By Tim Clark / / Column, Tim's Two Cents, Football, Golf
Two

In the NFL one thing matters, and that is winning the Super Bowl. This fact is decidedly true and cannot be argued no matter how much Mike Tomlin and Art Rooney II try to convince Steelers fans that winning records are what truly matters. Sorry, I still have a little Steeler angst running through my blood. Actually, both of those gentlemen know better. It is Super Bowl or bust in the NFL.

When some teams get that taste, they want more and more and more.

When studying Super Bowl winners, it is as obvious as the nose on one’s face. The NFL is the king of dynasties. Green Bay won the first two Super Bowls under legendary Vince Lombardi. Miami won two in a row in the early 70’s, including an undefeated season. Neither would be considered a true dynasty, but the first dynasty would be right around the corner.

The first dynasty started in January 1975, when the Pittsburgh Steelers won the first of four Super Bowls in six years. This was a dominant dynasty built on grit, defense, and a star studded offense led by Terry Bradshaw. Mike Webster, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Lynn Swann, John Stallworth, Mean Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Jack Ham, Mel Blount, and Donnie Shell are all in the Hall of Fame from the 70’s Steelers. Owner Art Rooney and son Dan, along with head coach Chuck Noll are also in the Hall of Fame. L.C. Greenwood could still join that group in the Hall of Fame. That is unmatched by any of the future dynasties. Free agency has something to do with that, but boy is that truly impressive.

The Steelers were a juggernaut during the decade of the 1970’s. The best example of that isn’t the four Super Bowls, but rather the fact that their best team in that decade was in 1976. The defense pitched five shutouts, and the Steel Curtain did not give up a touchdown in eight games. For goodness sakes, unknown backup quarterback Mike Kruczek went 6-0 with starter Terry Bradshaw injured. That team came up one game shy of reaching the Super Bowl.

As the Steelers star faded for a bit, a new west coast star was rising. Moving into the decade of the 80’s, it was Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers that took the dynasty mantle.

Joe Montana to Jerry Rice became the greatest quarterback/wide receiver combination in NFL history. Between 1982 and 1990 the Niners won four Super Bowls, including back to back in 1989 and 1990. Montana won three Super Bowl MVP’s and Jerry Rice won the other. Joining Montana and Rice in the Hall of Fame, are Richard Dent, Charles Haley, Ronnie Lott, Steve Young, who won a Super Bowl for San Francisco in 1995, head coach Bill Walsh, and owner Edward DeBartolo. Unlike the Steelers of the 70’s, the 49ers were all about the Walsh scheme and the duo of Montana and Rice.

The 49ers, and more specifically Bill Walsh, reinvented offense with their West Coast system. It was a great dynasty, but not quite on par with the Steelers dominance of the 70’s.

Next to grab the baton was a team you either loved or hated. There was no in between.

‘How ‘bout them Cowboys” became the battle cry in Dallas and all over the country in the 90’s. Head coach Jimmy Johnson led the Cowboys to three Super Bowls in four years beginning in 1996. They were brash like their head coach. Michael Irvin became the original trash talker at wide receiver, while quarterback Troy Aikman and running back Emmit Smith just went about their jobs in a Hall of Fame manner. Speaking of brash, Deion Sanders is another Hall of Famer from this era of Cowboys teams. Larry Allen and Charles Haley were the other Hall of Fame players, while head coach Jimmy Johnson and owner Jerry Jones are also in the Hall.

The Cowboys talked the talk, but for a four year period they also walked the walk. Little did owner Jerry Jones realize that 1996 Super Bowl would be the last time his team would make it to the grand finale.

After a slight lull in dynasty mode, we were about to be assaulted by the longest dynasty in NFL history. It was another love/hate relationship for NFL fans.

When the 2000’s rolled around, a sixth round quarterback and a sweatshirt wearing, no fun head coach would take over football for the next 17 years. In terms of dynasty length, nobody will touch the Patriots. And despite the changing parts over those nearly two decades, it was quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick that would rule the football world. The Patriots would win six Super Bowls in this time, including three in four years from 2002 to 2005. New England appeared in three other Super Bowls during that time frame, meaning they were in the Super Bowl 9 of those 17 years.

