The year 2005 is one that University of Michigan Head Football Coach Lloyd Carr cannot soon enough forget.

In a year that was defined by close calls, missed opportunities and just plain bad luck, the Wolverines struggled to find any semblance of consistency.  Interestingly enough, it all began on the year's very first day.

The '05 Rose Bowl may be looked back upon by unbiased on-lookers as a classic battle with a dramatic finish, but to those who proudly don the Maize and Blue, the Michigan/Texas barnburner will be forever viewed as the beginning of a heartbreaking trend.

The Wolverines led the Longhorns by ten (31-21) heading into the fourth quarter, and although Vince Young was running roughshod over the Michigan defense, the offense was moving the ball and scoring at will, making victory appear inevitable.  But in a strange and untimely twist of fate, the Wolverines' touchdown drives suddenly turned into field goals and allowed the Longhorns to come back and eventually win it 38-37 on the game's final play.

Still, despite a disappointing ending to an otherwise successful season, Lloyd Carr had to feel good about his team's chances of returning to Pasadena in '05.  Sure, he lost his biggest playmaker on offense in Braylon Edwards, but he was returning several other key contributors on both sides of the ball, including QB Chad Henne and RB Mike Hart.

The optimism that Coach Carr and Michigan fans held was shared by several writers and college football experts.  The Wolverines entered the '05 season ranked #3 in the pre-season polls and were a trendy pick to finish atop the Big Ten standings.  However, after week one (a 33-18 victory over N. Illinois) the optimism that fans once had quickly turned into concern as the Wolverines lost two vital offensive contributors to injuries.

Senior TE Tim Massaquoi suffered a broken hand and sophomore WR Adrian Arrington was lost for the season with an ankle injury.  Massaquoi would eventually return to the lineup a couple weeks later but with his right hand enveloped in a cast, his pass-catching abilities were severely hampered.

Nevertheless, Michigan went into week two with revenge on their minds against rival Notre Dame and their new Head Coach, Charlie Weis.  But instead of revenge, the Wolverines received a tangible tail-kicking from the hungry and intense Irish defense.  In the process, they lost their swift-footed tailback Mike Hart to a hamstring pull that would sideline him for the next two weeks.

Notwithstanding, Michigan still had an opportunity to win the game and improve to 2-0.  Trailing by a touchdown and facing a fourth and goal on the one yard line late in the fourth quarter, Chad Henne appeared to sneak into the end zone for the game-tying score.  The only problem was the sophomore QB didn't have the ball.  The Irish recovered the fumble and went on to upset Michigan 17-10.

The winged-helmet warriors rebounded the following week with a 55-0 drubbing of Eastern Michigan and entered the Big Ten season with the same high hopes they had prior to the Notre Dame loss.  However, Coach Carr and the boys knew that getting a road win at Wisconsin to start off the journey to another Big Ten title would be no easy task.

Michigan dominated the first half against the Badgers on both sides of the ball.  However, they failed to pull away and knock Wisconsin out of the contest when they had the chance.  In the second half, Wisconsin RB Brian Calhoun finally found some daylight and the Wolverine offense stumbled.  And with less than a minute left, QB John Stocco took it in himself from six yards out to lift Wisconsin to a come-from-behind 23-20 win. 

The loss left Lloyd Carr searching for answers.  His offense was struggling to find a consistent rhythm and his defense, while stout at times, had problems tackling and stopping the opposing team in crucial situations.  On top of all that, injuries were continuing to mount.

After a spectacular 34-31 overtime win at Michigan State the following week, Michigan welcomed Minnesota into the Big House for Homecoming in the battle for the Little Brown Jug, a trophy the Wolverines have held since 1986.  The Golden Gophers came in reeling, having been buried a week earlier by Penn State, 44-14. 

After Steve Breaston took the opening kickoff of the second half back for a touchdown, it seemed that Minnesota's spirit would be broken once again.  Unfortunately for the maize and blue contingent, Michigan's offense continued to sputter and the tired defense allowed Minnesota's running game to take off, and eventually, take over.  On a key third and ten play from deep in Minnesota territory, Gary Russell took a pitch and raced 68 yards down the sideline to set up the Golden Gophers for a game-winning field goal that transformed what was defined as a disappointing start into an improbable tailspin for the mighty Wolverines.  What was even worse, undefeated Penn State was on their way to Ann Arbor the next week to clean up the scraps.

