceable quarterbacks are in high demand in the NFL in 2009. Numerous teams are looking to resolve QB questions in the upcoming 2010 draft, but Leinart serves as a unique and much better alternative. Leinart provides experience and affordability. The top two quarterbacks in last year’s draft received massive contracts, including $41.7 million (Matthew Stafford) and $28 million (Mark Sanchez) in guaranteed money. Leinart is currently in the fourth year of his six year deal, and his salary breaks down to an average around $6.75 million a year. His contract allows the team that acquires him a relatively cheap test drive. If they like him, they could sign him long term. If they find him a poor fit then they could part ways following the 2011 season. That is like offering a guy on a moped a $25 a month lease on a sports car. Who could turn that down?

You may be thinking, “Babe Ruthless, you are CRAZY! There is no way the Cardinals could afford to let Leinart go because Kurt Warner is way too old.” Let me assure you that I am crazy… crazy like a fox. You see, trading Matt Leinart is the right deal for both Leinart and the Cardinals. Warner has some gas left in the tank and many think he will remain the starter for the next two seasons. This creates a situation for Leinart not unlike what Aaron Rodgers faced just two seasons ago. Rodgers was blocked from the role of starter by living legend, Brett Farve, but the Packers waited till it was too late to make the most of both quarterbacks value. I suggest that the Cardinals strike while the iron is hot and trade Leinart for players that can make a difference now. The Cardinals could trade Leinart to a team in need of a new quarterback and get an upgrade that pays immediate dividends. I would bet that the Bills, Panthers, and more teams could find suitable trades that would benefit both teams. The Cardinals could get a trade that brings in a game-changing pass rusher like Julius Peppers or Aaron Schobel. Such a trade could bring the missing piece of the puzzle the Cardinals need to return to and win the Super Bowl, and allow Leinart to prove he has what it takes to lead a team.

Leinart must start somewhere, and soon. He is capable and ready to shine. If the Cardinals are not ready to give him the reigns, then the team should use him as trade bait to improve a team that is bordering on the cusp of greatness.

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Posted by Babe Ruthless

The Starting the Back Up Quarterback Debate – Third Try is a Charm!

November 25, 2009

Read Babe Ruthless’ argument and Loyal Homer’s argument about which NFL backup quarterback SHOULD be starting for their team right now.



One game does not a season make!

Desperation can make people do funny things. While many fans from Cleveland are complaining about the embarrassing manner in which the Browns lost to the Detroit Lions last Sunday, there are just as many folks who cannot seem to stop talking about Brady Quinn’s performance. Many fans around the city of Cleveland are allowing the pleasant memory of a single, solid performance by Quinn to overshadow the HORRIBLE performances by Quinn and fellow Browns quarterback Derek Anderson from the first eight games of the season. With the same delusional hope that every Browns fan feels during the preseason – that “this is FINALLY the year that it will all turn around…” – many of the Cleveland faithful appear ready to hand over the Browns’ offense, the keys to the city, and their first-born children to Brady Quinn.

I hate to be the rain cloud on this fools parade on the banks of Lake Erie, but the excitement will be short-lived.

I will give Quinn the credit deserved for that one game against the Lions. His performance of 304 passing yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions was impressive, there is no doubt about it. That does not mean, however, that all of the Browns’ problems have been solved. In the interest of “keeping it real” I feel obliged to remind everyone that this performance, albeit impressive, did come against the worst passing defense in the league. The Detroit Lions have given up more passing yardage than any other team in the league, the Lions are tied for the fewest interceptions in the league, and Detroit has allowed the most points. I will say it again – Quinn’s result from last Sunday were impressive, but it MUST be taken with a grain of salt.

In reality, the Cleveland Browns are no better off after Quinn’s performance than before it. The team has some SERIOUS offensive issues that have yet to be addressed. The Browns traded away the two best pass-catchers on the team – Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow, Jr. – this season and the right side of the offensive line is about as effective at protection as a bullet-proof vest made out of toilet paper. The current receiving corps is comprised of one pseudo-established receiver (Chansi Stuckey) two rookies (Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie), a kick returner (Josh Cribbs), and a part-time defensive back (Mike Furrey). For the running game the Browns are relying on Jamal Lewis, who announced three weeks ago that he will be retiring at the end of this season.

I know that it is tempting to view Quinn’s performance from last Sunday and argue it as proof that Quinn should be starting, but I want to propose another option – why not give current third string quarterback Brett Ratliff a try?

