Note:This blog was originally written December 8, 2006. This is a re-post of it with updates.
On this day 28 years ago John Lennon died at the age of 40. I wasn't alive to see the Beatles,I wasn't alive to see the break up of the Beatles,and I wasn't alive to see Lennon's death unfold. But,as a Beatles fan I understand what people must have felt that day. Lennon was about to begin a comeback,when tragedy struck. At 10:50pm that Monday night,John Lennon was walking with wife,Yoko Ono to their home at the Dakota when suddenly a man appeared behind Lennon and yelled out,"Mr.Lennon!".
As John turned he was shot 4 times;twice in the left side of his back and twice in the left shoulder. A doorman walked over finding the dying John Lennon and said to the kiler,Mark David Chapman,"Do you know what you've just done?"Chapman responded by saying in cold blood,"I just shot John Lennon". Paramedics responded as John was rushed to Roosevelt Hospital.Chapman co-operated with the police and was arrested.25 minutes later at precisely 11:15pm,John Lennon was pronounced dead at age 40.
News broke out of Lennon being shot on CNN and his death had been announced to the world during a Monday Night Football game between the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots.
The announcement of Lennon's death was a shock to a generation of fans. On December 14,1980 all around the world people stood together in silence to remember John Lennon. Since his death another Beatles has passed,George Harrison(who wrote the song "All those years ago" as a tribute to Lennon) passed away in 2001. Lennon's assassin,Mark David Chapman was sentenced to 20 years to life in 1982 has not gone a day without a single hate letter. His motive for killing Lennon was unnecessary and the murder itself was tragic thing to occur.
He took away from us a musician who despite controversy over remarks was a great guy who believed in peace and helped contribute with Rock n Roll's growth. I wish I had been alived to meet John and when I first became a Beatles fan around 2000 or so I was upset when I found out he had been dead for a while. If I had a choice to have all the money in the world or a chance to just meet John Lennon,I'd chose to meet John.In 2005,Pink Floyd reunited for the first time in 20 years at the Live 8 Concert. As I witnessed their reunion I wondered what could have been if we had say the Beatles there together with Paul,Ringo,John,and maybe George(if he hadn't passed). As this day comes to an end I leave you with another memory of John so here is the music video for the song "Imagine"
Sunday, May 9, 2010
The 2008 Presidential Election
I've spoken on many issues on this blog since I started it in January 2006. However, I kinda haven't spoken on much since I went to nearly 100 percent sports. I feel its time for me to commentate on the current issue...the 2008 Presidential Election. Before I can speak on it lets take a look back on previous elections.
The 2000 election was the very first one I recall. I remember being a 4th grader at the time and knowing nothing about politics except that Bill Clinton was a great president who had healthy/unhealthy(depends how you view it) sexual appetite but made the country great again. I remember the primary going down to George Bush and John McCain on the Republican side and Al Gore vs John Edwards on the Democrat side. We all knew who won these battles.
Well it came down to Al Gore vs George Bush. It seemed like an even election for Bush's father was popular amongst Republicans and Al Gore was popular amongst Democrats...something had to give. I remember my father endorsing Bush and my mother Gore. The school, itself had an election and a good majority voted Bush and I had no idea why I felt Gore was more qualified(probably because he came from the "blue" party and I loved blue). Bush won in a fluke.
In 2004, a lot had changed. I had glasses, I was 70 pounds bigger, and I knew more about politics. Since George W. Bush took over our economy collapsed and we were at war. I didn't think he had a shot and that John Kerry, a Vietnam Vet and a highly intelligent man would win it. For God knows what reason, this country re-elected Bush because of Republican propaganda and so I found myself a full-fledged Democrat and I was like that until I began my whole, "man without a party act". In 2007 I came to a realization that there was two things killing this country...George W. Bush and the division of political parties...so I became an Independent.
An Independent is full-on neutral. It means I don't favor Republicans or Democrats, it means I play Devil's Advocate and look deeper into issues than the Left-Wings and the Right-Wings. This election has me split in two. My father's side(with the exception of my cousin Matt) is very conservative and is endorsing John McCain or anti-Obama. My mother's side, however(with exception of my uncle George)is endorsing Barrack Obama.
Then theirs this area. Western Maryland is Pro-McCain, it is clear that John McCain has this area clutched. From here to Hagerstown the ratio of McCain signs to Obama signs is 50:0. For some McCain endorsers its racism, for others they're against Obama's apparent religion(Muslim, despite facts that prove otherwise...), or they're Bush conservatives. However, my friends, a good majority are endorsing Obama. Never have I've seen a dilemma like this.
My beliefs are split between Liberals and Conservatives. For a while my beliefs favored Conservatism this while I was voting Democrat in the 2004 elections. Moral Values was something I took serious. I feel, however, the Republican party is a juggernaut that claims to have Christian values but is really a fraud within itself. The Dems are split ..ion. Some are 100 percent for it while others endorse it in special cases. My belief is that abortion is OK in the case of rape and incest. My Christian relatives will disagree but that's just my strict belief if my daughter was raped she would have an abortion for the child is a product of Satan, himself.
Then theirs the candidates. Never since the election of 1968 have there been weaker candidates. John McCain is 8 years too late and Barack Obama is 8 years too early. McCain is 72 years old and is the product of the "silent generation". The "silent generation" appeals to no one in 2008. Maybe some in 2000 but no one in 2008. Barack Obama has only been a senator since 2005 and may be in over his head on this. The Vice Presidential didn't help anything.
