Packers Fans Don’t Blame Brandon Bostick
If Brandon Bostick catches the ball, the game is over and the Packers are going to the Super Bowl. If he follows his assignment and blocks, then MAYBE Jordy Nelson catches the ball and the Packers go to the Super Bowl.
That play is likely to haunt him forever. Fans and critics will blame him, but it should have never gotten that far.
How many times have I written that phrase in reference to the Giants or the Red Sox? Two teams legendary for letting big games slip away, so Packers fans I speak from experience, when I say, please don’t blame Brandon Bostick.
The Giants lost a playoff game in similar fashion back in 1997, and it was all Chris Calloway’s fault.
It was the Wild Card round against the Vikings. I was spared the agony of watching this game, because my boyfriend (now husband) had bought us tickets to see West Side Story at the Providence Performing Arts Center for Christmas (he didn’t know me as well back then). I missed a playoff game to go (I must have really liked him).
When I got home, I saw the look on my father’s face and knew it had been a rough night. He said something to the effect of, “All he had to do was catch it (referring to Calloway). It is his job to catch the ball. His only job and he couldn’t do it and we lost.”
I have a vivid memory of the ball bouncing off Calloway’s chest that I must have seen on a highlight. So we blame Calloway. We still blame Calloway, but the Packers mess on Sunday got me thinking, did the Giants have a chance to put the game away well before the onside kick?
It took some digging on the interwebs, but this is what I learned thanks to Today in Pro Football History and Philly.com. Remember, I was watching the Jets and the Sharks, but my father confirms that this is how it went down.
The Vikings like the Seahawks were plagued by turnovers early in the game and the Giants built a 19-3 lead by halftime. They like the Packers did not put the game out of reach when they had the chance—a lot of field goals—but still they had control of the game.
With just over two minutes to play, the Giants had a 9-point lead and the ball, and they went three and out and were forced to punt. The kick wasn’t deep and the Vikings led by Randall Cunningham (curse you, Randall Cunningham) scored a touchdown cutting the Giants lead to two points.[1]
Then came the kick. Calloway was sent in as part of the hands team and he dropped it. The rest is history. The Vikings completed the biggest comeback by a NFL road team in the postseason since 1972 and won their first playoff game in nine years. [2] The Giants excited the playoffs empty handed.
The Packers certainly could have scored more points much earlier in the game, but that’s not why they lost. Brandon Bostick is not why they lost. The Packers lost that game, because they had the ball with 5:13 to go and played like they had already won.
Morgan Burnett could have kept running after the interception. You only give yourself up when a few kneel downs will win you the game not with five minutes left and only a 12-point lead against the defending champions. Mike McCarthy could have called a play that could have actually gotten them the first down instead of three totally predictable rushes in a row, and Eddie Lacy could have run forwards. The defense needed to come up with one more stop and they couldn’t.
When you play not to lose, you often do, especially when you are playing a team like the Seahawks.
But if only Brandon Bostick had caught the ball! If only Calloway had! It should not have gotten that far.
Also, please stop saying he “Bucknered” it. An onside kick is not the same as a routine ground ball (sorry Bill).
[2]http://fs64sports.blogspot.com/2012/12/1997-vikings-rally-to-edge-giants-in.html
Giants and Red Sox: Two Teams; Two Different Directions
Our Giants (0-4, last place in NFC East)
Our New York Football Giants are bad. Really bad. Amazingly bad. Can you even remember the last time they were this bad?
The Ray Handley years. Those were dark times. It didn’t get much better under Dan Reeves either. Remember how often Dave Brown would get sacked? Eli has reminded me a lot of poor Dave Brown this season, when he pulls himself off the ground and looks around as if to say, “Hey, can we maybe try blocking these guys.”
For the record, Dave Brown was sacked 148 times in 54 games between 1994 and 1997 (thank you, Pro-Football-Reference.com). That’s almost three times per game. Eli has been sacked 14 times in four games this season, which is an average of 3.5 times per game. Yeah, that’s worse.