Derek Anderson has proven that he cannot successfully lead the Cleveland Browns offense any more. This season, Anderson has a passer rating of 36.2 and has thrown only two touchdowns against nine interceptions on the year. Quinn’s results (including his inflated stats from the game last weekend against the worst defense in the NFL) are not much better. Thanks to the charity game in Detroit, Quinn’s quarterback rating has SKYROCKETED to 70.4, and he was able to draw his touchdown total even with his interception total at five apiece. Before he had stepped onto Ford Field, he had thrown only one touchdown against five interceptions on the season.

Although Ratliff has not taken a professional snap yet, his performance at college in Utah was very impressive. During his final season with the Utes Ratliff passed for 2,796 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only nine interceptions. He successfully led Utah to an eight-win season in 2006, a season capped off by a victory in the Armed Forces Bowl.

I am not saying that Ratliff will be any better than Quinn or Anderson. It is obvious, though, that Browns head coach Eric Mangini has been reluctant to rely on Quinn. This is proven by the fact that Mangini benched Quinn after only three games and allowed Anderson to consistently fail for the next FIVE games before going back to Quinn, only because it would have likely cost Mangini his job if he had stuck with Anderson any longer. The team is clearly not in playoff contention; and, with the lack of any truly reliable personnel around the quarterback position, it is safe to assume that Quinn (despite one week of success) will likely continue to struggle throughout the rest of the season. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, why not at least give Ratliff a shot?! Let’s be honest, with the poor pass-blocking ability of the right side of the Browns’ offensive line, Ratliff will be playing by the end of the year anyway due to the inevitable injuries that will come as a result of the repeated hits absorbed by whomever takes the snaps in Cleveland.

After Quinn’s performance last Sunday I understand that it would be foolish not to start him against the Cincinnati Bengals this weekend. WHEN Quinn begins to struggle again or WHEN he gets hurt (whichever comes first), Mangini should look to Brett Ratliff, not Derek Anderson, as the next quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.

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Posted by Bleacher Fan

The Starting the Back Up Quarterback Debate – Kolb is The Future… and the Present

November 25, 2009

Read the arguments from Babe Ruthless and Bleacher Fan about which current NFL back up quarterback should be the starter.



It is always said that the most popular guy in town is the backup quarterback. I certainly hear it everywhere. I even hear it at the high school level. We all hear it often at the collegiate level (this has been going on in Athens, Georgia for much of the season with the 6-5 Georgia Bulldogs). Of course we hear it at the professional level. Backups often get to play due to injuries to the starting quarterback, as was the case this week in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers having to go to Charlie Batch after an injury to Ben Roethlisberger (Editor’s note: Now Batch is out for six weeks). Matt Leinart also took over for Kurt Warner out in Arizona after Warner took a blow to the head. There were other injuries, too. The point is that backups are very valuable and there are some backup quarterbacks who deserve a shot at starting. This is evident in the city of Brotherly Love with current backup quarterback Kevin Kolb.

Remember the stink that was made when Kolb was drafted with the 36th pick by the Eagles? I sure do. I was one of the ones making the stink. I thought it was too high to draft a backup quarterback and one who many experts were not as familiar with, for the most part. Plus, I was not sure it sent the right message to Donavan McNabb. Fast forward two years later… I have changed my mind.

Kolb, in his third season, deserves the chance to start. It is hard to say McNabb needs to be benched at this point, especially after a comeback win over the Bears last Sunday night. Kolb made his first start earlier this season in week two against the Saints, due to an injury to McNabb. Yeah, the Saints won big 48-22, but Kolb still threw for 391 yards and completed 31 passes. He followed that up by throwing for 327 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-14 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week two. Kolb is the only guy in NFL history to throw for at least 300 yards in his first two career starts. He has since been confined to the bench as McNabb has remained healthy and effective. But in his time as a starter he proved he has what it takes to be successful in the NFL.

Benching McNabb is not the answer. But, can you imagine Kolb’s gun slinging arm with the exciting duo of DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. That would be quite a show. As it is, that possibility may not happen. But, I compare Kolb to Matt Schuab who sat on the bench behind Michael Vick with the Falcons for three years before finally being traded to the Texans. He has since, quietly, established himself a capable quarterback, when healthy.

Kevin Kolb deserves a shot. He has too good of an arm to be sitting on the cold bench in Philadelphia. Hey NFL teams, please give him a shot soon!!!

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Posted by Loyal Homer

The Worst Owner in the NFL Debate – Micromanaging at its Worst!

November 24, 2009

Read the argument from Babe Ruthless and Loyal Homer about who the worst owner in the NFL is.



There are two types of bad owners in the NFL.

