Trickeration Times 11!!

UPDATE: Here is another article about the A-11. Click on the link to read an ESPN Page 2 take on the offense.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=weinreb/080811

Good morning/ evening, and welcome to the newest entry to my blog, sponsored by insomnia, an oppressive cough, and any other ailment keeping me up at the moment. Regardless, this will be an interesting entry, so I suggest you take notes.

While up at school tutoring today, I came across an extremely interesting article link to Rivals.com via Yahoo! Sports. Turns out that a high school in California has installed an offense referred to as the "A-11" that actively seeks to get all 11 men eligible in the offense! Here is the base offensive set-up as quoted by the article:

The base offense is one in which a center and two tight ends surround the football, three receivers are split right, three more split left and two quarterbacks stand behind in a shotgun, one of whom has to be at least 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage.


On www.a11offense.com, the offense is being described as a blend of the spread offense, west coast offense and run and shoot. And about getting all 11 men eligible- how is that even possible according to the rules of the game?

Yes, per the rules of the game, only five players are eligible to catch a pass during a particular play and seven players have to set up on the line of scrimmage. But in the minds of Bryan and Humphries, you can develop an infinite number of plays with an infinite number of formations.

Talk about confusing a defense.

"It presents a different set of challenges for defenses because they have to account for which guys go out or might go out," Bryan said. "Those guys who are ineligible to go down the field and catch a pass, they can take a reverse pitch or a negative screen or a hitch behind the line of scrimmage.

"We've opened up the game to the extreme with the rules already in place."

The rules themselves were a tricky subject, as coaches consulted rulebooks, high school coaches, officials and referees to make sure the offense would be considered acceptable according to football rules. And, once that was approved, getting the offense installed was no picnic, either. However, after finishing the season 7-4 and making the playoffs, the learning curve was overcome and the season was deemed a success. Now, coaches from all over the country at a variety of levels are consulting with the developers of the A-11 (formerly known as the "Pluto" offense,) and you can already see certain elements at places like the University of Florida, San Jose State and Rutgers.

So, feel free to check out the site www.a11offense.com, as well as the Rivals.com page that this article/ information comes from at: http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=825031 There you'll be able to find information, and video of the offense in action!

Here's what I want to hear from you, though. Does this sound like an innovative offense that represents football of the future? Or, does this seem more of a quirky fad that will run its course and quickly fade away? Do you see this as a brilliant device created to neutralize strong defenses and more talented teams, or is it a mechanism of bending rules and taking away from how football is meant to be played? Like it or not, it abides by the rules. But that doesn't always mean something still adheres to the spirit of the game. To me, whether I see long-term success in it or not, I appreciate and respect coaches coming up with new ways to counter the ever-increasing speed and strength of defensive schemes. And if it follows the rules of football, then I have no problem with them using the offense. Though God help us all when I have to try to defend that crap on NCAA Football 2020....

Let me know what you think, and check out those sites!

When Should You Retire a Jersey?

Today, the University of Texas at Austin announced that they were intending to retire the jerseys of nine prominent athletes in Longhorn history, including Vince Young and Kevin Durant. In the past, UT had a policy in which if a player wins a National Player of the Year award, their jersey is retired. (Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams won Heisman trophies, which led them to their honor, and T.J. Ford won National Player of the Year awards, which led to his jersey retirement.) But, with this said, under that policy, Vince Young would NOT have had his jersey retired because the Heisman during the 'Horns 2005 championship season went to Reggie Bush as a member of ESPN's alleged GREATEST BEST MOST AMAZINGEST TEAM TO EVER PLAY THE GAME OF FOOTBALL. (Prior to January 4th, 2006, at least.)

So, the announcement today may certainly spawn some more discussion, whether one agrees with it or not. And, if one wants to make a "head to head" case, the debate of Vince Young vs. Kevin Durant could be an interesting one. The case for VY is that he played three years at Texas, leading them to a 13-0 2005 season and their first national championship in decades. He won a variety of awards, but none with quite the prestige of the Heisman trophy. He also led Texas to two consecutive Rose Bowl victories, and was named the MVP of each game.

