'The Call'

John Gruden's Tampa Bay Buccaneers going for it on 4th down vs the Washington Redskins during the regular season...The 4th quarter touchdown pass that was called incomplete with 3 mins. left in the playoff game (the one that counted)...

If you don't believe in Karma, if you witnessed both of these games, you might have a change of heart. What goes around, comes around in Gruden's case. The 4th down call that helped him defeat the 'skins in week 13 could have been his nemesis in the NFC wildcard game. However it wasn't a coaching call that got him, it was a controversial call by the officials on a touchdown pass with 3 minutes left in the 4th quarter of the game, with Gruden's Bucs driving. The call was challenged, yet upheld after review. "On that one, you really just say a prayer and hope it goes your way", commented Joe Gibbs on call.

The Redskins went on to win the game 17-10 and advance to play another week, however got beat badly by Seattle.

Different Breeds

University of Texas' quarterback Vince Young, the Heisman trophy runner-up, is a great role model. Not only on the field, but off. Young persevered through a horrible bicycle accident at a young age, when he collided with a car 3 houses down from his grandma's house. His dad has been incarcerated since Vince was a child. His older brother was killed in a bicycle accident as well, yet he still demonstrates the poise of a winner. The Houston Texans have the #1 pick of the NFL draft this year, and Young was born and raised in Houston. It would be very difficult to pass on the playmaking abilities of Reggie Bush, however it would fill the 69,500 seats at Reliant stadium on a frequent basis.

Now let's visit the opposite end of the spectrum. Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick, exhibited his true colors in the Gator Bowl versus Louisville, when he intentionally stomped on All-American defensive end Elvis Dumervil's leg. There is no room for purposely trying to hurt another player in football. Football players already put their personal well-being behind when they step onto the field, they shouldn't have to worry about a cheap shot ruining their career. Marcus was dismissed from the Hokie football program following the incident, due to numerous circumstances showing blatant disregard of regulations on and off the field. Sadly enough, Vick annonced Saturday, that he would be entering the 2006 draft. Maybe Philadelphia can pick him up, since they unloaded the problematic Terrell Owens during the 2005 season.

Marcus' brother, Atlanta Falcon's quarterback Michael Vick, even took his younger brother under his arm when he was suspended from the entire college during the 2004 season. He took him to Falcon meetings, workouts, and games to helped him become a better quarterback. Unfortunately, Marcus didn't learn anything on how to be a man and follow the laws set forth by those in a position of power.

University of Texas Longhorns...2006 National Champions.

On the eve of January 4th, 2006, Texas accomplished something no team has done in over 2 years, 37 games to be exact. They beat the University of Southern California Trojans. USC went into the game riding a 37 game winning streak, including back-to-back national championships in 2004 & 2005, but Texas came out ready to play.

With a 19 game winning streak on the line, Texas shocked many viewers with a game winning drive in the last 2 minutes of the game, capped off with a touchdown run and 2 point conversion by Quarterback Vince Young, to beat USC by a score of 41-38.

Overall, the 2006 Rose Bowl National Championship game was one of the best college games I've ever witnessed. It wasn't until they interviewed Trojan quarterback, Matt Leinart, after the game, did I loose respect for the USC team. Leinhart commented on how he knew they were the "better team", they just didn't make the plays in the end. If you're going to go 37-1 in your last 38 games, don't be a sore loser. Take it like a man.

Congratulations to the University of Texas Longhorns. Hook 'em horns!

The 13-3 Denver Broncos soar into the playoffs, riding a 4 game winning streak including 8 wins in their last 9 games. Going into week 16, the Broncos needed 2 wins to clinch a bye in the first round of the playoffs, including a week 17 road game versus division rival San Diego. Coach Mike Shanahan played most of the starters the majority of the first half. It was only after the increasing rain, did he decide to rest most of his starters and avoid the risk of injury in the second half. Coach Shanahan was impressed at the character of his team coming into a hostile environment and playing so well in such adverse conditions. (click here for game breakdown)

The Broncos square off Saturday, January 14th, against the winner of this Saturday's game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New England Patriots. Denver is 3-2 against the 2-time defending super bowl champions, in the last 5 years. The Broncos have already beat New England this year 28-20, at Mile High Stadium.