The first type is the “Invisible Owner.” That owner who shows reluctance to make any decisions no matter how dire a situation may be. Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner is the perfect example of an invisible owner. Rather than get involved in the operations of his team, regardless of how poorly that team is performing, Lerner is quite content to sit back and hide in his owner’s box while his team continues to implode. Either through unwillingness or an inability to effectively involve himself in the running of his team, Lerner’s absence has greatly impacted his team’s ability to develop properly over the 10 years since returning to the league.

The other style of bad ownership comes in the form of the “Meddlesome Owner.” A meddlesome owner is the person who cannot help but involve themselves in so many different aspects of the organization that they simply get in the way. Their need to influence and control every single piece of the team’s operation becomes a hindrance. Rather than let the hired experts within the organization do what they do best, these owners adopt a “my way or the highway” approach to leading their team, and become the biggest obstacle to their own team’s success. Previously, it had been the Cleveland Browns/Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell that wore the meddlesome crown. Following Modell’s retirement from ownership in 2004, though, it was none other than Al Davis of the Oakland Raiders who stepped in to take his place!

Both Lerner and Davis are worthy candidates for the “worst owner of the NFL debate,” but I have to award the title to Davis, whose stubborn tenacity has impeded the Raiders for a longer period of time than has Lerner’s empty desk.

In January of 2003 Davis appeared to have his Raiders once again on the cusp of NFL dominance. Like so many times during the 1970s and 1980s, the 2002 Raiders had just completed a third consecutive season with at least ten wins and would be representing the AFC in the Super Bowl against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team led by the Raiders’ former head coach, Jon Gruden. It was Gruden and his Buccaneers, though, who would go on to claim a Super Bowl victory that sparked a very drastic downward spiral that the Raiders have been unable to recover from. Since that Super Bowl loss in 2003, the Raiders have not been able to finish a season with a record better than 5-11. The Raiders record in that time has been an abysmal 27-79, and there is no end to the misery in sight for the loyal members of Raider Nation.

Who are the Raider faithful to blame for these struggles? Can a cause for this misery be identified? Yes, it can! All of these problems can be traced back to one person – Al Davis.

The problems began when Davis traded Jon Gruden to the Buccaneers. Davis, who disliked Gruden’s offensive approach to the game (despite its success on the field), sought to deal Gruden away rather than renegotiate a high-priced contract. This single moment become the first domino to topple in a series of drastic interferences by Davis that would lead the Raiders to become the team they are today.

In the eight years since Gruden was traded away Davis has hired FIVE different head coaches, none of whom he has kept around for more than two seasons. He seems to have adopted an extreme interpretation of his “just win, baby” mantra, and now demands IMMEDIATE results. The problem is that the carousel of temporary employees he refers to as head coach leads to instability within the organization. How can the players expect to develop any cohesiveness or consistency when the leadership is constantly in flux?

With instability at coach comes inconsistent and poor talent evaluation. When players are acquired by a team (whether through the draft, trades, or free agency), it is because the coach believes that player is the right fit for their scheme. The problem is that the scheme is changing every two years, but the players are not. Think about the damage that can do to a team – Tom Cable has inherited a team with players drafted or acquired by FIVE different staffs. He has a hodgepodge of athletes, but lacks a football team. There is no guarantee that the acquisitions from one off-season can successfully complement the athletes from other off-seasons.

For those players who are able to successfully adapt from one style to the next, they still do not have ample time to truly perfect their responsibilities. Imagine if an orchestra hired a violinist, but after a year of performances a new conductor is hired that asks the musician to play cello instead of violin. Two years later another change takes place and the musician is switched to the harp, then the flute, etc. When all is said and done the orchestra would sound terrible. Although it technically is staffed by musicians, none of the musicians have had the consistency required to allow them to perform as a cohesive unit. Instead the musicians are constantly trying to learn new instruments.

Al Davis has corrected and over-corrected within his organization so much that the Raiders are spinning out of control. There has been so much upheaval within the franchise that the players and coaches have no sense of unity or cohesiveness. The damage he has done to his team as a result of a meddlesome over-involvement that will likely take years to overcome. As long as Davis continues to enforce his current method of leadership, the Raiders may never truly recover.

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Posted by Bleacher Fan

The Worst Owner In the NFL Debate – Mr. Jones and Me

November 24, 2009

Read the arguments by Loyal Homer and Bleacher Fan about which owner they believe is the worst in the NFL.



Jerry Jones is the controversial owner of the Dallas Cowboys. His high profile public persona and endorsements have earned him a reputation as a shameless self promoter. His win-at-all-cost mentality and micromanaging leadership style have caused many to view Jones as a tyrannical boss. His over the top spending, on a $1.15 billion dollar stadium and countless acquisitions of superstar coaches and players, has vilified him to many fans of small market teams throughout America. In many respects Jones’ Cowboys are similar to George Steinbrenner’s New York Yankees, and it is for these reasons I respect Jerry Jones… BUT, despite all these similarities – which I consider admirable qualities – there is one glaring weakness which causes me to nominate Jerry Jones as the worst owner in the NFL – success.

