It’s remarkable that such a prominent star in the NFL would not know such a common rule.  So Donovan, if you’re listening, here’s the skinny on the fat that you apparently don’t know of

SCOTT JACOBS

Poor Donovan McNabb.  It must be all that Chunky soup that got to his head.  That or maybe something in his mama’s cooking altered a few brain cells or something.  Seriously, how in the world does a veteran starting quarterback in the NFL not know the rules of overtime?

Mitch posted the video in the previous post about McNabb’s shocking revelation that he didn’t know how they would determine a playoff game.

Well, McNabb, they play as many overtimes as it takes.  No NFL playoff game will end in a tie.  You can book it.  And I’ve got proof from not so long ago.  Remember that 2004 NFC divisional playoff game between the Panthers and Rams?  Well, it was an epic game, one for the ages, and it ended in DOUBLE OVERTIME.  You hear that Donovan?  Double Overtime!  So how did that happen?  Well, here’s the cliff notes version:

The Panthers and Rams were tied 23-23 after regulation so they went to overtime.  With just a few minutes remaining and still no scores to boot, they were on the verge of going into a second overtime, something I personally had never seen in an NFL game.

What happens next I wondered aloud?

Simply put, they went into double overtime and the game continued.  Ten seconds into the second overtime Carolina had stunned the Rams at the Edward Jones Dome, as Steve Smith went 69 yards into the endzone for the game winning score.  And it wasn’t even the longest game in NFL history.  Not even close actually.  Four other games including the legendary 1971 AFC Divisional playoff game between the Dolphins and Chiefs (a game that featured 22:40 of overtime) had lasted longer.

So that’s the truth on that. The Panthers would eventually go on to the NFC Title game where they beat the Eagles (A team led by McNabb!) and then the Super Bowl where they lost to New England. The point being, once you get to the playoffs the rule changes.  The game changes.  The NFL would never, ever allow a game to end in a tie once the post-season commences.  So we will never have to worry about that.

I re-iterate, how could McNabb not know the rule!  His Eagles team played the Panthers eight days later (after that epic tie) at home nonetheless!  He didn’t even have to worry about jet-lag, because the Eagles had a first round bye!  Apparently he’s taken too many hits in his NFL career.

As for regular season ties, how could McNabb not know about that one either?

In 2002 the Falcons and Steelers played to a wild 34-34 tie, far more interesting then the ugly Eagles-Bengals 13-13 snore-fest.  Tommy Maddox threw for almost 500 yards in that game, and the Steelers nearly won when his hail mary as time expired in the first overtime fell into the hands of Plaxico Burress, who came one yard short of getting the ball in the endzone for the winning score. 

The difference being that those were two good teams who had winning records.  Pittsburgh blew a 34-17 lead, wasting an offensive explosion in which they piled up 645 yards of offense.  The Eagles and Bengals couldn’t even put together 30 points combined.

So there’s your trip down memory lane.

Again, a cliff notes version of the rule: one overtime and then a tie for regular season games, and as many overtimes as it takes for playoff games.  And if that doesn’t clear things up, well I’m afraid we are on two different wave lengths.

Guest Post: The Sports Brethren

How Can a Stadium be Named After an Online University?

For all intents and purposes, this was my first time in Phoenix; it was resplendent with potential.

Entering from the West on the freeway you can make out the University of Phoenix Stadium just north of town. It looks like a grain silo. It looks like a melted Hershey kiss. It looks like, god forbid, a soccer stadium. I eyed it with disdain, as that was the battlefield on which my Panthers would soon play.

Phoenix has an exponential history with sports. While the Suns have been there for forty years, and the Cardinals have called Phoenix home for twenty, the Coyotes, Mercury and Diamondbacks have only been around since the 90s. NASCAR has a race in Phoenix, and they are trying to get an MLS squad there, which is surely the reason soccer hasn’t caught on in the US.

We number two! I mean #1! …Well, at least better than the Cards…

It’s a pleasant town, as are its surrounding metropolises that house their sports teams. Technically, only the D’backs, Suns, and Mercury play in Phoenix, along with the Arena League Rattlers. Everyone else is either in Tempe or Glendale. It’s kinda like those smaller fish you see drafting with sharks, only the sharks are Steve Nash.

The secret is out, as Phoenix is the fastest growing city in America and let me tell you, it shows. There’s a ton of construction going on, and high rises are sprouting up like wildflowers. The greater the population, the more sports fans. From what I gathered, Arizona State’s still the biggest draw in town, but I’d like to gauge the city when the Suns are in full bloom.

A day on the road
   
Stopping to shop (and dance)             Refueling…

Ready to drive again…

The sports fans of Phoenix are a dichotomy. There are fanatics for the Sun Devils, and bottle-throwers for the Diamondbacks, but we didn’t see too many gung-ho types for the Cardinals. That probably has something to do with their, y’know, performance more than anything else. The denizens are very proud of their new stadium and it inspires sympathy more so than any other emotion. It’s kind of adorable.

All in all, Phoenix is a great town for sports fans and I eagerly look forward to returning when Old Jesus leads our Panthers to the Super Bowl in February. Hey, we did beat the Cardinals…

Good thing this picture ain’t in focus.

Want to guest blog? Email mhblatt(at)gmail.com if interested.

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