It’s rare that a player can change the course of a team’s season and franchise history without actually being on the team itself.  An example of this is Lawrence Taylor’s devastating hit on Joe Theismann years ago, a hit that changed Theismann and the Redskins.

So what are the chances of a player doing that not once, not twice, but three times against a single team? Despite the long odds, Bernard Pollard has become enemy number one for the New England Patriots.

It’s well known that Kansas City Chief Bernard Pollard ruined the 2008 Patriots’ season, the year they were coming off of a nearly flawless 18-1 4campaign, by tearing Tom Brady’s ACL (can be seen here). That year the Patriots were as always one of the league’s top contenders, and Pollard took them out of the running before the end of their first quarter.

That’s just one of Pollard’s coincidental roles with Patriot injuries. In 2009 the Patriots were 10-6 and the AFC East champions, giving them the No. 3 seed during the playoffs. In Week 17 the Patriots went to Houston to play the Texans, where history now shows Wes Welker blew out his knee trying to avoid a defender. Who was the defender he was trying to avoid? None other than Bernard Pollard.

The Patriots went on to lose their first playoff game to the Baltimore Ravens 33-14. The Patriots were clearly hampered by the absence of Welker, as Brady had one of his worst postseason games that day, throwing three interceptions.

Ironically, Pollard spent the 2011 season on the Baltimore Ravens, who once again faced the Patriots in the playoffs. Jokes were made around the media concerning Pollard going against his Boston foes again and whether another injury was on its way. Unfortunately for Patriots fans, this became a reality as Pollard laid a hit on New England star tight end Rob Gronkowski that led to a high ankle sprain.

In the Patriots’ loss to the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, Gronkowski’s ankle was a major issue. He wasn’t explosive and even got out-leaped for an interception by Chase Blackburn. Gronkowski’s injury was a reason the Patriots’ season ended disappointingly without a championship.

It is not a stretch to say that Bernard Pollard has possibly cost New England multiple championships. In 2008 the Patriots were still capable of the offensive firepower they had during their near-perfect season. 2009 admittedly was not as good, but the Patriots still could have made a run in the playoffs with Welker. Finally, this past Super Bowl could have been won if Tom Brady had his best offensive weapon.

Pollard, like Lawrence Taylor mentioned before, has brought about changes in the NFL as a whole. Taylor made the blind side tackle a more looked at position, most noted in the movie and book The Blind Side. Bernard Pollard was the force behind the “Brady rule”, where a defensive player can not lunge at a quarterback form the ground like Pollard did against Brady in 2008.

While not a huge star, Pro Bowler, or Super Bowl champion, Pollard has had a huge effect on the NFL and playoffs recently. His hits on Gronkowski and Brady could be looked at as hits that cost the Patriots titles, and helped cripple (pun intended) their dynasty. For fans who don’t like the Patriots, he is loved. For Patriots fans, he’s infamous.

Note: None of this article is to take away from the New York Giants Super Bowl title. They played a fantastic game and had an incredible season. Congratulations to them and all their fans.

Tom Brady, arguably the greatest QB in NFL history, was limited to the role as a game manager in perhaps the most important game of his career—yes, that is the secret of the New England Patriots victory over the Giants.

I can already envision the outrage I will receive for saying such blasphemy from New England Patriot fans.

Beloved Patriot fans, if you want to see Tom hoisting that Lombardi trophy above his head for the fourth time, then you’re going to  need to see an offensive game plan where Tom Brady is handing that pigskin about 70 percent of the time into the bellies of his running backs or his twin Dikta-like tight ends.

This will be the only way the Patriots will beat The New York Giants. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick must do what opposing teams often attempt to do against them—control the clock and keep quarterback Eli manning of the New York Giants off the field.

Two reasons: First, the Patriot Defense won’t be able stop Eli Manning or the Giants running game, and secondly, and maybe more importantly, the Patriot running game is a seldom-seen commodity that, in this writer’s mind, is the poison to slay the Giants defense.

I have watched both teams all season. Given the reality that the New England Patriots have a below average defense, and the fact that the better teams in the league have adapted to the Patriot offensive scheme, a stout running game is the needed elixir to give the Pats the strategic advantage they will need against a team that is more well balanced then they are.