Unbelievably, the 3-3 and downtrodden Michigan football team picked themselves up and pulled off one of their most incredible victories in recent memory.  With one second left on the clock and staring down the barrel of the program's first losing season in nearly 40 years, Chad Henne found freshman Mario Manningham on a crossing pattern in the end zone on the game's final play to knock off the Nittany Lions 27-25.  The win not only ended Penn State's BCS championship dreams, it literally saved Michigan's season.

The Wolverines responded with three more victories, including an overtime road win at Iowa, and were set up for their annual end-of-the-season slugfest against arch-rival Ohio State in the Big House.

The four game winning streak that Michigan went on wasn't without dyar consequences though.  Mike Hart suffered a sprained ankle early in the Iowa game and once again, the Wolverines were without a healthy starting running back.

In spite of everything, Michigan entered Ohio State week with a chance to right several wrongs, and in the process, put themselves in position to play in yet another New Year's Day bowl game.  But once again, the fourth quarter bug-a-boos came to surface and the Wolverines found themselves on the losing end of college football's greatest rivalry for the fourth time in five years.

Leading 21-12 with nine minutes to go, Ohio State QB Troy Smith led the Buckeyes right down the field against the Michigan defense, hooking up with Santonio Holmes on a 26 yard TD pass to pull OSU within two.  Still, Michigan had an opportunity to lump together a few first downs and run out the clock.  Instead, they gave the football right back to the red-hot Buckeye offense who promptly scored again with 24 seconds to go, giving them a 25-21 victory and a berth in the BCS, and leaving Michigan to ponder what could have been.

After finishing the regular season a disheartening 7-4, the Wolverines were selected to compete in the Alamo Bowl against Nebraska on December 28th, marking the first time in nine years that they wouldn't be playing their bowl game on January 1st.

The game itself was entertaining, but the results were more of the same for Michigan.  After taking a 28-17 lead early in the fourth, the Wolverines defense put the clamps on the Nebraska passing game and gave their offense a chance to ice the game.  However, the Wolverines failed in their attempts and after a big punt return, the Huskers scored the next touchdown and subsequent 2-point conversion to pull within three midway through the final stanza.  Michigan then turned it over on their next two possessions and Nebraska went ahead to stay with less than five minutes to play.

To add to Coach Carr's frustrations, the game was not without its share of controversy.  After prematurely blowing the whistle on an obvious fumble during the game's opening drive, the officials (from the Sun Belt Conference, which considering the participants, was incomprehensible on its own) set a tone that bordered on complete incompetence.  Not once, but twice during the second half, Carr was forced to waste timeouts in order for the hesitant replay official to review a questionable play.  As it turned out, one of those plays was a touchdown that was rightfully reversed.

In addition, the officials missed a pass interference call near the goal line on fourth down that would've given the Wolverines a first and goal and four more chances to punch it in for the go-ahead score.  Instead, the mysterious no-call gave the football back to the Cornhuskers with Michigan devoid of any timeouts and thus, helpless to stop the clock.

But despite the horrid officiating, the Michigan Wolverines had no one to blame but themselves in the end.  Just like they had no one else to blame for much of the bad karma that they constantly ran into throughout the year.  If they had simply made the plays when they were most needed, the entire scope of the season would've been different.

In spite of all the close calls, missed opportunities and bad luck that the 2005 Michigan Wolverines encountered, there is reason for optimism heading into '06.  They return several important pieces to the puzzle next season including their two best players on offense (Henne and Hart) and two of their best on defense (LaMarr Woodley and Prescott Burgess).

A return to prominence won't be easy though due to a grueling schedule.  Michigan will have to play several difficult road games in 2006 including at Notre Dame, at Penn State, and at Ohio State.  But when you consider that three of their four regular season losses came at home this year, maybe going on the road isn't such a bad thing.

So breathe easy Coach Carr, your nightmare season is finally over and now it's time to start building on a new dream for Michigan football.  

However, if the same visions like poor tackling and the inability to finish games appear in the new dream for 2006, the nightmare for you may have only just begun. 

I'm not usually one to start campaigning for someone's MVP candidacy less than a third of the way through the season, but with the way Detroit Pistons' point guard Chauncey Billups has played so far this season, maybe I should.

Tonight, Billups put forth another ho-hum performance talleying 21 points, 13 assists, and 7 rebounds in a 113-106 win over the hapless Toronto Raptors in a game that wasn't nearly as close as the final score indicated.  Those numbers are just a microcosm of what Billups has been doing for Flip Saunders and the Pistons all season long.