Sarah Palin is clueless. To me Sarah Palin is a desperate attempt to get Hilary Clinton voters to vote Republican. By electing Palin we're faced with someone who sets women's rights back 20 years and sets us up fpr disaster. Imagine John McCain dies...we're stuck with someone who might as well be another Gerald Ford...and we all know how THAT turned out.
Then theirs Joe Biden. Joe is a prestigious and great name there has been Joe Montana, Joe Pendleton, and me. Truth be told, I really don't know much about Biden. I hear he's not really helping that, if anything, he hurts Obama. So we could be looking at another Al Gore(when he was VP under Clinton) or another Dick Cheney(minus the lesbian daughter and gun control). At the moment I am as neutral as it gets. Personally this election could be a disaster, in my opinion...OR we could see John McCain as Regan 1980-1984 or he could be another Bush as Obama says. Who knews? Maybe Obama is Clinton(minus his sex drive) or he's another Jimmy Carter.
I can't vote. However, over the next few days I will contemplate who I like in this and when the school hands out the ballots on October 30th I will declare who I voted for. I just prey the Class of '08 and previous people 18 and over make the right decision because at the moment I'm starring at a dying nation. Feel free to comment below.
The 2000 election was the very first one I recall. I remember being a 4th grader at the time and knowing nothing about politics except that Bill Clinton was a great president who had healthy/unhealthy(depends how you view it) sexual appetite but made the country great again. I remember the primary going down to George Bush and John McCain on the Republican side and Al Gore vs John Edwards on the Democrat side. We all knew who won these battles.
Well it came down to Al Gore vs George Bush. It seemed like an even election for Bush's father was popular amongst Republicans and Al Gore was popular amongst Democrats...something had to give. I remember my father endorsing Bush and my mother Gore. The school, itself had an election and a good majority voted Bush and I had no idea why I felt Gore was more qualified(probably because he came from the "blue" party and I loved blue). Bush won in a fluke.
In 2004, a lot had changed. I had glasses, I was 70 pounds bigger, and I knew more about politics. Since George W. Bush took over our economy collapsed and we were at war. I didn't think he had a shot and that John Kerry, a Vietnam Vet and a highly intelligent man would win it. For God knows what reason, this country re-elected Bush because of Republican propaganda and so I found myself a full-fledged Democrat and I was like that until I began my whole, "man without a party act". In 2007 I came to a realization that there was two things killing this country...George W. Bush and the division of political parties...so I became an Independent.
An Independent is full-on neutral. It means I don't favor Republicans or Democrats, it means I play Devil's Advocate and look deeper into issues than the Left-Wings and the Right-Wings. This election has me split in two. My father's side(with the exception of my cousin Matt) is very conservative and is endorsing John McCain or anti-Obama. My mother's side, however(with exception of my uncle George)is endorsing Barrack Obama.
Then theirs this area. Western Maryland is Pro-McCain, it is clear that John McCain has this area clutched. From here to Hagerstown the ratio of McCain signs to Obama signs is 50:0. For some McCain endorsers its racism, for others they're against Obama's apparent religion(Muslim, despite facts that prove otherwise...), or they're Bush conservatives. However, my friends, a good majority are endorsing Obama. Never have I've seen a dilemma like this.
My beliefs are split between Liberals and Conservatives. For a while my beliefs favored Conservatism this while I was voting Democrat in the 2004 elections. Moral Values was something I took serious. I feel, however, the Republican party is a juggernaut that claims to have Christian values but is really a fraud within itself. The Dems are split ..ion. Some are 100 percent for it while others endorse it in special cases. My belief is that abortion is OK in the case of rape and incest. My Christian relatives will disagree but that's just my strict belief if my daughter was raped she would have an abortion for the child is a product of Satan, himself.
Then theirs the candidates. Never since the election of 1968 have there been weaker candidates. John McCain is 8 years too late and Barack Obama is 8 years too early. McCain is 72 years old and is the product of the "silent generation". The "silent generation" appeals to no one in 2008. Maybe some in 2000 but no one in 2008. Barack Obama has only been a senator since 2005 and may be in over his head on this. The Vice Presidential didn't help anything.
Sarah Palin is clueless. To me Sarah Palin is a desperate attempt to get Hilary Clinton voters to vote Republican. By electing Palin we're faced with someone who sets women's rights back 20 years and sets us up fpr disaster. Imagine John McCain dies...we're stuck with someone who might as well be another Gerald Ford...and we all know how THAT turned out.
Then theirs Joe Biden. Joe is a prestigious and great name there has been Joe Montana, Joe Pendleton, and me. Truth be told, I really don't know much about Biden. I hear he's not really helping that, if anything, he hurts Obama. So we could be looking at another Al Gore(when he was VP under Clinton) or another Dick Cheney(minus the lesbian daughter and gun control). At the moment I am as neutral as it gets. Personally this election could be a disaster, in my opinion...OR we could see John McCain as Regan 1980-1984 or he could be another Bush as Obama says. Who knews? Maybe Obama is Clinton(minus his sex drive) or he's another Jimmy Carter.
I can't vote. However, over the next few days I will contemplate who I like in this and when the school hands out the ballots on October 30th I will declare who I voted for. I just prey the Class of '08 and previous people 18 and over make the right decision because at the moment I'm starring at a dying nation. Feel free to comment below.