Kevin Durant played only one season at Texas. However, he swept the national player of the year awards and All-America recognition in leading Texas to the second round of the NCAA tournament before being bounced by USC. He finished top 5 nationally in scoring and rebounding, and led the Big 12 in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots.

To this point, neither has graduated from school, though both are in the process of continuing their school work to earn their degree. Furthermore, their contributions to the game and the University can't completely be represented in stats, trophies or even dollar signs. Both are already making huge impact on current and future recruiting situations in basketball and football.

So, being such an avid fan, I've seen every game both guys played. In my opinion, both players unquestionably are of the "greatest ever" to lace up the cleats/ sneakers in Austin. I think most people have no issue with VY having his number retired, but have a little more of an issue with Durant only being here one year. However, if you got to see him play consistently, you knew he was a man among boys on the court. He accomplished things that were rarely, if ever, accomplished as a freshman in the NCAA. And, like Vince Young, he earned a reputation as a tireless worker off the court/ field, and one who had the ability to not only take his team on his shoulders when needed, but also make players around him better. I think it's fantastic that both guys are working to earn their degrees, and optimally they'll both graduate as Longhorns at some point in the future. Is that a necessity, in my opinion, in order to have their jersey retired? I don't necessarily think so. I think it trivializes the experience of college and higher education to assume that it's a waste of time if someone doesn't ultimately get that diploma to hang on the wall somewhere.

All in all, it makes me wonder- what do you all think should be the criteria for a player having his jersey number retired? Does that player have to play four years? Do they have to win any particular individual or team awards? Do they have to earn their degree? In professional leagues, what does a player have to accomplish? How long do they have to stay with a team in order to "earn" the opportunity to have their jersey retired? I'd like to hear your ideas. I'm not quite sure there is a concrete set of criteria. It may involve the "eye" test. As in, sometimes greatness isn't identified by numbers, but you know it when you see it. Feel free to leave your comments and questions in the comments section....

Favorite Player of All Time (College Edition)

I'm back with my college version of favorite players of all time.

To be honest, I've been a huge fan of college basketball and football for years. I remember first getting interested in both sports in the late 80's, and then being a pretty big diehard fan by the start of the 90's. Ironically enough, I even remember being pretty damn amused at Texas being ambushed by an aggressive and brash Miami Hurricane team in a Cotton Bowl in which the 'Canes set a record for most personal foul penalties! Yes, it's safe to say I'd think differently about an outcome like that nowadays!

In college basketball, I remember latching on to a Michigan Wolverine team in the 1989 March Madness tourney that ran the table despite their coach bailing on them right before the tournament started. So, Steve Fisher just took over and guided a team led by Glen Rice to victories over Illinois and Seton Hall in the Final 4. The next thing I knew, the Wolverines were champs, and they had found themselves a new fan in Houston, Texas.

Years later, it's obvious that the Texas Longhorns, my alma mater, are far and away my favorite college team. The Michigan Wolverines are sort of my adopted second favorite team after years of cheering for them as a young buck, and then finally getting to visit Ann Arbor a few summers back with my friends Mark and Jenna. However, my favorite players have come from a variety of teams over the years. Let's start with the round ball.

It goes without saying some Longhorns are going to make this list....T.J. Ford for helping Rick Barnes get Texas to the Final Four for the first time in the modern era, Kevin Durant for being an uber-talented man amongst boys on the court, D.J. Augustin for keeping Texas afloat and taking them to one game away from the Final Four in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year this past season. However, there have been plenty of others, as well. Back when the Houston Cougars were my team above all teams, Sam Mack was the man that had the talent to deliver victories for the Coogs. In later years, a young Shaquille O'Neal owned the court at LSU, Tim Duncan dominated both ends of the floor at Wake Forest, and was followed years later by a dominant stud running the point we all know as Chris Paul. LJ, Stacey "Plastic Man" Augmon, Greg Anthony and Travis Bice were a seemingly unbeatable force for the UNLV Runnin' Rebels...until they ran into Duke in the Final Four the second time around.

