Conference Championship Thoughts

I was a perfect 2-0 in my conference championship predictions, resulting in the Super Bowl matchup I predicted back at mid-season. It is as it should be, the best team in the AFC against the best team in the NFC. It doesn't always work out that way, but it did this year.

A lot will be made in the days leading up to the Super Bowl of the Patriot "dynasty." I really don't think that applies. The pundits want to apply it because this will be New England's third trip to the big game in four years and a victory would give them three Lombardi's in four years, something only the 1990's Cowboys have done. But dynasty refers to more than just championships. The Steelers of the 70's were a dynasty, not simply because they won four Super Bowls in six years, but because they absolutely dominated the AFC and NFL for six straight years. When they didn't win Super Bowls, they were losing in the playoffs. They were winning division titles every year, destroying nearly everyone in their path. The Aikman-led Cowboys were similar in their four year span. The one year they didn't win the Super Bowl, they lost to San Francisco in the NFC title game. In New England's four year run, the year they didn't make the Super Bowl, they were an unimpressive 9-7 and didn't even make the playoffs. In the 2001 season, they were hardly the dominant team of the AFC. Few really took them seriously, and they were heavy underdogs in all three post-season games they played. So, really the Patriots have only really had last year and this year as a dominant team, and that hardly qualifies as a dynasty.

Much will also be made that this is the end of the line for New England. After the Super Bowl, both coordinators will be lost, Wies going to Notre Dame and Crennel likely going to the Browns. This bothers me, because it really disrespects the Patriot players. The story line in 2001 was that the Patriots were a bunch of lesser role players in the hands of master coaching. That tag has really stuck with New England ever since, but is totally unfair. These are not lesser players. They have a very good roster, full of outstanding players. Tom Brady is one of the best quarterbacks in the game. He may not be as flashy as Manning or Culpepper, but how many coaches would sell body parts to get Tom Brady on their roster? I'll put New England's linebacking group up against just about anyone. Same for both lines and the running backs. These players may not be prototypical, for example Tedy Bruschi may not look the part of canonical middle linebacker the way Ray Lewis or Brian Urlacher do, which results in them being regarded as lesser players. But these guys kick butt, and it's time someone started realizing these guys win for more reasons than just superior coaching.

Speaking of storylines that won't go away, the Patriots in 2001 and 2003 were defensive teams. They won on the strength of superior defense. The offense was conservative and put up enough points to win. Leading up to the Super Bowl, everyone will be talking about the Patriot defense again. Has no one noticed that the Patriots are now one of the highest scoring teams in the league? Only the Colts, Chiefs, and Chargers put up more points. Only five quarterbacks threw more touchdowns than Brady. So the Eagles have a lot more to worry about than just the Patriot defense.

All season long, I have criticized the ridiculous hype surrounding Michael Vick. His passing numbers just aren't all that good, and the Eagles showed what happens when Vick gets turned into a passer. But that is not all Vick's fault. The Falcon wide receiving corps is horrible. Play after play, Vick was doing everything in his power to keep a play alive, and his receivers are doing nothing downfield. It's no wonder the heart of their passing game is the tight end. Crumpler is the one guy who can run routes and get open. Elsewhere, I have suggested that the Vikings need to be open to trading Randy Moss. How's this for a suggestion. The Falcons have a good defense and a lot of good defensive players. Put one or two together and trade for Moss. The Vikings pick up a linebacker and/or defensive lineman with experience and skill, the Falcons pick up a wide receiver for Vick to throw to. We saw what happened to Philadelphia when they acquired a receiver worthy of their quarterback. Imagine that happening in Atlanta.

By the way, one interesting fact for Falcon fans to keep in mind when dreaming about the 2005 season: Atlanta has never in its history had back to back winning seasons. Those few successful seasons they've had over the years have always been followed by losing records.

Already, writers and observers are waiting with breathless anticipation about the possible return of Terrell Owens for the Super Bowl. Um, need I remind everyone that the man broke his leg? If he does come back and play, it's doubtful he will have much of an impact. At best, he'll be able to run around gingerly at partial speed. Come on.

Studying coaching trees can be interesting. For the second time in three years, the NFC team in the Super Bowl will be coached by a former Packer assistant under Mike Holmgren (Gruden in 2002 and Reid this year). In this year's AFC divisional round, three of the four teams were coached by former assistants to Marty Schottenheimer in Kansas City (Cowher, Dungy, Edwards).