Way Too Early College Football Predictions
It'll be May in a day and so College Football begins in 4 months. Every year(starting last year) I release predictions for the major bowls and major conference winners. These are my predictions for the 2008 Season.
ACC:Clemson(12-1)
Big XII:Oklahoma(13-0)
Big East:Pittsburgh(11-1)
Big Ten:Illinois(10-2)
Pac 10:USC(11-1)
SEC:Georgia(12-1)
At-Large:West Virginia(10-2)
At-Large:Missouri(12-1)
At-Large:Ohio State(11-1)
At-Large:Florida(11-1)
Rose Bowl:USC vs Illinois
Sugar Bowl:Florida vs West Virginia
Fiesta Bowl:Missouri vs Ohio State
Orange Bowl:Clemson vs Pittsburgh
National Title:Oklahoma vs Georgia
ACC:Clemson(12-1)
Big XII:Oklahoma(13-0)
Big East:Pittsburgh(11-1)
Big Ten:Illinois(10-2)
Pac 10:USC(11-1)
SEC:Georgia(12-1)
At-Large:West Virginia(10-2)
At-Large:Missouri(12-1)
At-Large:Ohio State(11-1)
At-Large:Florida(11-1)
Rose Bowl:USC vs Illinois
Sugar Bowl:Florida vs West Virginia
Fiesta Bowl:Missouri vs Ohio State
Orange Bowl:Clemson vs Pittsburgh
National Title:Oklahoma vs Georgia
10 Years of Football Lists
(Top 3)
Best Rams Game:
1.Super Bowl XXXIV
2.1999 NFC Title Game
3.Rams/Redskins 2006
Best Maryland Game:
1.Maryland/Boston College 2007
2.Maryland/Florida State 2006
3.Maryland/NC State 2002
Best Ram:
1.Kurt Warner
2.Marshall Faulk
3.Issac Bruce
Best Terp:
1.Scott McBrian
2.Shawne Merriman
3.Steve Sutter
Best NFL Game:
1.Super Bowl XXXIV
2.Super Bowl XLII
3.Super Bowl XXXII
Best College Game:
1.2007 Fiesta Bowl
2.2006 Rose Bowl
3.2004 Liberty Bowl
Best NFL Player:
1.Tom Brady
2.Peyton Manning
3.LaDainian Tomlinson
Best College Player:
1.Reggie Bush
2.Ken Dorsey
3.Chris Weinke
Worst NFL Game
1.Steelers/Dolphins 2007
2.Packers/Vikings 2006
3.Super Bowl XXXVI
Worst College Game:
1.Penn State/Iowa 2004
2.Notre Dame/USC 2007
3.2001 Rose Bowl
Best Rams Game:
1.Super Bowl XXXIV
2.1999 NFC Title Game
3.Rams/Redskins 2006
Best Maryland Game:
1.Maryland/Boston College 2007
2.Maryland/Florida State 2006
3.Maryland/NC State 2002
Best Ram:
1.Kurt Warner
2.Marshall Faulk
3.Issac Bruce
Best Terp:
1.Scott McBrian
2.Shawne Merriman
3.Steve Sutter
Best NFL Game:
1.Super Bowl XXXIV
2.Super Bowl XLII
3.Super Bowl XXXII
Best College Game:
1.2007 Fiesta Bowl
2.2006 Rose Bowl
3.2004 Liberty Bowl
Best NFL Player:
1.Tom Brady
2.Peyton Manning
3.LaDainian Tomlinson
Best College Player:
1.Reggie Bush
2.Ken Dorsey
3.Chris Weinke
Worst NFL Game
1.Steelers/Dolphins 2007
2.Packers/Vikings 2006
3.Super Bowl XXXVI
Worst College Game:
1.Penn State/Iowa 2004
2.Notre Dame/USC 2007
3.2001 Rose Bowl
2007 NFL Awards
The 2007 NFL Season has sadly came to an end so its time to hand out my yearly awards for the National Football League.
Best Move of the Year:Patriots gain Moss, Welker, and Stallworth
Worst Move of the Year:Raiders trade Randy Moss for 4th round pick
Most Disappointing Team of the Year:New York Jets
Worst Coach:Scott Linehan
Best Coach:Romeo Crennel
MVP:Wes Welker
LVP:Alex Barron
Best Game:Patriots/Giants Week 17
Best Postseason Game:Super Bowl
Rookie of the Year:Adrian Peterson
Comeback Player of the Year:Brett Favre
Best QB:Tom Brady
Best RB:Adrian Peterson
Best WR:Randy Moss
Best TE:Jason Witten
Best Lineman:Osi Umenyiora(sp?)
Best Linebacker;Patrick Willis
Best DB:Antonio Cromartie
Besr Safety:Oshi Atogwe
Worst Game of the Year:Steelers vs Dolphins
Most Promising Team(Non-Playoff):Cleveland Browns
Best Move of the Year:Patriots gain Moss, Welker, and Stallworth
Worst Move of the Year:Raiders trade Randy Moss for 4th round pick
Most Disappointing Team of the Year:New York Jets
Worst Coach:Scott Linehan
Best Coach:Romeo Crennel
MVP:Wes Welker
LVP:Alex Barron
Best Game:Patriots/Giants Week 17
Best Postseason Game:Super Bowl
Rookie of the Year:Adrian Peterson
Comeback Player of the Year:Brett Favre
Best QB:Tom Brady
Best RB:Adrian Peterson
Best WR:Randy Moss
Best TE:Jason Witten
Best Lineman:Osi Umenyiora(sp?)
