A League of Their Own... A good movie with a memorable line by Tom Hanks, There's no crying in baseball... I enjoyed this movie, have used that line several times since, but for me the best part of that movie was at the end. Lori Petty comes charging around third with a full head of steam. Gina Davis (playing her older more polished sister) removes her catcher's mask and prepares to catch the incoming ball to nail her at the plate. Little sis vs. big sis. Leader vs. follower. What happens next is similar to what is happening to the first family of pro football, the Mannings.
First there was Archie, the father and patriarch of the family. He had a tremendous collegiate career but was burried on one of the worst teams ever in professional sports history, the New Orleans Saints, or at the time he played, the Aints, because nobody wanted to claim them. Archie was an amazing talent who as fate would have it, never played on a team that had anyone else worth note on them. The same could be said of Earl Campbell, as both great talents were used and abused and quickly faded to oblivian.
Archie and his wife would go on to have three sons, all great athletes. The oldest was Cooper, who was all-world in football before an injury ended his career before it even began. Ask anyone in the know and they will tell you to a man, Cooper was better than both of his brothers.
The middle son is Peyton. Perhaps you may have seen him in a commercial or two. That's what you get when you are the league MVP, as well as the Super Bowl MVP. You become more than the face of your franchise, you become the face of the league. You are recognized when your helmet is off and your jersey sells like hot cakes to a mass audiance. You become "the man." You are the leader of your football team. You get compared to the greatest who ever played the game and you are only in the prime of your career. People suddenly forget that you could not win the big game in college and focus more on what you do now. You have taken a small market team and made them matter. People adore you and wish they could be like you.
The youngest son is Eli. You go to the same college that your dad went to. You enjoy success on an individual level, but your team is stacked with underachievers. You automatically get compared to your older brother, and from this stance, nobody wants to be Bobby Brady. But you are far too talented to ignore. Your stock as the top quarterback in the draft continues to rise. The NFL will look for talent first, potential second and character third. Eli posessed all three qualities. His fear, as well as the fear of his family, was that San Diego who had the number one pick that season would draft Eli. Most players dream of being drafted number one, and Eli was no different. He just didn't want to play for San Diego. The Chargers had been notorious for low balling contracts and being very difficult to negotiate with. Eli, with the support of his entire family, vowed to never play for the Chargers. This caused a potential problem forcing the Chargers to either deal the number one pick, or take their chances that they could make Eli and the rest of the Mannings happy. They drafted him at number one, and then arranged for his rights to be traded to the New York Giants, for Phillip Rivers out of North Carolina State.
This caused many people to dislike Eli before he even threw a pass in the NFL. This rubbed many people the wrong way. Eli was able to force a trade from a team he did not want to play for because, simply, he could. This happened years ago with John Elway, and aside from Cleveland fans, his fan base grew to mamoth proportions. So Eli went to New York. The New York fans and media can be brutal to anyone and everyone. There is no place to hide and simply put, it is not the place for everyone. Eli struggled as a quarterback in New York the first couple of years. He would show signs of greatness at times, but did not have the supporting cast his older brother did in Indianapolis. No matter what, there would always be comparisons. When their respective teams would meet, the media would label it Manning Bowl. Their parents would sit in a luxury box watching their sons play, rooting for both and knowing that every eye in America was looking for a reaction.
This year, the Giants' best player retired, Tiki Barber. Barber took a job in the media, and one of the first things he did was blast both his former coach, Tom Coughlin and quarterback, Eli Manning. He questioned Manning's ability to lead and his overall skill. He did this on a public stage. Questioning an athlete like this, a quarterback no less, certainly ruffled a lot feathers. Manning responded immediately, and to some this came as a surprise. Little brother had some fight in him. Nobody would ever dare do this to Peyton, but Eli, kid brother, ehh... he won't do anything. Kenny Rogers sang of The Coward of the County years ago. Eli was now standing up for himself. And his team responded with him. Often times in football, a team's identity is directly reflective of the quarterback's identity. Think Indianapolis, you think blue collar work ethic. Think Green Bay, you think fun, gun slinger attitude. Think New York Giants, you used to think, ho-hum... we'll get 'em next year.