There was some controversy ranging from “deflate-gate” to “spygate”, where the Patriots were accused of cheating. Pete Carroll also handed the Patriots one of those Super Bowls with the worst play call in Super Bowl history. The Patriots won another Super Bowl when Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons blew a 19 point fourth quarter lead and eventually lost in overtime.

All that said, there is no denying the dominance of that 17 year run. It was impressive and annoying all at the same time, unless of course you were a Patriots fan. It is the longest dynastic run in NFL history and will be difficult to duplicate.

That brings us to present day, where the Kansas City Chiefs are the new dynasty. If the Chiefs defeat the Eagles on Sunday in New Orleans they will become the first NFL team to win three Super Bowls in a row. The Chiefs have appeared in five of the last six Super Bowls, winning three to date. Three in a row would be something else.

We are witnessing another coach/quarterback combination for the ages. Andy Reid may be the best coach in NFL history. He certainly is the best coach right now. Patrick Mahomes has changed how we view the quarterback position. He is as mentally strong as Tom Brady, but with far more physical abilities. Mahomes gets off throws no other quarterback has the ability to make. Both Mahomes and Reid have found different ways to win. Speed receivers that loved the long ball, a more structured offense that leans on a good defense, and the always present Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce being the focus of the offense.

Not only is Kansas City going for three in a row, but the Chiefs show no sign of slowing down. Just how many Super Bowls in a row could they win? Only time and Taylor Swift know.

So, which dynasty is the greatest?

The one with the most Hall of Fame players?

The one that reinvented offensive football?

The one that created the most flash?

The one that lasted twice as long as any other?

Or will it be the one that has the most consecutive Super Bowl victories?

As a Steelers fan I am partial to the first dynasty. In my opinion, the 70’s Steelers was the most complete team and certainly had the best roster. Of course like it or not, it is hard to ignore a 17 year stretch of dominance. There really isn’t a right or wrong answer. It most likely depends on your shade of glasses.

One thing is clear. The Kansas City Chiefs are already the most recent NFL dynasty. A win Sunday would cement them in NFL history as the first thee-peat Super Bowl winner. And that would make a very strong argument for being the most dominant team in NFL history.

Two Cent Takes

Super Bowl

~So, how do I see this playing out?

What do the Eagles have going for themselves?

  • Saquon. Saquon. Saquon.
  • Great wide receivers.
  • The best front seven in the league.
  • Dallas Goedert > Travis Kelce

What do the Chiefs have going for themselves?

  • Andy Reid.
  • Patrick Mahomes.
  • Speed.
  • A great pass rush led by Chris Jones.
  • The refs(that’s a joke…or is it?)

The Eagles have the best roster in football. The Chiefs have the best coach/quarterback combo and it isn’t close. So who wins?

  • Chiefs 27 Eagles 21

Three in a row. The Swift Effect remains strong. Most importantly, Andy Reid vs Nick Sirianni is a major mismatch.

NFL

~Pete Carroll isn’t messing around in Vegas. He pulled Chip Kelly away from Ohio State to be his offensive coordinator. This staff is five stars.

 

College Football

~Ohio State wins a national title…with two losses…and they promptly start falling apart. First DC Jim Knowles, then the OL coach, next the assistant QB coach, now Chip Kelly. Plus the staffer that got suspended. Oh, and seven players hit the portal. Maybe Ryan Day will just fly solo next year. Hey Coach Franklin, it appears the pickings could be ripe next year. It seems like a now or never situation.

~USC has now added a player personnel director to their staff. The Trojans appear to be going all in. They are trying to flip some recruits, including 5 star WR Chris Henry, currently a Ohio State commit. It is nice to see the athletic department finally going all in. Hey Linc, NO EXCUSES.

NBA

~Am I the only one that hasn’t lost it because the Mavs traded Luka Doncic? He acted like a petulant child in the Finals a year ago. He plays next to no defense. And he isn’t interested in being in shape. I get that offense is what matters, and Doncic is one of the best. But I assume the Mavs were fed up and weren’t interested in paying Doncic his max contract. Remember, some said Joel Embiid was going to be the next Shaq. Plus, it sounds like the new Mavs ownership may have other things (casino) on their minds.

~How can I take ESPN seriously when they put up a graphic comparing Larry Bird and Jayson Tatum. Please. And Doris Burke, who earlier in the night was lauding the silver linings in this disaster of a 76ers season, spent 5 minutes trying to suggest Tatum could get to Bird’s level.

