Tom Brady could very well break Peyton Manning's single-season touchdown record this year, and it shouldn't matter. At least not when it comes to debating whether or not he is one of the greatest quarterbacks to play in the last 25 years.
He is, no arguments there. He's won three Super Bowls, and lost two playoff games ... ever. The only thing that could increase his legacy is either another Super Bowl, or something even more historic — say a run at immortality. 19-0 would do that, and the Patriots are primed for it.
The only thing Brady accomplishes with his gaudy numbers this season is solidify his standing as the overall No. 1 fantasy selection in next year's drafts. The last thing he needs to do is rack up garbage statistics against helpless opponents like the Redskins.
Not that I think there's anything wrong with running up the score in the pros. They're paid to do this for a living. If they get embarrassed, so be it. But it doesn't mean you have to. Peyton Manning could have thrown for 800 yards and 10 touchdowns last Sunday night against the Ravens if he and Tony Dungy were so inclined.
If the great 49ers teams from the '80s and early '90s hadn't shown compassion, and let Joe Montana pass for every touchdown instead of handing off to Roger Craig, how many points could they have scored? Would anyone have remembered?
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Brian Westbrook's fourth quarter dive at the one was the coolest thing I have ever seen in football. Jamal Lewis could have done the same thing a week before against the Jets, but opted for glory.
True, a lot of fantasy owners might have been disappointed, but how many people who have had the wherewithal to take a knee and wrap up the victory like that?
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Reports earlier this season said some of the Jets players had quit on Eric Mangini, and Gang Green's personnel have never warmed up to him the way they would have given everything for Herm Edwards.
And every former player turned NFL analyst insists they would love to play for Herm. My question is why?
A year after backdooring their way in the playoffs before getting humiliated, the Chiefs are enjoying their worst form since the late '70s. Herm's thoughts? "People aren't used to this here. Get over it."
I'm sure the Chiefs fans have accepted their terrible season. What they probably haven't gotten over though is when Herm calls timeout to debate whether or not to challenge, then challenges, loses predictably, which causes his team another timeout.
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Two Sundays ago, Sean Payton might have cost his team a playoff bid with his dicey decision to run a flea-flicker late in the fourth when New Orleans had Tampa Bay virtually dead to rights. But as crazy as it seems, I don't blame him.
He's an aggressive play caller, and it got his team to the NFC Championship Game last year, and after a miserable start, compounded by injuries, the Saints are in the thick of the hunt.
You can't expect him to be unconventional for 58 minutes a game, then suddenly shut it down at the end.
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Brett Favre was named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year. He's having a good season, and done some wonderful things, no one is arguing, but what exactly does Roger Federer have to do win this thing?
They guy has dominated the sport the last four years like no one ever has. The only major losses he has is on clay, to a guy who never loses on clay and will soon become too old to do all the things he is currently accomplishing.
If he was American, he would be as revered as Tiger Woods. But since he is European, he receives less recognition than David Beckham. Can Sports Illustrated show some love to something outside of the major three and Tiger?
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The Bears started Kyle Orton Monday night. Really, Lovie Smith? Really? Kyle Orton? I know Rex Grossman is hurt and Brian Griese isn't good, but starting Orton is just giving up. Sure, the mistakes won't be as high, but neither will any other passing numbers, including points.
If Griese had played last night, with all the chances the Chicago defense gave the offense, the Bears would have won. Lovie right now looks like a sore winner, telling everyone Griese wasn't any good for so many months, and now proving his point.
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