Not anymore. Eli Manning just rounded third and is heading to home plate with a full head of steam. Peyton Manning just took his catcher's mask off, but even a six-foot four, two hundred thirty pound quarterback can't stop younger brother. Years ago, Three Dog Night wrote a song, Eli's Coming. It had nothing to do with the Super Bowl or football in general. This Eli is already here. Sunday, he may bask in the spotlight on his own, for good.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Super Bowl Sunday...More than just a game...
Super Bowl Sunday is upon us and for the two weeks leading in, even non-fans can now identify who Tom Brady is and have seen enough of his walking boot to last a lifetime. Fourteen days between games gives the media a lot to conjure up and the average fan to start thinking about spring training. And before that first kick off occurs, Sunday, we will have read about every star player and their story of how they got here.
Overachiever... Perseverance... Michigan alum... Well spoken... Says and does the right things... Wasn't supposed to be here... Surely we are speaking of the beloved and adored reigning MVP, Tom Brady, right? Wrong. Pierre Woods. Pierre Who? Sure everyone knows Brady's story and if you are not a sports fan, read People... he's in there too. Pierre Woods... not many know his story, but it is probably more impressive, with a lot less glamour.
Pierre Woods grew up in one of the toughest parts of Cleveland. His mother raised him alone working two jobs and did her best to make sure her son got home safe from school each and every day. Woods excelled at sports, notably basketball and football. By his junior year of high school at Glenville, Pierre was being recruited by the most elite football programs in the country. While football was his bread and butter, he also had the grades to get into most schools as well carrying a 3.6 GPA. Woods was being coached by a legend in his own right, Ted Ginn Sr., father of former Ohio State star and first round draft pick, Ted Ginn Jr. Ginn Sr. took Woods to many different schools to see which one would be the best fit. Also in that van was Donte Whitner, former Buckeye and first round draft pick as well as future Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, now with the Baltimore Ravens. Ginn Sr. paid the way for these future NFL players and that core of players helped put his program on the national level. Last year, twenty-one Glenville players signed letters of intent to play college football. This year there may be sixteen more.
But Woods was the original big catch. At six-foot five, 245 pounds, with 4.45 speed, Woods was just what the Wolverines were looking for. He started immediately as a freshman. He tallied eight sacks as a freshman and was literally a man amongst boys. But signing Woods meant more to Michigan than just those eight sacks. It meant a pipeline could formed. For the first time ever, Michigan could steal the top talent from Ohio State from their own backyard. The Glenville connection would come to Michigan and John Cooper/Jim Tressel be damned. Michigan and then Head Coach Lloyd Carr wanted Ted Ginn Jr. So too did every school in the country, but Hail to the Victors was not in his vocabulary. Ginn Jr. decided on Scarlet and Gray over the Maize and Blue...(truth be told, Ginn's first choice was USC, but it would be too far for his dad to see him play, so the Buckeyes lucked out because of geography...) After Ginn signed his letter of intent to play at Ohio State, 13 other Glenville football players have also signed. Not one since Woods has gone up north.
Woods' playing time was suddenly cut drastically. No reason was given, but one could read between the lines. Woods played out his career at Michigan. He made career plans for after college and had a terrific job lined up in broadcasting the Wolverine games. He was raising his son and moved his mother to Michigan so the three of them could be closer. One could say Pierre Woods was living the good life.
When the NFL draft aired its two day extravaganza, Woods did not even watch. Why hope for something that is such a stretch, only heartbreak can bring you back to reality. Woods wound up talking to Ginn Sr. after the draft and he encouraged him to try out for an NFL team. His numbers at the scouting combine in Indianapolis were decent, just not off the charts great.
And then one day, he got the call. The New England Patriots wanted him to come try out for them. Bill Belicheck...Tom Brady... Super Bowl champions...Yes, those New England Patriots. So he did and did well. He survived the first cut at training camp, not an easy task for an undrafted prodigy. The second and third cut he also survived. Then it came down to the final cut...him or Chad Brown, a ten-year vet who had Super Bowl experience and was a former Pro-Bowler. Was it to save money or did Belicheck see something in Woods that could help his team? Probably a little of both. Whatever the case, Brown is retired, so too is Carr and on Sunday, Woods has a shot to win a Super Bowl ring. He will see time on special teams and is part of the linebacker rotation.
