Every Underdog Has His Day
February 5, 2008 3:45 PM
I suppose it would be blasphemous to discuss American football on a 'real' football website, but allow me some leeway after such a remarkable Super Bowl game this past Sunday. I didn't have a team to root for in the big game, thanks to my beloved Cowboys gracefully bowing out so their star quarterback can spend more time in Mexico with his new belle. But what a game, and kudos to the New York Giants and also to Eli Manning for stepping out of his brother's shadow.
It was right around the time the Giants were dancing around the field in celebration and Bill Belichick was finding the quickest route out of the stadium that I started thinking about some parallels with soccer. Perhaps it was the liquid refreshments that started way too early on a Sunday morning or maybe it was the obscene amount of ribs and chicken wings I managed to devour. But three musings seemingly floated into my consciousness:
1. The Giants reminded me a little of our very own Whitecaps in September of 2006. Listening to the Rochester media as we got set to play the Rhinos in the USL Final, we weren't expected to put up much of a fight at all. It was such a surprise that we beat Montreal in their stadium to advance to this match, that many thought we already had our championship victory, and that we'd be the prototypical 'just happy to be here' team. Rochester finished the season one point out of first place, had only one loss at home all season, and had opened a new stadium, the jewel of the USL. Considering there isn't a whole lot else going on in Rochester, it's safe to say the city was ready to celebrate its new champions. They even had a celebration party set up in the same hotel that the Whitecaps players were staying at!!
But of course, that is why they play the game. Sure enough, we weathered the storm. Much like the Super Bowl, the favourite came out looking sharp and energized. But it wasn't long before the momentum turned and you could just see which team wanted it more. I'll never forget how shocked the Rhinos faithful were and how annoyed the locals were to see us all partying in their bars with the USL trophy in our hands.
2. The Patriots couldn't quite reach that perfect season that they seemed so destined to attain. I have no doubt that it is remarkably difficult to run an undefeated campaign in the National Football League, or any league for that matter. Of course, even if they had, they wouldn't have been even halfway to the undefeated record for North American professional sports. Who holds that, you ask? None other than the Vancouver 86ers, under the stewardship of Bob Lenarduzzi. From June 5th, 1988 to August 8th, 1989, the team remained undefeated in 46 games (37 wins and 9 ties), a record that still stands today. And in case you were wondering, the last undefeated season in the English Premier League was Arsenal's 2003-04 season in which they tallied 26 wins and 12 draws.
3. Speaking of Arsenal, they are a perfect example of the Ewing Theory. First, let me explain. The Ewing Theory (according to Wikipedia) claims that when a longtime superstar who has never
won a championship leaves the team via injury, trade or free agency,
and the media writes the team off, the team will play better. The theory, popularized by ESPN writer Bill Simmons, is named after Patrick Ewing, whose Knicks team made the NBA Finals after he sustained a season-ending injury. There are countless examples of the Ewing Theory in all sports, and the 2007-08 New York Giants are the newest members. After all, Tiki Barber was arguably their MVP for the last few seasons, but he decided to retire early for a career in broadcasting of all things. Perched comfortably in his broadcast studio, he publicly chastised Eli Manning and the rest of the Giants team on a number of occasions throughout the season. So clearly, the Giants win calls into question just how 'valuable' a player he was to that franchise.
Similarly, Arsenal have to be pleased with themselves for holding top spot in the Premier League without Thierry Henry. Much like their Ewing Theory predecessors, it would seem that the club became too dependent on Henry's magic to get them out of tight situations in years past. This season required a number of key youngsters to step up just to maintain a spot in the top four. Sure enough, those players have taken charge and vaulted Arsenal right into top spot in the table. As much as it pains me to say it, I have to tip my hat to that squad.
Posted By: Ryan Mckee on February 5, 2008 3:45 PM