I'm sure I could go on forever with people like Paul Pierce at KU, Vince Carter at UNC, Byron Houston at Oklahoma State, or even my man Reggie Freeman for keeping it real under Tom Penders at Texas. But the bottom line is, the team that captured my interest more than any other was the Fab 5 at Michigan. Although ridiculously referred to as the "most underachieving team of all time" by Bill Walton, the Fab 5 did more than redefine fashion and attitude on the college level- they caused coaches across the country to re-evaluate how they viewed and played freshman. With a starting lineup that eventually included five freshman, the Fab 5 advanced to the National Title game against Duke and then North Carolina in successive years in the early 90's. Unfortunately, they never won it all, but in that time, Chris Webber became my favorite college basketball player of all time. At the time, Chris represented a healthy dose of attitude and brashness, but he had the game to back it up. As intense a player as you're likely to find, Webber provided a mix of all-around ability with a relentless ability to finish at the hoop with ferocity. Furthermore, for a player his size, he was quite adept at passing, too. All in all, he was the complete package, and might be remembered as such if it weren't for that fated timeout against UNC in the 1993 title game.

Nowadays, after an up and down pro career recently affected by knee injuries and reports that he accepted money from boosters while at Michigan, Webber still remains one of my all-time favorites in college. I guess that's because he fits the mold of a sympathetic character to me- often misunderstood, often defined by one poor moment that seems to overshadow so many great ones. And with college, it's also a case where I define that player as what they did in those years as ONLY a college athlete, not what came after. So, for all the memories of Webber throwing someone's shit in the paint, grabbing the rebound and finishing the break with a behind the back pass or a wicked dunk, he earns my vote as my favorite college player.

Long live the long shorts, black socks and bald heads! Long live the Fab 5....



In college football, my favorites are all over the place as well.

We can start with the two-sport talented Charlie Ward, who led the FSU Seminoles to a national title over Nebraska and captured the Heisman Trophy. Not bad for a first round draft pick....in the NBA!

Going back to my Michigan connection, Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson both won the coveted Heisman trophy, but while Howard was able to dazzle as a kick returner and wide receiver, Woodson brought his talent to the defensive side of the field, too, as a cornerback in leading his Wolverine team to a share of the national championship.

Julius Peppers, Clinton Portis, Donovan McNabb, Andre Ware, Larry Fitzgerald, Charles Rogers, Warrick Dunn, and obviously the Texas players who could make an appearance, including Derrick Johnson, Roy Williams, and Ricky Williams. In fact, I had the joy of watching Ricky Williams develop into a record-breaking, Heisman trophy winner over 3 years as I first started attending Texas, and I still haven't seen a running back with his combination of speed and power in the Big 12 since. However, like many Texas fans, the arrival of Vince Young on campus (from my hometown of Houston, nonetheless) as a player who could take over a game like no other takes the cake.

It didn't take long for Vince Young to show flashes of brilliance as a player in burnt orange. However, it was the end of his sophomore season against Kansas and Michigan when he started to demonstrate how special of a player he could be. With his legs, at least. So, when teams tried to eliminate that element of his game his junior year, he burned them, repeatedly, with his arm. In fact, over time, it was easy to see that VY was one of the rare players who could control a game seemingly on his own, and somehow even will his team to victory. (See: Rose Bowl, 2005 and 2006.) He, too, had that supremely ridiculous ability to look like a high school kid playing with toddlers on the field when he tucked the ball in and took off. (See: Woods, Donovan, and his jock strap, of Okie State.) All in all, he took a talented Texas team on his back, and provided the leadership and talent needed to take them from a top ten team to a champion. For all those reasons, he earns the nod as my favorite college football player of all time.

Brett Fav-ruh?

(Enjoy one of the NFL's best QB's ever in his stellar acting performance in "There's Something About Mary!)




This whole "Brett Favre" thing is pretty interesting. You wouldn't be alone if you said that you had a feeling that Favre might be second-guessing his retirement decision once the new football season crept closer and closer. In fact, coming off of his best season in years, including an appearance in the NFC Championship game against the Giants, most people thought it was a bit peculiar that Favre would hang up the cleats now. But, we hear all the time that athletes hold on too long, and the retirement choice is often made for them when they are bouncing around from team to team, trying to prove to themselves and anyone else that they still have some gas left in the proverbial tank. But, as emotional and as heartfelt as the press conference appeared to be, maybe it truly was a case of Favre making a decision still in the heat of the moment....