One of the simplest and most meaningful truisms in of sports is the phrase “winners win.” Jerry Jones’ Cowboys have not won a postseason game in more than a decade. According to the transitive property (if A=B and B=C then A=C) Jerry Jones is not a winner. Failure was not always the path for Jerry Jones. He experienced success shortly after purchasing the Cowboys in 1989. The Cowboys won their first Jones era Super Bowl in 1993 and then went on to win two more in 1994 and 1996, tying a then NFL record for most Super Bowl wins with five. Unfortunately for Mr. Jones, those days seem long gone as the Cowboys have lost momentum and begun to resemble a shell of their former selves having failed to win a playoff game since December 28, 1996. The NFL is definitely a “what have you done for me lately,” business and the Cowboys have not done anything worth mentioning lately (insert Jessica Simpson joke of choice here, Hiyooo!).

The problem in Big D in recent years has been that Jones brings the wrong guys in and lets the right guys leave. The blame for personnel blunders rests solely on the shoulders of Jerry Jones, since he assumed the general manager duties in addition to his responsibilities as owner in 1994. No one can doubt the fact that Jerry Jones wants to win or that he tries to equip his team with the necessary personnel, but it stands to reason that such an underwhelming playoff record proves that he is not fit to wear the manager hat as well. In the early days of the Jones Era, the Cowboys could boast elite caliber players such as Hall of Famers Troy Aikmen and Michael Irvin as well as future Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith. But those days have gone. Other recent roster moves such as the addition of Adam “Pacman” Jones or the subtraction of Terrell Owens only strengthen the argument that Jones is no longer fit to manage the Cowboys. Entire websites are devoted to removing Jerry Jones from his role as general manager. Jerry needs to drink one of those Diet Pepsi Max’s he has been plugging, and realize a change needs to be made.

Jerry Jones is far and away the worst owner in the NFL, not because he does not care or try but because he squanders and mismanages the vast resources of the Cowboy empire. Having the resources to win and allowing mismanagement to hinder success is far worse than refusing to risk the necessary resources or not having them in the first place. Jerry Jones is Jerry Jones’ biggest problem! Until Jerry Jones (the owner) fires Jerry Jones (the general manager) the Cowboys will remain a team of wasted talent.

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Posted by Babe Ruthless

The Worst Owner In the NFL Debate – Bidwell Prevents The Cards From Succeeding Consistently

November 24, 2009

Read the arguments by Babe Ruthless and Bleacher Fan about which owner they believe is the worst in the NFL.



Some NFL owners are recognizable for various reasons. Put up a picture of many pro football team owners and most football fans recognize them. Some that come to mind obviously include Jerry Jones, Daniel Snyder, Al Davis, Robert Kraft, Arthur Blank, etc. Other owners are not as recognizable, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. Today, however, TSD is debating the worst owner in the NFL. We had a great time discussing this one behind the scenes, believe me! Both Babe Ruthless and Bleacher Fan have great choices, but I believe that Bill Bidwell, current owner for the Arizona Cardinals, is without a doubt the worst owner in pro football.

Granted, the Cardinals are on a little bit of an upswing right now with last season’s near Super Bowl win and this season’s team off to a 7-3 start. The Cardinals have an NFL superstar in Larry Fitzgerald and a possible future Hall of Fame quarterback in Kurt Warner. But the past two years are two of the best in franchise history. And, quite frankly, that is unacceptable.

Bidwell became part owner of the Cardinals in 1962 and assumed full control in 1972. In his 47 years as at least a part owner the Cardinals (whether in St. Louis or Arizona) have only made the postseason FIVE times!!! Yes, that’s right – FIVE times!

For years the Arizona Cardinals were one of the laughing stocks of the league. Bidwell has been laughed at by opponents and cursed by fans. Draft picks went unsigned. The organization rarely fielded a competitive team, and for 18 years Bidwell allowed fans to bake in the hot desert heat at fan-unfriendly Sun Devil Stadium… a stadium the team sold out just 12 times! Since he took over the reins in 1972, the team’s record under his watch is a ridiculously bad 237-344-4. That record includes 17 losing seasons in its current home, Arizona. It also includes four postseason wins with three of those wins coming in last season’s magical run.