On top of that, when the Giants played poorly, back in the day, I seem to remember it being the offense letting the defense down or vice versa. I cannot remember a time when they were this bad across the board. The offense is bad, the defense is bad and special teams are bad too.
Yet, they have talent. That’s what makes this season so frustrating and mystifying. Eli Manning is not Dave Brown (no offense Dave Brown) and Tom Coughlin is not and never will be Ray Handley (take all the offense you want Ray Handley). They’ve had injures, sure, but still it’s no excuse for how bad they have played.
The funny thing is, the Giants are far from out of it. If they beat the Eagles on Sunday and Dallas loses to Peyton Manning and the Broncos, then the Giants would finish the day only one game back in the division. It’s crazy, but they could still do this.
And if they don’t, at least we have the Red Sox.
Our Red Sox (97-65, AL East Champions)
Let’s take a moment to appreciate our 2013 Boston Red Sox and the magical season they have put together, before our battle against the Rays in the American League Division Series begins. 97 wins! After losing 93 games last year, could you have ever imagined a turn around like this? No matter what happens, this season has been incredible, and I give much of the credit to John Farrell and the great job Ben Cherington did building this team.
However, I’m not going to lie; the Rays scare me, more than any other team remaining. They’re scrappy, they have good pitching and they don’t like us. They may also have momentum on their side, and, of course, there is the history: the ALCS in 2008 and Game 162 in 2011. Those are difficult memories to erase.
If we had our choice of opponents, we probably would not have gone with the Rays. Losing to them will be painful. On the other hand, beating them will feel so good (so good, so good). If the Red Sox can pull this off, and I think they can, then revenge, sweet, sweet revenge will be ours. What would make it even better is, if David Ortiz hits the go-ahead, eventual winning home run in Game 3 right off that smug “162 Landing” sign in left field.
I don’t think the Red Sox see this series as revenge though. Unlike me, they have moved on. That’s the beauty of this team. They have put all the badness from 2011 and 2012 behind them. They play to win the game at hand and don’t worry about anything else.
It’s clear; the Red Sox give us our greatest chance at happiness this year–sorry Giants. Although, it’s still too early to rule them out.
Funny how things go, two years ago, the Giants were hoisting the Lombardi Trophy and the Red Sox were trying to rebound from one of the worst collapses in sports history. Today, the Sox are on the verge of something very special and the Giants are circling the drain only four weeks into what could have been a good, if not great season. I guess the lesson here is that not every year can be 2007.
Go Sox!
And for your continued reading pleasure, check out this New York Times article I found on Ray Handley from December of 1991.
Hockey Can Be a Cruel, Cruel Game
Hockey can be a cruel sport. Last second or overtime goals can be as painful as a punch in the stomach for both the players and the fans. Walk off homers, final second field goals, and amazing buzzer beaters can certainly knock the wind out of you, but hockey is different. Something about it makes it worse.
It’s a function of the pace and scoring difficulty. Baseball has the bottom of the ninth. Not to mention all the time in between pitches. Football has time outs, the two-minute warning and one hundred yards between goal lines. Basketball’s pace is similar to hockey, but when is the last time you saw a basketball game that ended with a 3-2 score.
Hockey is unique. There’s no time to breathe. There’s no sending your opponent to the foul line in moments of desperation. You can’t intentionally walk a strong player to get to a weaker one. You can’t run the clock out by kneeling down.
If you could, the Bruins’ hopes of a seventh Stanley Cup would likely still be alive.
It’s been a while since I have experienced such a loss as a fan. In the past decade, the Red Sox are two for two in the World Series. The Giants are also perfect in Super Bowl chances having defeated the Patriots twice. The Bruins won in 2011 and the LA Kings won last year. The Celtics won it all in 2008, and when they lost in 2010 it was to the Lakers—have I never mentioned that I’m a Lakers fan? That’s a different story for a different day.
It’s been a pretty spectacular ride for me, when you really think about it.
Of course, there was Andy Roddick’s loss to Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2009. That match certainly took the wind out of my sails for the rest of the day. There was also the “Best Play in NFL History”—please don’t get my started on that—but DeSean Jackson’s punt return did deliver a blow similar to two goals in 17 seconds.
