NFL Decade Superlatives

Last Updated on Wednesday, 20 January 2010 20:06 Written by Brian Clarke Thursday, 24 December 2009 22:32

The end of the 20th century left us a sport of boxing sputtering, the MLB "regaining" the support of their fanbase, football emerging as America's sport and basketball looking find the next man who could "Be like Mike".

As of Christmas Day 2009, boxing is still reeling except now, a new brand of barbarism has moved into the hearts of the fans: MMA and the UFC. The combination of disappointing fights, a weak heavyweight division, the politics of boxing promoters and the fan-friendly match-ups that Ultimate Fighting has presented viewers has given the sweet science a run for its money. However, the future of boxing doesn't look too bleak, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao have a date sometime in 2010 to reignite interest in the sport.

The NFL is going as strong as ever, with ratings continuing to shoot through the roof. Proof of the strength of the NFL, see Espn drama PLAYMAKERS. If the NFL doesn't want something, it won't exist. They're the italian mafia in the world of sports. Unfortunately, the NFL does have a problem that must be addressed. Concussions. Players have unleashed a very well kept secret from public: Football is a dangerous sport that takes years off of your life. With terrible pension plans and retired players dying far younger than your average citizen, the NFL has a problem they must address to sustain the humanity of the league. Not that it will keep people from watching...

The NBA looked to replace Michael Jordan in the new millennium, how'd that work out? Well, Jordan came back for a bit. Brought a little excitement, but soon realized even he wasn't good enough to make the Wizards a playoff team. Unfortunately for the 2004 Lakers, Rip Hamilton learned a thing or two from Jordan and helped dismantle the dream team Lakers in five games. Jordan was replaced, quite well in fact, Kobe Bryant has emerged as the player of the decade without a doubt, LeBron is the face of the league and Dwayne Wade has made it a habit to make memorable clutch shots. However, the gap between the elite and the basement of the league is farther than ever. Weak draft classes won't help either. The only hope for these lowly teams is 2010 Free Agent pool.

Barry Bonds broke almost every imaginable power-hitting record there was and established himself as one of the most important figures in the history of baseball. Not necessarily for his hitting prowess either. Thanks to Bonds and his friends at BALCO, baseball's well-kept steroid secret was exposed for all. Jose Canseco, although widely considered as an opportunistic jerk, can also be given a pat on the back for exposing the sport. Ramirez, Bonds, McGwire, Clemens, A-Rod, Ortiz... and the list goes one. For all that, the decade ended they way it started, with those DAMN YANKEES as champions!

NFL

Best Player:Peyton Manning

Brady fans relax, I will agree that Brady was far more successful than Manning as far as playoff aptitude as well as winning Superbowls. However, no one posted a better winning precentage with a worse defense than Peyton Manning. He intimidated defenses like no other. Besides he has won 3 MVPs and looks like he may grab a 4^th sharing it with Drew Brees in 2009. In addition, Manning has thrown for 11,000 more yards and has recorded 87 more touchdowns than his New England counter-part. He validated his place in history with his win in Superbowl XLI. When it's all said and done Manning will be considered if not the greatest, one of the top two or three quarterbacks who ever played. He's just got to find a way to beat the Chargers in January...

Best Team: New England Patriots

4 Superbowl Appearances, 3 wins (would've been four if Richard Seymour would've just held onto Eli Manning just a little bit longer).

Best Team: 2003 New England Patriots.

I would consider throwing the Ravens in here as well as the 2007 Patriots Squad, but I won't for two reasons. I'm not sure if the Ravens championship team really qualifies, because they're quarterback was named Trent Dilfer and they beat a team in the Superbowl quarterbacked by Kerry Collins. The 2007 Patriots Squad was the best team ever assembled. Except they didn't win it all. In order to be the best, you have to beat the best and the Giants did, which made them the best and not the Patriots. Speaking of...

Best Game: Giants vs. Patriots Superbowl XLII.