Chauncey has been the catalyst for Detroit's franchise best 23-3 start to the '05-'06 season.  He simply does what his team needs him to do on any given night.  If his team needs him to hit a big shot, he comes through - just like he did in a double-overtime victory over Memphis eight days ago.  If they need him to distribute and get his teammates involved, he does that as well - ala his NBA season high 19 assist performance against Sacramento two weeks ago.  Whatever is asked of him, Mr. Big Shot delivers.

Chauncey currently ranks in the top ten in four offensive categories.  But the most important stat of all is the one in which he leads the entire league - assist-to-turnover ratio.  Billups dishes out an incredible 4.69 assists for every turnover he commits.  Interestingly enough, Chauncey's backup, Carlos Arroyo, ranks fifth in this category.

But for Billups, the statistics only begin to tell the story.  His floor leadership, calmness under pressure, and ability to make everyone on the floor better are qualities that only a few select NBA players possess in today's game.  And that is something that cannot be overlooked.

Certainly, Larry Brown must be credited for helping Chauncey become a complete point guard during his two-year tenure in Detroit.  But under Flip's guidance, Billups has been given more freedom to be aggressive offensively and take advantage of physically inferior adversaries.  And in turn, because teams compensate by switching and double-teaming, this has opened up offensive avenues for the likes of Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace, thus making Detroit a more potent offensive unit collectively.

When it's all said and done, I'm sure Allen Iverson, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade will all have superior numbers to that of Billups (as they do now) and they will likely be the front-runners for MVP honors.  But hopefully, the writers will look beyond the numbers when deciding who to vote for because if Chauncey continues to play at this incredible pace, his intangibles will more than make up for his lacking stat line.

But hey, I'll admit that there is way too much season left to start talking about MVP candidates right now.  Besides that, the premise of this blog was to simply praise Billups for his consistent play and his role in the Pistons' tremendous start, not to promote him as the next NBA MVP.  So with that, I'll simply settle for an appearance (perhaps even a start?) in the All-Star game this February.  Lord knows he has deserved that type of recognition for the last two years at least, and he definitely deserves that recognition this year.  

If not, it will be the biggest miscarriage of justice in sports since the Colorado Buffaloes were given a fifth down in a game against Missouri.        

After a convincing 22-3 victory over their arch-rivals, the Oakland Raiders on Saturday, the Denver Broncos find themselves sitting in an enviable position - locked into the second seed in the AFC playoff picture with a first round bye and at least one home playoff game forthcoming.

Of course, they can also thank their friends in Buffalo for their integral role in the proceedings.  The Bills played Grinch to the Christmas dreams of the Cincinnati Bengals by virtue of a stunning 37-27 upset of the Bengals on their home turf.

Still, the Broncos more than earned their spot and now they'll be rewarded with their first home playoff game since 1998, which coincidentally was the AFC Championship Game that year.  The Broncos defeated the New York Jets in route to their second straight World Championship.

Despite the joy and jubilation being felt amongst loyal Bronco fans in Colorado and beyond this holiday season, things weren't so promising just four months ago.

Going into the 2005 season, prognosticators were hailing the defending AFC West Champions, the San Diego Chargers, as the team to beat in the division.  The Chargers were coming off a surprising 12-4 campaign in '04 and returned all of their multitude of offensive weapons (Brees, Tomlinson, Gates and McCardell)for the '05 season.  Therefore, barring injuries, there was no reason to think San Diego couldn't repeat the successes of the previous year.

In addition to the Chargers, the Kansas City Chiefs were expected to make some noise in the AFC West as well.  The NFL's number one offense from a year ago added several impact players on the defensive side of the ball to ensure that they wouldn't be the proverbial one-legged fighter in an ass-kicking contest.

Heck, even the Oakland Raiders, with their off-season addition of Randy Moss, received more hype and publicity than the Denver Broncos.  And after week one, it appeared that all the pre-season snubbing was warranted as the Broncos were man-handled by one of the worst teams in the NFL in 2004, the Miami Dolphins, 34-10.

However, the Broncos rebounded the following week with a huge 20-17 last-second win over the division favorites, the Chargers, and went on to win five straight games in all, including impressive home victories over the Chiefs and Patriots and a road win at Jacksonville.  They would win 12 of the next 14 overall.