The closest fan experience, for me at least, was probably Sidney Crosby’s overtime goal in the Vancouver Olympics, which ended the USA’s dreams of gold. That game, although soul crushing, was what got me into hockey. The disappointment from the loss didn’t prevent me from recognizing the brilliance of the game, and a hockey fan was born that day.
My appreciation and knowledge of the sport has grown since. Someday soon I may even understand the icing rules. Although, I have to admit I’m afraid of falling in love with it.
If the Red Sox or Giants had been out there on that ice and suffered a loss like that, I would have likely gone into hiding for days or weeks or had a heart attack long ago.
Hockey is not for the meek. Losing can be excruciating—just ask Toronto—but doesn’t that make winning all that much sweeter.
I have to tip my cap to the Blackhawks. They played an incredible game and series.
To the Bruins, thank you. You lifted us up when we needed you the most. You provided us with a truly thrilling distraction. We didn’t need you to win it all, we just needed you to keep playing. We needed the hope of winning for as long as possible. You gave us that, and we will be forever grateful.
It was moving to see, hear actually, the fans at the Garden chanting, “Let’s go Bruins,” after the game and the Cup had been lost. It would have been an awesome moment to be a part of.
See what you have done Bruins, you have turned me into a hockey fan, for life I fear, but for this I am thankful…I think.
And for anyone who is clamoring, “What about soccer?” When they cut the field in half, we can talk.
Red Sox Need a Closer
The Red Sox are in need of a closer. Andrew Bailey is out after blowing his second straight save, and there is no definitive option to replace him. What are the Sox to do?
Perhaps Mariano Rivera would be willing to allow us to clone him? If the Yankees take issue, we can make two.
I fear mastering human replication in the next month or so may be the only chance the Red Sox have of getting a reliable closer.
When Bailey entered the game on Thursday, I had a bad feeling. One run wasn’t going to cut it. John Farrell apparently had the same feeling, because he had Andrew Miller warming up behind him. Not exactly a vote of confidence.
Confidence. That is the problem. It’s been the overall problem for Sox closers this season. Hanrahan never looked confident on the mound, perhaps because of his hamstring or impending elbow injury. I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Bailey had a bit when he saw the opportunity to win his job back and help the team when Hanrahan went down, but he has since come unraveled.
June has been a bad month for Bailey. He has surrendered four home runs, including Jhonny Peralta’s walk-off, and has only struck out three.
Worse, he doesn’t have the look.
Jonathan Papelbon, love him or hate him, had the look. Even when he was struggling, he still looked like he could get you out with a pitch that, even if you swung, you would have no chance of hitting. The Red Sox need someone who exudes confidence like Pap.
One option would be the man himself.
Rumors have been flying that the Red Sox might make a move to bring the steely-eyed closer back to Boston.
I’m not sure how fans would react if this happened. I may have been the only person happy to see Jonathan when he trotted out of the visiting bullpen a few weeks ago at Fenway. I was at that game, and the boos far outweighed the cheers.
Sometimes though, the more fans boo, the more they love you. I believe Pap even said something to that effect. Plus, if he came back and became the guy we could rely on again, he would quickly win back the hearts of The Nation. His presence and steadiness could also provide a valuable spark.
Or, the plan could backfire—big time. As much as I love Jonathan Papelbon, I’m not sure if bringing him back or getting anyone new—short of a Rivera clone—is worth what the Sox would have to give up in return.
I would hate to lose anyone currently on the team. Prospects are an option of course. The obvious pluses are that the chemistry of the team wouldn’t be disrupted and fans have little to no emotional attachment to these guys, but losing some of our top players-of-the-future may not be the best long-term strategy for the team.
The Red Sox could try to solve the problem internally with Tazawa, Miller or Uehara. One of them may have the potential to take over. I love Uehara’s spirit. He’s got the type of fire we need, but he might take blown saves too personally. Miller can strike batters out, which would be an immediate improvement. He can also get a bit wild.