(Honorable Mention: Steelers vs. Cardinals Superbowl XLIII)

In addition, the Patriots played some pretty memorable games during their perfect regular season run. The Ravens played them well as did the Colts

Defensive Player of the decade: Ray Lewis

I'm going with the safe pick here. I find it hard to vote Shawn Merriman or Brian Urlacher, due the fact both missed significant time due to injury, while not being nearly as successful as Ray Lewis (meaning winning a Superbowl) for as long. In addition, Ray Lewis' impact changes the way offenses approach the Ravens. Even in his 14^th season, he's still clocking 100+ tackles.

Bad Call of the decade: Matt Millen keeping his job as President of the Lions, also the worst team of the decade by far.

Not to be outdone - “Tuck Rule”. One of the worst calls in the history of the game and cost the Raiders what seemed to be an easy road to the Superbowl championship.

Lived up to the hype: Adrian Peterson. Without a doubt the most exciting player in football for the past 2 or 3 years.

Biggest Disappointment: Michael Vick/ David Carr.

David Carr for more conventional reasons. He was brought in as the quarterback of the future. He continues to have all the tools, but unfortunately for him, he was sacked more times than any other QB in his first three seasons. That doesn't bold well for the future. Michael Vick, well most of the blame for the hype of Michael Vick being the Jordan esq. Figure for football in his early years can go to us, the fans. We wanted someone to revolutionize the stoic nature of the quarterback position. In his first few years, Vick dazzled defenders, making most of them look like junior varsity athletes. Forget that he never had any good receiving talent around him, he was a one man show, the ticket you had to buy. Unfortunately, even before he trained Lassie into a coldblooded killer, he wasn't a very good quarterback. Ya know, the position he played. Soon enough, he was exposed. By the time he was cornered and jailed by dogfighting, teams realized you can beat Vick by merely forcing him to throw the ball.

Most Disappointing Team: Redskins/Cowboys

Sounds like some NFC East hatred, but let's examine these two teams for a second. Both are home to two of the most powerful, rich and meddling owners: Dan Snyder and Jerry Jones. The value of these teams have been in the top 5 throughout the entire decade. Not a year has passed where experts look at both the Cowboys or the Redskins and say “this is the year they go deep in the playoffs”. The result? 1 playoff win between the two teams in the decade. They've failed over and over, but not for lack of trying. Snyder and Jones were able to legendary coaches back to fix their respective teams. Bill Parcells made Dallas and playoff team, but nothing further than that. Joe Gibbs did the same, even winning a game, however it was clear that the game had passed him by in his decade long hiatus from the sport. Both teams, spent and spent on talent only to be grossly disappointed by the end of the year. It was the first time since the decade of the 60s where neither the Cowboys or the Redskins appeared in a Superbowl. At least the Cowboys have an obnoxiously large new stadium. Much like that guy who buys a Hummer, the Cowboys are clearly overcompensating for something. Maybe next decade...

Most Creative way to get suspended:

Plaxico Burress.

Shooting himself in the leg. The end.

Bizarre Moments and News stories:

-Randy Moss "mooning"

- T.O. signing ball, suicide watch/ anything to do with Terrell Owens

- Spygate

Most inappropriate comment: Rush Limbaugh

“McNabb is overrated ... what we have here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback can do well—black coaches and black quarterbacks doing well. There's a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of his team that he didn't deserve.”

Now I hate McNabb as much as the next guy, mainly for breaking my heart as a Giants fan, but overrated? Not as much as you as an intellectual.

Funniest Unreal story: Ethan Albright Madden 2007 letter.

If you haven't seen it and need a laugh

The Next Decade: I can guarantee that Brett Favre won't be a part of most of it. John Madden will only show up on the cover of video games and not on our television providing the most precise rhetorical commentary anyone has ever heard. Roger Goddell has to find a way to keep his players out of strip clubs, jails and most seriously out of body bags. The Patriots dynasty seems to be fading a way a bit, while the debate over the 2004 draft will finally be solidified. Who was the best player that came out of the draft? Fitzgerald, Manning, Roethlisberger or Rivers? The running quarterback question will be brought up again, hopefully not involving arguments about race. Will the Wide-Recievers of the league continue to be the most obnoxious position, probably. But one thing can be

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