It ain't Jake

What an ugly end to the Broncos' season...I thought that, at the very least, Denver would have made a game of it. Despite the great season that Jake Plummer had, he will be known once again as El Foldo, making blunders at crucial times. For all but two teams, next season has already begun-- Mike Shanahan will have to figure out how to build for the 2006-07 season, hoping to succeed not only during the regular season, but during the playoffs as well. One bad performance can undermine a year-long mission.

Even though I don't care about the ultimate outcome of this year's Super Bowl, there will still be some compelling story lines: Seattle's first trip there, Jerome Bettis returning to his hometown of Detroit to play in the big show, for what will likely be his last game, the Steelers being only the second team ever to get to the Super Bowl after three playoff wins on the road, the chance for Shaun Alexander or Ben Roethlisberger to win it all, et cetera...

I guess I'm always drawn to the stories behind the story of high-profile sports-- I get fascinated by improbable circumstances, underdog victories, great comebacks, and unlikely standouts as much as anybody. Yet another way great way to divert attention from what I need to be working on...