AFTER one week of its 2003 season we are reminded why the NFL is the best of the major professional sports leagues. Better than major league baseball, better than the NBA, better than hockey. Let us count the ways.
Parity
The dynasties are gone, but that makes each season all the more intriguing. Only the 1997 and 1998 Broncos have repeated as Super Bowl champions during the 10-year history of free agency. The last four quarterbacks to win the Super Bowl were: Brad Johnson, Tom Brady, Trent Dilfer and Kurt Warner, hardly a Hall of Fame cast. Every fan feels like his or her team has a chance to win every Sunday … unless you root for the Bengals, Cardinals or Bears.
Salary cap
It’s at $75 million this year, nearly double from its starting point of $34.6 million 10 years ago. Of course that’s chump change to Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, but it’s plenty to field a good football team, and avoids the competitive imbalance that’s ruining baseball
Free agency
Agreed to in 1993 and signed in 1994, free agency has created unprecedented movement in the league where teams can see a third of their roster change each season. But signing the right players can help a team go from last to first in one season, and only the most productive players make the big money usually in the form of a hefty bonus (see: Laveranues Coles). What makes the NFL version different is non-guaranteed contracts eliminate the over-paid underachievers that handicap baseball (see: Mo Vaughn) and NBA rosters (see: Clarence Weatherspoon).
Labor peace
The NFL hasn’t had a work stoppage since 1987. The current collective bargaining agreement doesn’t expire until 2007. Unlike baseball, which had its World Series canceled in 1994 and the NBA which lost much of its 1999 season to labor strife, the NFLPA and NFL operate with a spirit of cooperation.
Kids can watch
While day baseball games are rare, and day basketball games are almost non-existent, the NFL has just two night games each week, Sunday and Monday night. Kids can watch more than 90 percent of the games without having to miss their bed times. Perhaps that’s why TV ratings were up 4.4 percent last year.
Every play could be their last
With 300-pound men colliding at full speed, the danger of the sport adds to the excitement. If no one wants to see people hurt, why is there so much rubber-necking near car accidents?
ST. LOUIS BLUES
After Week 1, the Rams have already reached a crisis. Marc Bulger, the people’s choice last season, will start at quarterback for the Rams Sunday against the 49ers in St. Louis, while Kurt Warner recovers from the concussion he suffered in the 23-13 loss to the Giants. Bulger gets the job many thought he deserved after winning six of the seven games he started last year. Warner, the two-time MVP, is winless in his last seven starts dating back to last year. Rams coach Mike Martz has gone to the extreme in supporting Warner. Not pulling him after in the third quarter after learning Warner had sustained a concussion was an unnecessary health risk that deserves the league attention. Warner could have suffered long-term or permanent damage to himself. He’s lucky he only lost his starting job.
TOUCHDOWNS
Running back Priest Holmes faces a stiffer challenge Sunday when his Chiefs meet the Steelers in a showdown of Week 1 winners. Holmes celebrated his signing of a four-year extension worth $35 million by ripping the Chargers for two touchdowns and 159 total yards in KC’s 27-14 win. After leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage each of the past two years, Holmes has established himself as the best all-around back in the league.
The Patriots did four-time Pro Bowl safety Lawyer Milloy a favor by cutting him, so he could sign with the Bills. He got a four-year, $15 million contract and has the chance to be 2-0 if the Bills can beat the Jaguars (0-1) Sunday in Jacksonville.
FUMBLES
Tommy Maddox signed a contract that didn’t take into account he might become the Steelers starting quarterback. As a result Maddox, who engineered a 34-15 win over the Ravens Sunday, will make $750,000 this year, which is $100,000 less than the team’s punter.
The Titans, who were hampered by injuries last year, are getting bit again early. They’ll limp into Sunday’s game against the Colts in Indianapolis without kicker Joe Nedney, who is out for the year with a knee injury, and with a hobbling quarterback in Steve McNair, who sprained his left knee in a 25-20 win against the Raiders Sunday night. Also, tight end Frank Wycheck suffered his second concussion in a month and will be sidelined indefinitely.
GAMES OF THE WEEK
Tennessee (1-0) at Indianapolis (1-0). Both are teams looking to keep pace with the . . . Texans???
Pittsburgh (1-0) at Kansas City (1-0). Chiefs looking to make an early statement.
(Three footballs) Miami (0-1) at Jets (0-1). Loser will face uphill season.
Washington (1-0) at Atlanta (1-0). Jetskins building new attitude in D.C.
