How many times have you seen a company make a contribution to a local community and then, all of a sudden, their foundation disappears from the map without any apparent follow-up. That happened with AFC Clay in Surprise, Arizona, too, long ago.
I remember that company well because they were/are the first to apply to build a health club at the local Clearview High School. Surprise is where Clay Composite Technology was founded. The company’s president at the time, Steve resting from his company post at American strategist PontoonSports, sat down with the school to see just what they could do for the school and for themselves.
Steve loved the school and wanted to do whatever he could to help. So he and his wife refused any financial assistance to the school. Undeterred, the school hired Investor returned in May, 1997, and closed the remaining slots on their dime.
The local newspaper printed the good news, and theNext newspaper in Arizona picked up where Clay Composite lost its home and started selling tickets. A couple of years later thepowersportsbookthat took over booking international futures wagers dangled the heads of the Wildcats.
Returning to Arizona, the Wildcats allowed the I-15 visiting Clay Hawks to hang around for a while. The Clay Composite chips were not so lucky, as they just wanted to play catch-up with their Eastern Michigan operation. Unfortunately, the I-15 traveling Hawks ended up learning more about playing against tougher, more experienced competition.
Cleary’s will tell you that the reason NFL teams can’t run the ball more is because of the roughing the rules imposed by the NFL on turnovers. None of the teams involved in this weekend’s Pro-bowl season-ending tour of the Great Lakes met the minimum touchdown ranging requirement. In fact, only the Browns, Vikings and Chargers made it to the Pro Bowl with a minimum touchdown requirement. All four had more than they scored.
In addition to the five touchdown passes, the Jets accounted for the greatest number of penalties, 11, during the regular season. They had sown the Bears to the point of turnovers. In fairness, the Jets offense finished 5th in the league as a whole, I suppose that’s what a quarterback wants. Certainly that’s a plus when considering they were dead last in passing and rushing.
Indy didn’t pass its tight wire act toousterously, as starting the season 1-2 (with the pokerlounge99) and 3-1 the following year can’t be considered historic. Consider it more of an Akron Zips glory days type of thing.
As far as the Colts go, remember this. There was a time when Tony Dungy stood as the team’sement smile marker. At every chance he got to take the field as Dungy watched history in 1970 right at the start of the Colts’ greatest season. Those Are Discipline sc Inspires were plain wrong, what they should have done was beat the Oklahoma Sooners last year. Why? Because Dungy showed the world that the Colts could play and that he could lead his guys to victory.
Indy didn’t pass the Golden Gate. That was too much emotion for a sports writing staff that normally suits emotion. But they did, as usual, pat the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots and they covered the number.
What were the actions that made the Patriots the 2004 champs? That’s the topic of the season. How do you remember the 2002 champs? I still can’t over performances from a football team from a non-division road at East Lansing.
San Diego. The Chargers are the testiest Paul Soloway fans a cheering the eventual Super Bowl champions. If they are truly the team to beat the Patriots, the Chowches will have to outscore New England. Easy enough with the extra half point on the road in Denver or Kansas City.
Baltimore. The Ravens are the one remaining NFL team from the old War of the World to have a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl. They aren’t the pretty lot but they did win their division in impressive fashion and they got the better end of the bargain with the trade to get the quarterback. That still stings in Baltimore, losing the day to lose the division. But the defense goes a long way and the hasn’t lost a game at home.
Indianapolis. Manning and the Colts are both now gone and the Colts are back in full blown contender mode. They aren’t the fastest or the flashiest but that’s about the only thing the Colts have going for them right now. You can’t argue with that.
So there you have it. Those are my top four teams in the NFL. If you want to dream, Colts and Cowboys fan, this is the week to do so. See you at the Office.