Hopefully, these guys can at least hold down the fort, while Bailey attempts to fix his issues or the Red Sox decide go in another direction.
The Sox have a real chance this season, but not being able to close out tight games could be their Achilles’ heel. That would really be a shame.
What do you think the Sox should do? Should they make a trade to get a closer—maybe Papelbon—or look within for the solution?
Terry Francona Returns to Fenway
I’m betting Terry Francona won’t have any trouble finding his way to work today. (Best headline ever: Terry Francona Gets Lost Walking to Progressive Field.) Although, he might have to keep repeating to himself, “Visitors’ clubhouse. Go to the visitors’ clubhouse.”
After eight years of managing from the other side, it must be a little weird for the former Red Sox skipper to be back at Fenway with his new team, the first place Cleveland Indians.
Luckily his return comes two years after The Collapse and his subsequent “dismissal”. If he had come back as a manger last season, while the Red Sox were still suffering under Bobby Valentine, things could have gotten ugly–for Valentine. Chants of “We want Tito” would have echoed through Fenway Park; while tonight, we are more likely to hear a simple “Tito, Tito” to show respect for the man who brought us two World Championships.
Word on the street is that the Red Sox have planned a special video tribute to honor Francona. The standing ovation that will follow will likely rival the reception he received at the 100 Years of Fenway celebration. The applause won’t end there. When Francona makes his first trip to the mound, I fully expect the place to go nuts. Hopefully, he’ll go back to the right dugout.
If this had happened a year ago, I wouldn’t have been surprised if fans stormed the field and dragged Francona back to the Red Sox dugout; politely explaining to Bobby V, of course, that he was out and Terry was in.
Today, the circumstances are a bit different. The Red Sox are well above .500 and just a half game out of first. Farrell has done a wonderful job of turning around a sorry, last place ball club. He is the right man to lead this team into the future, so when fans cheer for Francona–and they will cheer loudly and often–Farrell should not take offense.
Of course, the current Red Sox manager had a front row seat for some of the Francona magic. He understands what Terry means to the fans. The man ended The Curse after all.
That is how Tito will be remembered. Not for The Collapse. Those memories will fade and be replaced by new ones–hopefully a championship or two under Farrell. Francona’s legacy will forever be entwined with ending the 86 year draught and for that he will always be welcomed with open arms in Boston.
Welcome home Tito. And in case we haven’t said it enough already, thank you.
Thank you, Yankees. Or a Sentence I Never Thought I’d Write
As a fan of the New York Giants, I often get mistaken for a Yankee fan. I’ll be wearing a Giants hat or one of my jerseys, and someone with a Yankees hat on will walk by me and nod. When this happens all I want to do is scream, “I am not a Yankee fan!” I am actually offended that this person could think that I—a Rhode Islander and devout Red Sox fan—would ever stoop so low as to root for the New York Yankees.
This week, I feel differently.
In the wake of the horrific and devastating terrorist attacks in Boston, the outpouring of support from other baseball teams and cities across the country has been truly touching.
A day after the bombings at the Boston Marathon, Cleveland Indians fans, who certainly have plenty of reasons not to like the Red Sox, waved signs that said, “Pray for Boston,” as they sat through a long game on a cold, damp night at Progressive Field. “Sweet Caroline” was played in stadiums from Los Angeles to Miami to Chicago.
And then there was this picture and message tweeted by our rivals on Tuesday:
It brought tears to my eyes. It was an act that seems small but means so much.
Terrorists want to divide us but their cowardly acts only serve to bring us closer together, and this is proof. The New York Yankees put a big red “B” on the side of The House that Steinbrenner Built. The team that would mercilessly chant “1918” at us when we were down is now in our corner. This is what makes sports and our country great. We may play or root for different teams, but we are all in this together. When the chips are down, we have each other’s backs.
At the end of the day, we may say that we hate each other, but deep down inside we know that the game of baseball that we love so much would not be as great without the other.