The Giants are licking their chops at the thought of Tom Brady standing back in the pocket for a typical day of 40 or more passes.

The Patriots’ brain trust, Coach Bill Belichick, would be wise not to grant this wish and do just the opposite. The vaunted Giant pass rush that stomped the Pats in their last Superbowl meeting will begin to slow down in the fourth quarter after a heavy dose of a run attack that was unexpected—then some of that Brady passing magic can be applied safely.

All year long the Patriots have tinkered with the run game like a kid trying to put together a model airplane. When things didn’t go right, like any youngster, you call on dad to put things together and  solve the problem.

Likewise, when in a need for a quick fix, Tom Brady would call on Bill Belichick to just let him stand back and sling the ball, and all would be well in  Patriot Nation.

The Patriot running game had success, but Coach Belichick gave up on it too quickly—after all, having Tom Brady is a hard addiction to break.

The fact is the New England Patriots have some dynamic runners, including bruising tight ends that can bring hell-on-turf. Coach  Belichick must kick the Brady habit and put some trust in his run game.

The genesis of my thinking is years in the making of watching The Patriot machine, but I only need to point out two games this year to make my point where no amount of directional help from mastermind Bill Belichick or Savior Tom Brady would work.

Both the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants, masters in defense, employed what has been Tom Brady’s Kryptonite: press coverage.

A dose of the Steelers and Giants running game kept Brady and Belichick studying passing schemes and formations from which no answers came forth. The Patriots lost both games with hopes and prayers that they would never have to see those teams again.

Well, as its turned out, they got half their wish. The Pittsburgh Steelers were ousted by the Denver Broncos, but as things often go in life, God will provide some of the heavy lifting but you have to work for some of your miracles.

The New England Patriots can beat the New York Giants by carrying a work-like attitude to Super Bowl XLVI, running the football about 70 percent of the time. Sometimes you win by losing some of the obviousness that opposing teams expect from you.

The Giants have one of the best pass rushes in football. The Patriots, if they play their normal scheme, will play right into the strength of their rival. This is a game where Tom Brady has to be small—handing the ball to his runners often in order to win the game.

The New York Giants will plan their whole defensive scheme with the idea that Tom Brady is going to do what Tom Brady always does: throw and throw some more.

The New York Giants, the team who stole perfection and NFL God-hood from both Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, are poised to again destroy another Superbowl dream from the dynamic duo of Brady and Belichik.

There is only one way to stop them—Tom Brady, you must become small—The New England Patriots must run the ball.

I think I’m having an out-of-body experience.

As a hard-core Track and Field fan who seriously follows the sport all year, every year, I’m having to get out of my own skin in order to gain the perspective of the general sports fan who eats, sleeps and breathes for such sporting commodities as say…football, basketball or baseball.

Considering my own particular passion, I understand the obsessive nature of sports fandom. But why does that fanaticism normally exist at the exclusion of what might possibly be the oldest and purest of all sports?

In any given day during the year, Track and Field athletes are competing at all levels somewhere in the world, yet most sports fans—especially here in America—are either unaware or uninterested.

Except during those two weeks of magic in the summer of an Olympics year.

Then, Track and Field becomes the premier draw in what is arguably the most concentrated gathering of elite athletes on the planet.

Quite a leap forward for a sport normally relegated to the back pages of the sports section during the other 36 months and 50 weeks of the quadrennium.

And so, as I mystically hover above my diehard fanatic self, I’m asking this question: Why doesn’t the temporary fervor generated by the casual fan toward Track and Field during the Olympics carry over to the non-Olympic years?

After all, in two of those non-Olympic years the World Outdoor Track and Field Championships provide a global stage almost as prestigious as the Olympics. And new world records occur much more frequently in non-Olympic settings. Also, at the elite professional level—when one considers prize money, appearance fees and shoe endorsements—financial compensation for the athlete is approaching the level of the big three (NFL, NBA, MLB).

And did I mention that nearly every major pro meet in the world can be seen via live internet stream, if not via live TV?

