Okay, so I promise this is my last NFL blog for a while. To some of you this will be honestly educational. To most it will be a fun ride back. Unless you are living under a rock you are well aware of the fact we are about to enter a new year. A new year of classic sports moments, trivia and memories. I want to do something different. Instead of looking into the upcoming year I want to jump ten years back in time. Ten years back in time where half of the nation was stocking up their bomb shelters with soup and Twinkies in order survive the deadly Y2K viruses that were going to take over the world.  This is not so much as of a blog as it is a history lesson. A history lesson back in the day of three divisions in the AFC and NFC.  Let's dive in.

AFC WILD CARD: Buffalo Bills @ Tennessee Titans
If you don't remember this game then perhaps you should go chuck yourself off a bridge. This is where one of the most famous, and questionable, plays in NFL history took place: The Music City Miracle. The infamous play where Kevin Dyson took a lateral from Frank Wycheck into the end zone to win the game.  Steve McNair was the leader of this Titan's squad and Rob Johnson and Peerless Price owned the city of the Buffalo. TENNESSEE: 22, BUAFFLO: 16.

NFC WILD CARD: Detroit Lions @ Washington Redskins
Who would have thought in 1999 that in ten years the Detroit Lions would go 0-16? Then again, who would've thought that then Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson and Lions quarterback Gus Frerotte would still be playing? Stephen Davis owned Detroit with 119 rushing yards 2 touchdowns in the first half.  The Lions put up 13 in the fourth quarter, but it was too late. WASHINGTON: 27, DETROIT: 13.

NFC: Dallas Cowboys @ Minnesota Vikings
Back in the day you may not look at this game with any significance. Looking at now you are crazy if you don't. A wide out by the name of Randy Moss began making a name for himself. A legend by the name of Troy Aikman would play in his final post season game. Other greats like Emmitt Smith, Cris Carter, Deion Sanders, and yes, even Gary Anderson participated in this game. It was a shame that so much talent overran this game as the Vikings prevailed. MINNESOTA: 27, DALLAS: 10.

AFC: Miami Dolphins @ Seattle Seahawks
Yes, these were the days when the Seahawks were in the AFC. Another game with legendary personnel such as Dan Marino. Jon Kitna was the leader of this Seahawks squad who were hosting their first post season game since 1988. Miami came away with a win in a very close game decided in the fourth quarter. MIAMI: 20, SEATTLE: 17.

AFC DIVISIONAL: Miami Dolphins @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Oh, what Dan Marino would give to have this game off of his record.  He was benched in the second half and replaced by Damon Huard. A blowout game. Mark Brunell, who was playing with braces on both knees, and Jay Fielder gave Miami all they could handle.  I don't even need to go into a big description. JACKSONVILLE: 63, MIAMI: 7.

NFC DIVISIONAL: Washington Redskins @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Remember when Mike Alstott, Shaun King, Warren Sapp and John Lynch were all the same team? One of Tampa Bay's great teams. They were able to make a slight comeback in the second half to edge Stephen Davis and the Redskins. TAMPA BAY: 14, WASHINGTON: 13.

NFC DIVISIONAL: Minnesota Vikings @ St. Louis Rams
Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk were too much for Jeff George and his Vikings squad. Jeff George had a career game completing 29- 50 passes thrown for 423 yards and 4 touchdowns. Kurt Warner didn't do bad for his first playoff appearance either. He went 27-33, 391 yards, 5 touchdowns. Rams were too hot to handle. ST. LOUIS: 49, MINNESOTA: 37.

AFC DIVISIONAL: Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts
This is where many thought Peyton Manning's playoff struggles began. Others never would've have guessed it would've taken him seven more years to win a ring. Peyton went 19-43 on passing. His only score came on a 15 yard run in the fourth quarter. Had it not been Mike Vanderjagt this game would not have been close. Eddie George stormed the Titans to a victory. TENNESSEE: 19, INDIANAPOLIS: 16.

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP: Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars had been one of the NFL's best teams in the 1999 season, pacing the AFC with a 14-2 record. However, both of those losses came at the hands of their opponents in the AFC Championship game, the Tennessee Titans. TENNESSEE: 33, JACKSONVILLE: 14.

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP: Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ St. Louis Rams
Kurt Warner in his second ever playoff game. Coming off huge numbers and offensive dominated game everyone expected this game to much of the same. They couldn't be more wrong.  Going into the fourth quarter Tampa Bay was ahead 6-5. It wasn't until Warner connected with Proehl  for a 30 yard touchdown that the Rams finally sealed the deal. ST. LOUIS: 11, TAMPA BAY: 6.