Best Linebacker;Patrick Willis
Best DB:Antonio Cromartie
Besr Safety:Oshi Atogwe
Worst Game of the Year:Steelers vs Dolphins
Most Promising Team(Non-Playoff):Cleveland Browns
Top 10 of the Last 10 Years:The Greatest Show on Turf
Recap:
10.Rams/Redskins 2006
9.2005 Fiesta Bowl
8.Rutgers/Louisville 2006
7.2006 Orange Bowl
6.The 2001 Maryland Terrapins
5b.Stanford/USC 2007
5a.App State/Michigan 2007
4.2006 Rose Bowl
3.2007 Fiesta Bowl
2.Super Bowl XXXII
Finally, after 6 months we've reached a closing. I've had fun writing this list but all good things must come to an end. So I present to you the best moment of the past 10 years...the 1999 season of the St.Louis Rams. On January 14, 1990, the San Francisco 49ers faced off against the Los Angeles Rams in Candlestick Park. The winner would advance to Super Bowl XXIV against the Broncos. The Rams had spent the '80's trying to get back to the Super Bowl after falling to the Steelers in Super Bowl XIV. They jumped out to a 3-0 lead but imploded to the sound of a 30-3 blowout as Rams Quarterback Jim Everett was hit closed to 10 times(sacks and late hits included).
The game was significant for it marked the beginning of the end of the Los Angeles Rams. Afterward the team completely fell apart. The team suffered humiliation for the next decade. After the loss, Jim Everett was the joke of all L.A. radio shows. The next year, the Rams tanked to 6-10 and coach John Robinson was fired.
To build for a better future, the Rams went to the past. Chuck Knox was Rams coach from 1973-1978 and built the Rams Super Bowl XIV squad. By 1991, Knox had been successful in Buffalo and Seattle. However, Knox's run focus offense would spell doom for the team and they continued declining. In 1994, a series of events lead to the end. It started when Jim Everett confronted L.A. sports radio host, Jim Rome, who mocked Everett over the '89 NFC Title game by calling him, "Chris Everett"(the name of a female tennis player).
To make matters worse, Rams attendance had reached an all-time low and the team made the announcement that they were moving from Los Angeles to St.Louis mainly due to bad fan support from the cities of Los Angeles and Anaheim added on to that L.A. County was not willing to pay money for a new stadium. On top of it all, the Rams were 4-12 and Chuck Knox was fired. The Rams lost their last game in Los Angeles 24-21 to the Washington Redskins, who, ironically, was the team that they faced off against in their last game in Cleveland(a 15-14 win for the Rams).
The Rams started out a strong 5-1, but a 44-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers killed any momentum that the Rams were building. They would finish 7-9. 1996 was worse as they went 5-11 which led to Rich Brooks being fired. With Brooks gone, the Rams hired Dick Vermeil who was head coach at UCLA from 1973-1976 and the Eagles from 1976-1981. Vermeil, who was famous for turning the Eagles around, had been doing College Football commentary on ABC prior to being hired.
Vermeil's first two years were a train wreck as the Rams struggled with issues by 1st round draft pick Laurence Phillips and Quarterback Tony Banks. Going into the 1999 season, Vermeil was 9-23 with the Rams. In the offseason, there was talk of firing Vermeil, but it was cleared immediately. After meeting with the owners, the team suddenly exploded with major deals.
It all started when the Rams hired Redskins offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Coming with Martz was Quarterback Trent Green. The Rams also made a blockbuster trade with the Colts trading a 2nd and 5th round pick for Marshall Faulk. In the draft, the Rams selected Torry Holt out of NC State, Dre Bly out of North Carolina among others and the keys were set. 1999, began with the Rams going 0-2 in preseason falling to the Raiders 18-17 in Canton, and the Bears in Chicago. However, in both games, the starters looked good.
However, things seemed to bottom out as Trent Green was injured against the Chargers(a 24-21 Rams win) and all hope seemed lost. Out of the shadow of death came Kurt Warner, an Arena Football Quarterback out of Northern Iowa. Warner came into the NFL in 1994 but was cut by the Green Bay Packers. For the next 5 years, Warner worked as a grocery store clerk in Iowa and played in the Arena and NFL Europe leagues. People were already writing off the Rams.
St.Louis kicked off 1999, giving Brian Billick a taste of Head Coaching with a 27-10 victory. After a bye the Rams cruised to 5 straight victories(35-7, 38-10, 42-20, 41-13, and 34-3) against the Falcons, Bengals(in a game to determine the worst winning percentage in the 90's), 49ers, Falcons, and Browns. The Rams looked unstoppable in all 6 games. However, they stumbled falling to the Titans and Lions 24-21 and 31-27. Some were beginning to question the Rams.
However, the Rams lost not through the rest of November as they tore through the Panthers, 49ers, Saints, Panthers, Saints, Giants, and Bears before falling in a close game to Philadelphia(38-31). By the end of the year, the Rams were 13-3 having broken 4 NFL records(Passing yards, yards per attempt, passing touchdowns, and total offensive yards). The Rams entered the playoffs for the first time in 10 yards. Their opponents were the Minnesota Vikings. Fans were surprised as the Vikes led the Rams 17-14 at halftime but the Rams exploded in the second-half were 35 unanswered en route to a 49-37 victory.