Within the sport, “experts” have been asking where the former glory of the sport has gone. A tainted image brought on by high-profile drug cheats is an almost universal answer. Some cite poor marketing techniques or lack of quality media exposure. Still others point to a refusal (so far) to adopt the modern “extravaganza” approach typified by the Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Weekend.

Although it doesn’t solicit it directly, Track and Field does benefit from an Olympics media coverage which comes close to the Super Bowl in terms of hype in promoting its featured sport. (Therein might lie part of the answer I’m seeking).

Another segment within the sport argues that with the emergence of charismatic superstars such as Usain Bolt, Yelena Isinbayeva and Jessica Ennis, the sport is actually on the upswing. Still, the days of seeing USA vs. USSR or Coe vs. Ovett plastered across the top of the typical American sports page are long since passed.

So it is with a bit of urgency that I now ask you, the reader, what it is Track and Field must do to keep your attention, on a yearly—or even monthly—basis. Use the comments section below to enlighten me.

And could you hurry? I’m in a literal state of suspension and I’m eager to get back into my old familiar Olympic-frenzied, rabid self.

Things to look forward to this year:

Indoor season (collegiate and pro)—underway now through March.

Outdoor season—April through September (in the northern hemisphere)

US Olympic Trials (team selection)—Eugene, OR: June 22-July 1

XXX Olympic Games—London, UK: July 27-August 12

Former Penn State head coach Joe Paterno was a coach players loved to play for and a coach who will forever be the staple of Nittany Lions football.

According to multiple news sources, including ABC News, Paterno was pronounced dead on the morning of Jan. 22 at 85 years old.  In a report by Reuters, the family spoke on Paterno’s legendary coaching career and his unmatched dedication to his work and those he loved.

“His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them,” the family said. “He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community.”

Paterno was not only one of the most accomplished coaches in Penn State history, but is known as arguably the most successful to ever grace the sports world.

In spite of having a career somewhat tainted by scandal, as a head coach Paterno was known for coaching some of the better defenses in college football history during his 46-year tenure that began in 1966 with Penn State.

Top-notch defensive talents from Paterno’s program who made noise in the NFL included LB LaVar Arrington, OLB Jack Ham and safety Darren Perry.

In his 46 years as a football coach, Paterno was a whopping 409-136-3, with 24 bowl game wins in 37 bowl appearances.

What makes the feat all the more impressive is Paterno had just five losing seasons his entire coaching career, boasting a whopping 41 winning seasons. The 2007 College Football Hall of Fame inductee coached two national championship teams in his career.

His accomplishments are simply too difficult to even fathom, while he also boasted a work ethic unmatched by most every coach.

JoePa’s coaching legacy lives on strong, not only in the world of college football but  is considered a coaching career to go down as one of the more memorable tenures in the history of sports.

For the Baltimore Ravens, all was somber and dreary as they left Gillette Stadium defeated and weary.

As night blanketed the New England sky, Ray Lewis and company must have felt lost in a bad dream that bordered on the surreal.  Indeed, the game had unfolded nicely for the Ravens, laying a path for a fairytale ending that would have resulted in a trip to Indianapolis.  But in a bizarre play of events, the Ravens lost a game that, on paper, looked like a victory.

Consider this—the Ravens offense had more total net yards (398) than the Patriots offense (330). Stephen Gostkowski, not Rob Gronkowski, was the Pats biggest offensive weapon. And Tom Brady had more rushing touchdowns (1) than passing (0).

Finally, to top off the strangeness of the night, Joe Flacco and Tom Brady had identical completions and attempts (22 of 36), with Flacco coming out ahead (at least statistically) with two touchdown passes to Brady’s goose egg.

Yes, this was a game that the Ravens wanted, yet were unable to capture due to the return of an unwelcomed guest—the Patriot Way.

The Patriot Way is best described as all parts working toward a common goal. Through the synchronized movement of all of the pieces, the body Patriot can win in various ways.

Although the Patriot Way had been waylaid the past few years by misguided organizational ambitions, it surfaced in full regalia against the Ravens.

It was Brady diving over the line to score a touchdown.

It was Brandon Spikes making a crucial interception of a Flacco pass.

It was Vince Wilfork forcing the Ravens out of field goal range.  And it was Sterling Moore knocking the ball out of Lee Evans’ hands in the end zone.  Therefore, before the heavy beating of Billy Cundiff’s tell-tale heart foretold a shank, the return of the Patriot Way made victory possible.

