I remember that everyday I get a little bit closer to you

So I had a day to think over the game yesterday, and I really don't want to back up on my statements, I still thinkit was the greatest football game I have ever seen personally.

Vince, if you have any sense in your head, you will come out this year. That is, as long as you don't want to head to the NFL Purgatory known as New Orleans/San Antonio/Los Angeles (?) Saints.
On BaD Radio today, they had the discussion as to whether Bush or VY would be your first pick if all things were equal and you had to begin a franchise. Its an interesting debate, and they eventually came to the conclusion that the safest pick might even be Leinart. It all depends on if you think VY can become the first truly succesful running quarterback in the NFL. Sure, there have been guys like Randall Cunningham, Kordell Stewart, Vick and McNabb, but after 4 years of taking hits it seems as though the running part of the equation is always left behind. Eventually someone is gonna be able to do it, someone is going to lead a team to the Super Bowl while running more than he passes. But is a team willing to gamble its future on it?

Playoff Picks:
Redskins
Panthers
Patriots
Bengals

Clearing out the thoughts in my head before ski trip:

• I'd be sooo wary of drafting Lendale White, after learning that he likes to un-stress by hanging out with Snoop Dogg. Ouch.
• I heard George Lucas was on the sidelines for some USC games this year. Can't imagine a more awkward conversation than him and just about any USC player. Especially Frostee Rucker.
• Pitchers and catchers can't report soon enough.
• My favorite CD right now: Separation Sunday, by The Hold Steady. A pretty love it or hate it band, complete with a lead singer (Craig Finn) who doesn't really sing as much as he growls and snarls. He's lucky he has an amazing band backing him up. But probably the most Catholic record I've ever heard. Its a concept album about a girl with a Catholic upbringing who gets caught up in drugs and terrible "friends". Listen to how she eventually finds redemption and God again, and I think you'll listen to one of the best, most moving albums of the year.
• I'm about to start The Education of a Coach, by David Halberstam. It goes inside the mind of the greatest coach in football right now, Bill Bellicheck. Very timely.

Might not post again before I leave for ski trip, have a great week.

We can be heroes, just for one day

Wow. Wow. Wow.

I'm really not a person for knee-jerk reactions, honestly. I like to keep things in the context of history.
But that game last night was the single greatest football game I have ever seen.
And Vince Young's performance was the single greatest athletic display of dominance by a player I have ever seen.
On my deathbed, I think I will still hold up this game as the best I have ever seen.
Never before have the stakes been higher, the teams better, the hype bigger, and the game greater. 4 quarters of incredible plays and constant swings of momentum. For about 4 hours last night, I was completely captivated by the amazing performances I saw. I was shaking during that last drive by Texas. Literally.
What was amazing to me was the fact that I told everyone in the room I was watching the game with that if Texas could get one stop, Vicne was going to lead them to victory. With him, there's no doubt in your mind that he's going to get it done. I've never felt that way about an athlete before, just an utter confidence that no matter what, he would find a way to win. I grew up watching Jordan in his prime, and while I appreciated his greatness, I always found myself rooting for the underdog he was facing in the NBA Finals. So Vince is the first player I've watched like that who I've rooted for. And you kind of get drunk on the experience, wanting to see them continue to amaze you.

Note to NFL teams in the draft next year: pass on Vince Young at your own risk.

The night was made even sweeter by the fact that I had all my best friends there with me, watching it at my house. It was crazy because I have never been with a group of friends so captivated by a game before. Most of the time, when we all get together to watch a game its mroe of a social event for about half the people there. But last night, every single person was completely engrossed in the game. A zen-like experience. I hope everyone cherishes getting to watch that game, its not often we experiece true greatness.

By the way, I loved seeing ESPN U's programming schedule for today (Hat tip to Bob Sturm's blog):

2005 Heisman Trophy Presentation presented by Capital One New York, NY, USA 6:00 am to 7:00 am

College FootballUSC vs Oregon Eugene, OR, USA 7:00 am to 10:00 am

College FootballUSC vs Arizona State Tempe, AZ, USA 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

College FootballUCLA vs USC Los Angeles, CA, USA 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Rose Bowl presented by CitiCollege FootballTexas vs USC Pasadena, CA, USA 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

I wonder who they were planning on winning that game. Hook em'. Gong show.

Fun fact: last night on ESPN, the team of college football experts decided that the 2005 USC team would stop Nazi Germany's assault on Poland. They said it might be a close game, but USC's offense would prevail.

You can probably guess form that statement above that I will be rooting for Texas. Actually my number one reason for this is to shove it in the face of Skip Bayless. Read his most recent column and you will understand. But honestly I think all the media loving USC has been getting has to ge in their heads. But it all comes down to Vince. As he goes, as do the Horns.

42-35, Texas.