The NFC Title game was set. The Rams were scheduled to face the Bucs. The last postseason game between the two was in 1980 when the Rams beat the Bucs 9-0 in the NFC Title game at Tampa. The match-up was between Rams offense led by Mike Martz vs Monte Kiffin's defense of the Bucs. Warner was picked-off early but the Rams stopped the Bucs and it was 3-0. The lead wouldn't last as the Rams tied it. After 1 it was 3-3.
The 2nd Quarter was also more of a defensive battle as the Rams scored the only points as the snap flew over Shaun King's head and to the end zone. At halftime it was Rams 5 Bucs 3. No one scored in the 3rd but in the 4th, the Bucs nailed a field goal to make it 6-5. With 4:44 to go, out of desperation, Warner connected with Ricky Proehl to make it 11-6. This would be the last score and as a result, the Rams were heading to the Super Bowl for the first time in 20 years.
Super Bowl XXXIV was unusually team wise to say the least. In the '90's, the Titans struggled beginning with a 41-38 loss to the Bills after leading 35-3. In 1998, the Titans moved from Houston to Nashville. This was their first year as the Titans and like the Rams, they weren't expected to make it here. Al Michaels said it himself in the intro, "No 49ers, Cowboys, or Broncos here" as all 3 teams were key contenders in the '90's and didn't make the playoffs.
This was Vermeil's first Super Bowl appearance since Super Bowl XV(a 27-10 loss to the Raiders) and most of the Rams players first appearance in a Super Bowl. The 1st half was all defense as both teams struggled to score. At halftime, the Rams led 9-0. They quickly made it 16-0 midway through the third and it appeared is if Super Bowl XXXIV would be a blowout. However, Steve McNair and the Titans wouldn't quit.
McNair ran and ran and ran and on occasion passed driving the Titans to the end-zone to make it 16-6. The Titans defense gave up 294 yards in the 1st half but managed to hold the Rams in the 2nd. With 2 minutes to go it was suddenly 16-16. Vermeil was not pleased as the Rams blew the lead. The game plan called for a long, drawn out drive but Warner connected with Issac Bruce for 73 yards on the 1st play to make it 23-16 with under 2 remaining.
With 1:54 left, the Titans were at their own 10 and looked to be finished. But McNair would not surrender and drove the Titans. With the help of missed tackles and penalties, the Titans were at the Rams 10 yard line with 6 seconds to go. On 1st and Goal, McNair dropped back and hit Kevin Dyson on a bubble screen, however, Dyson was stopped by linebacker Mike Jones(who?) 1 yard short of the end-zone. As a result, the Rams were Super Bowl champions.
By the end of the day, Warner was named MVP going 24/45 for 414 yards and 2 touchdowns, Marshall Faulk finished with 107 all-purpose yards, Torry Holt had 109 receiving yards for 1 touchdown, Issac Bruce had 162 yards and 1 touchdown, Az-Zahir Hakim had 17 yards, while Ricky Proehl finished with 11 yards. Steve McNair finished 22/36 for 214 yards and 64 rushing yards(a Super Bowl record for QBs), Eddie George had 95 rushing yards, James Harris had 64 receiving yards while Frank Wycheck had 35 yards. Afterward, Vermeil retired(and went to the Chiefs). The Rams and the Titans would continue dominating up until 2004. The Rams would re-appear in the Super Bowl two years later falling to Tom Brady and the Patriots, while the Titans came back to the AFC Title game the very next year.
These days all elements of the 1999 Rams are just about gone. The only ones remaining are Holt, Bruce, and Orlando Pace. Kurt Warner left the Rams in 2004 and went to the Giants. He had a comeback year this year with the Cardinals. Marshall Faulk ended his career in April 2007 with the Rams. Ricky Proehl went to the Panthers in 2003 and retired a Super Bowl champion with the Colts in 2007. Az-Zahir Hakim is currently in San Diego. Mike Martz was fired by the Rams in January 2006 and is now offensive coordinator of the 49ers. The '99 Rams is forgotten by some of this football generation but to me is possibly one of the greatest teams all-time with a high powered offense and a dominant defense. I present to you a bonus video.
UPDATE:I wrote this blog over 2 years ago and in that time we have lost Steve McNair. I dedicate this blog to the memory of Steve McNair, while he may not have won the game he was truly the Most Outstanding Player.
10.Rams/Redskins 2006
9.2005 Fiesta Bowl
8.Rutgers/Louisville 2006
7.2006 Orange Bowl
6.The 2001 Maryland Terrapins
5b.Stanford/USC 2007
5a.App State/Michigan 2007
4.2006 Rose Bowl
3.2007 Fiesta Bowl
2.Super Bowl XXXII
Finally, after 6 months we've reached a closing. I've had fun writing this list but all good things must come to an end. So I present to you the best moment of the past 10 years...the 1999 season of the St.Louis Rams. On January 14, 1990, the San Francisco 49ers faced off against the Los Angeles Rams in Candlestick Park. The winner would advance to Super Bowl XXIV against the Broncos. The Rams had spent the '80's trying to get back to the Super Bowl after falling to the Steelers in Super Bowl XIV. They jumped out to a 3-0 lead but imploded to the sound of a 30-3 blowout as Rams Quarterback Jim Everett was hit closed to 10 times(sacks and late hits included).
The game was significant for it marked the beginning of the end of the Los Angeles Rams. Afterward the team completely fell apart. The team suffered humiliation for the next decade. After the loss, Jim Everett was the joke of all L.A. radio shows. The next year, the Rams tanked to 6-10 and coach John Robinson was fired.