So, as the Ravens walked slowly through the locker room door, the Patriot Way whispered into their ears: “You will play—Nevermore.”

It’s pretty apparent that it’s time for a change in the way the college football postseason works. For anyone who still believes that the Coaches poll is still a legitimate ranking system, grow up. Saban and the Tide only got a shot at the national title because they harshly underrated Oklahoma State, which is absolutely ridiculous. I believe the time has come for a playoff system to be implemented in college football. This process requires three very important steps. First, there must be six major national conferences established with all teams being forced to join a conference. Secondly, the season would be shortened to 11 games. Finally, the six conference champions and two wild card teams will play in an eight-team playoff.

First, six major national conferences must be established. The obvious choices here are to keep the six major conferences in existence now (Big 10, Big 12, ACC, SEC, Pac 12, Big East), though they would have to be restructured. All of the aforementioned conferences would have 12 slots, making room for 72 major programs eligible to compete for the national championship. The existing teams would then be segmented into the six conferences based on region and talent level. All of the independent teams would be forced to join a conference in order to be eligible to play in the playoff system.

Second, the schedule would have to be reverted back to an eleven game season with a conference championship and a two-week playoff leading up to a national championship. Shortening the season back to eleven games prevents the season from running too long and further interfering with the NFL playoffs. This also takes strain off of teams playing in the playoffs who could play up to three additional games. The longer the season gets the greater chance there is for injury and that is the absolute last thing that anyone wants too see in college football. Nobody wants a rising star’s career to be cut short because their body wore down in college.

Finally, the six winners of the conferences championships would enter the playoff and two additional wild card teams would be selected. The wild card teams would be chosen by a selection committee, much like it is done in college basketball now. This would ensure that teams who are deserving of entering the playoffs but who may have been defeated by tough competition in their conference championship would still get an opportunity to compete in the playoffs.

While the execution of this plan would be near impossible at the moment due to contractual obligations the teams have to their current conferences and the contracts those conferences have with television stations, it could be implemented in the future if the NCAA were to set a date past which no contractual obligations between any team and conference could be established. This would require a lot of work on the part of the NCAA (so they probably would never consider it) but it would provide for the most merit-based system in which a national champion can be crowned in college football.

When Orlando Magic General Manager Otis Smith swung a deal to acquire the talents of former LSU Tiger Glen Davis for starting power forward Brandon Bass in a sign-and-trade, many fans were puzzled. Not only was Smith shelling out a four year, 26 million dollar cumbersome contract  to an unproven big man, but many were wondering what Davis brought to the table that Bass didn’t possess?

So far, its looks like extremely little.

In the first eight Orlando Magic exhibition games, Glen Davis is averaging a measly seven points and four rebounds per game. That is a considerable amount lower than last season’s averages of nearly 12 points and five rebounds per game.

Brandon Bass, on the other hand, is playing the role of consistent front-court contributor while averaging a career-high 13 points per game to go along with six rebounds per match.

Sure, “Big Baby” did put up a season-high 20 points on a fantastic 8-13 from the field versus the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, but Davis’ start to his first season with the Magic can be summed up by one word: inefficient.

Since being drafted in the second-round of the 2007 NBA Draft, Davis’ shot selection has been more than questionable. Even though the former Boston Celtic has a refined post-up game, the fifth-year veteran still insists on shooting his inconsistent mid-range jumper. With the Celtics, Davis averaged 10.3 shots off the bench, most of them coming from the outside. This season has been no different, as Davis is averaging an extremely poor 32 percent from the field.

Plus, it seems as if Davis is more interested in personal accolades than team achievements. A few months ago, the young power forward stressed his desire to make an All-Star team. Now that the big man has an increase in minutes, Davis is chucking up every shot in sight with hopes of earning that title.
Howard revives Davis

But if there is one reason that this transaction was horrible for the Magic, it is the sad fact that the Magic lost a ton of athleticism, hustle and leadership with the absence of Bass. It is quite obvious that Orlando lacks in the aforementioned areas and substituting in Davis was definitely not the answer. When Orlando added Davis to the roster, the Magic thought they obtained a player who could help crash the boards and do the “dirty work” with Howard. However, Davis has done the exact opposite and, instead, has been somewhat soft in the paint.