Now, what do the Packers do? If you were in there shoes, how would you handle it? The bottom line is that if Favre wants back in the NFL, that's his prerogative. The Packers have to accept his cancellation of his retirement, but then do they keep him on the roster? Do they cut him? Do they trade him? There are no easy answers, and this is no ordinary run of the mill player looking to hang on. Let's look at the options....

The Packers keep him- There is NO WAY the Packers keep Favre on the roster unless they intend to start him. This may burn their bridge with Aaron Rodgers, who *could* one day be a great NFL QB. The problem is, we just don't know. And as overrated as Favre can be at times, (he still makes some silly mistakes, tries to do too much, and has a tendency to turn over the ball), I still feel like he gives the Pack the best chance to win it all this year. And it would be difficult to turn down a better chance to win it all on a year to year basis, right? It pushes back the Green Bay plan for the future, but other than hurting Aaron Rodgers's feelings, isn't trying to win it all now, especially in a wide open NFC, the best thing? I'd have to think so.

The Packers cut him- If Favre is not in their plan, and refuse to give him his starter spot back, they could do right by him in one way and release him so that he can continue his career and they can stick to their current plan of Rodgers at QB. But how would this go over with fans? Beyond Lombardi, Favre IS that franchise, and to let him go to another team, especially a team in their division, might not sit very well with the Cheeseheads. So, if the Packers are convinced he's not in their plans, maybe they....

Trade him- The Packers could arguably get "something" out of him if they decide he's not in their plans. After all, there are some crappy, crappy starting quarterbacks in the NFL. Wouldn't there seem to be a few teams that are looking to make a run at the playoffs with a quality QB in the fold? One problem is that the fans might not be crazy about seeing their idol lined up against the green and gold on Sundays. (As Peter King reports, how odd would it be to see Brett Favre running out of the tunnel on Monday Night for the Vikings as they open the season against the Packers?) In addition, the value they get might not be much for an aging quarterback who is forcing their hand. Other than late draft picks that don't often pan out, it wouldn't look like the Packers could get a whole lot out of a trade.

Another option that seems to be floating around is the notion that the Packers front office tries to convince Favre to stay retired. Ultimately, it's his decision, and they have no control over it. However, if they can "guilt" him into staying retired, they might be able to appease the masses and stick to their plan of action without having to make a difficult decision. Personally, I think that's where their brains are at right now. I can't imagine that they know how to best handle the situation, and they are quietly hoping it'll work itself out somehow without them having to make that choice. But if Favre does return, how do they handle it? Once again, how would you handle it?

Personally, if he comes back, I see GB ultimately trying to soothe Rodgers's ego while simultaneously giving Favre another shot as the starter for this season. What else could they do? He's brought them to a championship, and with his longetivity streak, he's come to be defined as that franchise. Could the Packers really turn their back on their franchise face who has proven that he can still play with the best of them? He may not be the best around now, but he's definitely one of the best ever. I guess time will tell.

Favorite Player of All Time?

My wife and I were having dinner the other day, and for whatever reason, she started asking me about my favorite players of all time in each sport. So, since this blog has taken on a "sports theme" thus far, it seemed like it fit the bill.

Now, bear in mind that there are tons of reasons for a player to be one's favorite. Hell, it doesn't have to be a logical selection at all! The player doesn't have to be any good, though that might have a bearing. Often, that player can hold a special spot in your heart for any reason, logically-sound or not. Maybe it's someone that brings back memories from past success, or just memories of childhood and all the idolization that comes with being a sports fan as a kid. Who knows, and who cares? Here are some favorite of mine. Feel free to chip in and share your own.