In a normal season, the Broncos' regular season exploits would garner tons of media love and respect.  But with the Colts chasing history, the Bears' defense taking the NFC by storm, and the Bengals finally resurging to glory after fifteen years of mutiny, there just wasn't enough room on the front page for Denver Broncos praise.

Nevertheless, Mike Shanahan kept his team focused week after week.  Whether it was the play of the defense, the power running game, the right arm of the oft-criticized Jake Plummer, or a combination of all the above, the Broncos stampeded through the competition on their way to a 12-3 record with one meaningless game at San Diego left on the schedule.  The next big contest on the docket will be a home playoff game in mid January.

So the question looms... was Denver being ignored all season or were they simply taking care of business under the radar?  Personally, I think it's more of the latter than the former.

First of all, not even taking into account the play of the Indianapolis Colts (which is a huge reason why we don't hear much about the Broncos), the AFC as a whole houses nine teams with a winning record.  Six of those nine teams already have double-digit wins with one game still to play. 

Secondly, the Broncos don't possess a game-breaking, highlight machine like John Elway or Terrell Davis anymore.  They don't have a Peyton Manning, a LaDainian Tomlinson, or a Chad Johnson that fills up the film room on ESPN's "NFL Primetime".  Instead, they have a collection of very good players who play very well together.  You won't find any Broncos' players ranked in the top five in most individual statistical categories, but as a team they're rank 2nd in the NFL in rushing offense, 3rd in rushing defense, and 5th in total offense.  Those are stats that championship teams are comprised of.

Finally, it's not like the Denver Broncos have been completely forgotten.  They've played a number of games in front of a national audience, including an early season Monday night drubbing of Kansas City and a huge Thanksgiving win over the Cowboys.  And now that the Colt's pursuit of perfection is over, experts are finally beginning to realize that the Broncos have been right there all season long and possess both the physical attributes as well as the intangibles to be right there in Detroit come February.

Whether or not that actually happens is certainly arguable, but if it does, you may have to flip over to page 2 to find out.  Okay, that may be exaggerating the point a bit, but you get the picture.

I can see it now... 15 years from now on Christmas Day, the Atlanta Hawks will square off against the L.A. Clippers in a rematch of the previous year's NBA Finals (did I just blow my credibility with this piece in the first sentence?) and the top story on Sportscenter will be:

Shaq and Kobe exchange words inside a Santa Suit Shop in Massapeekua!

SC anchor:  "Breaking news coming out of Massapeekua, NY.  Former 12-time NBA MVP Kobe Bryant and his arch-nemisis 'Big Daddy' Shaquille O'Neal were seen exchanging pleasantries at a Santa suit shop as both were purchasing Santa Claus suits in preparation for separate charity events where each would be playing the part of St. Nick for under-priveleged children.  Let's send it out to our award-winning Shaq/Kobe correspondent Rachel Nichols for more on this story."

Rachel Nichols:  "After seventeen years of not speaking, or even acknowledging each other's existence, Shaq and Kobe apparantly buried the hatchet today at a Santa suit shop in Massapeekua.  I asked both legends what this conversation meant in the grand scheme of their illustrious rivalry."

Kobe Bryant:  "Shaq and I just aired out some stuff that's been sorta under the surface for a long time.  We talked a little basketball.  We talked about our families and everything.  It was a great conversation and I really feel good about our situation now."

Rachel:  "Is it safe to say that the uneasiness between you two is a thing of the past?"

Kobe:  "I wouldn't say it's a thing of the past necessarily, but I definitely think that some fences are finally being mended."

Rachel:  "Despite Kobe's encouraging words, Shaq was not quite so positive when discussing the impromptu meeting."

Shaq:  "It was nothing.  He was there, I was there.  We said hello to each other and that was about it.  Nothing has changed."

Rachel:  "Well Shaq, Kobe indicated to us that fences were mended and the rivalry is just about over.  Are his claims untrue, or was this simply a case of Kobe sending the media a message that he's being the bigger man?"

Shaq:  "I don't know.  I don't have a fax machine so I didn't get that message.  I'll be sure to check my email when I get home.  Now if you'll excuse me, I have a Santa suit to return and another rap CD to finish.  I think this one's going aluminum!"

Rachel:  "Don't you mean platinum?"

Shaq:  "Platinum?  My name's 'Big Daddy', not 'Puff Daddy'!" 