And that Brady-guy... he's doing pretty good for himself too. I just wish he wouldn't be so camera-shy and maybe we could see him every once in awhile...
Overachiever... Perseverance... Michigan alum... Well spoken... Says and does the right things... Wasn't supposed to be here... Surely we are speaking of the beloved and adored reigning MVP, Tom Brady, right? Wrong. Pierre Woods. Pierre Who? Sure everyone knows Brady's story and if you are not a sports fan, read People... he's in there too. Pierre Woods... not many know his story, but it is probably more impressive, with a lot less glamour.
Pierre Woods grew up in one of the toughest parts of Cleveland. His mother raised him alone working two jobs and did her best to make sure her son got home safe from school each and every day. Woods excelled at sports, notably basketball and football. By his junior year of high school at Glenville, Pierre was being recruited by the most elite football programs in the country. While football was his bread and butter, he also had the grades to get into most schools as well carrying a 3.6 GPA. Woods was being coached by a legend in his own right, Ted Ginn Sr., father of former Ohio State star and first round draft pick, Ted Ginn Jr. Ginn Sr. took Woods to many different schools to see which one would be the best fit. Also in that van was Donte Whitner, former Buckeye and first round draft pick as well as future Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, now with the Baltimore Ravens. Ginn Sr. paid the way for these future NFL players and that core of players helped put his program on the national level. Last year, twenty-one Glenville players signed letters of intent to play college football. This year there may be sixteen more.
But Woods was the original big catch. At six-foot five, 245 pounds, with 4.45 speed, Woods was just what the Wolverines were looking for. He started immediately as a freshman. He tallied eight sacks as a freshman and was literally a man amongst boys. But signing Woods meant more to Michigan than just those eight sacks. It meant a pipeline could formed. For the first time ever, Michigan could steal the top talent from Ohio State from their own backyard. The Glenville connection would come to Michigan and John Cooper/Jim Tressel be damned. Michigan and then Head Coach Lloyd Carr wanted Ted Ginn Jr. So too did every school in the country, but Hail to the Victors was not in his vocabulary. Ginn Jr. decided on Scarlet and Gray over the Maize and Blue...(truth be told, Ginn's first choice was USC, but it would be too far for his dad to see him play, so the Buckeyes lucked out because of geography...) After Ginn signed his letter of intent to play at Ohio State, 13 other Glenville football players have also signed. Not one since Woods has gone up north.
Woods' playing time was suddenly cut drastically. No reason was given, but one could read between the lines. Woods played out his career at Michigan. He made career plans for after college and had a terrific job lined up in broadcasting the Wolverine games. He was raising his son and moved his mother to Michigan so the three of them could be closer. One could say Pierre Woods was living the good life.
When the NFL draft aired its two day extravaganza, Woods did not even watch. Why hope for something that is such a stretch, only heartbreak can bring you back to reality. Woods wound up talking to Ginn Sr. after the draft and he encouraged him to try out for an NFL team. His numbers at the scouting combine in Indianapolis were decent, just not off the charts great.
And then one day, he got the call. The New England Patriots wanted him to come try out for them. Bill Belicheck...Tom Brady... Super Bowl champions...Yes, those New England Patriots. So he did and did well. He survived the first cut at training camp, not an easy task for an undrafted prodigy. The second and third cut he also survived. Then it came down to the final cut...him or Chad Brown, a ten-year vet who had Super Bowl experience and was a former Pro-Bowler. Was it to save money or did Belicheck see something in Woods that could help his team? Probably a little of both. Whatever the case, Brown is retired, so too is Carr and on Sunday, Woods has a shot to win a Super Bowl ring. He will see time on special teams and is part of the linebacker rotation.
And that Brady-guy... he's doing pretty good for himself too. I just wish he wouldn't be so camera-shy and maybe we could see him every once in awhile...
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