Best QB year ever? Maybe. And it looks like Boston here we come

So I’m lying there watching Drew Brees drill the New York Football Giants last night (24-for-38 passing, 363 yards, four touchdowns) and you wonder.

(Here's the link to the video highlights)

Is this the best season for NFL quarterbacks – as a collective group – ever?

You’ve got Aaron Rodgers doing jaw-slackening things for the unbeaten Green Bay Packers. You’ve got Tom Brady being all Tom Brady up in New England and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the Pats aren’t playing in the big game in Indy in February on his talents alone.

I still say Eli Manning doesn’t get nearly the credit he deserves for his abilities – especially in the late stages of close games.

There are times Tony Romo looks all-world, Matt Schaub before he got hurt, Jay Cutler the same thing, Ben Roethlisberger’s had big games, so has Alex Smith.

And that’s not even mentioning Teee-boooowwwww!

Why?

Wish I knew for sure but we should relish in it.

For too long, the NFL was horribly boring in one man’s opinion, too much running, too much defence, too much staid old offence that took a lot of energy out of the games, and fun.

Now?

Now you sit down on a Sunday and someone’s going berserk with the ball in their hands. Scoring seems to be up – someone else can do the math, we know me and numbers – the number of fourth quarter comebacks is astounding to me and the pass-happy nature of some offences may not be CFL-esque, but it’s was better than it was.

Maybe it’s the changing of some rules that have given the quarterbacks less to think about; maybe wide receivers are just better than they were; maybe offensive coaches are designing better stuff in the merry-go-round world of coaching.

But it’s fun, isn’t it? We want our quarterbacks to be something of gunslingers, to air the ball out a lot, to go for the big play instead of settling for the easy one.

This year?

It’s happening. And it’s made it a fun season so far, especially for a guy who used to spend every NFL Sunday afternoon in some arena “watching” games on a computer.

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Hmm.

If, as I’ve been led to believe, geography will determine the home-and-home exhibition season we’re in for, looks like another trip to Boston is our future.

I know, Cleveland’s closer and so is Detroit but they have to play each other, New York gets New Jersey, Philly gets Washington and about all that’s left that makes sense is Toronto-Boston.

It was that way in 1999 – plus I recall they opened the regular season in Boston as well – and I guess it’s more by default than true geography but I’m okay with going to a great city (I can go see my man Red) that Porter flies to.

Oh, and if they dare charge a nickel for these games, I’ll lead the boycott.

They have to be free and I don’t care what kind of logistical nightmare that ends up being, if they make people pay for pretend games after a 149-day lockout, they deserve more wrath than you can imagine.

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Random thought of the day:

Dear You Know Who You Are

Mime’s are stupid. And not at all funny.

Signed, The Rest of Humankind.

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Hey, you guys ever see this crazy show The Sing Off?

Gaggles of a cappella singing groups in some sort of contest to see who can butcher songs the best?

(A friend told me about it, I watched some zillion-person choir do Paradise By The Dashboard Light and almost, well, let’s say we moved quickly to Saints-Giants).

I tell ya, there are far, far, far, far too many reality TV shows out there and I need to invent a channel that has nothing but Jeopardy, Seinfeld, and a variety of cop/law dramas).

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So the crazy Joe Kapp-Angelo Mosca thing isn’t going away.

You know the incident by now, the two 73-year-old former CFL greats get into a slugfest at some alumni thing at the Grey Cup? Classic comedy, to me.

You can see it here as part of Damien's stuff from Vancouver.

Anyway, not only did I see it on the opening segment of Monday Night Football – and if they are the arbiters of good sports stories, I don’t know who is – an e-mail arrives overnight from a buddy in the Jersey area that includes a link and a simple statement:

“It’s just a wacky league you’ve got up there.”

Indeed.

But think of the possibilities?

Maybe seniors slugging can replace poker or darts as some TV show?

Maybe they could juice up those boring old NHL oldtimers games by staging a couple of fights; not only would that add a new dimension, it might better approximate the real game.

Tours. Tickets. Merchandising. The possibilities are endless.

Thanks, Joe. Thanks, Angelo.

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Okay, so it’s pouring rain, Super Dog’s deathly a’scared, walk will have to wait although she keeps prancing by the desk until the door open and she cowers and I’m wondering when the first drip’s going to appear from the corner of the kitchen skylight.

Yeah, big morning ahead.

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My man Cathal’s got an interesting piece here today, all about the impact the Leaves being good might have on the Raptors, who have been ungood for quite some time.

First reaction? What? The Leafs are good?