Despite being a back-up to one of the most hard-working, intense leaders in Kevin Garnett, Davis has shown little to none of the qualities that made KG one of the best power forwards of all-time.

The Orlando Magic’s Friday night game against the powerhouse Chicago Bulls was a perfect testament to Davis’ lack of hustle and leadership.

Going into the matchup against the 6-1 Bulls, the Magic knew they would have to come out with energy, determination and efficiency if they were to come away with the win. However, Glen Davis and the Magic accomplished none of these goals.

First of all, Davis shot a terrible 25 percent in the game and allowed countless offensive rebounds to the likes of Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer and Taj Gibson. In a league where rebounding is a necessity, giving up offensive rebounds is an absolute killer.

However, the real kicker of the night came when All-NBA center Dwight Howard jokingly acted like he was reviving teammate Davis after he fell going for a loose ball. Even though it was quite funny, would other championship-caliber teams be all smiles if there teams was losing by five in the fourth quarter?

In the end, Glen Davis is only 26 years old and still contains some potential to grow into a star in Orlando. But with each passing game, Magic fans miss more and more Brandon Bass and his smaller, more reasonable contract.

FIESTA BOWL

Site: Glendale, Ariz.
Date: Jan. 2
Time/TV: 8:30 p.m./ESPN
Matchup: Oklahoma State (11-1) vs. Stanford (11-1)

Or, National Semifinal #1.  How great would that actually be? Ok maybe this should be Oregon instead, but either way – the winner getting a shot for the title… on the field. To dream, the impossible dream…

Should you watch: yes

Who wins: OK State, then Indy in April (what kind of conniption will Manning throw if they draft Luck…)

SUGAR BOWL

Site: New Orleans
Date: Jan. 3
Time/TV: 8:30 p.m./ESPN
Matchup: Michigan (10-2) vs. Virginia Tech (11-2)

ACC vs. Big Ten matchup that could see Michigan return to relevance as a college football power.  Virginia Tech is in a familiar place representing the ACC in the the BCS, but this time they are not going up against a conference champion.  The Hokies will try to change their fortune this time by not losing in the BCS, or at least not getting blown out last year like they did against Stanford.

Should you watch: Yes

Who wins: Virginia Tech pulls this one out because they play good defense, and Michigan plays no defense.

ORANGE BOWL

Site: Miami
Date: Jan. 4
Time/TV: 8 p.m./ESPN
Matchup: Clemson (10-3) vs. West Virginia (9-3)

How snitty are these bowls?  These two matchups aren’t horrible but there are better games to be had. And what the hell was the point of the ACC Championship game if both teams just get the cush bowl games (and payouts) anyway.  At least Clemson at some point was undefeated and in the conversation for competing for a national title, but West Virginia is kind of laughable being in this game (What Big East representative would not have been).

Should you watch: Begrudgingly perhaps.

Who wins: BCS Bastards.

COTTON BOWL

Site: Arlington, Texas
Date: Jan. 6
Time/TV: 8 p.m./Fox
Matchup: Arkansas (10-2) vs. Kansas State (10-2)

On January 6^th? And not at THE Cotton Bowl but at JerryWorld? Screw it, just call the Dallas Cowboys Bowl and move on, hell the Yankees do it.

Should you watch: might actually be a decent game.

Who wins: Jerry

BBVA COMPASS

Site: Birmingham, Ala.
Date: Jan. 7
Time/TV: 1 p.m./ESPN
Matchup: Pittsburgh (6-6) vs. SMU (7-5)

This is probably one of the worst games on the schedule for the 2011 bowl season, and the fact that the game is on January 7th is even worse.  This is going to be one of the last games of the college football season?  Really?  An average SMU team against a banged up even more average Pitt team whose coach took a new job before the bowl game, is a recipe for a garbage football game.  We will see if the teams prove us wrong.

Should you watch: Probably not

Who wins: Does it really matter?  Umm Pitt!