The NBA- I've had some favorites from all sorts of teams growing up. I loved MJ when he was up and coming in the league, trying to get past the thuggish Knicks and Pistons before achieving his first round of success against Magic and the Lakers in the early 90's. Robert Horry was a favorite of mine when he burst onto the league as a high-flying dunker who could step out and hit a big 3, guard most anyone on the opposing team, and generally wreak havoc as a regular season "coaster" and playoff phenom. Vernon Maxwell will always have a special place in my heart for being a fearless mofo. That dude could shoot you back into a game, although he was just as likely to shoot you out of it. The fact that he put up 30+ points in the 4th quarter of one game should say it all. He was a relentless defender who usually was at his best against the league's best, and he was a huge reason the Rockets found success against MJ and the Bulls during their best seasons. The bottom line is that he wasn't afraid of anything or anyone, and that bad-ass factor made him easy to love. Conversely, his willingness to jump into the fans to mix it up, or his "quitting" on the team in the 1995 championship season dropped him down a notch or ten in my book.

However, when talking about favorites, it comes down to one guy- Hakeem Olajuwon. For a variety of reasons, "The Dream" is still highly underrated to this day. Even worse, I fear that people are starting to forget about his legacy, despite the way he destroyed Ewing, Robinson and Shaq in the 94 and 95 playoffs. Regardless, for a man of his size, I grew up enjoying him dominate on both ends of the court with quick reflexes and amazing footwork that led to steals and blocks that turned into dreamshakes, jumpers, and dunks on the other end. Quite simply he was a gem of an athlete to watch, and he's the reason I fade away when I shoot from the baseline more often than not. : ) For those of you too young to remember, check out some vids of Hakeem in his prime to see how one man revolutionized the game on the low post.



The MLB- Growing up, believe it or not, I was a huge Barry Bonds fan. Going back to his Pirates days, there was something promising about that team with Van Slyke, Bonilla and Bonds holding down the outfield slots. Much of it was the intrigue Bonds brought to the table as a man who was a 5 tool player and then some. The power, speed, and defense he brought to a game were breath-taking, and despite his growing reputation as a primadonna and playoff failure, I seemed to still stick with him. Until, well, until his head was bigger than a pumpkin, until the BALCO stories, until he continued to be described as a clubhouse cancer. On his best days. I'm not sure exactly who my favorite baseball player of all time is since Bonds' fall from grace. Growing up, I loved Jose Cruz (who didn't love to shout "Cruuuuuuuuuuuuuuz" from the stands of the cavernous Astrodome?), Glen Davis (a solid, if never spectacular first baseman for the Stros back in the day), and ultimately Jeff Bagwell. Bagwell and Biggio brought Houston repeated success in the 90's and 2000's, but their playoff failures still overshadow them. With Bagwell breaking down from superstar MVP to frail utility player in the World Series in 2005, it's hard to not know for sure if he was totally clean. Who knows for sure nowadays? But, his leadership and attitude keeps him in my mind as one of my all-time favorites.


The NFL- Although I've briefly mentioned my love for the hometown Oilers growing up, I can say with certainty that my favorite player doesn't wear Columbia Blue. Sure, I really was a big Ernest Givins fan back in the day. He was a guy who was fearless running across the middle to catch a pass, and even performed an awesome (though injury-creating) somersault to score a TD over Buffalo in Houston one year. Unfortunately, his willingness to take a hit often caused him to get hurt, or fumble, or perhaps both. Check the 2:57 mark on the following video....



As the Oilers became the Titans, I still stuck with them. That was my team, no matter how close or far they played to me. I figured I couldn't afford tickets when they were in Houston, I still couldn't afford tickets if they were in Nashville! And yes, Bud Adams is the devil, but ex-mayor Bob Lanier was no rocket scientist ever. Regardless, Steve McNair and Eddie George were some of the last Oilers to thrive as Titans, leading Tennessee to the Super Bowl against the St. Louis Rams. Both players demonstrated toughness and success through bad times and good, and it was neat to see them take the team on their backs at times and will them to victory. Eddie George might best be remembered as the only Buckeye I've ever liked, while Steve McNair overcame a terrible haircut to gain a reputation as the toughest QB in the league, often overcoming any and every injury to take the field and find a way to help the Titans win. So, those two guys are up there in my list of favorites. Nowadays, I'm a big fan of guys all over the league, including VY, Clinton Portis, Torry Holt, and Brian Westbrook, just to name a few.

