There were so many great storylines in the NFL playoffs as the final four was set. Tom Brady was brilliant, completing 26-of-28 passes in a win over Jacksonville. The Patriots were tied 14-14 at halftime before breaking things open. The Giants showed something by winning in Dallas; who would have thought Eli Manning would be the member of the family playing in the championship game! Remember early in the season when fans booed Norv Turner? They aren't chanting Marty, Marty any more after the Chargers stunned the Colts. You have to love what Brett Favre has done this season and he is one game away from another Super Bowl. Ryan Grant overcame two early fumbles to rush for 201 yards. Now he gets a shot to face his former team, the Giants.
I was truly overwhelmed and touched by all of the support from fans, the basketball community and everyone at ESPN. I am hoping to return in early February after receiving a positive report from Dr. Zeitels in Boston on Sunday. My throat is feeling better and I feel like I can open a flower shop after receiving so many nice things from people across America. Thanks to every well-wisher for the kind words and thoughts. Yes, I kept my mouth shut for 3 ½ weeks!
I was thrilled to see Rich "Goose" Gossage finally make it into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was a dominant closer in a different era, one which saw relievers go more than one inning for a save. He was such an important member of successful Yankee teams. It took a long time, nine years, but it was clearly worth the wait for Goose!
It was sad to see Joe Gibbs announce his retirement. What a rollercoaster ride for Gibbs this season. There was the controversy over the two timeout calls against the Bills; that led to a Buffalo last-second win. Then there was the tragic shooting of Sean Taylor which impacted the franchise. The Redskins rallied and made the playoffs with a great stretch drive. Washington fell short against Seattle in the playoff opener. Gibbs was class personified as an NFL coach. He was a tireless worker who often slept in his office at night. He will be missed on that sideline.
Now we will have to see if Mike Holmgren of Seattle and Tony Dungy of Indianapolis decide to come back to the sidelines next season. These two men are veterans of the coaching wars and it will be interesting to follow their decisions.
Kevin Love has really been a force for the Bruins of UCLA. He had a great game in a key win over Washington State in the battle of top five squads. Love has learned a lot from his dad, former NBA player Stan Love. He came in with lofty credentials and he has lived up to expectations. Ben Howland has to be thrilled with his big man inside.
It seems to me like a lot of college football players have announced their intentions to enter the NFL draft. I wonder if some of these guys are receiving questionable advice and will be disappointed when their names are called in later rounds come draft day in April. I understand when some of these guys are projected as locks in round one, but a lot of the others could be suffering from delusions of grandeur.
Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.