GODADDY.COM BOWL

Site: Mobile, Ala.
Date: Jan. 8
Time/TV: 9 p.m./ESPN
Matchup: Northern Illinois (10-3) vs. Arkansas State (10-2)

A brilliant or cynical strategy by the tourism folks of Alabama. We will shoehorn our shite bowls right into the BCSapalooza, maybe people will just keep watching and not notice. That’s why the Pitt-SMU game is first; these teams did once play a Cotton Bowl game that had national title implications. And then maybe no one will notice the next night that they are watching freakin’ NORTHERN ILLINOIS and ARKANSAS STATE! Hey, they have 10 wins! Each! By the way Cotton Bowl, your January 6^th gambit lumps you in with these posers.

Should you watch: I don’t care anymore.

Who wins: no one.

BCS TITLE GAME

Site: New Orleans
Date: Jan. 9
Time/TV: 8:30 p.m./ESPN
Matchup: LSU (13-0) vs. Alabama (11-1)

Look, what’s the point? You don’t give us a playoff. You screw over OK State, but equally screw at least 2 other teams as well. LSU already beat these guys in Alabama, now you want to have them try again… in New Orleans?!? And even if Alabama were to win what’s that solve? We don’t get a rubber match; no other 1 loss team gets a shot at Alabama. Used to be the last undefeated team got voted #1 in the final polls and they were named champ. But that caused too many issues so instead of a playoff we get this crap sandwich. Drawn out to mid-January when I don’t give a damn anymore. If any year called for the final polls to call it, this is the year. So sure, geaux Tigers and eff the BCS.

The Denver Nuggets took off some of the luster from Miami’s blowout win over the Dallas Mavericks by doing the same. Also, for the second game in a row, the Mavs made the game appear closer than it really was by trimming into the lead in the fourth quarter.

For the second straight game, they trailed by over 30 points at the end of three. Needless to say, Dallas is not going to defend its title playing like this.

To say they miss Tyson Chandler would be an understatement. Suddenly, the Mavericks are the worst defense in the league, surrendering 110 points per game, and that’s with their opponents sitting their starters in the fourth quarter.

Lamar Odom, who was supposed to be his replacement, has a field goal percentage of 12.5. That’s not points per game, that’s field goal percentage! Certainly they can get better than that form him, and will. That’s not the problem.

Vince Carter and Delonte West have been filling in at the shooting guard spot and have somewhat struggled, but not horrendously so, combining for an average of 14 points per game. While that could be improved upon, that’s not the problem either.

It’s not just the quality of play that’s of concern. To a degree, that’s excusable. With the brevity of the training camp and the preseason, it’s understandable.

What’s more disconcerting is the lack of intensity.

The Mavericks don’t have the same level of focus that they had last year when they were playing like a team possessed and were mowing down every team in their path.

The biggest opponent the Mavericks have right now is complacency. They have the personnel, but they need to dig down and find the desire. Until they do, they won’t scare anyone, even if they are the defending champs.

A few months ago, the Carolina Panthers’ season was expected to be a long and drawn-out one. A 5-9 record didn’t seem out of the question, but if you were told that Cam Newton would break one of Peyton Manning’s records, would you ever believe it?

Well, Newton is set to do exactly that today when Carolina takes on the Buccaneers at home. The Bucs are on an eight-game losing streak and have one of the weakest secondaries in football. Three weeks ago, the Panthers’ quarterback led the team to a 38-19 win and a 106.1 passer rating on the road in Tampa Bay.

Newton will need only 18 yards today to break Peyton Manning’s rookie record of 3,739 passing yards. The young quarterback will also have a chance to pass the 4,000-yard mark on the season; he needs only 278 yards over his final two games to do so.

The record serves as a reminder to all that no player should ever be written off and told what his limits are. We’ve seen Tim Tebow play a huge role in turning the Denver Broncos around and Cam Newton has the Panthers in position to make a playoff run next season.

Nearly every analyst defined Newton as a pure scrambling quarterback who would never succeed as a passer in the NFL. Well, don’t look now, but he’s about to become the most prolific rookie passer in NFL history—not bad for an “overhyped, high-risk” first-round pick with “a glaring bust factor.”

Good luck to Mr. Newton today and here’s to allowing players to play before stating how poorly they will play at the next level.