FOOTBALL

In the NFL, it was the most anticipated Monday Night Football game of the year.  The New Orleans Saints have had an incredible undefeated season, but even 5 weeks ago, everyone was talking about how that streak could abruptly come to an end when they play the New England Patriots.   How would the Saints fare?

The answer:  Just fine.  New Orleans took care of business and protected their Superdome turf.  From the outset, the Saints came out slinging.  In the second quarter alone, Drew Brees threw 3 touchdown passes (to Pierre Thomas, Devery Henderson, and Robert Meachem).  Surprisingly, Tom Brady wasn’t even the Patriots best offensive player.  That was Laurence Maroney with 64 yards and 2 touchdowns for the Pats.  Brady threw for just 237 yards, and had two interceptions to boot.  Drew Brees on the other hand… wow!   He passed for 371 yards and 5 TOUCHDOWNS!!!  If the Saints can handle the Pats this easily, you have to assume they are Super Bowl bound.  That is, if Brett Favre and the Vikings don’t stand in their way.  New Orleans 38, New England 17.

Elsewhere, a major legend is stepping down in the college football world.  It appears that Florida State head coach, Bobby Bowden, is finally retiring after 34 years as head coach at Florida State.  It was Bowden who put the Seminoles on the map.   And during the ’90s and early part of this decade, the Seminoles were one of the top 5 teams almost every year.  The name “Bowden” became synonymous with college football, as even his sons became head coaches.  His 388 victories trail only Penn State’s Joe Paterno, who’s still coaching in his 80s.  Farewell to a terrific football mind.

Finally, there was another exit in the college football coaching ranks, but this one… not by choice.  Notre Dame has decided to part ways with head coach Charlie Weis.  Weis, former offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots in their glory days, was brought in to be the savior of the Irish.  His first season was brilliant, and he led them to a BCS Bowl Game.  From then on, however, Notre Dame has been terrible.  This year was a bit of a turn around, but they still finished 6-6.  This of course jump starts one of sports radio’s favorite topics:  Notre Dame coaching speculation, as it is still one of the most powerful positions in sports.  To be sure, anybody who ever wanted to coach football dreamed standing on the sidelines at Notre Dame.