SUPER BOWL XXXIV: St. Louis Rams vs. Tennessee Titans
Obviously we all know who came out on top here. In what some claim to be one of the greatest games ever played, the St. Louis Rams took home the Lombardi trophy with a game that was one by about one foot. Kevin Dyson was tackled by Mike Jones just inside the one yard line as time expired. ST. LOUIS RAMS: 23, TENNESSEE TITANS: 16.

1999-2000 NFL DID YOU KNOW:

- Kurt Warner became only the sixth player in NFL history to win the Regular Season and Superbowl MVP.

- Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Toni Braxton, and Enrique Iglesias performed the half-time show.

- A 30 second commercial cost $1.9 million dollars.

- The Rams were favored by 7 to win the Super bowl.

- Faith Hill sang the national anthem.

- Tim Couch, Donavan McNabb, Edgerrin James, Ricky Williams, Torry Holt, Champ Bailey, David Boston, Chris McAllister, Daunte Cullpepper, Anthony McFarland and Jevon Kearse were all first round picks in the 1999 NFL Draft. Donald Driver was drafted in the seventh round.

-  The New Orleans Saints traded all of their draft picks for Ricky Williams. It was the first time ever a team only had one draft pick in the draft.

Although some may be sick of hearing about Brett Favre and even some may think he is overated and should've hung up the jersey years ago, there is no question his numbers will earn him a spot among the greatest football players to step on to the hashmarks. Just for today, I am going to put aside all of the drama and confusion that has come with Brett and take a solid look at his stats. All are averaged over his entire career.

Years Pro: 18
QB Rating: 85.6
TD: 463
Average TD Per Year: 25
INT: 307
Average INT Per Year: 17

Not too shabby. As we all know, he holds the record for most touchdowns, and interceptions, thrown in a career. Now the question is, who will break his touchdown record? I've put together a collected list of some of today's quarterbacks and what is needed for them to catch Brett in the race for the record. Again, all stats are averaged throughout their entire career.

Peyton Manning
Years Pro: 11
QB Rating: 94.6
TD: 332
Average TD Per Year: 30
INT: 165
Average INT Per Year: 15

In order for Peyton Manning to tie Brett Favre's current touchdown record by the time he reaches 18 seasons, he will have to average 18 touchdowns per season for the next 7 seasons.

Tom Brady
Years Pro: 9
QB Rating: 92.9
TD: 197
Average TD Per Year: 21
INT: 86
Average INT Per Year: 9

In order for Tom Brady to tie Brett Favre's current touchdown record by the time he reaches 18 seasons, he will have to average 29 touchdowns per season for the next 9 seasons.

Carson Palmer
Years Pro: 5
QB Rating: 88.9
TD: 107
Average TD Per Year: 21
INT: 67
Average INT Per Year: 13

In order for Carson Palmer to tie Brett Favre's current touchdown record by the time he reaches 18 seasons, he will have to average 27 touchdowns per season for the next 13 seasons.

Aaron Rogers
Years Pro: 4
QB Rating: 89.7
TD: 24
Average TD Per Year: 6
INT: 13
Average INT Per Year: 3

In order for Aaron Rogers to tie Brett Favre's current touchdown record by the time he reaches 18 seasons, he will have to average 31 touchdowns per year for the next 14 seasons.

Tony Romo
Years Pro: 4
QB Rating: 95.9
TD: 81
Average TD Per Year: 20
INT: 45
Average INT Per Year: 11

In order for Tony Romo to tie Brett Favre's current touchdown record by the time he reaches 18 seasons, he will have to average 27 touchdowns per year for the next 14 seasons.

Eli Manning
Years Pro: 5
QB Rating: 76.1
TD: 98
Average TD Per Year: 19
INT: 74
Average INT Per Year: 14

In order for Eli Manning to tie Brett Favre's current touchdown record by the time he reaches 18 seasons, he will have to average 28 touchdowns per year for the next 13 seasons.

Matt Ryan
Years Pro: R
QB Rating: 89.7
TD: 15
INT: 9

In order for Matt Ryan to tie Brett Favre's current touchdown record by the time he reaches 18 seasons, he will have to average 26 touchdowns per year for the next 17 seasons.

Phillip Rivers
Years Pro: 5
QB Rating: 92.3
TD: 76
Average TD Per Year: 15
INT: 36
Average INT Per Year: 7

In order for Phillip Rivers to tie Brett Favre's current touchdown record by the time he reaches 18 seasons, he will have to average 29 touchdowns per year for the next 13 seasons.

Jay Cutler
Years Pro: 3
QB Rating: 97.6
TD: 53
Average TD Per Year: 17
INT: 35
Average INT Per Year: 11

In order for Jay Cutler to tie Brett Favre's current touchdown record by the time he reaches 18 seasons, he will have to average 27 touchdowns per year for the next 15 seasons.