To build for a better future, the Rams went to the past. Chuck Knox was Rams coach from 1973-1978 and built the Rams Super Bowl XIV squad. By 1991, Knox had been successful in Buffalo and Seattle. However, Knox's run focus offense would spell doom for the team and they continued declining. In 1994, a series of events lead to the end. It started when Jim Everett confronted L.A. sports radio host, Jim Rome, who mocked Everett over the '89 NFC Title game by calling him, "Chris Everett"(the name of a female tennis player).
To make matters worse, Rams attendance had reached an all-time low and the team made the announcement that they were moving from Los Angeles to St.Louis mainly due to bad fan support from the cities of Los Angeles and Anaheim added on to that L.A. County was not willing to pay money for a new stadium. On top of it all, the Rams were 4-12 and Chuck Knox was fired. The Rams lost their last game in Los Angeles 24-21 to the Washington Redskins, who, ironically, was the team that they faced off against in their last game in Cleveland(a 15-14 win for the Rams).
The Rams started out a strong 5-1, but a 44-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers killed any momentum that the Rams were building. They would finish 7-9. 1996 was worse as they went 5-11 which led to Rich Brooks being fired. With Brooks gone, the Rams hired Dick Vermeil who was head coach at UCLA from 1973-1976 and the Eagles from 1976-1981. Vermeil, who was famous for turning the Eagles around, had been doing College Football commentary on ABC prior to being hired.
Vermeil's first two years were a train wreck as the Rams struggled with issues by 1st round draft pick Laurence Phillips and Quarterback Tony Banks. Going into the 1999 season, Vermeil was 9-23 with the Rams. In the offseason, there was talk of firing Vermeil, but it was cleared immediately. After meeting with the owners, the team suddenly exploded with major deals.
It all started when the Rams hired Redskins offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Coming with Martz was Quarterback Trent Green. The Rams also made a blockbuster trade with the Colts trading a 2nd and 5th round pick for Marshall Faulk. In the draft, the Rams selected Torry Holt out of NC State, Dre Bly out of North Carolina among others and the keys were set. 1999, began with the Rams going 0-2 in preseason falling to the Raiders 18-17 in Canton, and the Bears in Chicago. However, in both games, the starters looked good.
However, things seemed to bottom out as Trent Green was injured against the Chargers(a 24-21 Rams win) and all hope seemed lost. Out of the shadow of death came Kurt Warner, an Arena Football Quarterback out of Northern Iowa. Warner came into the NFL in 1994 but was cut by the Green Bay Packers. For the next 5 years, Warner worked as a grocery store clerk in Iowa and played in the Arena and NFL Europe leagues. People were already writing off the Rams.
St.Louis kicked off 1999, giving Brian Billick a taste of Head Coaching with a 27-10 victory. After a bye the Rams cruised to 5 straight victories(35-7, 38-10, 42-20, 41-13, and 34-3) against the Falcons, Bengals(in a game to determine the worst winning percentage in the 90's), 49ers, Falcons, and Browns. The Rams looked unstoppable in all 6 games. However, they stumbled falling to the Titans and Lions 24-21 and 31-27. Some were beginning to question the Rams.
However, the Rams lost not through the rest of November as they tore through the Panthers, 49ers, Saints, Panthers, Saints, Giants, and Bears before falling in a close game to Philadelphia(38-31). By the end of the year, the Rams were 13-3 having broken 4 NFL records(Passing yards, yards per attempt, passing touchdowns, and total offensive yards). The Rams entered the playoffs for the first time in 10 yards. Their opponents were the Minnesota Vikings. Fans were surprised as the Vikes led the Rams 17-14 at halftime but the Rams exploded in the second-half were 35 unanswered en route to a 49-37 victory.
The NFC Title game was set. The Rams were scheduled to face the Bucs. The last postseason game between the two was in 1980 when the Rams beat the Bucs 9-0 in the NFC Title game at Tampa. The match-up was between Rams offense led by Mike Martz vs Monte Kiffin's defense of the Bucs. Warner was picked-off early but the Rams stopped the Bucs and it was 3-0. The lead wouldn't last as the Rams tied it. After 1 it was 3-3.
The 2nd Quarter was also more of a defensive battle as the Rams scored the only points as the snap flew over Shaun King's head and to the end zone. At halftime it was Rams 5 Bucs 3. No one scored in the 3rd but in the 4th, the Bucs nailed a field goal to make it 6-5. With 4:44 to go, out of desperation, Warner connected with Ricky Proehl to make it 11-6. This would be the last score and as a result, the Rams were heading to the Super Bowl for the first time in 20 years.
Super Bowl XXXIV was unusually team wise to say the least. In the '90's, the Titans struggled beginning with a 41-38 loss to the Bills after leading 35-3. In 1998, the Titans moved from Houston to Nashville. This was their first year as the Titans and like the Rams, they weren't expected to make it here. Al Michaels said it himself in the intro, "No 49ers, Cowboys, or Broncos here" as all 3 teams were key contenders in the '90's and didn't make the playoffs.
This was Vermeil's first Super Bowl appearance since Super Bowl XV(a 27-10 loss to the Raiders) and most of the Rams players first appearance in a Super Bowl. The 1st half was all defense as both teams struggled to score. At halftime, the Rams led 9-0. They quickly made it 16-0 midway through the third and it appeared is if Super Bowl XXXIV would be a blowout. However, Steve McNair and the Titans wouldn't quit.