Thank you, Yankees. Thank you, for your support. Thank you, to every team and fan that has kept the great people of Boston in their thoughts and prayers. Rest assured that the city of Boston will only emerge from this tragedy stronger than it was before.
Now, don’t worry Red Sox Nation, we can go back to “hating” the Yankees eventually, but I wonder what the atmosphere will be like when New York plays its first game at Fenway in mid-July. I’m sure players and fans will want to show their gratitude, perhaps with a few friendly smiles or tips of the cap. Maybe even with some applause—at the very least, less booing.
One thing is for sure, the next time a Yankee fan nods at me, I will gladly and proudly return the gesture.
As the manhunt continues for the second suspect, my heart is with the people of Massachusetts.
Our Boston Red Sox are looking a lot better than many of us thought they would. Last year at this time, the panic meter was almost in the red. This year, the needle is swinging in the opposite direction, but are we at risk of getting too ahead of ourselves?
Cautious optimism is certainly the best approach with 155 games left to be played. While my gut tells me this team will continue to play well, Monday’s game did highlight two areas of concern.
First and foremost, where in the world has the offense been against left-handers? On Sunday, the Sox touched up the reigning NL Cy Young winner, right-hander R.A. Dickey, for eight runs in four and two thirds innings in route to a 13-0 victory.
One day later, Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen held the Red Sox scoreless through six innings, allowing only four hits until Daniel Nava’s towering three-run shot over the Monster.
Chen hasn’t been the only southpaw to stifle the otherwise potent Red Sox offense. J.A. Happ pitched a one-hitter through five, leading the Blue Jays to a 5-0 win on Saturday, and Andy Pettitte allowed just one run and eight hits over as many innings in our only other loss this season.
The one exception was Opening Day, when the Sox ended CC Sabathia’s outing early, but their overall lack of production against lefties is troubling and baffling. With a predominantly right-handed lineup, the laws of physics seem to have abandoned the Red Sox. Hopefully, they’ll find their groove in the coming weeks.
The closer games are the more dependent the Sox will be on closer Joel Hanrahan. The former Pirate has logged three saves thus far but not without some drama. He surrendered a home run to Adam Jones with no outs in Monday’s home opener and has allowed the tying run to come to the plate in two out of his three save opportunities.
Nothing can kill momentum quite like a blown save, but if he can keep the heat and the saves coming, Hanrahan can make games as interesting as he wants. After Papelbon, we’re used to it anyway.
It’s been a while since the Red Sox have given us anything to be excited about, and I’m finding it hard not to jump feet first onto the bandwagon. Who am I kidding, despite these issues, I’m feeling pretty good about our chances. Still, I will do my best to remain cautiously optimistic. It’s never a bad plan when our Red Sox are concerned.
AL East Predictions a.k.a. Mission Impossible
For most of my life, predicting who would win the American League East was easy. Each season, we hoped it would be the Red Sox, but more often than not we saw our rivals claim the top spot. It was a simpler time, but in 2013 all five teams are legitimate contenders. There is absolutely no telling who will be the best.
The Toronto Blue Jays are the clear off-season winners, but as Red Sox fans we know all too well that you can’t buy a championship. Teams need chemistry not just big names to win. I’m sure we will see flashes of how good this team can be, but given that they have a new manager and many new faces, I’m hesitant to call them the favorites.
The safer money is on the Baltimore Orioles, because they have what no other team in the division has—consistency. They went with the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” approach, fielding virtually the same team this season that took them to the playoffs in 2012. Now that they know what winning feels like, the O’s should be eager to avenge their ALDS loss, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they got off to a fast start.
The Tampa Bay Rays also had a quiet off-season. They lost James Shields but were able to hang on to ace David Price. Pitching wise they should be fine with young arms like Matt Moore and Jeremy Hellickson, but they are a bit lacking in the offensive firepower department. Evan Longoria is not going to be able to do it alone. Still, the Rays have surprised us before. They’ve made the AL East race interesting over the past five years, being the only team to snatch the division away from the Yankees and Red Sox in this millennium.