Rachel:  "Well there you have it.  Two different outlooks on a by-chance conversation between two very different personalities.  No matter how you look at it, today's interaction is without a doubt the biggest turn of events in this on-going saga since Shaq was traded to Miami amid rumblings that the two larger-than-life superstars could not co-exist some sixteen years ago.  This is Rachel Nichols, ESPN."

SC anchor:  "Thanks Rachel.  Rachel Nichols will continue to follow the two former teammates wherever they go.  We'll have more on this story as it develops."

This fictitious dramatization, while a tad whimsical and proposterous, is a prime example of how extremely annoying and unnecessary this story has become. Unfortunately, with every channel or page you turn, it seems virtually impossible to escape it.  But in case you've been living under a rock for the last three years, here's a quick synopsis:

KOBE AND SHAQ HATE EACH OTHER'S GUTS!!!

Now isn't that a great story?  Isn't that what professional basketball should be all about?  One dynamic, outspoken personality taking one verbal shot after another against his bitter personal rival; a fantastic, yet incredibly dull athlete who's media persona is about as endearing as Joe Namath trapped in a dry county.  Yeah, that's the stuff dreams are made of!

All sarcasm aside, I find this "rivalry" to be very mind-numbing these days.  It's just so yesterday's news and what's worse, it's taking away from what should be the biggest story in the NBA - who is playing the best basketball.

In case you didn't notice (and unless you follow the NBA closely year after year, you probably didn't), the "other game" in yesterday's Christmas Day double-header was a rematch of last year's grueling, seven-game NBA Finals.  It was also a contest between the last two NBA Champions.  And in case you also didn't notice, it was a game pitting the two best teams in their respective conferences against each other.

The San Antonio Spurs and the Detroit Pistons battled it out in a physically demanding four quarters of basketball yesterday.  Detroit came out on top in the end, 85-70.

Chauncey Billups led the Pistons in scoring with 20 points, while Ben Wallace provided the emotional spark and energy the Pistons needed by chipping in with 10 points and recording a game-high 21 rebounds. 

The Pistons outrebounded the Spurs 57-30 for the game, including an 18-6 edge on the offensive glass.

Admittedly, the game probably meant more to the Pistons who were looking to avenge last season's Game 7 loss to the reigning World Champions.  But the Spurs were in need of a victory as well, entering the game losers of two of their last four.  After Sunday's disappointment, the losing number now becomes three of five.  

The Spurs played the game without one of their biggest contributors in swingman Manu Ginobili, who missed his eighth straight game with a sprained right foot.  The offensive firepower and intensity that Ginobili adds to the Spurs' arsenal was almost as lacking as the hype for this game.

"We're very honored, but we realize that it is a great responsibility to play in the JV game," said Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich prior to the game.  "We have to do a good job to make sure the fans stay around to watch the varsity game."

Of course, Popovich's comments were made tongue-in-cheek, but that doesn't change the fact that they were substantiated.  The matchup of the NBA's best teams was pushed aside for the sexier matchup between the league's two biggest individual cash cows.

At the end of the day, the Lakers/Heat game proved to be the better contest overall.  But that doesn't change the fact that the Spurs/Pistons matchup should've been the bigger game going in.

But hey, the NBA is a marketing league first and foremost, especially when it comes to its media coverage.  And neither the Spurs nor the Pistons possess a marketable superstar (read - media darling) that best represents the true vision for the present and future of the league.

But don't fret sports fans, because when the Spurs and Pistons clash again this June, I'm sure ESPN will keep us abreast of what Kobe and Shaq are saying about each other.

After all, the real story isn't about who can play the best basketball, it's about who can talk the best smack... right?

UGH!!!!     

After further review... the replay system must be revamped!

Now don't get me wrong, I am a huge proponent of instant replay.  Since it's re-inception (is that a word?) in 1999, it has done much more good than harm. 

The changes that were implemented from the first go-around have all been positive.  The coach's challenge rule assured that the game wouldn't be slowed down by constant stoppages.  The inside-two-minute rule allowed coaches to save precious timeouts while virtually guaranteeing that the right call would made in the most crucial game situations.  And the mandate that says officials are only allowed 90 seconds to review a play... well, two out of three ain't bad!

Yet despite all the forward movement in the attempts to take full advantage of today's technology, the system can still be improved.

Two aspects of the advanced, yet still flawed replay system that MUST be looked at closely by officials in the off-season are the "down by contact" rule and the "non reviewable" plays.