But all time, pound for pound, my guy is Barry Sanders. Not only did Barry Sanders seem to defy the laws of physics every time he carried the ball, but he defied what many felt was in his best interest by retiring early. To this day, people argue over who the best running back is, and despite Sanders' belief that it was Jim Brown, just as many people are prone to put his name at the top of the list. Running for years behind a marginal O-line, Sanders was able to turn losses of yards into gains, 1 yard gains into big gains, and big gains into game-breaking TD's. His Achilles Heel was often his success (or lack of) in short yardage situations, but no-one can argue that the excitement Barry Sanders brought to the game was dynamic, and you just never knew when he was going to bust the next big highlight-making run.

I wish he had more playoff success, but he never quite had the necessary supporting cast in Detroit. It's been said that led to much dissatisfaction, and it played a part in him leaving the NFL early. However, some might argue that his decision to leave the game early was one that has only furthered his legacy. While some players hold on too long, Barry left on his own terms, and with years of potential success unfulfilled. Contrast that to players like Emmitt Smith and Earl Campbell who were legends in their own right, and possibly the best ever, but ultimately became shells of their former self on other teams down the stretch of their careers.

All in all, Barry Sanders is my favorite NFL player of all time because he was a guy who you could not ever abandon the tv when his team was playing. You simply never knew if his contribution to Turkey Day would be a TD run for the ages, or at the least, a 10 yard scamper that would move the chains and baffle linebackers and safeties on opposing defenses. If you've never seen him play, consider his ballet-like balance, shiftiness, and refusal to get tackled another blessing to the game and any fans who got to watch him wreak havoc in the NFL and Tecmo Super Bowl back in the day.



I don't know if he's the best ever, but I think he's earned his spot in the conversation. So, who are your favorites? Feel free to leave them in the comments section, and tell me what you think about mine. College favorites will come later. This is long enough as it is! (That's what she said....)

Flipping the Script on my Previous/ First Post Over a Cup of Coffee at Night

So, after seeking some feedback on my first post from a few folks, my friend Alex out in Cali brought up an EXCELLENT piggy-back discussion point from my previous post. His question? Simple, yet sufficiently painful- what are the games/ sports events you would NEVER want to have to see again? In a word- ouch!

1. Frankly, there might not even need to be a rest of the list because this first game takes the cake. My best friends know it if they know me, and this game has most likely taken ten years off my life and 10% of my sanity. I'm talking Bills-Oilers in the 1992 playoffs.

I mean, what the hell, man! The Oilers had a 35-3 lead in the third quarter after Bubba McDowell established his dominace with an INT for a touchdown early in the second half. I still remember hearing the start of that game in our family suburban sitting outside of Toys R Us , and walking up and down the grounds of Memorial City Mall as the first half lead exploded. Even after a second half Buffalo TD pulled the score to 35-10, I remember being disappointed that it was going to look like a close game, and hoping Houston could still put 70 points on the Bills. And then...Frank Reich became Frank Reich, Maryland Terrapin Superstar, and it all fell to pieces. Next I know, Don Beebe is running all over the field (in bounds and out) catching touchdowns while Andre Reed is running out of ways to celebrate his countless scores in the third and fourth quarter. A late Al Del Greco field goal actually allows the Oilers to take the game to overtime, only to allow Warren Moon the chance to throw his OT interception and Buffalo complete their Mortal Kombat-like "finishing" move of the Oilers' franchise. Oh, sure, Houston stomped on my soul just slightly earlier when they blew a playoff game to the Denver Broncos, but there was very little left the following season when a nearly washed up Joe Montana took the Chiefs into the House of Pain and decided the Oilers would never be in the playoffs again. Ever. Sure, we have the Music City Miracle as Titans/ Oilers fans, but it's still not quite the same to me. One day I might be able to let it go. But it won't be today.

2. 2001 Big 12 Championship- CU defeats Texas 35-31.

If you are a Texas fan, you know that the pain is compounded by all the chips falling the right way that day. If UT wins, UT goes on to face Miami for the National Title. (Does UT get thrashed like Nebraska did in that game? Perhaps. Say "yes" if you want to help ease the pain of this loss!) But, seeing it in person doesn't help one digest the steady diet of Chris Simms turnovers. It doesn't help one forget the HORRIBLE "roughing the punter" call the effectively ended the Major Applewhite comeback attempt. It also doesn't help one overlook the injury to Ced Benson that notably negated any rushing attack the rest of the day. No, being there in person sucked, walking out of that building a loser sucked, and seeing it again on tv would...well...suck.