When it is all said and done, we could make several arguments as to why any of these quarterbacks will or will not tie Brett Favre's touchdown record. There are several X-Factors that I did not put into effect, but probably should have been, such as injury, time spent on the bench, playoffs, etc. And by no means am I labeling Brett Favre the best quarterback ever. I'm simply putting him into the discussion. In fact, I'm not even much of a Brett Favre fan. It will be difficult for any quarterback to accomplish what he has. But to step away from the drama and look at the overall career of a historic sports figure is something we all need to do every once in a while. I mean, this is a guy who's first completed pass in the NFL was to, well, himself.

You can catch me on The Morning V.I.P every Saturday morning from 10:00 AM until Noon CST on Fox Sports Radio WBGN. Check out the website, www.morningvip.com.

-Ross Dillon
Ross.Dillon379@wku.edu

Does anyone remember the glory days of the NFL where drama was almost next to non-existent? Back before entire television and radio stations were dedicated to reporting on sports and creating dramatic story lines, the National Football League was a peaceful place where O.J. Simpson moved the chains instead of be taken away in chains and the most dramatic moment in sports occurred in 1969 when Joe Namath appeared in front of the Miami Touchdown Club and guaranteed a Jets Super Bowl victory. Now a-days, a NFL season seems incomplete unless a strip club is getting shot up or one-third of the league is suspended for at least three games for substance abuse. But even in a case of pulling out your unregistered pistol or sticking needles in your arm there is no need to fear! The almighty players association will swoop in and save the day.

Now to the topic at hand:  the Dallas Cowboys. I know, I know - you're probably already browsing for a different web page. I'm sick of hearing about the Dallas Cowboys - just as much as you are. I don't care if they are America's team; let's get it all out in the open.

1.) Tony Romo is good, but he is not the reincarnation of Moses in pads. Tony is good enough to where we can say that had he been the Iraqi shoe-throwing reporter we all witnessed over the weekend he would have hit President Bush square in the chest.
2.) Jessica Simpson has no affect on the outcome of any game.
3.) We are all sick of hearing about Terrell Owens.
4.) They are not going to win the Super Bowl this year. They will probably not win the Super Bowl next year. For the sake of humanity, stop predicting them to win the Super Bowl every year during the preseason.

With that said, who is honestly to blame for Terrell Owens' recent outbreak? During postgame interviews this previous weekend when the Giants rolled in to Dallas and lost, Jason Witten, Tony Romo, and Terrell Owens were all gathered for a one-on-three interview. Tony Romo tried to play it off like it was all a big strategy they put together to take focus off of the game. By the way incase you didn't notice, Tony Romo is a terrible liar. It is clear that Terrell Owens stirred up drama once again. I am now officially sick of it.  How many owners and coaches are going to put up with this guy? Do we all need to join hands across America before he finally comes to his senses and sees he is a head case? I am excited for him to retire (whenever that may be). Maybe at that point the NFL's drama-per-day ratio will drop about 50% and force network sports analysts to find something else they stir up drama about. Hey Ed Werder, hockey needs some attention. In fact, go to Pittsburgh, slip a twenty-dollar bill to the local owner of the humane society, and report on Sidney Crosby reportedly stomping on a dozen helpless puppies...with his skates on. Maybe when the spotlight isn't on Terrell Owens all of us can relax and enjoy some drama free NFL playoffs. But until then, maybe Roger Goodell and Jerry Jones can secretly meet and plan for Terrell Owens to go the way of the Arena Football League. Keep dreaming, right?

Until next time, I'm out like Tubberville. Just pray I'm not replaced by such a shining coach like Chizik. Check me out Fox Sports Radio WBGN on The Morning V.I.P.

Working on The Morning V.I.P, I have had the chance to encounter a lot of different sporting fans and followers. Because of this, I have come to the realization that sports fans and followers are beginning to bandwagon certain players instead of jumping on the bandwagon of different teams. In the current situation of the MLB, I would have figured to have seen a lot more fans jump on the Tampa Bay Rays bandwagon, but atleast where I live, I haven't seen it very much at all. Instead, everybody has jumped on the bandwagon of the Manny Ramirez train. Not only are fans guilty of this, but the media is as well. It's almost like everybody has simply forgot or is ignoring what ManRam did to the Boston Red Sox. Do you remember that one time when ManRam refused to bat against the Yankees? Or that one time that ManRam shoved a co-worker of the Red Sox to the ground? Or that one time he pissed off his entire team - the same team that he won two World Series rings with? My question is, because I seriously do not know, is why are we (the fans and media) treating him like he is a God and has turned around the entire Dodger team by himself? Don't get me wrong, he has come thru and put up great numbers and has HELPED the Dodgers get where they are, but let us be honest - had ManRam not been aquired by the Dodgers, the Dodgers would still be in the same spot they are now. Yes? No? I think yes. Media is making it out that the Dodgers have gone on a heavenly run to get where they are and defied all odds because of ManRam. Look at the division the Dodgers are in. The National League West contains the Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Rockies, Padres, and Giants. Not exactly the toughest in division play for L.A. Also, the Diamondbacks slumped. Ever since the acquired Adam Dunn, they begin a down fall. The pitching took a turn for the worst and the men left on numbers each game were unbearable. The chances of the Dodgers losing this division was not very good. So let's get off the ManRam bandwagon, shall we? The Dodgers are a great team, and honestly as I explain below I don't think they are getting the credit they quite deserve. But their success cannot be put on ManRam alone, something we all are doing.

