Big Daddy enjoyed the Kingpin’s awesome atmosphere last weekend watching the BCS Championship and the NFL’s Divisional Playoffs, and their Elvis party Saturday night shocked the world! This week’s edition of Saints Beat shows irrefutable proof that defense wins championships more damning than evidence in Vince Marinello’s murder trial. Hopefully, Sean Payton learned something. Big Daddy also covers George W. Bush’s final press conference, praises Saints Defensive Coordinator Gary Gibbs’ dismissal, looks at Adam “Pacman” Jones’ future, recaps the BCS title game, gives college football a playoff solution, and releases his World Famous Pregame Information.
George W. Bush held his final White House press conference on Monday. The president pinpointed the press corps members who grilled him hardest over the years. Bush also talked about his legacy and admitted several mistakes, especially unfurling the Mission Accomplished banner behind him while he declared military operations complete in Iraq. However, Bush denied that the federal response failed New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, citing 30,000 rooftop rescues. Huh! You think that local residents “hanging out” at the Superdome and Convention Center surviving conditions unimaginable even to those in the Third World felt upbeat about how quickly FEMA resolved that situation after the storm? One thing is certain, no New Orleanian or Iraqi citizen will ever forget the 43rd President’s two terms.
Saints headquarters connected the power on their offseason revolving door when they handed Gary Gibbs a pink slip. Defense under Coach Payton has been softer than guys with erectile dysfunction. Big Daddy hopes Saints GM Mickey Loomis upgrades the staff by signing renowned defensive guru Gregg Williams. His expertise evaluating talent helps find players who can run complex alignment schemes and execute multiple blitz packages. Saints fans haven’t seen that since the “Dome Patrol” pummeled NFL offenses like the Israeli Army terrorizes Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Improving defense will give the Saints offense extra possessions throughout the tough 2009 schedule.
ESPN’s Outside The Lines aired John Barr’s report Sunday alleging Pacman Jones’ association with Edward “Slugga” Morris III who awaits trail on three murder counts. Though charges were never filed, Barr alleges Morris attempted an unsuccessful murder-for-hire plot sponsored by Jones. Damaging allegations coupled with Jones’ on-field mediocrity led to his release by Dallas. Jones believes he’ll be a valuable commodity in the free agent market. Hey Pacman, your approval rating is lower than Dick Cheney: What owner in the “Roger Goodell NFL” will pay you to play football? Even opening a youth center for misguided teens wouldn’t help Jones get back in Goodell’s good graces. Canada seems like Pacman’s last resort, similar to draft-dodging conscientious objectors during the Vietnam Conflict. Maybe Ricky Williams can teach Adam how to dress in layers preparing for the cold Great White North?
Recapping the BCS title game, the scoreless first quarter surprised everyone except Las Vegas. Tim Tebow’s 20-yard pass to Louis Murphy put Florida on top 7-0. Sam Bradford’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Gresham tied the game 7-7. Florida’s strong defense turned away Oklahoma scoring threats following Gator turnovers by producing a goal-line stand and forcing an interception seconds before halftime. Stout defenses sent both teams to the break all square. Percy Harvin’s 2-yard run put Florida ahead 14-7 going to the fourth. Bradford hit Gresham again to knot the score 14-14 with 12:13 remaining. Jonathan Phillips’ 27-yard 3-pointer made it 17-14 Florida. Tebow’s patented jump-pass sealed the 24-14 victory and garnered MVP honors for the ’07 Heisman trophy winner.
College football fans despise the BCS system as much as they hate Fox’s pathetic broadcasts. Sportscasters want a “plus one” game added, but that formula would ignore two worthy ’08 contenders. Big Daddy’s 12-team tournament bracket eliminates speculation. Polls will determine invitations and the seeding process. Schools in the top four spots earn a bye, seeds 5 through 12 play Round 1 in these regional bowls: Gator (East), Alamo (Midwest), Liberty (South), and Holiday (West) featuring the usual 5/12, 6/11, 7/10, and 8/9 match ups. Winners move to Round 2 where No. 1 engages the lowest remaining seed etc. in the Peach (East), Sun (Midwest), Cotton (South), and Fiesta (West) bowls. The Rose, Sugar, and Orange bowls become permanent semi-final and championship hosts in a three-year rotation. Missing the playoffs lets teams accept bids from the other 22 bowls who fancy inviting them.
Stay tuned next week as Saints Beat recaps the Baltimore/Pittsburgh battle, checks up on the Hornets, and critiques NFL playoff officiating. Now Big Daddy’s World Famous Pregame Information: — Lay 3.5 With Philadelphia —