3. 2005 World Series (Astros Swept vs. White Sox)

Did this series really happen? I was too busy chasing after a girl from San Antonio at the time, but I've heard the Astros didn't win a single game in the World Series. Well, I'll be damned. Sounds like it still would've been more entertaining than the girl from San Antonio, but I digress. Getting to the promised land, only to come up short, is not very cool.

4. (UPDATE) I'd be remiss to forget to acknowledge a big loss for my favorite team growing up- the Houston Rockets. The Rockets will always be special to me since they brought home the first championships to Houston in 1994 and 1995. (No, the AFL doesn't count to me. Yes, I realize more people remember the O.J. car chase than the Rockets playing the Knicks, but the Rockets did get a ring before Orenthal found the "real killer," so at least we have that going for us.)

Nevertheless, in 1997, the Rockets led the Jazz 98-91 with under 2 minutes left in Game 6. Charles Barkley was going to lead the Rockets to a game 7 for a shot at a third title, and a chance to finally bring to a forefront the Hakeem vs. Jordan argument. (Hakeem and the Rockets owned the Bulls during the Bull championship years, but that's another story for another day.) However, things came crashing to a messy halt as the Rockets proceeded to blow their lead, and drop the series to the Jazz. The deathblow? John Freaking Stockton, one-half of the dirty Stockton/ Malone tag-team, nails a buzzer-beating three-pointer to suck the wind out of the arena. The Rockets, to this day, have not won a playoff series since that season. Here is the vomit-inducing last two minutes of that game.




5. 1996- Texas loses to Notre Dame in Austin

This is another game I was at, and it was my first taste of loss as a Longhorn. Unfortunately, it came against one of the teams that we all love to hate. But, on this day, Texas snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by shanking a punt worse than humanly possible, and watching James Brown throw a pass that was deflected and ultimately landed in the hands of a Notre Dame defenseman. However, this hit helps me deal with all the negative memories....




6. 1997- UCLA- One BILLION, Texas- 3. (Okay, 66-3, but who's counting?)

This game was hot. This game sucked. This game was hot and it sucked. And I think it's over, and UCLA has finally stopped scoring. On the other hand....

7. OU 63, Texas 14.

Quintin Griffin just scored again. And again. And then quite possibly again. It was sickening....Until I had to see it again in the form of 65-13 in person. Maybe Chris Simms getting creamed by Roy Williams in the end zone wasn't so bad after all compared to those two debacles.

8. (UPDATE) As per the comments left by my friend, Eric, I'm adding the 1999 Black Coaches Classic Game between Texas and NC State.

The game was dominated by the Texas offense...and, more notably, the NC State special teams. To us, it's known as the "Block Party" game, and despite dominating the game on offense, the Horns lose the game 23-20 to start the season with a big clunker. Ughhh....



The truth is, I could probably keep going. Maybe it's just as easy to think of the huge losses as it is to think of the amazing comebacks and "can't miss" events. For every game that I could watch over and over until my wife disconnects the tv, there are some games out there that would be Chinese water torture to watch again. It's okay, though. Those games help me appreciate the wins that much more, especially the captivating ones.



Honorable Mention

1983- UH vs. NC State - Phi Slamma Jamma can't seal the deal vs. a much less talented NC State team that sat back, watched UH brick free throws, and donate them a national championship.

1993 Michigan vs. UNC- The Webber Timeout game. Umm...yeah.



1986- Houston Astros vs. NY Mets- Game 6. Fantastic game in MLB history. Not quite the desired ending for Houston fans.



2000 Super Bowl- Titans vs. Rams- As a life-long Houston Oilers fan, my heart followed the team to Tennessee. And the way they valiantly came back to tie the surprising Rams gives me some solace. But still....Could Dyson have just somehow made it that one last yard? Each time I see it I think, "Maybe this time he gets there...." Not so much. : (