That’s not to say that the division in any way belongs to the Yankees or Red Sox—no that’s exactly what I’m saying. We’ve dominated the AL East for years, and, yes, I’m using “we” to refer to both the Red Sox and Yankees. This is an us against them situation. It could be the first time since the Wild Card was implemented in 1995 that both the Yankees and Red Sox will miss the postseason.
But before anyone gets too excited, let me just say this about our rivals. They may have had a horrid off-season and spring training, but they are still the Yankees and they know how to win. It is possible that they won’t break .500—we can all dream—but they could just as easily win it all. The last thing any team in the league should do is underestimate them.
It is also quite possible that only one team from the American League East will make the playoffs, given the level of competition each will face within the division. I know we are used to having the Wild Card all to ourselves, but it’s anything but a guarantee this season. The second place team may have shot at the second Wild Card spot—maybe.
So where does this leave our Boston Red Sox? Outside looking in? Not even part of the discussion?
Well, it can’t get any worse than the 69-93 finish last year. Of course it could, but I don’t think it will. The 2012 team was better than what its record suggested.
The best move the Red Sox made this off-season was brining in a man whom the players can respect. Right off the bat, they have a better chance of making the playoffs, now that John Farrell is at the helm.
He has already had an effect on Jon Lester, as many thought he would. Our ace seems to have returned to form.
The Red Sox may also have an ace up their sleeve in John Lackey. If he can get back to being the pitcher he was for the Angels—or even close to that level—than the Red Sox rotation could be in very good shape.
Until the season starts, which it will in just a few hours, I’m choosing to remain positive about the Sox. Why not? It’s impossible to say with certainty who will win. I could see any of the AL East teams finishing first or last. It’s truly anyone’s game.
Happy Opening Day and Go Sox!
Red Sox and Lakers: Comparing Two ‘Dream Team’ Disasters
As a Boston Red Sox fan living in Los Angeles, I have experienced a bit of déjà vu this year watching the Lakers’ disappointing season unfold. It’s like I’m back in 2011 watching the Sox.
When the Lakers signed Dwight Howard and Steve Nash, fans were practically promised another championship. Sound familiar?
The Red Sox were dubbed the best team in baseball, after they added Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford to their already super-star-studded roster.
Neither team lived up to the expectations. In fact, in very Titanic-esque fashion, both “dream teams” sunk to new lows.
In 2011, the Red Sox got off to a rough start, dropping six in a row. Then, they managed to claw their way into first place, only to miss the playoffs, after suffering the worst September collapse in baseball history.
The Lakers went 1-4 to start the 2012-2013 season and are currently sitting one game below .500. If the season ended today, they would miss the playoffs for just the third time in 30 years.
When “good” teams fail, the coach is usually the first to go. In 2011, the Red Sox gave Terry Francona 162 games to try to right the ship. In 2012, the Lakers gave Mike Brown five. Brown, of course, didn’t have two rings under his belt like Francona, and the Lakers, presumably, had Phil Jackson waiting in the wings.
Then came the surprise.
In a move that made even less sense then the Red Sox hiring Bobby Valentine, the Lakers chose Mike D’Antoni over Jackson. At least, when the Sox hired Valentine, they didn’t have a clearly better choice. They didn’t leave Joe Torre or Tony La Russa waiting by the phone.
Still, Valentine’s style didn’t mesh well with team, and he was fired the day after the 2012 season ended. D’Antoni may suffer a similar fate, if the Lakers don’t make the playoffs or even if they lose in the first round.
One thing is for sure; the Lakers don’t stand a chance, if Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard can’t find a way to play nice. Bad chemistry can derail a team full of super-star talent. Having the best players does not guarantee having the best team. The Red Sox learned that lesson the hard way.
For reasons that are still not completely understood, Adrian Gonzalez was not a good fit for Boston. His swing may have been tailor-made for Fenway Park, but he never looked comfortable playing there. Thankfully, the Dodgers bailed the Red Sox out–again–but the NBA trade deadline came and went last Thursday without the Lakers making a move.
Instead, they chose to roll the dice with the team they have now, even though their postseason chances are slim and there is no guarantee Dwight will stay in LA next season.