Hmm. Didn’t see any pigs in the sky lately but haven’t been looking that closely.

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Comments

[Allen]

Tony Romo has won one career playoff win. Just sayin'.

Blogger's note: And we were talking this year, not career. Just sayin'

[doug]

I think it's a culmination of things...quarterbacks being protected too much by new rules and defenses being fined for making good tackles..it may be entertaining but Goodell is making the NFL into a touch football league, what's a defensive players motivation for making a good tackle?...a fine..in one game alone last week there was over $100,000 in fines levied for hits, come on...so it may be entertaining but the day of hard hitting football is done...also a factor I believe is this can you remember a NFL season that has the kind of weather this years has had??...no cold, snow or even rain to speak of, hence bombs away...and that Kapp/Mosca thing is the best press the CFL has had in years in North America, that one wasn't staged but maybe time to thing about doing more, or at least let the Argos have a decent team, and their not even owned by MLSE so much for that theory...

[Ben]

Imagine if the other Manning was healthy also...

[Heath]

Romo? Really? And you didn't even mention Dalton or Newton? Romo?

[Steph]

The Sun has an article about Bargnani being in town working on his game. I come here for some Raptors basketball information. I want to hear that some players are here trying to improve their game, and are back in town. Especially a guy like Bargnani who returned to Canada from Italy before there was talk of an agreement between players and owners.
..
As it is I just scan through what was once the holy grail of Raptors related information. It seems that a personal blog about Doug Smith facination's is now derigeur, and I'm fine with that, but it's not what I come here for.
..
Sorry Doug, but I think you should focus on what got you here and not what some people think you should become. As it is I think your blog should be moved to the Life section of the paper, as opposed to the sports section.

Blogger's note: I'll see if I can move it, just for you. Thanks

[Matt M]

The current edition of the Leafs are good compared to what passed as a team last year. Compared to the Penguins they still suck.

[Hap]

Got a email from a colleague here in England telling me about an article on the bbc website about the CFL punch-up ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15932748 ). Seems like Angelo and Joe have made a name for themselves worldwide.

p.s- if the persons above preference is reading articles about nothing in the Sun, that should tell you how much of an authority they are on good writing.

[CC]

I'm with you Steph.. if not Raptors news then any basketball news.. and you can't blame big name (non hockey) players don't want to come/stay in Toronto...

Blogger's note: Because another paper had a non-note about an NBA player working out while the lockout was in place? Riiiiight.

[Stew]

If it's the best of QB seasons, it was the worst of QB seasons. For every Rodgers and Brees, there's been a Palko, a Yates, a Gabbert or a Painter to restore balance. That's why there's an entire league devoted to awful QB play over at Grantland.

[Shawn]

Andy Dalton deserves to be mentioned in that group...

[Lorie]

So, Bargnani working out is news? (Hmmm, on second thought...!) Seriously? People! We are nearly at the finish line here. The languourous lockout days are over and before long it will be all Raptors nearly (and thanks for keeping some other stuff going here) all the time until we are so fed up with Jose, or Andrea, or insert your Flavour Of The Month player's name, that we'll be be positively begging for Doug's opinion on happy stuff like "Best Pub in Boston" to divert our annual agony. I want to say thank you, Doug, for keeping us entertained and informed - and more important to me - a cohesive band of Irregulars. Yes, Doug, you would seem to be the tie that binds us. Now, fellas, before this NBA season begins in earnest, get out there and get your Christmas Shopping done. Because once play begins in this condensed season, there'll be precious little time - and way too many excuses - to put if off until December 24th. And we don't want to do that again, right?
So, here's a little number to get you in the mood! Hit it, Mariah! Early Yuletide Cheers!
http://youtu.be/yXQViqx6GMY

[joeu]

Superdog is showing great sense. There is nothing worse than being wet on a cold november morning.

[Peter]

Lorie! The season begins on the 25th! The 24th still seems like the PERFECT day to get our shopping done! Now if the season started a day early... well then I could see your point! :)

[Radar]

Hi Doug - wondering if you read Grange's article on sportsnet yesterday where he called for a season tank. I know your thoughts on tanking but would be interestIng to hear your thoughts on an eminent writer putting something like that in print. What message does that send to the fans?

Blogger's note: That he's trying to make a point and express an opinion and good for him. I (Heart) Grange (TM)

[Dave]

I have read a couple of Cathal Kelly's articles lately and they leave me agitated. He would be better suited to the Sun than to a respected paper like the Star. His articles are written from a negatice perspective. He is obviously a National Hitting League fan. Yeh, the Leafs are better than they were but they haven't been good since 1967. A bad Basketball game is still much better and more entaining than any hockey game. I don't think any of us expects a lot from the Raptors thids year, but we like the direction they are going. Please give them a chance to grow the young-uns and add a few draft picks. Let's encourage them, not tear then down.