NHL

~Kudos to Pens GM Kyle Dubas. Getting a first round pick and some young players for Marcus Peterson and Drew O’Connor was a really good deal. Dubas is clearly starting the unenviable task of rebuilding while still employing Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. But he’s got something going.

 

MLB

~So, when a team like the Pirates spend absolutely nothing to improve their team it is fair to assume they are building through the farm system.

 

Oh, maybe you aren’t familiar with true ineptitude. Welcome to the Pittsburgh Pirates way of life.

College Hoops

~I love Bill Rafferty and hope he keeps announcing forever. Once again, I think Robbie Hummel is the best analyst in college basketball today. He should be calling more big games.

~On my Musings of a Sports Fanatic podcast I took a deep dive on the Big Ten. So, here at the beginning of February how do I see the Big Ten futures?

  • Final 4 Possible: Michigan State, Purdue, Illinois

I actually think Illinois has the best chance, but the Illini have not looked great of late. Michigan State and Purdue could make a run based on coaching.

  • Sweet Sixteen Possible: Wisconsin, Michigan, Maryland

All three of these teams can get that far, but they could also be early exits with the wrong matchup.

  • Win a game Possible: UCLA

I just don’t think Mick has quit enough talent to make a longer run.

  • Could Sneak In: Oregon, Ohio State, Nebraska

Oregon has the best computer numbers but don’t impress me. Ohio State will get a bid in my opinion. Nebraska is a long shot.

  • Will have to win more than expected to get in: USC, Iowa, Indiana, Penn State

USC has the best chance here. Iowa and Indiana are trending down, and Penn State is just about done. The Nittany Lions would have to do a complete 180 starting tonight.

The Weekly Shiny Penny

I think we have all seen some interesting ways for high school players to commit to a college. This one is particularly unique and I must say pretty cool.

 

A Penny For My Final Thought…

Golf on TV sucks.

Golf on TV is boring.

There is not enough action.

The play is too slow.

The players don’t have enough personality.

These are some of the things I am seeing written about golf on TV these days.

I don’t buy it.

I have been watching golf on TV since the 70’s. Golf is not the type of sport that random people will tune in to watch. 99% of golf viewers enjoy playing the game. Those viewers know golf is a slower paced sport. They also know just how good players like Rory McIlroy are, and how tremendous the shots are that they hit.

I agree that slow play is a problem. Why it hasn’t been addressed by the PGA is baffling. TGL golf has shown players still hit good shots while on a shot clock. Make it happen on Tour. I hate slow play on my local course. I certainly don’t want to see guys on Tour take forever.

I love when we get to hear from the players and see their personalities, so yes, I would love to see more of that interaction. It is probably the best part of TGL.

All that being said, I have no problem with the golf on TV. There are so many great young players to watch. The stars are truly stars. What Scottie Scheffler did last year was must watch TV. Rory was fantastic in winning at Pebble Beach last weekend. There are 20 other guys that are fun to watch  plus new guys always stepping forward.

The other great thing about TV golf is the places they play. The locations and courses allow me to drift off almost like I am there. Golf courses, in general, are beautiful. Places like Pebble Beach and Augusta are like heaven.

If you find golf on TV boring then don’t watch. It isn’t for you.

You can try spicing it up with loud music, teams with silly names, and gimmicky rules. Thats what LIV Golf did, and their product sucks. Maybe they are getting more casual fans, but if you are a fan of actual golf, then you are probably still enjoying watching the PGA Tour narrated by the best in the business, Jim Nantz. The rest of the CBS crew is really good, too.

I have watched golf on TV for almost 50 years. As a sports fanatic I always find a player to cheer. As an amateur golfer I love to watch the best in the business hit shots I can only dream of hitting. As a daydreamer, I love to drift away while watching the beautiful golf courses they play.

Yea, golf on TV isn’t perfect. It could use some tweaks. Golf is a niches sport. It isn’t for everyone.

Maybe it is time for the sport to acknowledge that and be happy with where they are in terms of viewership.

 Golf on TV is meant for people like me. I still enjoy the heck out of watching. It is a peaceful way to spend a few hours.

Just my two cents…