In order to have a realistic shot at the playoffs, the Lakers need to post a winning percentage close to .714, according to ESPNLosAngeles.com. In the words of eternal optimist, Lloyd Christmas, “So you’re telling me there’s a chance.”
Lloyd isn’t wrong, a glimmer of hope still remains for the Lakers, and it got a little brighter when they blew out the Celtics in an emotional game last Wednesday, just days after their owner, Dr. Jerry Buss, passed away.
In addition to the victory, the Lakers honored Buss with a moving tribute, but when beloved player and coach Johnny Pesky died in August of 2012, the Red Sox came up a bit short. In their first home game after his death, each player wore the No. 6 in memory of Pesky, but they couldn’t get the win. The Red Sox fell to the Los Angeles Angels 3-5.
Looking back, the 2012 season came to an end that day. If the Red Sox couldn’t rally together in such a moment, there was really no hope that they could do it at any other time.
Today, with two disastrous seasons behind them, it will be interesting to see how the Red Sox fare with a new manager (former pitching coach John Farrell) and a clean slate—it can’t get much worse.
The Lakers will likely be uttering the same phrase next fall, when they embark on a mission to right this year’s wrongs, unless they can make good on Kobe’s guarantee of a playoff berth. They have won three straight. (Although, as this went to press, the Lakers were losing to the Nuggets by ten in the third.)
The Red Sox and Lakers will eventually rebound. All great teams do. Regardless, let their story be a cautionary tale to all those who try to buy a championship—ahem Dodgers.
Lights Out: The 2012 Football Season is Over
It’s official. We have entered the dreaded void between football and baseball. The minute the confetti began to fly, I felt a pang of sadness knowing that there would be no more meaningful football until September. That’s a long time!
Plus, this year, we won’t have the thrill of being Super Bowl champions to tide us over.
The Ravens are the champions now, and I admit, I was wrong with my prediction. I thought the 49ers would edge out Baltimore by four. Instead, they lost by three, in what was almost the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history.
The game was rather boring before the black out. There is a sentence I never thought I’d write. Super Bowl XLVII will go down in history as the Black-Out Bowl, which happened to feature two head coaches who were related.
It’s amazing how drastically one event can change everything. Like momentum, it can swing on a fumble, a dropped pass, or a power outage, but time is momentum’s greatest threat.
After the championship games, I was confident that the 49ers would keep on rolling and walk away with the Lombardi Trophy. Then, I realized that two weeks is a long time for a young team to wait, and, conversely, plenty of time for a veteran team to prepare.
It was obvious that Colin Kaepernick was nervous. The enormity of the situation got to him, but can we really blame him? It was, after all, only his 10th NFL start. He also ran up against a good defense and was the victim of poor play calling.
Kaepernick’s rocket-like arm is certainly a weapon, but it was his legs that were slaying defenses throughout the playoffs. There may have been some missed calls on their last drive, but why were the 49ers throwing the ball? Where was the option? Not giving Kaepernick full use of his arsenal, throughout the game, cost the 49ers their sixth Super Bowl ring and robbed Kaepernick of the opportunity to run in the winning touchdown, which would have certainly clinched him the MVP.
San Francisco also wasted two time-outs and let the Ravens back into the game. If the defense could have prevented that last Baltimore touchdown, then the outcome would have been very different. That was the ball game. It’s all about momentum.
Even though we have to live with the fact that the Baltimore Ravens are World Champions—ugh—at least the black out did not “decide” the outcome of the game. If it had, someone at the Superdome would have had some serious ‘splainin’ to do, and the rest of us would have had to endure weeks upon weeks of listening to ridiculous conspiracy theories debated on ESPN and talk radio.
Now, this story can die out, and we can focus on more important matters, such as the Giants winning Super Bowl XLVIII at home in a well-lit MetLife Stadium, a day after Michael Strahan is voted into the Hall of Fame. How incredible would that be? As I have said many times before, a girl can dream. We can all dream.
A FAN DIVIDED 