[David in Oakville]

Well seeing as others are weighing in... I love your sidebars! Who would have guessed that a well traveled ink stained wretch such as yourself had a life outside the sports section. Keep up the great work Doug.

Funny thing, the NFL gets good and I haven't seen a game all season. I did however see a couple of amazing Canadian University football games and I never watch that. CONGRATS MARAUDERS!

[Rob.V]

Dude, make sure you send us the link for when you move us to the Life Section. Might not be a bad idea... we'll be able to drop some people along the way. Oh, and thanks for this clarification.
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Blogger's note: Amnesty is only available for guys who were under contract with your team on July 1, 2011. Can't sign someone now and amnesty them later; that's a non-starter.
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I'm sorry but Joe and Angelo teach us one thing: that a lot of people major... in minor things!!!
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I just saw the clip for the first time... looks like 8 year old boys that have never (mentally) grown up. Sad!!

[Cluck Kent]

I think Cathal is a great writer, one of the best in town from my very limited experience. If he had a blog I would read it as well as this one.

I agree with him that this is a good year to tank. In this man's opinion, I believe the draft is the only viable means we have to land the top players that we need to work with our core. I know we could argue this all day, but I don't argue well in print. I'd rather be in person with a cold lubricant to get the creative juices thin enough to move around.

I don't know if the Mosca thing was staged - I don't believe it was - but knowing the Canadian predisposition toward staged fights, I'm betting the next old man fight will be staged.

[Radar]

Blogger's note: That he's trying to make a point and express an opinion and good for him. I (Heart) Grange (TM)

Fair enough Doug. Let's put it this way - if you had the chance to sign Kobe to the raptors, would you do it?

Blogger's note: Sure

[Radar]

Sorry, I mean Kobe to the raptors for 1 year

[Tim H.]

Hi Doug:

Don't know if the Star has posted something similar, but here is a post from the Detroit Free Press describing the new CBA - I got about a third of the way through it, and stopped - too much legalese. But, others may be interested:

http://www.freep.com/article/20111128/SPORTS03/111128001/Summary-NBA-s-new-collective-bargaining-agreement?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Sports|s

[CC]

i have no problem if Doug choose to write "some" non basketball/raptors stuff in here, i even enjoy it, but an entire article w/o even mentioning basketball? never mind about the raptors.. i don't read hockey/football/baseball stuff in this paper but I'm sure they don't do that there..

[J]

Your boy Cathal has some good points (that many others have already discussed) but what irks me about every non dedicated Raps coloumnist is the continued tendency to believe that the Raps are teetering on the edge of irrelevancy in this town.

The FC are irrelevant. The Rock are irrelevant. University sports in this city are irrelevant. The Marlies are barely relevant.

Maybe it's an age thing but basketball in this city keeps getting more and more relevant and it seems to be only the established (read older, puck loving, burb living white guys) who seem to still see it as a novelty. The Raptors are in year 2 of a serious rebuild, arguably the first real rebuild in franchise history. Every single real fan knows this. Every single real fan knows this season will end in the draft lottery. Give us something we don't know and save us from having to go to Sun Media outlets!

[D-Mac Ottawa]

I'll back the Cathal supporters (the Cathal cabal) – he's a crafty, entertaining writer.
And I'll certainly back @J on that ringing endorsement regarding the Raps state-of-the-rebuild. It's happenin'!
And I'll also second @lorie's thank you to the Blog Man for carrying the lot of us, with panache, through a summer, and fall, of discontent. That takes some fancy whistling, scuffling and creative thinking! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86iZhipMAP4
Now let's get down to business! Cheers. Go Raps!

[doug]

omg some people need to relax...so what Barg's is in town practicing..so is DD somewhere I imagine and Bayless how the heck is that news...do you want to know what they had for breakfast??...how often they do laundry give it a rest, that is not basketball news that a dude is practicing, omg stop the presses...and this is why some owners can never be saved from themselves, Del Rio was finally axed today after 9 seasons of mediocre ball, and then the owner states he is selling as the team is losing money...no kidding Einstein your team has stunk for years, maybe should have tried the firing coach thing awhile ago...Del Rio can coach defense but he still hasn't learned the team with the most points at the end of the game wins...sort of a basic premise, some coaches get or some don't