I can’t stand Florida State. Mainly, because for they were college football’s big bully for most of when I was growing up. The past ten years have softened everyone’s view of them in the NCAA landscape, but I still can’t shake the disdain I had for that school circa 1990-2000. I viewed them with the same disdain I had/have for Duke basketball, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Red Wings and New York Yankees. A lot of people liked them because they were winners, but there was something always a little slimy about how they won. All that being said, I respect the hell out of Bobby Bowden, and he just got done wrong.
As much as I may loathe certain people and franchises, some of them have earned my respect. Derek Jeter is probably one of the top five sportsmen you’ll ever see, and he deserves to retire a Yankee even if he never makes contact with another pitch. Same goes for David Ortiz with the Red Sox, Paul Pierce with the Celtics and Peyton Manning with the Colts. Certain people change the culture and no matter how steep they fall, deserve to go out on their own terms.
Florida State was nothing when Bobby Bowden became the head coach, nothing. Natioinal titles and top recruiting classes were things that you joked about. Florida State had about as much of a chance of winning a title as Rick does of cashing in on his dream of getting Miley Cyrus. 34 years later we’re talking of the culmination of one of the greatest coaches and programs we will ever see, an empire that one man built, and he’s retiring because the school is forcing him to after a stringing together a few seasons that were below the standards that Bowden himself had established.
Mind you, this is the same university that erected (giggity) a statue of this man in front of the stadium for all he has meant to that school. Two national titles, 28 straight bowl apearances and 14 consecutive 10-win seasons from 1987-2000 apparently aren’t enough anymore as the school pushes forward with offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher.
When it comes down to it, did Bowden make you, me and 90% of America hate the school for how good they were? Yes. And that’s the same answer that needs to be given when asked if he should get to leave on his own terms.
Top five games you can bet on this week:
5. Carolina Panthers (-6.5) over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In a move that will surprise everyone, Jake Delhomme will throw for every score in this game, six TDs and four TAINTS.
4. Houston Texans (+1) over Jacksonville Jaguars
Don’t look now, but Mario “Don’t call me Luigi” Williams is pissed.
3. New Orleans Saints (pick ’em) over Washington Redskins
Whoever is responsible for this line should be fired.
2. Minnesota Vikings (pick ’em) over Arizona Cardinals
In the battle of who has the greyest stubble, Brett Favre edges out Kurt Warner.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (pick ’em) over Oakland Raiders
Call me a homer all you want, the Raiders suck.
SeriouslyLions ’09 (10-1)
Change you can believe in
Week 12: W 63-14 against Green Bay Packers
Schools: 17-30 403 yards 6 TD 3 INT, 3 rush 56 yards TD
McB: 11 rush 26 yards
Julie: 10 rec 228 yards 5 TD
Rick: 5 tckl INT
Chugs: 9-9 XP
SeriouslyPowerRankings
5. San Diego Chargers (8-3)
Why am I including a team coached by Norv Turner in the top five?
4. Cincinnati Bengals (8-3)
Nothing screams “rebound chick” quite like the Oakland Raiders.
3. Minnesota Vikings (10-1)
I would like to thank Chester Taylor for showing up in my fantasy league, I would also like to have a private talk with Steve Breaston.
2. Indianapolis Colts (11-0)
Somewhere Tony Dungy is screaming out ####!!!!!!!
1. New Orleans Saints (11-0)
Drew Brees is not human.