Tidbits on Brady, the mats, Pitt hoops
One of the most endearing symbols of Valentine’s Day is the always popular box of chocolates. The opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of sweet treats is something that sits high on my personal list of reasons to look forward to the holiday. That and, you know, all that mushy stuff.
While not wrapped in a heart-shaped box and red cellophane, consider the following thoughts my own personal Valentine’s gift to you. While not as tasty or satisfying, at least they are sugar free …
n Following the most ridiculous ending to a Super Bowl on Sunday, the debate of whether or not Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback of all time has once again bubbled up to the surface. After making a concerted effort to draw a completely neutral analysis of that question, I’d say he, at least, didn’t hurt his case.
If you’re someone who puts a lot of weight on stats, Brady set a new Super Bowl record for passing yards in a game (466) on 43-of-62 passing with two touchdowns and an interception. If it’s more about winning the big one, Brady now has five Super Bowl rings, more than any other passer in league history.
Some will argue that Brady is nothing more than a product of Bill Belichick’s system. Have other quarterbacks (Matt Cassell, Jimmy Garoppolo, etc.) also looked like stars in New England? Yes. However, this argument is irrelevant.
What great quarterback hasn’t had a great coach on the sidelines with him? Bradshaw had Noll. Montana had Walsh. Marino had Shula. The list goes on and on. The quarterback/coach relationship truly is a symbiotic one.
To me, the strongest argument in support of putting Brady on the loftiest of perches is not what he has had to work with, but what he, and by extension, the Patriots, hasn’t had to work with. Almost all of the great dynasties have featured not one, but multiple hall of famers who stuck with the same team for long, fruitful runs.
The Steelers teams of the 1970’s are one of the most decorated groups in NFL history. The same can be said for the 49ers of the 1980’s and the great Cowboy squads.
Now, I’m not saying Brady has singlehandedly made New England the team of the 2000’s. A concept like that is an impossibility. However, I predict that by the time Tom Terrific has taken his rightful spot in Canton, you won’t see a ton of other Patriot busts in those hallowed halls …
n One of my favorite events of the athletic calendar will be taking place this Saturday at Washington & Jefferson’s Henry Memorial Center. The Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) will host its 59th wrestling championships.
Why should Greene County fans make the short trip up I-79? Not only will Waynesburg University look to regain the title for the first time since 2014, but three of the four county programs are expected to be represented in the field, which will feature as many as two representatives from each team at each weight.
Former Jefferson-Morgan standout Jason Miller recently made his return from what most expected to be a season-ending knee injury and could represent Thiel at either 149 or 157 pounds. Waynesburg, meanwhile, is expected to send out freshman Shaun Wilson (WCHS) and junior Will VanNorman (West Greene) at 149 and 285 pounds, respectively.
While some may scoff at a tournament that features just four teams in its field, I can say from my experience of being heavily involved in the tournament for going on nine years, that the competitors involved take just as much pride in hoisting the trophy as any other collegiate wrestler. It is still southwestern Pennsylvania wrestling after all …
n Last, but not least, the Pitt men’s basketball team is mired in one of its worst stretches in recent memory. Heading into Wednesday night’s game with Boston College, the Panthers had lost eight straight and nine of their previous 10 games.
However, something odd has occurred during the skid. There doesn’t seem to be the sort of blowback that usually accompanies a similar stretch of futility that befalls any team with the letters “Pitt” in its name. Could it be that the city’s love affair with the Panthers has begun to grow cold?
More amazingly, I feel like there hasn’t been the usual demand of a head coach’s head on a platter by the fan base. I would go as far as to say that the seat underneath of Kevin Stallings is barely luke warm.
I’m sure football coach Pat Narduzzi will be hoping for that same brand of acceptance, should the Panther football team start to slip back down the slope to mediocrity.