Down By Contact

How many times has your team been screwed by this ruling?  Think about it for a minute.  You're sitting in your lazy-boy with a bag of semi-stale corn chips resting in your lap, an ice cold brewsky in one hand and your dip-of-choice in the other.  Suddenly, just as it seemed that 'ol Mo was slowly slipping away, your team picks up a loose ball and rambles for a game-changing TD that would immediately put them back in control.  You're elated... screaming at the top of your lungs over this implausible turn of events.  

Soon after, a voice echoes through your television speakers that quickly turns your stomach worse than the stale corn chips and spoiled dip that you've been devouring for nearly an hour.  It's the referee proclaiming, "there is no fumble on the play, the runner was ruled down by contact on the field."

And just like that, all the elation is taken away.  The worst part is, because it was ruled down by contact, the play can't even be challenged because the whistle blew, making anything that happened after the fact irrelevant.

Now let me preface by saying that I understand the premise.  The whistle blows signifying the end of the play, and subsequently, players stop playing.  Therefore, I can certainly understand not allowing any return of a fumble that was initially ruled down by contact to stand.  But let's be honest, when a football is lying unattended on the turf (whistle or no whistle), no one stops.  In fact, if anything more players insert themselves into the scrum in an effort to secure the loose ball for their team.

So here's what I propose...

If a fumble is ruled "down by contact" on the field, the play should still be subject to a coach's challenge or a replay from the booth.  For that matter, a pass that is ruled incomplete on the field should be subject to reversal as well (almost forgot about that one, basically the same principle).  However, anything that happens after the recovery (or catch) would not be allowed for the simple reason that everyone stopped playing after they heard the whistle.  Instead, the beneficiaries of the challenge would simply receive the ball at the spot of the recovery (or catch).

Admittedly, it's not a perfect solution.  But in my opinion, it's better than the system that's currently in place.

Non Reviewable Plays

A perfect example of a "non reviewable" play took place last Sunday night in Green Bay.  With the game tied 13-13 late in the fourth quarter, the Packers had the ball first and ten at their own one-yard line.  Favre handed the ball off to Samkon Gado who was immediately drilled in the end zone by Lions' Defensive End Cory Redding.  In a desperate attempt to avoid a safety, Gado shoveled the ball forward out of the end zone and down to the ground. 

After a bevy of committee discussions, the officials ruled that Gado was guilty of intentional grounding in the end zone.  Holding was also called on the play.  Both penalties would seemingly result in a safety for the Lions but just to be sure, Detroit declined the holding penalty and accepted the "sure thing."

Packers coach Mike Sherman proceeded to challenge the ruling claiming that Gado was outside the pocket when he "passed" the ball.  Referee Mike Carey concurred and the call, much to the dismay of Dick Jauron and the Lions, was reversed and the new ruling was an incomplete pass... no safety.

From there, it got quite interesting.  In addition to changing the safety call, Carey also ruled that the holding penalty against Green Bay occurred at the half-yard line, thus the penalty was half-the-distance to the goal as opposed to a safety for holding in the end zone.  Jauron attempted to challenge that ruling, claiming that Redding couldn't have been held outside the goal line since he was in on the play that happened inside the goal.  But Carey announced that the holding was an "unchallengeable call" and that the ruling would stand without further review.

The result - the Packers moved the ball out past the 30 yard line to gain field position and eventually won the game in overtime.

Now I'm certainly not claiming that the Lions would've won the game had the original safety call been allowed to stand.  Nor am I claiming that had the holding penalty been reviewed, the call on the field would've been reversed.  I'm simply asserting that there's no valid reason (at least in my view) why the officials couldn't at least take a look at where the holding penalty actually occurred and make the proper ruling from there.

Of course there have been several other "non reviewable" plays that have taken place over the years that could've completely altered the outcome of a given game.  And because of that, I think it's time to make all calls challengeable, as long as there is some element of uncertainty and/or controversy involved.

It wouldn't slow down the pace of the game any because coaches still have only two challenges per game, with a third rewarded only if the first two are both upheld.  Therefore I see no reason why these changes can't be implemented.

The worst that could happen is that the coach loses the challenge (and thus, an all-important timeout) and the game moves on accordingly.  The best that would happen is that an erroneous ruling would be corrected and the game wouldn't be decided by a bad call.

Again, it's not a perfect solution.  But in my opinion, it's better than the system that's currently in place.