That brings us to the Chicago Cubs. Oh, those Chicago Cubs. Every team has a bad century, right? Again, the media and fans are to blame in certain situations regarding the Cubs. Why can't the Cubs win? Is there that much pressure on each member of the team to win that is nearly impossible to do so in the post season? I personally don't know. The Chicago Cubs brought in a Catholic Priest to bless every inch of the field. Alcohol venders in north Chicago all agreed to stop selling alcohol after the seventh inning. As soon as the Cubs lost game three, the entire media and a majority of Cubs fans instantly pointed fingers to the curse. They haven't won a World Series in 100 years! "Surely there is a curse. There has to be!" OR maybe the Dodgers just came in and played better baseball. Has anyone ever considered this? Sure, when all of your infielders commit errors it's not going to favor your team. We are all looking at how the Cubs lost, and we are hardly looking at the fact the Dodgers won. Maybe the Cubs were so focused on not losing and pleasing their fans that they forgot the fundamentals. Maybe the Dodgers are just a better team. Everybody knows that the Cubs rarely have a good September and unfortunatly for them, the Dodgers did and they kept that momentum going. And baseball players have all said that when you're hot, you know you're hot. They say when the pitcher let's go of the ball, the batter sees the baseball as the same size of a basketball. So let's sum this up. Cubs and Cubs fans - you had bad timing with the team you played. At the time they were better than you. There is no curse. It doesn't mean you are never going to win a World Series, it just means you weren't the better team, despite what your regular season record was.

Listen to me live every Saturday morning at www.morningvip.com on Fox Sports Radio WBGN from 7-9 AM Eastern Time. Give me your comment, agreed or disagreed. I'm out.

Working for The Morning V.I.P (www.morningvip.com) on Fox Sports Radio for a Cincinnati Reds affliate, we have to deal with some pretty stupid fans. And by stupid, I mean play Russian Roullete with myself stupid. We have been getting calls all week and all of this past weekend from Reds' fans going livid that their beloved Ken Griffey Jr. did not make the All-Star game. It's ridiculous. Wake up Reds' fans! Griffey is having a bad year! Yeah, he reached the 600 home run mark. Congrats to him on that! But he's barely batting .240 with 11 home runs, 38 RBI's, 39 R, and 0 SB. Those are not All-Star numbers! They are not even close! How Griffey even received as many votes as he did is beyond me. Reds' fans: I am currently drinking a gallon of giraffe piss. Why? Well if you think it makes sense for Griffey to be on the All-Star game, than me drinking a gallon of giraffe piss makes sense as well. Before you jump the bandwagon and say I have it out for Griffey, I don't. I've actually had the chance to meet and talk with Ken before and he is a great guy, great baseball player, and a great dad. But stats are stats.

(That was not directed at all Reds' fans, just the stupid ones.)

I am one of the few who is against fans voting for All-Stars because lets face it, when it comes to voting for all stars, it's a name game, not a stats game. It is very relieving to know that the players and coach's have pretty much the final say, even if they do vote in a highly slumping Jason Varitek. You could pretty much make an argument for any of the Pittsburgh Pirates outfield, and why Corey Hart has not been considered is beyond me as well. There's a lot of arguments as to why Soriano was voted in. I agree that he shouldn't be on the team, but while the guy was playing he put up good numbers so the recognition should be there. Jason Giambi getting consideration is beyond me, and I am a die hard Yankees fan. Sure, I would like to see as many Yankee players as possible in there, being the game is at Yankee Stadium, but let's be honest, the guy has been clutch, but that's really about it. David Ortiz should not have received any votes as well. Let's face it, the guy isn't the best first baseman and like we've discussed on The Morning V.I.P, if the AL didn't have the DH, Ortiz would probably not amount to anything at all.

I do look foward to seeing the All Star Game and it should be a great game. However, I do not see the American League losing this one. Sorry NL fans. Be sure to catch The Morning V.I.P every Saturday from 8-10am CST. Visit www.morningvip.com and check out what's going on with the show.