2008 Woodie Awards
NFL Parody? Not This Year
Nick Schimmer
Issue date: 9/7/06 Section: Sports
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There is not another professional sports league around that does a better job of creating optimism for the everyday fan. As a new season unfolds, every team has a shot, or at least that is what we are led to believe.
In fact, the sport has grown so popular that it actually has the audacity to create it's own network, with 24/7, 365 coverage of training camps, combines, even NFL players playing other sports, and we just eat it up.
Why do we eat it up? Because we believe. even here in Missouri, where we are flanked by two teams that have absolutely no chance of winning the Super Bowl, we believe. That is what the NFL has ingrained in us.
The league has created a system unrivaled in the other three major sports. Unlike baseball, there is a level playing field. When spring training begins for the old MLB you can immediaely cross at least 10 teams off the list of contenders. Sure there will be playoff dreamers (Reds, Giants) but when it is all said and done the cream always rises to the top.
The NFL also creates a conducive playoff atmosphere, where the best teams get in, unlike the NBA and NHL where almost every team gets in, as long as they show up for all of their games. Teams that don't make the playoffs in these leagues should disband.
So, we buy the image that the NFL is level, everyone has a shot. But do they? Lets look at the upcoming 2006 season, for example, as we try to pick a Super Bowl winner.
There are 14 teams right off the bat that for one reason or another can be eliminated from contention. In fact, these teams should not even be allowed to play this season, but instead should be hired by the NFL network for cheap film and commentary labor.
They are the Lions, Packers, Cardinals, 49ers, Rams, Saints, Falcons, Jets, Bills, Browns, Texans, Raiders, Titans, and Redskins.
Some of these may come as a shock to you, especially if you follow one of the aforementioned clubs, but lets look at is realistically.
First, the Falcons. Michael Vick stinks. He is a great running back that on occassion can throw the ball deep, but rarely to the right team. Antwaan Randle-El can do that, but he knows his bread and butter is as a wide receiver.
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