Tom Brady: Melter of straight guys' hearts

My friend Sean, who wept when the Patriots won their first of three Super Bowls, says -- and I quote -- that he'd go gay for Tom Brady. Apparently he's not alone.

(HAT TIP: Andrew.)

Lei-less Dogs more fearsome than Hawaiians

Despite their leis, fearsome faces and an unbeaten record, Hawaii wilted against Georgia's dominant D and ground game in the Sugar Bowl Tuesday night.

Even the Times took note (link here) of the implications:

The Bulldogs showed the alarming disparity between an elite team from the Southeastern Conference and the champion of the Western Athletic Conference. The impressive victory, combined with the Bulldogs’ returning 17 starters next season, means that Georgia could start the season as the country’s top-ranked team and a favorite to win the national title.

The fact is, this blowout shows that the Dogs should have probably been there this year. Instead, LSU will be representin' against Ohio State on Jan. 7.

The right and wrong of football

It was disgusting to watch Peyton Manning under a pair of headphones Sunday instead of under his helmet as the Colts coasted into the playoffs. To pull tens of thousands of people into a stadium and not play to win is shameful.

Putting Peyton on the bench was an especially poignant move when compared to what happened the day before when two other teams that had already clinched a playoff spot -- the Patriots and Giants -- took to the field and left nothing on the sidelines, especially not their best players. (Link here.)

In the words of Pats QB Tom Brady, it was a game that meant nothing, yet meant something.

Playing it safe in football? It's an oxymoron, fer chrisake!

The decision by the Pats and the Giants to play their starters in a meaningless game was not moronic, as many critics pointed out. It reminded everyone that football is not about Vegas spreads or even trophies. It's about gutting it out on the field and leaving blood and broken bones behind. Not just when it counts in the standings, but even when it doesn't count. Especially when it doesn't count, I'd argue.

The Giants had arguably more to lose. The Patriots, after all, had a chance to even up with the 1972 Miami Dolphins by going undefeated in the regular season. The Giants risked getting beaten up and bruised against the best team in the league a week before the playoffs start.

And they didn't win. But what they did was scare Patriots Nation to death, come awful close a seemingly unbeatable team, and give their squad an experience that proves to themselves that they can compete with any team in the league.

That won't hurt them in the playoffs. Here's to hoping they go farther than the Colts. They deserve it.

(Pix: 2004 Pop Warner "Midget" Championship game.)

Skipjack

Instant karma on the Parcells deal as he passes on the Falcons. That's what I get for trusting a scoop from the NY Daily News!