McNair ran and ran and ran and on occasion passed driving the Titans to the end-zone to make it 16-6. The Titans defense gave up 294 yards in the 1st half but managed to hold the Rams in the 2nd. With 2 minutes to go it was suddenly 16-16. Vermeil was not pleased as the Rams blew the lead. The game plan called for a long, drawn out drive but Warner connected with Issac Bruce for 73 yards on the 1st play to make it 23-16 with under 2 remaining.
With 1:54 left, the Titans were at their own 10 and looked to be finished. But McNair would not surrender and drove the Titans. With the help of missed tackles and penalties, the Titans were at the Rams 10 yard line with 6 seconds to go. On 1st and Goal, McNair dropped back and hit Kevin Dyson on a bubble screen, however, Dyson was stopped by linebacker Mike Jones(who?) 1 yard short of the end-zone. As a result, the Rams were Super Bowl champions.
By the end of the day, Warner was named MVP going 24/45 for 414 yards and 2 touchdowns, Marshall Faulk finished with 107 all-purpose yards, Torry Holt had 109 receiving yards for 1 touchdown, Issac Bruce had 162 yards and 1 touchdown, Az-Zahir Hakim had 17 yards, while Ricky Proehl finished with 11 yards. Steve McNair finished 22/36 for 214 yards and 64 rushing yards(a Super Bowl record for QBs), Eddie George had 95 rushing yards, James Harris had 64 receiving yards while Frank Wycheck had 35 yards. Afterward, Vermeil retired(and went to the Chiefs). The Rams and the Titans would continue dominating up until 2004. The Rams would re-appear in the Super Bowl two years later falling to Tom Brady and the Patriots, while the Titans came back to the AFC Title game the very next year.
These days all elements of the 1999 Rams are just about gone. The only ones remaining are Holt, Bruce, and Orlando Pace. Kurt Warner left the Rams in 2004 and went to the Giants. He had a comeback year this year with the Cardinals. Marshall Faulk ended his career in April 2007 with the Rams. Ricky Proehl went to the Panthers in 2003 and retired a Super Bowl champion with the Colts in 2007. Az-Zahir Hakim is currently in San Diego. Mike Martz was fired by the Rams in January 2006 and is now offensive coordinator of the 49ers. The '99 Rams is forgotten by some of this football generation but to me is possibly one of the greatest teams all-time with a high powered offense and a dominant defense. I present to you a bonus video.
UPDATE:I wrote this blog over 2 years ago and in that time we have lost Steve McNair. I dedicate this blog to the memory of Steve McNair, while he may not have won the game he was truly the Most Outstanding Player.
Super Bowl Preview
Interesting Facts:
1.This is the 2nd meeting between both teams this year
2.This is the 1st time two brothers have went to the Super Bowl back-to-back as QB
3.Since their 14 game win streak against the AFC. The NFC is 2-7 vs the AFC
4.This is the 2nd all-Northeast Super Bowl(the other being Bills/Giants in 1991)
5.The Giants are 2-1 in Super Bowls(Won in XXI and XXV, lost in XXXV)
6.The Patriots are 3-2 in Super Bowls(Won in XXXVI, XXXVIII, and XXXIX, lost in XX and XXXI)
7.This is Bill Belilchick's 7th Super Bowl appearence(XXI, XXV, XXXI, XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, and XLII)
8.Belilchick is 5-1 in Super Bowls
9.Belilchick was defensive coordinator for the Giants from 1985-1990 under Bill Parcells
10.Tom Coughlin was head coach at Boston College, who plays 40 miles from the Patriots
11.In Super Bowl rematches the losing team of the first game is 5-5
(XII:Cowboys beat the Broncos 17-6 and 27-10
XV:Raiders lost to the Eagles 10-7 but won 27-10 in Super Bowl
XVI:The 49ers beat the Bengals 21-3 and 26-20
XVIII:Raiders lost to the Redskins 37-35 but won 38-9 in Super Bowl
XXI:The Giants beat the Broncos 19-16 and 39-20
XXV:The Bears beat the Patriots 20-7 and 46-10
XXV:The Giants lost to the Bills 17-13 but won 20-19 in Super Bowl
XXIX:The 49ers beat the Chargers 38-15 and 49-26
XXXIV:Rams lost to the Titans 24-21 but won 23-16 in Super Bowl
XXXVI:Patriots lost to the Rams 24-17 but won 20-17 in Super Bowl)
Now its time to break it down
Eli Manning vs Tom Brady
Brady has the bigger "big game" experience while Eli tends to be inconsistant. I'll take Tom.
Patriots 1 Giants 0
Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk vs Brandon Jacobs and Ahmed Bradshaw
Faulk is old and Maroney is inconsistant. Meanwhile New York has two rough and tough halfbacks named Jacobs and Bradshaw and yes Mistah Dailey I'll admit you boy Bradshaw is damn good.
Patriots 1 Giants 1
Randy Moss vs Plaxico Burress
Moss is Moss and but Burress is a fantastic receiver. He was great in Pittsburgh and just as great here. But Moss is the man in that receiving core. I'll go with another Marshall alum.
Patriots 2 Giants 1
Wes Welker vs Amani Toomer
Welker is the key to this offense. Without Welker, Brady will have problems. He's a great receiver and he's always open. Amani isn't too bad, himself but I'll take Wes any day of the week.