Many say Bidwell gets too much criticism. They say he stays out of the limelight because he does not like the attention. Perhaps that is a good thing because Bidwell does not get a lot of attention, positive attention at least, since the Cardinals have been unsuccessful for much of their existence. The bottom line, however, is winning. Winning is something the Cardinals have not done consistently. Heck, it really isn’t something the organization has done sporadically. Five postseason appearances under Bidwell’s watch is totally ridiculous. That is one of the many reasons I have declared Bill Bidwell the worst owner in pro football, despite the run the Cardinals current success.

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Posted by Loyal Homer

The Replacing Charlie Weis Debate – It’s Kelly… Others Needs Not Apply

November 23, 2009

Read the arguments from Bleacher Fan and Loyal Homer about which coaches they believe will replace Charlie Weis as the head coach at Notre Dame.



Don’t look now, Brian Kelly, but you are being followed. No matter where you go, which program you build, which team you coach, or which players you recruit, it seems like success follows you. If Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick is smart, he will invite you – and your fortuitous shadow – to South Bend.

There are many reasons why Brian Kelly makes sense as a head coach for Notre Dame. Irish? Check. Catholic? Check. While neither of those traits are considered mandatory at Notre Dame (Ara Parseghian was Presbyterian), they sure make a decision easy for Swarbrick and company.

More than any conceivable ancillary trait, Kelly has a career full of success. It’s hard to think of a better indicator of future success than past success.

Brian Kelly joined the staff of little known Division II school Grand Valley State in 1987 as a graduate assistant. In two short years he moved his way up to defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator. Two short years after that Kelly became the team’s head coach. In 13 seasons as head coach Kelly led the team to five conference titles and six playoff appearances, won two national championships and two coach of the year awards in Division II. In the final three seasons as head coach Kelly’s team only lost two games. Two. Games. Total.

After leaving Grand Valley (a school in Michigan), Kelly took the reins of Central Michigan University. When Kelly arrived the team averages just three wins per season for the previous four seasons. Kelly’s stint as head coach began with a four win season, then a six win season. During the offseason after the six win season Kelly recruited a quarterback named Dan LeFevour. LeFevour quickly won over his teammates as a freshman passing for well over 2,600 yards and throwing five touchdowns. LeFevour ended the 2006 season ranked fourteenth in the country in total offense, and is currently one of the top NFL quarterback prospects to enter the forthcoming 2010 NFL draft.

Kelly is currently at another Midwestern school, Cincinnati. In his first full season with the school in 2007 Kelly secured a ten win season with a bowl victory. The next season Kelly coached the Bearcats to a Big East championship and a BCS appearance in the Orange Bowl, a loss to the strong ACC champion Virginia Tech.

Kelly can coach. Kelly can also recruit quite well, especially in the Midwest. He also has some familiarity with Notre Dame. When Charlie Weis first recruited Demetrius Jones to Notre Dame it was believed that Jones would be the next great Irish quarterback. However, Jones and the head coach did not get along very well (hard to imagine it was all Jones’ fault…). Jones began the 2007 season as the starting quarterback in a loss to Georgia Tech, and so Weis replaced him. Jones demurred, but rather than fight Weis he walked in to Brian Kelly’s office and announced he wanted to play for the Bearcats. Kelly listened to the frustration Jones encountered in South Bend and gave Jones a safe place to land. Kelly convinced Jones to switch from a quarterback to a linebacker (it is tough to image Weis convincing Jones of the same thing). Jones is now an outside linebacker and working his way up the draft board.

Kelly has proven he can coach X’s and O’s and relate to players. Combine those rare traits with the Irish Catholic traits and Notre Dame and Swarbrick are staring at a no brainer decision.

The one mark – potentially – against Kelly is that he has not coached at a school with very strict academic requirements like Notre Dame. This is no small consideration, either. It is possible that coaches that do well relating to and coaching up student athletes that struggle academically will not do as well at Notre Dame given that most football player at Notre Dame are already scholastically strong. However, Kelly has displayed a history of recruiting and coaching smart players, especially at quarterback.

Is Brian Kelly, a coach that has never won a BCS game, ready for the prime time spotlight and unending scrutiny of coaching at Notre Dame? Perhaps not… but is any coach ready? Is it possible to properly prepare for a job like Notre Dame? No. The only preparation a coach can make is to build a successful career. Kelly has done that. More, he has run three successful programs, one for many, many years. As risky coaching hires go, Kelly is low risk. If Urban Meyer fails to win a championship in three seasons at Notre Dame it will be reported that he has lost his touch. If Bob Stoops fails it will be because he lost his touch years ago and Oklahoma fans will be breathing a sigh of relief. Kelly has nothing but upside and potential. Oh, and that success, too.

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