Patriots 3 Giants 1
Kevin Boss vs Benjamin Watson
Boss is a rookie with 5 game experience. Watson has loads of experience. I'll go with Benny and the Pats.
Patriots 4 Giants 1
Giants D-Line vs Patriots D-Line
Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, and Ty Warren vs Michael Strahan and his rag tag D-Linemen. Guess who wins?
Patriots 5 Giants 1
Giants Linebackers vs Patriots Linebackers
Tedy Bruschi, Junior Seau, Adelius Thomas, and Mike Vrabel versus...Antonio Pearce? I smell a blowout.
Patriots 6 Giants 1
Giants Secondary vs Patriots Secondary
The Giants corners contained Moss well in the first game but not the rest of the Pats offense. The Pats d stopped the Chargers and the Jags, both whom had high powered offenses. I like the Pats with Asante.
Patriots 7 Giants 1
Stephen Gostdowski vs Laurence Tynes
Lars missed two field goals 2 weeks ago in the clutch and Gostdowski has only missed 1 in the playoffs.
Patriots 8 Giants 1
New York City vs Boston
I hate NYC
Patriots 9 Giants 1
Bill Belilcheck vs Tom Coughlin
Belilchick has control over his players and Coughlin's tenure in New York has been filled with turmoil.
Final Score:Patriots 10 Giants 1
With that my pick for tomorrow nights game will be the Patriots 41 Giants 24
1.This is the 2nd meeting between both teams this year
2.This is the 1st time two brothers have went to the Super Bowl back-to-back as QB
3.Since their 14 game win streak against the AFC. The NFC is 2-7 vs the AFC
4.This is the 2nd all-Northeast Super Bowl(the other being Bills/Giants in 1991)
5.The Giants are 2-1 in Super Bowls(Won in XXI and XXV, lost in XXXV)
6.The Patriots are 3-2 in Super Bowls(Won in XXXVI, XXXVIII, and XXXIX, lost in XX and XXXI)
7.This is Bill Belilchick's 7th Super Bowl appearence(XXI, XXV, XXXI, XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, and XLII)
8.Belilchick is 5-1 in Super Bowls
9.Belilchick was defensive coordinator for the Giants from 1985-1990 under Bill Parcells
10.Tom Coughlin was head coach at Boston College, who plays 40 miles from the Patriots
11.In Super Bowl rematches the losing team of the first game is 5-5
(XII:Cowboys beat the Broncos 17-6 and 27-10
XV:Raiders lost to the Eagles 10-7 but won 27-10 in Super Bowl
XVI:The 49ers beat the Bengals 21-3 and 26-20
XVIII:Raiders lost to the Redskins 37-35 but won 38-9 in Super Bowl
XXI:The Giants beat the Broncos 19-16 and 39-20
XXV:The Bears beat the Patriots 20-7 and 46-10
XXV:The Giants lost to the Bills 17-13 but won 20-19 in Super Bowl
XXIX:The 49ers beat the Chargers 38-15 and 49-26
XXXIV:Rams lost to the Titans 24-21 but won 23-16 in Super Bowl
XXXVI:Patriots lost to the Rams 24-17 but won 20-17 in Super Bowl)
Now its time to break it down
Eli Manning vs Tom Brady
Brady has the bigger "big game" experience while Eli tends to be inconsistant. I'll take Tom.
Patriots 1 Giants 0
Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk vs Brandon Jacobs and Ahmed Bradshaw
Faulk is old and Maroney is inconsistant. Meanwhile New York has two rough and tough halfbacks named Jacobs and Bradshaw and yes Mistah Dailey I'll admit you boy Bradshaw is damn good.
Patriots 1 Giants 1
Randy Moss vs Plaxico Burress
Moss is Moss and but Burress is a fantastic receiver. He was great in Pittsburgh and just as great here. But Moss is the man in that receiving core. I'll go with another Marshall alum.
Patriots 2 Giants 1
Wes Welker vs Amani Toomer
Welker is the key to this offense. Without Welker, Brady will have problems. He's a great receiver and he's always open. Amani isn't too bad, himself but I'll take Wes any day of the week.
Patriots 3 Giants 1
Kevin Boss vs Benjamin Watson
Boss is a rookie with 5 game experience. Watson has loads of experience. I'll go with Benny and the Pats.
Patriots 4 Giants 1
Giants D-Line vs Patriots D-Line
Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, and Ty Warren vs Michael Strahan and his rag tag D-Linemen. Guess who wins?
Patriots 5 Giants 1
Giants Linebackers vs Patriots Linebackers
Tedy Bruschi, Junior Seau, Adelius Thomas, and Mike Vrabel versus...Antonio Pearce? I smell a blowout.
Patriots 6 Giants 1
Giants Secondary vs Patriots Secondary
The Giants corners contained Moss well in the first game but not the rest of the Pats offense. The Pats d stopped the Chargers and the Jags, both whom had high powered offenses. I like the Pats with Asante.
Patriots 7 Giants 1
Stephen Gostdowski vs Laurence Tynes
Lars missed two field goals 2 weeks ago in the clutch and Gostdowski has only missed 1 in the playoffs.
Patriots 8 Giants 1
New York City vs Boston
I hate NYC
Patriots 9 Giants 1
Bill Belilcheck vs Tom Coughlin
Belilchick has control over his players and Coughlin's tenure in New York has been filled with turmoil.
Final Score:Patriots 10 Giants 1
With that my pick for tomorrow nights game will be the Patriots 41 Giants 24
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